READERS WRITE

Thanks to all of the readers who wrote with UVM sporting memories. Our correspondents covered hockey, diving, football, tennis, track, and the fabled broomball, among others. Tough call, but Rick Howard is our favorite entry for his play-by-play of running after an undefeated cross-country season. We’ll be sending a UVM hockey jersey Rick’s way. It’s sure to be a hit down in Texas.

NEXT ASSIGNMENT: What was the best thing you ate during your days at UVM? Might have been downtown, might have been in a campus cafeteria, might have even been a 3 a.m. Koffee Kup Bakery cruller in the thick of an all-nighter. The meal, the moment, the memory--let us know about it. Please keep the text to 100 words or fewer. E-mail responses to vermontquarterly@uvm.edu or mail to Vermont Quarterly, 86 South Williams, Burlington, VT 05401.

THE PRIZE: Our favorite entry gets this bowl, suitable for dining, crafted by Erik Homstead ’06 at the Living/Learning Pottery Cooperative.

What was your most memorable UVM sports moment?

TO THE WIRE
Early November, 1964. Temperature 280, north wind gusting 20+ mph, sleet. Ten UVM freshmen cross-country runners trying to complete an undefeated season. Coach Archie Post offered a few words of encouragement. The starting gun barked and we dashed across the muddy grass (now Post Field), frigid air searing our lungs, exhaling great plumes of condensation. Within a half mile, we were completely numb, every joint purple with cold. Slogging up the marshy grade near the end of a tortuous 2.75 miles was the hardest quarter mile I ever ran, but it wasn’t enough: we lost by a single point, 27-28.

W. F. "Rick" Howard ’68
Addison, Texas

OUT COLD
My most memorable UVM sports moments occurred while playing football against the University of Massachusetts in the fall of 1954.

Towards the end of the game, while covering a kick-off, a UMass player decided to punch me in the head, knocking me out cold. While stretched out (which I only saw in the game film), a players’ brawl ensued. The UVM band, led by Joe Lechner, had to play the national anthem to restore order.

By the way, we upset Massachusetts and had a season record of 5-1-1, which at that time was one of the better UVM football records to date.

Lew S. Reische ’57
Hewlett, New York

EARNING IT
I played tennis for UVM in the late ’70s on the women’s team before uniforms and varsity letters, when we played the sport because we truly loved it. To me, there was nothing more exciting than having to play against a teammate to earn a spot for the next match. I remember playing more than three hours, until it was down to the last point, when this "practice" finally ended. Of all my tennis matches this was my most memorable because we both wanted, more than anything, to represent UVM as a player for the women's team.

Jody Stevens Kulick ’79
Holmdel, New Jersey

WINLESS, UNDAUNTED
It was a typical fall football game at UVM in 1971: snow on the ground, snow falling - no fall leaves to be found. My fellow squad members were ready to cheer the football team on to a monumental win. Parents of players and cheerleaders drove many miles, some needing to make a weekend out of the opportunity to see such an anticipated game. My parents drove from Long Island to observe firsthand my excitement. After four quarters had passed, we were once again mauled. However, our enthusiasm did not wane through the remainder of our 0-9 season.

Peggy Becker Walton ’74
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

WHEN BROOMBALL RULED
The moment that is foremost in my mind, the sports moment against which all other memories are compared, is the unbelievably competitive, all-out war-zone mentality of UVM broomball.
What other sport combined the precision of figure skating with the grit of athleticism?

We girls on Wilks 4 were unbeatable. Encouraged by the guys, at first it was just a gathering to show up as a team and represent our dorm. But after we began to win, and bond, and strategize, and start to really dominate, we realized this sport was larger than life. I don't remember my professors’ names from that winter of 1986, or even what classes I took, but I remember the smell of the snow in the air the day we marched over as a team unit with newly taped brooms in our hands. I remember the guys on our floor supporting us by wearing jackets and ties to our games like the pros would.

