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By Tim Schum, BU Empire State Games Committee Chairman |
The greatest achievement goes to head men's and women's track and field
coach Mike Thompson, who won three consecutive gold medals for the pole
vault at the Empire State Games in 1995, 1996 and 1997. Thompson set
an Empire State Games record of 16 feet, 8 inches in the pole vault in
1995, a mark that was eventually surpassed at BU during the 2000 Games.
Thompson, a former two-time Division II All-American at Northern Colorado,
finished second in the pole vault last summer at Buffalo despite a quadriceps
injury. That lingering injury may preclude his participation in this
summer's event at BU's East Gymnasium track facility.
Harpur associate dean Don Blake also has an Empire State Games gold medal to his credit, plus three silver medals. They were acquired in the masters swimming competitions held as part of the 2000 Games. He won the gold in the 100 individual medley, and silver in the 50 free, 50 fly and 100 free competitions, respectively.
Track and field assistant coach Kate Mullins Zanot '01 is another Empire State Games gold medal holder. She first competed as a high school athlete, finishing fifth in the scholastic 400 hurdles in 1996. In 1998 she was second in the same open event, while in 2000 she finished first in the open pole vault competition at a record height of 12 feet, 2 inches. While a BU undergrad, she was a two-time Division II All-American in the pole vault and graduated holding school records in that event as well as in the 400 hurdles, the javelin and the heptathlon.
Current freshman Bearcat track athlete Rory Quiller also has an Empire State Games gold medal to his credit, having captured the scholastic decathlon title at the 2002 Games.
Moving on to other Empire State Games sport competitions, veteran BU print shop staff member Tom Gates qualified for the Central bowling team at the 2000 Games. He subsequently captured a silver medal in the combined team competition and a bronze in the men's team competition. While he hasn't made the Central roster since 2000, he is hoping to earn a spot this spring and add to his medal count.
It appears that BU Hall of Fame member Mike Doherty '83 was the first to capture a gold medal, in 1979, the Games' second year. That summer he was a member of the winning Central soccer team at Syracuse. He subsequently earned All-America soccer honors in 1982 and is currently in his 17th season as men's soccer coach at Colgate.
Another soccer player, Andy Szalaji '88, was a member of the gold medal Hudson Valley Empire State Games scholastic team of 1983. Following his junior year, he would star as striker in 1987 for the Central squad as it won another gold in the open competition of that year. That appearance helped prepare Szalaji for selection to the All-America team his senior year.
Later, four BU alumni soccer players, Eric Storch '97, Boris Lyubomirsky '97, Steve Tretola '97 and Tim Desiano '98, formed part of the bronze-winning Central men's open soccer team in 1996.
Two BU athletics staff members also have Empire State Games participation as part of their resumes. Baseball coach Tim Sinicki pitched on the silver medal Central open teams of 1986 and 1987, while current assistant athletic director Kim King participated in women's track in the 1988 Games, finishing fifth in the 5000 meter event. The sport of field hockey was represented by BU personnel with athletics program assistant Shannon Jennison: she played on the Empire State Games Central scholastic teams of 1990-1991, winning a silver and bronze medals in successive years.
Chris Coleman '89, a five-time BU track All-America performer, participated in three Empire State Games track competitions as a high school student (1983-1985) and recalls one bronze medal finish at the Buffalo Games of 1985. He would later participate in two Winter Olympic Games as a brakeman on the U.S. bobsled teams of 1990 and 1994.
Finally, two children belonging to Tim Schum, who served as the men's soccer coach at Binghamton from 1963-1992, participated in Empire State Games soccer competitions. Son Chris played in the inaugural Empire State Games of 1978 on the Central scholastic team and the next two years as well, earning a silver medal in 1979. Later, in 1986, daughter Jennifer performed on the New York City scholastic team.
Schum and his committee are busily preparing for the 2004 Games, scheduled for July 28-August 1, 2004, where it is more than likely that more BU-affiliated athletes will again be striking for the gold!
