USCG SPORTS:

[BuoyJumper]

 They came from Eveleth, Sault Ste. Marie and New York City.  They included a goalie called Mr. Zero, a menacing Italian -- Jewish defense combination, the captain of the last new York Rangers Stanley Cup winners, a National Hockey League referee and a graduate of the Long Island City YMCA Roller Hockey League.  A blend of amateur and professional players made up one of the finest hockey teams to represent Uncle Sam.  They even had a pair of championships to prove it.  They were the U.S. Coast Guard Cutters out of Curtis Bay, Maryland.

The brainstorm of a former Michigan hockey player-turned sailor, the Cutters were organized shortly after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.  They played through the 1942-43 and 1943-44 seasons in the Eastern Amateur Hockey League, considered to be one of the most competitive leagues of its time.

They also played a number of exhibition games and once, at Carlin's Iceland in Baltimore, their home ice, the Cutters went head-on against the Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings.  Although they were involved in only two full campaigns, the Cutters detonated more fights, filled more seats and generally raised more hell than the Eastern League has ever known.  "There was nothing like them, before or since," said the St. Louis Blues President Emile Francis, who was strafed by the Cutters while goal tending for the Philadelphia Falcons.

Ironically, the Cutters' most intense competition was amongst themselves.  "Our intra-squad games," said former Coast Guard star Bob Gilray, "were like bloody massacres."  A special ambiance surrounded the Cutters wherever they played.  They wore unusual red-white-and-blue, star-spangled jerseys with crossed anchors emblazoned on the front and, unlike any other hockey club, they were accompanied by a 30-piece marching band providing razzmatazz at every game.

"Whenever we scored," said Mike Nardell, a one-time roller hockey ace, "they'd strike up Semper Paratus, the Coast Guard marching song.  I loved that team so much I never wanted to take off my equipment.  Years later, when I played pro for the Clinton (N.Y.) Comets, I'd always wear my Coast Guard jersey under my Comets uniform."

Nardello was in select company.  Hall of Famer Frank (Mr. Zero) Brimsek, who orchestrated the Boston Bruins to a 1941 Stanley Cup title, was one of the three superb goalies on the Cutters along with Muzz Murray and Hub Nelson.

The Coast Guard defense bristled with ex-Rangers' captain Art Coulter and Alex Motter of the Red Wings as well as the terrifying tandem of Chicago Black Hawks bruiser Johnny Mariucci and Manny Cotlow, a Jewish defenseman who would just as soon eat railroad spikes as T-bone steaks.  "Manny," said Gilray, "was responsible for one of the biggest riots in hockey history."

The eruption occurred at the Philadelphia Arena after Cotlow and Marty Madore of the Falcons clashed on the ice and, again, in the penalty box.  A posse of Philadelphia fans ambushed Cotlow, triggering a counter attack by Cotlow and Bob Dill.  Another battle started on the ice.  The official were soon on their knees in hand-to-hand combat with players from both teams.  A police riot squad was called in to subdue the battlers.

Although they reveled in rough play, the Cutters didn't have to fight to win.  The line of Gilray, Joe Kucler and Eddie Olson delivered a formidable offense and provided endless joy for Lieutenant Commander C. R. MacLean, a former player from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, who fathered the team in 1942. 

MacLean, the Personnel Officer at the Curtis Bay Yard, encouraged American-born hockey players to join his unit.  The Canadian-born Coulter was an exception.  He had always wanted to obtain American citizenship and seized the opportunity when war broke out.  The Ranger stalwart enlisted in the Coast Guard, joined the Cutters and became a naturalized American citizen.

In time, MacLean had so many stick handlers he divided the Cutters into two teams -- the Clippers and the Cutters -- who competed against each other when they weren't involved in Eastern League action.

They once played a brutal four-game series which Cotlow described as "the most physical games of my life."  George Taylor, writing in the Baltimore News-Post, observed: "The rubber tilt was more exciting than the Stanley Cup playoffs." 

