WASHINGTON, D.C. - Laughter, hugs and old
stories were exchanged among friends and families on Sunday,
October 25, at the Kellogg Conference Center on the campus of
Gallaudet University as the Bison Athletics Department paid tribute
to the seven new members of its Hall of Fame. A sold out crowd
shared this special moment with seven well deserving individuals
who made great contributions during their time at Gallaudet
University.
GU Athletics Director Michael Weinstock served
as the master of ceremonies for the day and said how the event was
like a wedding and that the toughest part about preparing for the
day were the seating assignments.
"These seven inductees are very elite. This is a great honor for
this group. The ceremony was very inspiring," said Gallaudet
University Athletics Director Michael Weinstock.
"We will always remember this group and we thank them for their
contributions to Gallaudet University."
People enjoyed a lovely brunch before each member of the Class
of 2009 was inducted into the GU Hall of Fame. A surprised guest
presented each inductee before they took the stage to make their
acceptance speech and receive their Hall of Fame plaque. Here is a
recap of the event.
Charles L. Hammack, '91, was presented by his
former wrestling coach Marty Willigan, who is also
a member of the Gallaudet Hall of Fame. Willigan glowed about
Hammack's performance for the Bison wrestling program where he
broke all school records.
"Charles was the most dedicated wrestler I have ever coached,"
said Willigan. "He was the leader of the team as he inspired his
teammates and told the team what the goals were. I will always will
have great memories of Charles and all that he achieved."
Willigan shared a story about how he and Charles would wrestle
at practice and coach would arrive home later in the evening with
bruises on his faces because of the intense practice with Charles
and the team. Hammack was a two-time NCAA Division III All-American
wrestler at GU. Willigan said Hammack would had been a three-time
All-American but Charles placed academics first and couldn't travel
to nationals one year because of school work.
"This is quite an impressive event," said Hammack during his
acceptance speech. "I feel quite honored. I am privileged to be
among the lucky few to be inducted into the Gallaudet University
Hall of Fame."
Hammack amassed a stellar 117-14-1 career record as a Bison.
Hammack lettered four seasons as a wrestler for Gallaudet between
1985-1990 and even played football a few seasons. His final season
he posted a 36-2 wrestling record.
"Marty treated us like we were his sons. I want to thank him and
his wife for their support over the years," said Hammack. "Family
is the key to the success in life."
Robert Jackson, former men's volleyball coach at
GU, was presented by former player Rob Cundy.
Jackson established the men's volleyball program back in 1973 and
coached for five seasons after the pilot season. He had five
straight winning seasons from 1974-78 where he posted a career
record of 61-25-2. Cundy spoke about how Jackson used his
connections to have Division I schools play Gallaudet.
"Bob wanted us to play the big boys such as University of
Maryland, Duke University, etc.," said Cundy. "He always motivated
us and would tell us that we did a wonderful job."
One of Jackson's trademarks as a coach was that he wore
turtlenecks with a blazer to games. In honor of Jackson being
inducted into the GU Hall of Fame over a dozen former players
joined him on stage in turtlenecks and blazers and presented their
coach with a signed volleyball.
"When I looked at that table of former players today I couldn't
help but cry because of the great memories that Gallaudet gave me,"
said Jackson.
The Bison won four straight Potomac Intercollegiate Conference
championships (1974-77) under the tutelage of Coach Jackson. His
best season came in 1977 where Gallaudet won 20 matches. In 1976,
the program won the Eastern Region 3 Tournament. In 1975, the
Bison were a participant in the National Association of
Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national tournament after they
won the NAIA District 19 championship. He led the Bison
to five straight winning seasons after the pilot season.
Richard A. Jacobs, '91, was presented by his
former Gallaudet coaches Jimmy DeStefano (men's
basketball and former Athletic Director), Vance
Rewolinski (baseball), Thomas Withrow
(track and field) and Richard Pelletier
(football). Jacobs was an all-around student-athlete at Gallaudet
University in the late 1980's.
"Richard always placed the team first," said DeStefano. "He was
a great defender. His trademark was his passion."
On the basketball court he led the Bison to 47 wins in his four
seasons. He was a swift runner on the baseball paths as he led the
team in stolen bases. He used his speed to become a national
qualifier for the NCAA championships as a decathlete. Jacobs
finished fourth in the Decathlon at the 1990 NCAA national
championships in Naperville, Ill, hosted by North Central College.
The year before he finished 10th in the javelin at the NCAA
championships. He served as a punter on the Bison football team for
one season. He was an honorable mention selection to the GU
Football Centennial All-Present Era team as a punter. Jacobs later
served as an assistant coach with the GU track and field team in
1991.
"You all gave me a chance. I was considered the underdog when I
was in college," said Jacobs, who ended up walking on to most teams
he played for at GU. "I want to recognize those players who are not
the stars and are overlooked or considered dark horses. This is for
them."