I felt like a real entity that winter, and I don't think I would learn as much about teamwork, or feel as much like a celebrity, as I did that season. As subtly as it crept up on me, the sport would disappear,
but it is in people like me, telling the story, that the legend of broomball lives on!

Mary Beth Cocuzzo O'Callaghan ’89
Wrentham, Massachusetts

PAYBACK FOR MIDD
My fondest UVM sports moment was the Vermont College Track and Field Championship in 1958. Since Middlebury had beaten us in an early season multi-team meet, we were decided underdogs.
Centennial Field never looked better as we clashed in total sunshine on that May day. Led in scoring by Dick McFarlin ’59 and yours truly ’58 (St. Johnsbury Academy ’54 graduates), we overwhelmed Middlebury by a 80 2/3 to 46 1/3 score.

It was a great day for rural Vermont athletes and an even better one for UVM. The memories are vivid to this day.

Bob Meserve ’58
Yarmouth, Maine

GETTING OUT
My years at UVM turned me on to sports--not traditional team sports but outdoor sports. I experienced many memorable moments through the Outing Club: hiking to the top of Mt. Marcy, a winter ascent of Mt. Washington, learning to roll a kayak in Lake Champlain, canoeing at dawn on Lake George, spelunking at Dorset Mountain, skiing the ungroomed slopes at Mad River Glen, and the most memorable of all, rappelling off a rock face at Camel's Hump. The Outing Club was a life-changing experience for me. It gave me an enduring love for and appreciation of the outdoors.

Christine Rosencrantz Pratt ’68
Wickford, Rhode Island

STILL FLINGING IT
On May 21, 1958 at Centennial Field, after four years of mediocre javelin throwing and a humiliating performance at the Yankee Conference meet in Durham, New Hampshire, a UVM senior launched a new record, 197-foot, javelin throw at the Vermont collegiate track & field meet. Three days later in Orono, Maine, he concluded his UVM walk-on athletic career with a 196-foot throw for the first NEICAAA track & field championship won by a UVM athlete in Archie Post’s coaching experience. Thirty-five years later he was inducted into the UVM Athletic Hall of Fame and 44 years later, wearing UVM colors, he won a USAT&F masters national championship in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with a 128-foot javelin throw.

Malcolm “Buddy” Russell ’58
Idaho Falls, Idaho

HEADFIRST
I tossed and turned all night after receiving a call from the Athletic Department asking me to dive for the University at a swim meet. I never thought about diving competitively for UVM, but always enjoyed recreational use of the pool. All I knew was that I was the sole diver for UVM.

I successfully performed my trademark jackknife, swan, and handstand dives. Then it came to the dreaded 1-1/2 somersault. At almost 5 feet 10 inches, my body didn't easily form into a tight ball. But this time, I made it around with a gallant, splattered entry.
UVM placed second in diving that day. There were only two of us.

Suzanne Seeley Beyer ’66
Bothell, Washington

SLOW ICE IN CINCY
I am a long-time UVM hockey fan. I started out behind the chicken wire in January of 1970. Now I find myself with season tickets on the glass for myself and my husband.

But something in my gut tells me that my most memorable UVM sports moment did not happen at the “Gut.” It took place in Cincinnati, Ohio, at the Frozen Four. I was seated high up in the corner. Suddenly, I see Martin St. Louis rushing down the ice, doggedly pursuing that puck. But how can you really be dogged when you are swimming? As many of you know, the Freon had leaked and left the ice a mess.

The sheer look of determination on St. Louis’ face, the persistence of his movements despite how soaking wet he was, will always stick in my mind as not only the ultimate picture of #8, but the overall program of UVM men’s hockey.

Patricia Q. Thomas ’72 G’76
Newport, Vermont

TENACIOUS D
In the fall of ’53 our UVM Women's Field Hockey team attended a play day at Skidmore College. We defeated all the teams in attendance and dead-locked Skidmore 0-0. No team we played that day was able to score one goal or point on us. I especially remember, as I was the team's goalie. What a proud day for us! To this day, on a crisp fall day, I would love to have a hockey stick in my hands and play the game.