When the Clippers and the Cutters united against common ice foes, they were virtually unbeatable, winning the National Senior Open Championship of the Amateur Hockey Association in 1943 and 1944.  Former NHL referee Mel Harwood coached the Coast Guard skaters on both occasions.

The Cutters would play exhibition games against strong Canadian service teams liberally sprinkled with pros and invariably beat them.  Against the powerful Ottawa Commandos, who were led by ex-Rangers' stars Neil Colvile and Alex Shibicky, and Joe Coper of the Black Hawks, the Cutters triumphed, 5-2.

One of the Cutters' toughest games' was against the 1943 Stanley Cup champion Red Wings on January 6, 1944 before a capacity crowd in Baltimore.  With Brimsek in goal, the Cutters hung tough until well into the third period -- they trailed 4-3 -- but were ultimately shellacked, 8-3.  "They didn't intimidate us," assures Cotlow, "But they were a little smarter."

Despite the Cutters' popularity in Boston and New York, were they regularly drew crowds of more than 12,000, they were criticized in some quarters and finally were disbanded in 1944.  "A lot of parents of servicemen couldn't understand why heir sons were overseas fighting while we were still playing hockey," said Kucler.  "The Coast Guard was under a lot of pressure to break us up."

The end was in sight one afternoon when an announcement blared over the Madison Square public address system while the Cutters were playing the New York Rovers.  Kucler, the club's leading scorer, was ordered to report for action after the match.  Olsen, now an official for the NHL, remembers the Cutters' end: "They said that Joe was playing his last game for us and then would be shipped out.  As soon as Joe left, they began getting rid of the other guys and, by then, we knew the honeymoon was over."

After the war, Coutler retired but Mariucci and Brimsek returned to play several years in the NHL.  Others, such as Nardello, played minor league hockey.  "I kept wearing my jersey," said Nardello, "because it always gave me the feeling that those great guys -- Cotlow, Kucler and the rest -- were somehow around for another chorus of Semper Paratus."

[Alas-Ken]

What a great read!  Thanks for posting this.

[ET1-Once]

Once Again "GREAT JOB RON" 

[BuoyJumper]

Coast Guardsmen battle for the Cup
Story and photos by PA3 Connie Terrell
First District Public Affairs

A swarm of pucks scattered across the ice. Some zipped through the air, slamming into the walls around the rink. Others buzzed as they whipped past a heavily padded goalie into the net.

After a quick warm-up, the players are ready to begin the final game.

Eight Coast Guard hockey teams battled for the cup during the 14th annual Commandant's Cup hockey tournament at the Gallo Ice Arena in Bourne, Mass., April 11-12, 2008.

Over 100 active duty, reserve, retired and civilian personnel made up the First District, New England, Headquarters, Air Station Traverse City, Baltimore, Ninth District, Hampton Roads and Puddle Pirates teams, coming from as far away as Alaska.

"Everybody that comes here pays out of pocket," said Petty Officer 1st Class Kirk Souza, a New England player. "They come because they love to play the game."

New England started off strong, trouncing the First District team 3-0 in the first game. New England kept their momentum, defeating every team that came their way until the first game of the semi-finals when they were shut down by Air Station Traverse City.

"It was definitely a bummer not to make the finals," said Souza, a recruiter in Boston, "but it was nice to see all my shipmates again."

While most players were catching up with old friends, some had never met the majority of their teammates before the tournament.

The original structure of the tournament required players to be stationed within about 100 miles from the unit they were playing for. As players transferred to other units and the tournament evolved, the rules changed to allow players to choose a team close to them or a team they had played on before.

"It's a good way to meet people," said Baltimore forward, Petty Officer 2nd Class Dennis Hammonds, a reservist at Coast Guard Station Woods Hole, Mass. "I came here knowing two people and left knowing about 15 or 20."

The tournament also supports the Coast Guard's wellness program.

"It promotes athleticism from non-rate through captain," said Hampton Roads defenseman, Capt. John Healey, the deputy commander at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England. "The tournament is great."

