Wrestling 1962

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Cadet will not Lie, Cheat, Steal, or Tolerate Those Who Do

USMA at West Point

We have changed the wording of our Alma Mater to reflect the fact that our Women Graduates have also given their lives serving this Nation.

----- Class of 2012 Motto ------

- "For More Than Ourselves" -Thank you Class of 2012 - for the Honor of Marching with you The Class of 62 - Can Do

Remember - The Soldiers you will lead Always Come First

Motto -- Duty Honor Country

The Cadets of West Point

They played perhaps Army's Greatest Game. They were the Team that Gave The Most

Washington's Letter recommending the establishment of the Academy and the History of West Point

The Oaths We Take

West Points Medal of Honor Winners

Jefferson Hall - the Academy's new Library.

Douglas MacArthur

Vinegar Joe Stilwell cleaning his Thompson -The Walkout -Burma 1942

George Patton

The Monuments of West Point

Kosciuszko Monument - Guarding the Hudson ensuring there is no passage of British Man of War

Forts of the Hudson

So we'll sing our reminiscences of Benny Havens, Oh!

Academic Excellence

---- Colonel Thayer

West Point

Trophy Point

L'Ecole Polytechnique Monument, or The French Monument by Cadets

Superintendent's Quarters viewed from Thayer Road

Superintendant was not Happy Black '57

Home of the Dean

Quarters 104

Cadet Chapel

Michie Stadium

Arvin Gym

Kimsey Athletic Center

Holleder Center

Washington Monument

United States Military Academy Band

Cadet Barracks

Rugby Complex

Great Chain

Plain looking toward Washington Hall

Battle Monument

Washington Hall with Cadet Chapel on rocks above.

Hudson River

Captured Trophies

Battle Monument

West Point Cemetery

Plain

Cost to this Nation of Differing Views

Trophy Point -- Our Flag

Corps of Cadets Formed in Companies early 1960s

Sending the Army Team off to Beat Navy

Army Mule

Color Guard

Band Box Review Early 1950's in Central Area

Battalion Mass Early 50's

Flirtation Walk

Arvin Gym

Duty Honor Country

Cadet will not Lie, Cheat, Steal, or Tolerate Those Who Do

Motto -- Duty Honor Country

Remember - The Soldiers you will lead Always Come First

Academic Excellence

--They played perhaps Army's Greatest Game. They were the Team that Gave The Most

Colonel Thayer

West Point mid 60's

Trophy Point

L'Ecole Polytechnique Monument, or The French Monument by Cadets

Superintendent's Quarters viewed from Thayer Road

Cadet Chapel

Michie Stadium

Arvin Gym

Kimsey Athletic Center

Holleder Center

Washington Monument

United States Military Academy Band

Barracks

Rugby Complex

Great Chain

Plain looking toward Washington Hall

Battle Monument

Washington Hall with Cadet Chapel on rocks above.

Hudson River

Captured Trophies

Battle Monument

West Point Cemetery

Plain

Cost to this Nation of Differing Views

Trophy Point -- Our Flag

Corps of Cadets Formed in Companies early 1960s

Sending the Army Team off to Beat Navy

Army Mule

Color Guard

Band Box Review Early 1950's in Central Area

Battalion Mass Early 50's

Flirtation Walk

Cadet will not Lie, Cheat, Steal, or Tolerate Those Who Do

Motto -- Duty Honor Country

Remember - The Soldiers you will lead Always Come First

Academic Excellence

They played perhaps Army's Greatest Game. They were the Team that Gave The Most

Colonel Thayer

West Point mid 60's

Trophy Point

L'Ecole Polytechnique Monument, or The French Monument by Cadets

Superintendent's Quarters viewed from Thayer Road

Cadet Chapel

Michie Stadium

Arvin Gym

Kimsey Athletic Center

Holleder Center

Washington Monument

United States Military Academy Band

Barracks

Rugby Complex

Great Chain

Plain looking toward Washington Hall

Battle Monument

Washington Hall with Cadet Chapel on rocks above.

Hudson River

Captured Trophies

Battle Monument

West Point Cemetery

Plain

- Cost to this Nation of Differing Views

Trophy Point -- Our Flag

Corps of Cadets Formed in Companies early 1960s

Sending the Army Team off to Beat Navy

- Army Mule

Color Guard

Band Box Review Early 1950's in Central Area

Battalion Mass Early 50's

Flirtation Walk

Click on Photos Below

Please note it takes a couple of hours to update all pages as material is added to this section. You may have to return to the home page to see all of the current links

Cadet will not Lie, Cheat, Steal, or Tolerate Those Who Do

We have changed the wording of our Alma Mater to reflect the fact that our Women Graduates have also given their lives serving this Nation.

----- Class of 2012 Motto ----- "For More Than Ourselves" Thank you Class of 2012 for the Honor of Marching with you The Class of 62

---------- Class of 2008 --------- ----- Class Crest & Motto ----- "No Mission Too Great"

---- Their Commencement ---- "Here am I; Send me."

Thank you Class of 2008 and Please Thank the Men & Women --- the Soldiers you will lead --- The Class of 62.

