ASSOCIATION AFFAIRS

Leadership Through Athletics A Gift And Lasting Tribute...the Otto Graham Hall of Athletic Excellence at the Academy finally a reality By Bill Thompson ’64, Director, USCGA Alumni Association

A rendering of the new displays on the second deck of Billard Hall designed by Murphy & Orr from Atlanta, Georgia, a leader in creating similar displays at other universities, including many of the other military service academies. kill, commitment, leadership, integrity men and women sports, great teams, Sand character—honorable traits that individual accomplishments, along we hope and expect of our Academy with story boards and technology- graduates. Let’s face it, these outstanding aided reviews of all varsity, club and young men and women are special and intramural sports. We will highlight continue to make us proud while at the the Academy’s Athletic Hall of Fame Academy and throughout their career. members in this Hall and pay a special Many of these fine individuals can point tribute to former athletic icons who to the competitive athletic experience served in the U. S. Coast Guard. Most at CGA as a vital component of their of us will enjoy the privilege of visiting preparation for the officer corps. They this lasting tribute to Otto Graham in the may cite physical and mental fitness, form of a special place that will honor, determination, teamwork and the ability acknowledge, and highlight Academy to confront adversity as a foundation “Leadership through Athletics.” for their success. Their participation The Hall will take center stage along in athletics was and is a diversion with the surrounding balcony and side with a purpose that has led to their areas within Billard Hall, but will still development as Leaders of Character. leave room for athletic events, seating, Some of these graduates will be recreation, and competition as needed. fortunate enough to be honored in the The Otto Graham Hall of Athletic Coast Guard Academy’s Otto Graham Excellence will be a source of pride and Hall of Athletic Excellence scheduled historical significance to cadets, alumni, to open during the fall of 2016. The parents, officers, staff and retirees, as Hall will pay tribute to the pioneers of well as, Coast Guard friends. Stepping

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through the Hall may provide a chance to reflect with joyful and sometimes tearful reminders of greatness from days past, present and beyond. The Hall should serve as an inspiration to all who enter that “Leadership through Athletics” is a cornerstone of Academy life and for prospective recruits it will offer a glimpse into an athletic program built on years of history and tradition. So Who Was Otto Graham? Most Gen Xers and current Millennials have never heard of Otto Graham. Baby Boomers may recognize the name, but his legendary athletic status was likely a distant memory. Arguably the best and shortest answer—Otto Graham was a “gift” to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and to our Service— but let’s start at the beginning. In high school Otto Graham was breaking records early as he was selected to the Illinois all-state team in football, basketball and music. Recruited to , he was the first player to be named College All American in both football and basketball. He played professional basketball with the Rochester Royals, moved to professional football with the upstart Cleveland Top: Otto Graham was once rated the world’s top Browns, and became the first athlete ever to win back-to-back professional athlete before he came to the Academy professional world championships in different sports. Graham to coach football and eventually serve as Athletic led the Browns to ten championship years and seven world Director. Bust created by CT artist Tony Falcone and commissioned by the Class of 1964 on the occasion of titles. An original iron man, Otto played in every game during their 50th reunion. It will be a centerpiece in the new Hall his entire career, and was a four-time NFL All Pro and two-time of Athletic Excellence. Bottom: A rendering of one of the NFL MVP. He retired at age 33 and his #14 jersey rests in the light boxes that will feature each team. Professional Football Hall of Fame next to his Hickock Belt, awarded to the world’s top professional athlete. In 1959, he accepted the Head Coach and Athletic Director position at the Academy and led the 1963 Academy Bears football team to the first and only undefeated and untied Academy regular season record and a coveted trip to a National Bowl game. He was then recruited as Head Coach and General Manager for the Washington Redskins in 1966, but three years later returned to the Academy as Athletic Director, where he coached football for several years and retired in 1985 as a Coast Guard Captain. He was selected to the NFL’s 75th anniversary All Time team and named one of the top 100 athletes of the 20th century. He was named to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness, became a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society and was instrumental in youth athletic programs. Captain Graham worked hard to make athletics fun and he firmly believed that athletic participation was a keystone to personal integrity, character and leadership. Under his tenure the athletic program grew substantially. In addition, his stellar athletic reputation brought a great sense of pride to the Corps. It helped that he also had a caring attitude towards the cadets. Former Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Jim Loy ’64 summed it up best. “Otto Graham personified leadership. He had that rare combination of natural ability, intense focus, and disarming nature that marks a few to stand out from the crowd. He cared deeply and personally about each of us who were privileged to know him. His example challenged us to be better at our chosen work than we ever expected we could be.” Captain Otto Graham did not have a “WIN AT ALL COST APPROACH” but rather a philosophy captured by this tenet:

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“Believe in yourself. Believe you can win. thanks to the generosity of spirited Play as a team. Keep your poise. Give it individuals from academy and civilian your level best. Have Fun!” walks of life. At last count we have raised over $1,000,000 from direct contributions A Fond Journey & Perspective on the Hall to the fund and through the annual Otto Eleven and a half years ago, it was my Graham Golf Classics. The funds have honor to establish the Otto Graham been applied to a number of athletic Athletic Legacy Fund, created to benefit, projects over the years from completion support and recognize Academy athletic of lower field irrigation, dugout programs. We commenced this journey construction, several club sports, varsity during the celebration of Otto’s life at and club team travel, assistant coach Homecoming weekend in Billard Hall support, press box construction for cadet back in 2004 [read the article about memorial stadium, and new football and that event at www.cgaalumni.org/ conference room offices and equipment. SalutingOtto]. Fundraising efforts were The fund set its sights early on directed beyond alumni for the first the ultimate goal of creating an Otto several years—namely to organizations, Graham pavilion or atrium to serve as sports legends and teams. Our early a tribute to cadet excellence in athletics. contributors were Cincinnati Bengals However, while we were doing well owner , Jr., son of Otto’s raising monies, it was never at the level coach when he was with the Cleveland to support building a structure, nor Browns; , owner of did we have the space on campus. A the ; John Morgridge, few years ago, thanks in large part to CEO and Chairman of the highly Athletic Director Tim Fitzpatrick, we successful technology company Cisco proceeded to develop a plan to transform Systems; as well as, Bob Cousy, Holy the underutilized space in Billard Hall Cross graduate and Boston Celtics behind the stage into new football and legend. These individuals and others athletic conference rooms. It was at this answered our early call for support. time that the idea to use Billard as the Another early supporter was Arnold space for the Hall began to percolate. Palmer, who has been most generous of There were several areas there that could his time and treasure in support of our serve as appropriate exhibition space Otto Graham Golf Classics. This April we without impacting ongoing athletic are heading to ’s Bay Hill activities. The athletic department was all Resort for the ninth annual golf classic. in and secured a commitment from then Since those early years, we have Academy Superintendent Rear Admiral raised a significant amount of money Stosz ’82 to proceed. Hall to Open Fall 2016 With the completion of the football office renovation in 2013 and with the approval of current Superintendent RADM Rendon ’83, our focus shifted to the construction of the Hall. The Alumni Association has been working in partnership with the Academy, its Facilities Engineering Division, and Athletics to create an exciting display space, while minimizing the impact on the Corps of Cadets throughout the project. The Association chose Murphy & Orr from Atlanta, Georgia, a leader in creating similar displays at other An early and generous supporter of the Otto Graham universities, including many of the Golf Classics is Arnold Palmer (L), seen here with other military service academies, to author Bill Thompson at the 5th Annual Otto Graham create the original design of the Hall of Golf Classic held at Mr. Palmer’s Bay Hill Resort in Athletic Excellence. A final bid process Florida in 2012.

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selected G. Donovan Associates to build the project within Billard Hall under Inside the new Otto Graham Hall of the watchful eye and management of Academy Facilities at a total cost of $1.8 million. Athletic Excellence At this time, design and fabrication of the displays by Murphy & Orr has • 24 Light boxes – one for each of the current begun. Renovations and improvements teams on the mezzanine level as well as a to Billard Hall will begin in March, display for both men’s and women’s club sports including a new drop ceiling that will house two projectors for visual • Bust of Otto Graham, donated by the Class of presentations shown on two screens 1964, to be located on the stage with other Otto above the stage. We expect the Otto Graham and football displays near the new Graham Hall of Athletic Excellence to be completed by September, with a ribbon Football offices cutting to be held during Homecoming • 10 Wall displays on the first level including All weekend. In addition, the 2016 Athletic Hall of Fame and Alumni Association America Selections, Famous Coasties in Sports, Awards Dinner will be held there. Facilities Then and Now, Logos, Objee the Bear, We have come a long way from that Current Events in Varsity Athletics and more. early dream thanks to the generosity of many individuals from Alumni to • 7 Wall displays on the mezzanine level professional organizations and friends including tributes to the Pioneers of women’s of the Coast Guard, all of which has varsity athletics, Arnold Palmer, Hayley helped us get to this point. We need your continued support to reach our Feindel, the Bear Club and others fundraising goal. Help us turn Billard • 6 Cabinets with displays of trophies, awards Hall into an on-site showcase for Academy teams and athletes, as well as, and other selected memorabilia a tribute to one of the world’s greatest • 12 Hanging banners depicting milestones in athletes. To view a complete list of supporters and to learn more about this CGA Athletic history project and how you or your class can • Railing displays including one highlighting contribute or sponsor a display, go to www.cgaalumni.org/oghae. CGA national champions Otto Graham was a special gift to the • And a newly designed display of the USCGA Academy. He chose us and we prospered from his reputation and his great love Athletic Hall of Fame Plaques including an and respect for the cadets and the U.S. electronic kiosk where you can learn more Coast Guard. “Thanks for your gift to us, about the inductees Otto—now please accept CGA’s gift to you—The Otto Graham Hall of Athletic Excellence!”

More renderings by Murphy & Orr – the Hall will take center stage along with the surrounding balcony and side areas within Billard Hall, but will still leave room for athletic events, seating, recreation, and competition as needed.

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