Touria Ouahid Boren, '01, a former women's
basketball star, was presented by her coach Kitty
Baldridge. Ouahid played four seasons for the Gallaudet
University women's basketball program from 1996-2001. The crafty
guard was a pure scorer who could hit a key bucket when needed or
fire up a three-point shot to help the Bison in a pinch.
"Touria was a true student-athlete. She had amazing compassion
for her team as she never put herself before the team," said
Baldridge.
Ouahid was named the Capital Athletic Conference Player of the
Year in 2000-01 and was a three-time All-CAC first team selection
and a second team pick one time. She ranks first in GU history in
steals with 348 and second in assists with 560. She was nominated
to the 2000 NCAA Division III All-American team during her junior
season. She was a member of the Bison women's basketball team in
1996-97 when GU posted a 19-8 record and an 11-3 mark in the
Capital Athletic Conference. That team ended its season in the CAC
championship. Ouahid averaged 18.7 points per game that season as
she led the Bison in assists (155) and steals (102).
"The Field House was my second home. I would always see the Hall
of Fame display and think that would be impossible for me to
achieve but here I am today," said Ouahid, a native of Sweden.
"This is really a highlight in my life."
Michelle Poole, '93, a former women's swimmer was
presented by her coach Carol Ann Smalley. Poole
set 13 Gallaudet University women's swimming records from 1985-89
and still currently holds three in the 50 and 100-yard freestyle
and 50-yard butterfly events. She became the first-ever GU women's
swimmer to qualify and make it to the NCAA Division III national
championships (1986, '87, '88).
"When Michelle joined the team it was a coaches dream come
true," said Smalley. "She was my ace in the hole. I could place her
in any event."
Poole is a two-time Team MVP (1986, '89), team captain (1987-88)
and the GU Female Athlete of the Year (1989). She also served as an
assistant swim coach at GU from 1990-92 and head coach from
1994-95.
"Thank you all for this honor," said Poole during her acceptance
speech. She went onto explain how she continued to swim for the
Bison when she was a student even though her parents didn't want
her to. Her secret got exposed once she graduated as she told her
parents.
Weinstock added a quick story about Poole, who was walking with
a slight limp, that she practiced with the current Gallaudet
swimming teams on Friday for the first time since she was a coach
back in 1995.
Vincent Todd Silvestri, '92, was presented by
former Gallaudet football coach Bob Westermann,
who traveled the farthest of all the presenters from the state of
Washington. Silvestri was a force on defense for the GU football
program in the late 1980's and a NCAA Division III All-American
wrestler for the Bison. The team captain led the football team in
tackles for three straight seasons from 1985-87.
"Todd was an outstanding football player," said Westermann. "I
have a long history with Todd. I arrived at this fine campus in
1977 and started off coaching at the Model Secondary School for the
Deaf and later coached at Gallaudet. I knew we had to change our
attitude that we could win at GU. I knew I needed a winner and
that's why I called Todd [to come here and play]. He could
influence people. He has 'it'."
Silvestri was named to All-Atlantic Collegiate Football
Conference (ACFC) first team in 1987. The Washington Football
Officials Association (WFOA) named him the Most Outstanding Player
in 1987 where he made 103 tackles. The linebacker started 31
consecutive games for the Buff and Blue and compiled 298 tackles
during his career. He earned All-American wrestling honors during
the 1988-89 season at the 177 lbs. weight level.
"When I got here I was a troublemaker. I met Bob and he pushed
me. I wanted to play linebacker but he forced me to play nose
guard," said Silvestri. "He taught me to be a team player. Bob was
a great role model for me."
The final inductee was Shannon D. Simon, '92,
another Bison football player from the 1987 team that went 9-1 as
he was presented by Pelletier. Simon is the only football NCAA
Division III All-American first-team selection in school history.
He earned the highest honor in '87 for his outstanding play
as an offensive lineman. Simon played the offensive position for
four seasons under Coach Westermann.
"Shannon was a hard worker. He did everything the coaches
wanted," said Pelletier. "People don't think about the offensive
line. They are the silent warriors but the heart of the team."
Simon used his brute strength to block Bison running backs and
protect GU quarterbacks from the opposition. He served as a team
captain during his senior season. Simon was selected to the
Atlantic Collegiate Football Conference (ACFC) first-team in
1988.
"Gallaudet gave me the tools to go out in the world and be a
success," said Simon. "Playing football allowed me the chance to
travel the world. My education from Gallaudet has given me
everything in my life."
Simon mentioned during his acceptance speech that he had wished
his parents could have been present but they had booked a cruise a
year in advance. Simon also thanked his former teammates that were
being inducted into the Hall of Fame with him especially Jacobs.
The two were roommates in college.
"We had a wonderful experience together. They are one of the
reasons why I am standing here today," said a humble Simon.
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