Motto -- Duty Honor Country

Remember - The Soldiers you will lead Always Come First

Jefferson Hall - the Academy's new Library.

Academic Excellence

--They played perhaps Army's Greatest Game. They were the Team that Gave The Most

---- Colonel Thayer

West Point mid 60's

Trophy Point

L'Ecole Polytechnique Monument, or The French Monument by Cadets

Superintendent's Quarters viewed from Thayer Road

Cadet Chapel

Michie Stadium

Arvin Gym

Kimsey Athletic Center

Holleder Center

Washington Monument

United States Military Academy Band

Barracks

Rugby Complex

Great Chain

Plain looking toward Washington Hall

Battle Monument

Washington Hall with Cadet Chapel on rocks above.

Hudson River

Captured Trophies

Battle Monument

West Point Cemetery

Plain

- Cost to this Nation of Differing Views

Trophy Point -- Our Flag

Corps of Cadets Formed in Companies early 1960s

Sending the Army Team off to Beat Navy

- Army Mule

Color Guard

Band Box Review Early 1950's in Central Area

Battalion Mass Early 50's

Flirtation Walk

Arvin Gym

Duty Honor Country

Cadet will not Lie, Cheat, Steal, or Tolerate Those Who Do

Motto -- Duty Honor Country

Remember - The Soldiers you will lead Always Come First

Academic Excellence

--They played perhaps Army's Greatest Game. They were the Team that Gave The Most

---- Colonel Thayer

West Point mid 60's

Trophy Point

L'Ecole Polytechnique Monument, or The French Monument by Cadets

Superintendent's Quarters viewed from Thayer Road

Cadet Chapel

Michie Stadium

Arvin Gym

Kimsey Athletic Center

Holleder Center

Washington Monument

United States Military Academy Band

Barracks

Rugby Complex

Great Chain

Plain looking toward Washington Hall

Battle Monument

Washington Hall with Cadet Chapel on rocks above.

Hudson River

Captured Trophies

Battle Monument

West Point Cemetery

Plain

- Cost to this Nation of Differing Views

Trophy Point -- Our Flag

Corps of Cadets Formed in Companies early 1960s

Sending the Army Team off to Beat Navy

- Army Mule

Color Guard

Band Box Review Early 1950's in Central Area

Battalion Mass Early 50's

Flirtation Walk

Cadet will not Lie, Cheat, Steal, or Tolerate Those Who Do

Motto -- Duty Honor Country

Remember - The Soldiers you will lead Always Come First

Academic Excellence

--They played perhaps Army's Greatest Game. They were the Team that Gave The Most

---- Colonel Thayer

West Point mid 60's

Trophy Point

L'Ecole Polytechnique Monument, or The French Monument by Cadets

Superintendent's Quarters viewed from Thayer Road

Cadet Chapel

Michie Stadium

Arvin Gym

Kimsey Athletic Center

Holleder Center

Washington Monument

The material below this point is a site a work area.

Page 2

The '54 Crest

General MacArthur stated it would take

"at least 10 years"

to return Army Football to Respectability

28th Infantry Regiment Black Lion Award is intended to go to the person on his team "who best exemplifies the character of Don Holleder: leadership, courage, devotion to duty, self-sacrifice, and - above all -

an unselfish concern for the team ahead of himself."

General George Patton

"The Army moves as a team, eats as a team, and fights as a team."

The '55 Crest

They played perhaps Army's Greatest Game.

They were the Team that Gave The Most

Don Hollender Remember - The Soldiers you will lead Always Come First

Vann and Holleder

9 Army A's

The '56 Crest

The '57 Crest

Can Do

Gen Van Fleet addressing the Corps prior to the Navy Game

Constructed under supervision of Jay Gould "54 and the Ord Dept from a German Rocket Gun captured at Kasserine Pass. First used in the Duke Game.

COL "Red" Reeder granted the Cheerleaders Corps Squad status to obtain financial support for their spirit-inducing initiatives.

Bob Mischak - - It should be pointed out that Bob was an All American selection, but is not recognized by the Academy as such because of the organization which selected him.

Ubel scores 3 Times against Navy - Vann's facking results in Peter getting tackled - #10 on the ground behind Ubel

Vann to Sisson
Army's B Squad
Vann to Mischak.
Uebel Intercepts
Cody to Don Holleder

Lasley
Frank Hicks
Burd
Bill Purdue
Cody
Meador Mgr
Ron Melnick

Ralph Chesnauskas
Pat Uebel
Tommy Bell
Sisson headed for another score
Peter Vann stuffs the ball in Jerry's gut
Leroy Lunn & Jerry Lodge
Uebel after taking the handoff from Hagan

Attaya - Army's Fullback
Sisson - one of 3 Great Ends
Bob Mischak
Unknown

Unknown
Vann moving out of the pocket
Peter Vann 10, Billy Chance 38, Herdman 68

Ken Kramer
Joe Lapchick
Kirk Cockrell

Lodge going down tosses to Paul Schweikert for score.

Unknown
Bob FarrisPlayed the 2d half of the Navy Game blind in one eye.