(L)  Air Station Traverse City goalie Cadet Phil Rodino, from the Coast Guard Academy, stops a puck as Balitmore
forward Petty Officer 1st Class John Overholt, an aviation maintenance technician at Coast Guard AIr Station Cape
Cod, Mass., watches in disappointment during the final game of the 2008 Commandant's Cup hockey tournament. 
(R)  BOSTON- Baltimore forward Petty Officer 3rd Class Josh Connors, a reservist at Station Cape Cod Canal, Mass.,
attempts to steal the puck away from Air Station Traverse City defenseman Petty Officer 2nd Class Brad Bucklew,
an avionics electrical technician at Air Station Traverse City, Mich., during the final game of the 2008 Commandant's
Cup hockey tournament at the Gallo Ice Arena in Bourne, Mass., April 12, 2008. (Photo by PA3 Connie Terrell)

Though Hampton Roads excelled throughout the tournament, they did not make the finals. Baltimore demolished them in the second game of the semi-finals 11-1.

The tournament ended after Baltimore defeated Air Station Traverse City 4-2, clinching the championship and skating away with their third Cup.

"It was my first year playing," said Baltimore defenseman Seaman Stephen Kelley, from Coast Guard Aids to Navigation Team South Portland, Maine. "It was a good experience and felt great to win."

Team Baltimore Brings Home 3rd Commandant's Cup

 

2008 Commandant's Cup hockey tournament (FOR RELEASE)
Team Baltimore brought home their third Cup after winning the Commandant's Cup hockey tournament April, 12, 2008, at
the Gallo Ice Arena in Bourne, Mass. Back row from left: Petty Officer 2nd Class Matt Reynolds, Seaman Stephen Kelley,
Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Palladino, Lt. j.g. Dewey Worker, Lt. Ryan Hamel, Petty Officer 1st Class John Overholt, Petty
Officer 2nd Class Dennis Hammonds. Front row from left: Petty Officer 3rd Class Josh Connors, Petty Officer 3rd Class Pete
Duggan, Lt. Rob Cole, Ensign Jeff Young, Cadet Tyler Kelley, Petty Officer 1st Class Nicholas Rago, Lt. Cmdr. Marc Devereaux.
Front center: Zackary Devereaux. (Photo by PA3 Connie Terrell)

Original Coast Guard Feature Story

[BuoyJumper]

Coast Guard rowing
finishes fifth at nationals

By Staff reports
Norwich Bulletin
Posted Jun 01, 2008 @ 12:00 AM

Gold River, Calif. — A day after making history at the NCAA Division III Women's Rowing Championships, the Coast Guard varsity eight placed sixth in the Grand Final, its best finish since placing fifth in the 2004 season.

   
(L)  The Bears varsity eight capped a sensational season by placing sixth at the NCAA Championships. 
(M)  Adriana Knies was named a first-team All-American by the CRCA.  (R)  Williams won the team
national championship.

The Coast Guard Academy Bears became the first Division III at-large eight to reach the Grand Final on Friday.

In the Grand Final, Trinity led from start to finish, posting a time of 6:57.01 to win the race. Williams’ I and II boats placed second and third, giving Williams the team national championship.

Puget Sound placed fourth in the varsity eight race with a time of 7:08.23, followed by Ithaca (7:13.55) and Coast Guard (7:20.05).

The Bears were making their second consecutive appearance at the NCAA Championship and third in the last four years. Coast Guard placed eighth in both 2005 and 2007.

The varsity eight consists of four seniors, including coxswain Tenley Barna, All-American Adriana Knies, Emily Holt and Sarah Southard. Juniors Maggie Ward, Lauren Milici and Rory Keegan, and freshmen Kate Dacimo and Sarah Jane Otey also made up the squad.

Original Article

[BuoyJumper]

Boy does this bring back memories.  In the early 1970s I started
a street hockey league.  Had over 40 kids ages 14 to 18 playing
in the league.  I played goal on our team.  Some of my kids went
on to play college hockey in the northeast.  Wish I could still play.