Jean Joslin Evenson ’54
Panama City, Florida

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
A smile comes to my face when I reminisce about the beginning of women’s ice hockey at UVM. The first year, a group of us put together a team and went on the road to UNH and then hosted them at Gutterson. Both games were lost to the opponent, but what was won was the beginning of the international growth of women's ice hockey.

We had no ice time to practice, we had to borrow matching jerseys from the athletic department, we had to pay our own way, sleep in lounges, and very few had hockey skates or sticks! But soon we had the old JV ice time (7 a.m. to 9 a.m.), very handsome matching uniforms (both home and away), a group of very dedicated women who came to most practices, and we even drew some fans. Then a winning record, I think, during our third year. Now that women's ice hockey is a varsity sport, I am especially gratified and the smile on my face matches my pride in the efforts made in the late ’70s.

Thomas A. Kiley ' 77
(Founding volunteer coach)
Rockport, Maine

CAT VOWS
“Scott, would you marry Charlene and me at the game between periods?” my friend Kevin, who skated as Charlie Catamount, asked me.

So, black-robed, I pantomimed with the echoes of the Gutterson PA: “Do you, Char-lie Catamount, take thee, Char-lene Catamount, as your lawfully wedded … whatever?”
Applause. Charlie acted his “I do,” shimmying his golden-tailed booty. All were happy.

We potted a goal at 18:02 of the third period. UVM 2, RPI 1.

Scott Curtis ’77
Roslindale, Massachusetts

GREEN AND GOLD ON THE ROAD
The best part about UVM sports was cheering for our teams, being engulfed by a sea of green and gold enthusiasm. My most memorable moment occurred on the road. I was a graduate student at Northeastern University in 1993 when the legendary, undefeated UVM women's basketball team came to town with two coach bus loads of fans. I came to the game dressed in green and gold with my trumpet and cowbells. I was leading the cheers when a Northeastern newspaper reporter approached me in awe to ask what made UVM fans so devoted to their team.

Jennifer Wagner ’91
Bristol, Vermont

ALL THE WAY DAY
From 15 rows behind UVM's bench, David Hehn's leaner from the baseline looked good. It was only a matter of whether it was long, fell short or was true. But being a lifelong Catamount fan, my gut told me to expect the worst. Shots like that didn't fall for UVM. Heck, they were never taken. The games never meant that much. But the greatest postseason run in the history of UVM sports essentially began when Hehn’s heave fell through Case Gym’s south end hoop in the finals of 2003 America East Tournament. In hindsight, I think he had it all the way.

Tony Lee ’96
Boston, Massachusetts

BROOM, BOOM, BLOOM
The Winter Carnival Broomball tournament (’83) wins hands-down. Our senior year was here. Six friends sought to cement our togetherness by competing as one. Janna Jacobson and I entered as veterans each playing the previous year. Suzanne Donellan and Stacy Best were experienced softball and volleyball athletes. Lynn Larson, the quiet, slight, thoughtful type brought a desire to participate. The late Mary Beth Foley (’84) added significant athletic prowess.

The tourney progressed and we advanced. Taped brooms became weapons. Our “newcomers” learned to shoot with the top hard-wrapped portion of the broom. Bodies became battering rams, dislodging opponents from the ball and their feet, and politeness evaporated around the snow-banked walls.

In the tourney final a scrum ensued behind our opponent’s goal. Lynnie, still averse to the fury of the game and gingerly traipsing across the ice, quietly gathered herself, sacrificing body, mind and soul and separated the ball from our opponents and carried, no swept it (!) out leaving bodies strewn behind in drifts on the bank. I can’t remember who won, what happened to the ball after that or anything other than Lynnie as the most incredible forward cross-checker in women’s broomball history. What a teammate! What a game!