Pat Uebel
Tommy Bell
Peter Vann
Freddie Attaya
Mike Zeigler
Jerry Lodge wearing #67, playing fullback.
Wynn

Lowell Sisson

Norm Stephen
Jack Krause
Dick Ziegler
Jerry Lodge
Leroy Lunn

Norm Stephen
Jerry Lodge
Corps of Cadets for Navy Game

Can Do

General MacArthur stated it would take
"at least 10 years"
to return Army Football to Respectability

General George Patton
"The Army moves as a team, eats as a team, and fights as a team."

Don Hollender Remember - The Soldiers you will lead Always Come First

The '54 Crest

The '55 Crest
28th Infantry Regiment Black Lion Award is intended to go to the person on his team "who best exemplifies the character of Don Holleder: leadership, courage, devotion to duty, self-sacrifice, and - above all -
an unselfish concern for the team ahead of himself."

They played perhaps Army's Greatest Game.
They were the Team that Gave The Most

The '56 Crest

The '57 Crest

Wrestling 1962

Al Rushatz - Team Captain - 177 Pound - All American

Denny Benchoff against Pitt - 1961

Al Ruhatz against against Pitt - 1961

Dale against against Lehigh - 1961

Buzzy Kriesel

Al recognized for his All American Status

Coach Alitz and Al

Al McElhose

Dale Kuhns

Denny Benchoff

Coach Alitz and Mike Natvig - National Champ 1962 & 1963 at 147 Photo is 1963

Phil Burns

Joe Sayers

GuZ' (Gus Zenker) West Point Wrestling (and Other Athletic) Reminiscences

I write this for the athletes from the West Point Class of '62 more to - "fill the slot" (so that others will not have to try) than for any other reason.

I was lucky enough to have wrestled in Los Gatos (California) High School for three years and thus had enough experience to be picked up for Plebe Wrestling during Beast Barracks Corps Squad Screening. I typically weighed about 183 lbs, but had great difficulty making the 177 lb. Weight class. (In fact I can't remember ever making it!) Not to worry, though, because we all know who made that 177 lb weight: Al Rushatz.

Thus, I was usually competing for the 191 lb. Class, against others such as Buzz Kriesel, who also lost out to Al in the wrestle-offs, to see who would compete at 167 and 177. I had a few pounds on all the heavier "also-rans", so even if I didn't get to wrestle 191s, there was always Unlimited.

Most of the Plebe matches (and even the JV matches in later years) usually came down to the last (Unlimited) match of the meet to decide which team would win. The Army Team was usually ahead by a few points going into the last match, so my role in wrestling in the last match of the day was to try not to lose it for the team. In fact one of the few coaching instruction that I received from the Sainted Coach Leroy Alitz before setting out on the mat for a match was, "Zenker, don't get pinned." (A loss by decision, 3 points, would have preserved the match. But, if I were pinned, 5 points for the other team would have lost it!)

Of course, the best thing about being a barely marginal wrestler was Corps Squad Tables, particularly during Plebe Year, of course. The next best thing was wrestling Unlimited and being the only guy on the ten-man table who was not cutting weight. Two or more steaks, all the dessert I wanted, etc. Sometimes my table mates, who couldn't eat anything anyway, would feed me by throwing food in the general direction of my mouth - Ah, the "Animals" in the Corps Squad Area! Coach Alitz actually encouraged me to gain weight, and I did for a time get up to 195 lbs., but at that weight lost what little speed I had at normal weight.

My Plebe and JV experiences at the heavier weight classes (191 and Unlimited) taught me that my chances were better at Unlimited. Those that wrestled at 191 were usually good athletes: Typically football players who, although they had limited wrestling experience, were quick and strong. (An experienced 191 opponent was always my biggest challenge and I seldom won in that matchup - put seldom if ever got pinned.) On the other hand, many of the guys who wrestled Unlimited from other schools were basically slobs with few skills and less speed than I. The secret in these matches was not to let these overweight guys ride you! I sometimes won those matches by a 1-point escape from the "down position".

Bottom line: I did win my Class Numerals Plebe year, but never did get the JV award and never wrestled on the A Team. I didn't wrestle Firstie Year - and Coach Alitz didn't try to persuade me to stay on the team!

One last comment on my athletic (and leadership) abilities at West Point. Yearling Spring the Intramurals were listed with what I thought had to me a mistake: I was Canoe Racing Coach. Now this was a new sport initiated that year and no one wanted it, so I was ranked into it with a few plebes. The "sport" itself was a simple concept: Two 2-man teams in a relay; start with the (70 lb.) canoe in the water by the "dance hall" (can't remember the name) at Lake Popolopen, paddle like hell for a quarter mile, portage for 200 meters, back in the water and paddle back to the beach, short portage back to the start point where the second team would repeat. It definitely was a put-out!. But, the most difficult part was that the coach had to transport his team to and from Popolopen by 2-ton truck and turn in the truck at the motor pool (way up by the laundry) afterward. On a P-Rade afternoon, getting back to the barracks area in time for parade was the true "put out."

On the mats of wrestling past are born those cauliflower ears, mat burns, and sore knees which in other times will mark one forever.

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