[BuoyJumper]

Coast Guard Softball Earns First Trip To NCAAs
Bears receive one of 17 at-large bids to earn program's first trip to nationals
By Gavin Keefe    Tuesday, May 5, 2009

For a brief time Monday, a group of Coast Guard Academy cadets acted like crazy college students.

Members of the softball team cut loose and celebrated when they heard the program received its first NCAA Division III tournament berth. They gathered to watch the selection show via the computer.

”As poised and professional as they have to be, they told me they were jumping around,” coach Donna Koczajowski said Monday. “For a few minutes they were allowed to be college-aged kids in the barracks. That doesn't happen very often around here.

”It's a big deal. They deserve it.”


Coach Donna Koczajowski

The Bears (36-5-1), who set a single-season record for wins, received a No. 3 seed in the New England Regional, beginning double-elimination play Thursday at 2 p.m. against No. 6 Bridgewater State (28-9) at Endicott College in Beverly, Mass.

It's been an emotionally challenging week for Coast Guard, which saw its chance for an automatic bid disappear with an unexpected elimination in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference tournament. The Bears were the No. 1 seed and did not lose a NEWMAC game during the regular season.

The early exit was devastating, Koczajowski said. The healing process included a couple of team meetings. The Bears regrouped and refocused, reflecting on their preseason goals, including qualifying for the NCAA tournament, set back in January.

They received one of 17 at-large bids on Monday.

”We were hoping that we were going to be rewarded for a long season of success,” Koczajowski said. “Luckily, the NCAA committee rewarded us. We're very happy.

”… It's a fairytale. From almost day one I knew something was different and special about this team that you can't teach or coach.”

Koczajowksi hopes that her team learned a hard lesson from their conference tournament disappointment.

”I can only hope that we've moved on,” said Koczajowski, now in her 12th season at Coast Guard.

Despite coming in as the higher seed, the Bears consider themselves underdogs because of their lack of tournament experience.

Bridgewater will be playing in the NCAA tournament for the 20th time, including 10 of the last 12 years.

”It's nice to go in with an underdog feel,” Koczajowski said. “They're going to have more experience and probably be more polished. … We're going to hopefully let our softball speak for itself.”

One of this team's strengths - the ability to focus on the task at hand - will come in handy. Rainy weather forced them to practice inside Monday. Players also are in the middle of final exams.

With five all-conference players on the roster, including NEWMAC player and rookie of the year Hayley Feindel, a hard-throwing pitcher, Coast Guard certainly has the talent to compete this week.

”We talked about having one strong inning and one game at a time,” Koczajowski said. “I'd love to have a strong start to give us confidence and build momentum. That would be my goal, my script.”

The New England Regional softball field has several players with ties to southeastern Connecticut.

East Lyme's Stacy Capodiece, a senior, is the starting third baseman for Bridgewater. She's batting .275 with three home runs and 15 RBI.

Senior Shanda Kogut, a Norwich Free Academy graduate, is a starting infielder for Springfield College (20-22) while assistant coach Christie Lotti is from Waterford. Lotti is facing her former college team, Rhode Island College, in the first round. Freshman Alison Bur**** of Westerly is a reserve outfielder for RIC, the No. 2 seed,

Senior Alison Drobiarz of Old Saybrook plays outfield for top-seeded Tufts. Appearing in 24 games, she's batting .327.

Original Article

[BuoyJumper]

Coast Guard softball wins
NCAA opener on Miller home run
May 8, 2009



Beverly, Mass. — Coast Guard Academy's softball team had one hit Thursday in the opening round of the Division III NCAA tournament against Bridgewater State.

That hit, however, was a three-run home run by sophomore Becky Miller, giving the Bears a 3-1 victory over Bridgewater in the first NCAA tournament game in program history.

Miller's ball hit the top of the fence, over a yellow line that distinguishes home run territory, then bounced over.

”It felt great,” said Miller, whose homer came in the second inning to stake the Bears to a 3-0 lead. “I was just thinking about moving the runners. I was so pumped thinking I got a double.