Pat Donze Larrabee ’83
Burtonsville, Maryland

T.J. DAY
People were screaming and yelling all around us. I looked in disbelief at my friend next to me. Could this really be happening? T.J. Sorrentine was draining three-pointers like it was his job. Actually, it was his job. Patrick Gymnasium was on their feet. T.J. had just hit his 6th three pointer of the night in overtime and BU could not stop him (even with double coverage). At one point he was way behind the arc and with perfect form released and started jogging away before it went perfectly through the hoop. That game was electrifying! I had never seen so much school spirit and UVM pride as I did that day. As a UVM athlete for four years, I know that some days you just have it. T.J. Sorrentine had it and more that day. That win was electrifying! Thanks T.J!

Kent Taylor ’03
North Dighton, Massachusetts

PEEK AT SPORTS LEGEND
I tried to give this a lot of thought, but the one special sports moment that kept coming up was the basketball game in 1972-73 (?), UVM against UMass.

The UMass team that year featured one Julius Irving, the future pro, Dr. J. My friend and I were used to no competition for seats at UVM games so we would ordinarily arrive just before game time, but that day we were surprised because the place was packed! We had to sit in the upper balcony, for gosh sakes, far from the floor. Dr. J was brilliant, of course, and had 23 points at halftime. UMass won the game easily and the fans had a peek at history. Good stuff. I remember it well.

Richard N. Hayes ‘74
Portland, Oregon

HOCKEY STAR DEBUT
Some of my best times at UVM were at Gutterson Fieldhouse, Friday and Saturday nights cheering the Cats hockey team. My favorite moment was the night John LeClair made his debut. I was standing behind the goal when here comes LeClair powering his way towards the goal and in one swift move jams the puck in. I was more amazed than surprised only because he managed to pull the same trick his first game in high school and consequently with the Canadians. His career speaks for itself, it's been fun being a fan and watching him evolve.

Kate Tessier Collin ’89
St. Albans, Vermont

AN ILL-ADVISED TOSS
My most memorable moment occurred at one of the wonderful UVM hockey games in 1974, where Michel LeBeau was playing wonderfully, as usual. These were very exciting hockey games. My good friend (who shall remain nameless) had a beer in hand, a tall boy no less (how he got a beer into the game I'll never know!). We were all enjoying the game and feeling better and better as time went on. My friend witnessed a penalty from one of the officials that he thought was blatantly unfair. At this point, his body acted way before his brain, and he yelled some well chosen words in the official’s direction, throwing the tall boy onto the ice! Thankfully, no one was hurt. Needless to say, he was unceremoniously removed from the proceedings for the remainder of the game.

Rob Waxman ’77
Richmond, California

SYRACUSE UPSET PREVAILS
Gallons of dirty birds at 1973’s Homecoming football game was certainly semi-memorable, leading into a rousing post-game party at Sigma Phi. I think a loss, but the Kahlua/vodka killed any doldrums. Rowdy cheers led by Jim Condos on the banks of Gutterson to the likes of Teddy Childs and Co.

But my memory is oh-so-old, so I’d best mention the most recent event of note. Tickets to Worcester, UVM–Syracuse, a generous gift income tax season! Bordering a frenzied hoard of SU students, orange shirts, orange hair and plenty of momentum, our early cheers went unheard, but not for long. Go Cats, Go!

Donald Hunt ’76
Coventry, Vermont

BIRTH CRY ON ICE
On Wednesday, March 11,1970, at 7:17 of the third period, forward George Minarsky lifted a backhander over Middlebury goalie Fuzzy Van Wert breaking a 0-0 tie and the resounding roar “shook the foundations" of Gutterson Field House and became the birth cry of the UVM hockey team. Vermont went on to beat Middlebury for its first post-season victory and then beat Bowdoin for its first hockey
title. I had a pretty good seat for the goal as I was sitting on the bench with the rest of the 1970 team. It still remains a vivid memory.

Peter Pitman ’71 #23
White Bear Lake, Minnesota

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