”Everyone was screaming and excited. Everyone was beating up on me.”

No. 3-seeded Coast Guard (37-5-1), which received an at-large bid to the tournament earlier in the week, will take on No. 7 Springfield in the double-elimination tournament at 4 p.m. today. Springfield beat Coast Guard twice on the way to winning the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference Tournament title.

Miller, the 5-foot-5 No. 7 hitter, wasn't the most likely source of power in a Bears lineup featuring four all-conference hitters. But her one swing of the bat gave Coast Guard the breathing room it hasn't had in recent weeks as the Bears were forced to fight for their NCAA tournament berth after falling to Springfield.

Hayley Feindel (32-4), the Bears' freshman pitcher, took care of the game from there, striking out nine, walking none and scattering eight hits.

Bridgewater State, which got a hit from East Lyme High School graduate Stacy Capodiece, scored its only run in the sixth inning.

”Being on the field, I'm always pretty tense and tight,” Miller said. “We started to have fun after that (home run). We could be ourselves. Hayley always does a little better when she knows we're there behind her.”

Miller hit her first career home run last week against Kings Point. She is the third member of her family to play for Coast Guard coach Donna Koczajowski, joining Heidi (Class of 2005) and Julie (2006).

”I think we're going to carry some momentum into (today),” Miller said. “We feel like we're in Florida again (playing in a tournament). Peoples' bats were coming alive, even though we were hitting it at people.

”Beating this team shows we can hang with all these guys.”

Original Article

[BuoyJumper]

CG Yeoman from Cape May Leads Women's Team to Victory
May 21, 2009
By Herald Staff




CAPE MAY — Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Syreeta Bromfield-Kemp, a yeoman at Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, led the ALL-Navy Women's Basketball Team to victory in the 2009 Armed Forces Men's and Women's Basketball Championships in Milling-ton, Tenn., May 17.

Bromfield-Kemp, team captain, led the ALL-Navy Women's team to gold with 98 points, 73 rebounds, and 13 assists for the week. She pushed her teammates hard to win their second gold medal in two years.

"We really did a gut check, and everybody brought something to the games; I'm so proud of the team," Bromfield-Kemp said. "It was awesome this week. It was kind of ruff when we started out, but I think we finally realized we could do it so we came together and we won. It feels so good to get my second gold. Woo!"

The ALL-Navy Women's Basketball Team dominated the championship series with a team total of 385 points, 231 rebounds, and 65 percent free-throw average.

Bromfield-Kemp is a native of Kingston, Jamaica.

Original Article

[BuoyJumper]

Softball - NCAA Run Ends in Regional Final

 
    Amanda Frederick                 Hayley Feindel

BEVERLY, MASS.—Sophomore Amanda Frederick had a pair of homers and drove in four runs and freshman Hayley Feindel scattered four hits and struck out 10 leading third-seeded Coast Guard to a 7-3 win over seventh-seeded Springfield to earn a berth in the NCAA Division III New England regional championship game in the programs first appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

The Bears lost to top-seeded Tufts 10-1 in the championship game.

Springfield hit back-to-back homers in the first for a 2-0 lead before Frederick blasted a solo shot to center in the home half to cut the lead to 2-1.

Coast Guard (39-7-1) took the lead for good with three runs in the third as Frederick hit a two-run homer to center and sophomore Becky Miller added an RBI single later in the inning for a 4-2 lead.

Springfield (23-24) got one back in the sixth on an RBI ground out, but Coast Guard put the game away with three runs in the home half of the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Frederick and a two-run single by senior Colleen Denny.

Feindel improved to 34-5 as Coast Guard beat Springfield for the fourth time in six meeting this season, including twice in the NCAA Tournament.

Denny and junior Carin Sweeney were named to the New England Regional All-tournament team.

Original Article

[BuoyJumper]

Coast Guard Takes Cup 
Written by Alameda Sun   
Published: Thursday, 04 June 2009 

 

ALAMEDA, CA. — From left, the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard run for the finish as they compete for the newly minted Armed Forces Cup. Club Nautique invited each branch of the military to come out and see which could sail the fastest. The club wanted to thank the men and women for dedicating their lives to protecting others.

All five branches responded with enthusiasm. Last Wednesday, each branch provided crews of three and, along with a Club Nautique skipper on board Colgate 26s, they competed in four races to win bragging rights and to take home the Armed Forces Cup Perpetual Trophy. The Coast Guard emerged victors with LTJG Jesse Stewart, LTJG Christina Hawn and LT Ryan Hawn. Club Nautique hopes to make the race an annual event.
 
Original Article

[BuoyJumper]

Things are changing at the (Coast) Guard
George's Bears open up practice with 31 freshmen
By Vickie Fulkerson     
Published on 8/13/2009


Coast Guard Academy quarterback J.R. McMullin, left, hands off to
Ryan Webster during a drill Wednesday at the first day of practice
in New London. The Bears open their season at Kings Point on September 12.

NEW LONDON — Bill George was anticipating the first 20 minutes of the season on Wednesday, when the Coast Guard Academy football team began practice overlooking the Thames River.

He was expecting 31 freshmen, three of whom will be vying for starting quarterback. The anticipated quarterback, sophomore Jarrod Owens - who played in six games last year - suffered a knee injury during spring football that will cause him to miss the season.

”We've got 31 guys out of 85 who don't even know where their locker is yet,” said George, in his 11th season as the Coast Guard coach. “Once you get past the first 20 minutes, we'll look like we're in a football practice.”

George wasn't kidding.

Four-thirty p.m., the scheduled start time of the season's first practice, came and went with none of the freshmen having appeared due to their military obligations. George and assistant coach Ray LaForte decided to wait, ruling that the quarterbacks were kind of necessary to team operations.

Finally, a group of freshmen came running down the hill to Cadet Memorial Field in formation. As George stepped out in the road to talk to them, they kept running until George raised his hand and shouted “halt.” That was apparently a language they understood.

George and LaForte soon disappeared, helping get the freshmen settled with uniforms and lockers.

The team headed for its first huddle at 4:51.

And that's the way things might go a while for the Bears, who at the very least will start a quarterback, one of four, who has never taken a collegiate snap before.

The candidates as of Wednesday were junior Jesse Karr (6 feet, 180 pounds) and freshmen J.R. McMullin (6-3, 210), Riley Beecher (6-0, 190) and Jonathan Resch (5-8, 175). McMullin and Resch spent a year at prep school last year at New Mexico Military Institute.

Coast Guard was 3-6 overall last year, 3-4 in the New England Football Conference Bogan Division. The team opens the season on Sept. 12 at Kings Point.

In addition to Owens, the Bears also lost junior linebacker Kyle Ennis for the season due to a knee injury and senior cornerback Pat Bennett, a first team All-Bogan Division all-star, will redshirt the season to concentrate on academics.

Here's what George is hoping though: a veteran offensive group will surround the quarterback, including running back Steve Arguelles, captain Justin Brooks on the offensive line and a whole host of receivers.

”The players around the quarterback are going to elevate the kid,” agreed LaForte, Coast Guard's offensive coordinator, who helps engineer the Bears' fast-paced, no-huddle offense.

”We existed the last three seasons with the quarterback taking the load. That's not realistic. People have to accept more responsibility for the good of the team. ... I know there are kids (at quarterback) with ability, but no savvy. You don't get to buy that.”

LaForte likens it to his son's 9-10-year-old Little League team, coached by LaForte this summer. Once, LaForte gave the bunt signal and the batter called a timeout and came to talk to him, he said.

”He said, 'I can't remember what belly is,'” LaForte said. “I said, 'Dude, belly, bunt.' We only have two signals. ... It's like here. The No. 1 thing is I know going in we're gonna make mistakes. It's almost unavoidable. We're gonna sort it out together.”

The Bears return eight starters on offense, including four linemen in Brooks at right tackle, Dave Zwirblis at left tackle, Ryan Fox at right guard and Josh Scritchfield at center. Arguelles rushed for 615 yards and three touchdowns on 113 carries. Senior wide receiver Sam England led the team with 53 receptions for 552 yards and three touchdowns.

The defense lost its top five tacklers from last season. The top returning tackler is defensive end Doug Piper with 55, including 3.5 sacks.

”Last year Niles (Pierson, starting quarterback) knew the offense like the back of his hand,” Brooks said. “Right now you just have to be patient, but that's what the preseason's for.”

Original Article

[BuoyJumper]

Press Release
Date: August 20, 2009
Contact:  District 5



U.S. Coast Guard partners
with Women's Professional Soccer



WASHINGTON — The United States Coast Guard announced Thursday establishment of a partnership with Women’s Professional Soccer for the remainder of the WPS 2009 inaugural season and the entire 2010 soccer season.

The new partnership aligns with the Coast Guard's recruiting efforts to attract women applicants, and the kick-off of the Coast Guard's Born Ready recruiting campaign.  The Born Ready campaign and the partnership with WPS are intended to attract applicants who are teamwork oriented, confident and embody the service’s core values of Honor, Respect and Devotion to Duty.

“We see these same attributes in the athletes of the WPS and in the young women and men who play soccer across the United States,” said Capt. Lori Mathieu, the Coast Guard Recruiting Command's commanding officer.  “We are proud to be a small but integral part of the inaugural WPS season.  I look forward to an exciting full season of women’s soccer and Coast Guard sponsorship next year.”

“We are thrilled to have such a dynamic and treasured American institution as the Coast Guard as a partner in our league,” said WPS Commissioner Tonya Antonucci. “Our WPS All-Star Game, presented by the Coast Guard, is a signature event to conclude the WPS Season and will feature the best players in the world for an exciting soccer festival.”

The Coast Guard, as a presenting sponsor of the WPS All-Star Game, will have the service's logo featured on the front of the WPS All-Star Team jersey.  During the 2010 season the Coast Guard will receive on-site recruiting assets, an integrated, online feature at www.womensprosoccer.com, WPS player appearances. Additionally, the Coast Guard will present the 2010 Coast Guard Goalkeeper of the Year Award.

The Inaugural Season of Women's Professional Soccer kicked off March 29 and runs through August 22, 2009, with WPS teams based here and in the San Francisco Bay Area, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Jersey/New York and St. Louis.  The league’s eighth and ninth franchises, Philadelphia and Atlanta, will begin play in 2010.

To learn more about careers in the Coast Guard, visit http://www.gocoastguard.com.

For more information about Women's Professional Soccer, visit www.womensprosoccer.com.

Press Release

[BuoyJumper]

Coast Guard football goes
national on homecoming day
By Mike DiMauro      
Published on 10/11/2009      

     
Bear's Junior quarterback #19 Jesse Karr passed for over 300 yards while Bear's running back #26 Eric Gerken
scored his first two career touchdowns in the double overtime loss.

NEW LONDON — This would have been the view from the bleachers on Saturday: a background tableau of Fort Griswold and foliage framing the Thames River, with several graduating classes on the emerald green turf of Cadet Memorial Field.

And the chorale was singing the national anthem, with no unnecessary notes or nuances, no derelict with blue hair turning it into a ballad.

And the people sang.

This was homecoming day at Coast Guard Academy and everyone was there, even members of the class of 1945.

Not a bad day, not at all, for Coast Guard to go national.

Yes, national. As in CBS television national. Thanks to Jason Southard, the academy's sports information director, CBS College Sports taped a segment that aired Saturday night at halftime of the Texas Christian-Air Force game.

The Bears sent the crowd of 2,100 home dealing with a rare loss during this program renaissance, a hideous 37-34 defeat to Fitchburg State in double overtime. But even in losing, Coast Guard, perhaps forgotten among comparative behemoths Army, Navy and Air Force, earned a spot among service academy programs.

”I saw that CBS College Sports (CBS' answer to ESPNU) called themselves 'home of service academy football,'” Southard said. “So I contacted them and said that we're a service academy, too, and that we were going for our 300th win as a program. They sent a crew.”

CBS College Sports was in the locker room for coach Bill George's pregame speech and filmed segments of homecoming ceremonies and the first half of what became a day when the Bears were stuck on 299 wins.

Southard, nonetheless, should take a bow. It's not often - like never - that a national broadcasting outlet ever comes to the academy. Let the record show that CBS came to Coast Guard Academy for a sporting event.

”Our guys put forth as much as the others (at other academies),” George said. “Those other guys live the Division I lifestyle. Our guys have to sacrifice to play here.”

The Division I lifestyle would likely include not having to march in the rain at 5:30 p.m. before you have football practice the night before the homecoming game.

But then, that's part of the deal at Coast Guard. It's never going to change. And so when athletic success comes - or in Saturday's case some national recognition - you treasure it.

Saturday's loss was atypical for the Bears, or at least the recent Bears. In the past three years, they've played for the New England Football Conference championship twice. They may do so again this season. And it's because they've won many, many more close games than they've lost.

In the two games before Fitchburg, two wins came in the fourth quarter. This one, but for a play here and there, would have been Fourth Quarter Win No. 3.

”That's how we win around here,” George said.

He wasn't being arrogant. He meant that Coast Guard's margin for error is thinner than a saltine.

They had to settle for a good show on Saturday, rather than a great victory. At least, though, anyone watching CBS College Sports on Saturday night saw another service academy where respect still wins over insolence, honor and tradition still count, and patriotism comes without apology.

A place where the Star Spangled Banner is played as it's written: quickly and respectfully. And a place where liberal or conservative, hawk or dove, peacenik or bomb-'em-into-next-week, an outpost that offers the opportunity to appreciate freedom.

George admitted that his players didn't get a very compassionate speech after the game. He also accepted all the blame for the loss.

But the season is not lost. Neither is the significance of the day and all the people who had the opportunity to see that the forgotten service academy plays good football, too.

This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro.

Recap of the game

Original Article

[BuoyJumper]

Photo Release
Date: September 11, 2010
Contact: District 1 Public Affairs

CG Academy Bears defeat Merchant
Marine Academy to win Secretary's Cup


Players from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Bears run onto the football field while surrounded by their fellow cadets Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010, at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. The Coast Guard Bears played their rivals from the Merchant Marine Academy in a game known as the Secretary's Cup.

NEW LONDON, CT. — Senior cornerback Pat Bennett, who sat out last season because of academics, returned the opening kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown and also blocked a field goal as Coast Guard (1-0) won the Secretaries' Cup matchup 10 to 8 in New London.

After Merchant Marine (1-1) pulled to 10-8 in the fourth quarter on a safety and Derrick Ventre's 22-yard touchdown pass to Chaise Dunn with 51 seconds left, Chris Izurieta broke up Ventre's two-point conversion pass to seal the win.



Above left:  U.S. Coast Guard cadets cheer on their football team, the Bears, during a game Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010, at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. The Coast Guard Bears played their rivals from the Merchant Marine Academy in a game known as the Secretary's Cup.

Above right:  A color guard comprised of members from the Coast Guard and Merchant Marine academies stand at attention before the kick off of the Secretary's Cup football game at the Coast Guard Academy Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010. The color guard opened the game during a remembrance to the survivors, victims and rescuers of the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York. USCG photos by PO1 NyxoLyno Cangemi.
 



Above left:  Dana Fleischmann, co-defensive coordinator for the Coast Guard Bears, discusses a game plan with the team during a football game with their rivals from the Merchant Marine Academy Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010, at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. The two teams squared off during a game known as the Secretary's Cup.

Above right:  U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Robert J. Papp, Jr. talks with players of the Bears football team before a game Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010, at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. The Coast Guard Bears played their rivals from the Merchant Marine Academy in a game known as the Secretary's Cup. USCG photos by PO1 NyxoLyno Cangemi..

Photo Release