Prominent Alumni

PPrroommiinneenntt AAlluummnnii

GoAirForceFalcons.com 40 2008 Falcon Baseball

Karol BobkoClass of 1959

* First Academy grad to fly in space* Only astronaut to fly on three differ-ent shuttle orbiters* Earned three NASA Spaceflightmedals

Ronald FogelmanClass of 1963

* Retired four-star general* Chief of Staff of the Air Force from1994-97* As a member of the Joint Chiefs ofStaff, served as military advisor tothe secretary of defense and presi-dent* Flew 315 combat missions inSoutheast Asia and logged over6,800 hours in a variety of aircraft* First grad to be Chief of Staff of theAir Force* Earned a Silver Star, two Distinguished Flying Crossesand the Purple Heart* Inducted into the NationalWrestling Hall of Fame

Many Air Force Academy graduates have gone on to exem-

plary careers in the military and civilian sector. Thesepages merely scratch the surfaceof some of the great leaders the

Academy has produced in the lasthalf century. Since it was founded

in 1954, the Academy has pro-duced more than 33,000 leaders

of character for our nation.

Brian DuffyClass of 1975

* Three-year letterwinner and teamcaptain as a senior in 1975.* Has made three space shuttleflights and has logged 667 hours inspace.* Was the assistant director of theJohnson Space Center.

Bradley HosmerClass of 1959

* First USAFA graduate to becomeSuperintendent (1991-94)* Top graduate in his class, Cadet General Order of Merit * Rhodes Scholar* Flew more than 160 missions, sixmonths in Vietnam

Gregg PopovichClass of 1970

* Two-year basketball letterman andteam leading scorer in 1969-70* Currently head coach and generalmanager of the San Antonio Spurs* Four-time NBA Champions (1999,2003, 2005 and 2007)* Earned a bronze medal as an as-sistant coach for Team USA in 2004

PPrroommiinneenntt AAlluummnnii


Tim CurryClass of 1999

* Three-year letterman and two-timeall-conference choice at defensiveback* All-American in 1998* Currently D-Flight Commander at Nel-lis AFB, flying two unmanned planes,the MQ-1 Predator and the MQ-9Reaper * F-16, T-37, T-38 pilot

Lance PilchClass of 1994

* Three-year baseball letterman andteam co-captain as a senior * Two-time Academic All-American* One of only seven pilots in the world se-lected to fly and teach in the F-22* Worldwide No. 1 F-16 pilot in 2002 * Was one of only three pilots in the worldqualified in the F-16, F-15 and F-22* Inducted into the Academic All-Ameri-can Hall of Fame in 2007

Nicole MalachowskiClass of 1996

* Currently flies with the Air ForceThunderbird demonstration team * Has logged more than 1,900 hoursflying the F-15E and F-16C/D aircraft* Served as an instructor pilot andflight commander with the 494thFighter Squadron in RAF Lakenheath,United Kingdon

Susan HelmsClass of 1980

* First military woman selected to bean astronaut* NASA astronaut on five spaceflights, logging 5,064 hours* Spent 163 days aboard the interna-tional space station * Holds the world record for thelongest space walk

Ted SundquistClass of 1984

* Denver Broncos general manager* In his 16th year with the Broncosand his sixth as GM* Four-year football letterman for theFalcons and team captain in 1984* Member of the U.S. Bobsled Teamfrom 1984-88

Chris HowardClass of 1991

* Two-year football letterman at half-back* Academic All-American* Rhodes Scholar * Currently the vice president forstrategic & leadership initiatives atthe University of Oklahoma* Former helicopter pilot and intelli-gence officer when he was active duty

CCoolloorraaddoo SSpprriinnggss


The immortal words of an eastern visitor in 1893 live perpetually at the base of Colorado’s RockyMountains.

When teacher and poet Katherine Lee Bates took a wagon ride to the summit of Pikes Peak shewas inspired to write a song that is still recited today. Her view from atop the 14,110-foot peak was thebasis of her song “America the Beautiful”.

The history of Colorado Springs traverses back to 1870 when Gen. William Jackson Palmer first vis-ited the region and was captivated by its grandeur. A year later, he began designing his city ofdreams. From its beginning on the corner of Pikes Peak and Cascade Avenues in downtown ColoradoSprings, the city has grown more than 183 square miles and to nearly 400,000 people in the city andnearly 600,000 in the metro area.

Colorado Springs is known nationally for its natural attractions. The Garden of the Gods, the area’sNo. 1 natural attraction, is a majestic out-cropping of red sandstone rocks which are more than 300million years old. The park offers a wide variety of hiking and cycling trails and an abundance ofwildlife. Colorado Springs is also home to the Pikes Peak Highway, a 19-mile drive up the world’s high-est toll road. The area’s No. 1 man-made attraction is the Air Force Academy’s Cadet Chapel.

Another major attraction is the Broadmoor Hotel and Resort. Built in the early 1900s, this five-starresort, the host of the 1995 U.S. Women’s Open Golf Championship and the 2008 Senior U.S. Open, isnestled into the base of Cheyenne Mountain. The Pikes Peak region is home to the nation’s only moun-tain zoo. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, with an elevation of more than 6,800-feet, has received severalchanges in the past two years.

For the outdoors enthusiast, the city and the state offer a plethora of recreational activities. A shortdrive to the northwest features some of the nation’s finest ski resorts, including the cities of Vail andAspen. A short jaunt to the southwest or northwest will find some of the best white-water rafting, fish-ing, hiking and cycling that the country has to offer.

Valuing its past with a vision for the future, Colorado Springs is truly a city with unparalleled culture,recreation, growth and opportunity in the 21st century.

(Photos of Garden of the Gods, Broadmoor and balloons are courtesy of GerMaine Photography)

DDeennvveerr


Less than 45 minutes from the Academy and with over 300 days of sunshine per year, TheMile High City of Denver has it all.

Truly a sports capitol, Denver has eight professional sports teams, including the Denver Bron-cos (NFL), Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Colorado Rockies (MLB), ColoradoRapids (Major League Soccer), Denver Crush (Arena Football League), Colorado Outlaws (MajorLeague Lacrosse) and the Colorado Mammoth (National Lacrosse League). Recent successamong the teams has driven the excitement for these teams a mountain high. The Broncos wonthe Super Bowl in 1998 and 1999. The Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 1996 and 2001. TheCrush won the Arena Bowl in 2005.

Located just east of the Rocky Mountains and the Continental Divide, Denver has a mild anddry climate with more days of sunshine per year than San Diego and Miami. Golf courses areopen year round as the average winter temperature is 45 degrees, warmer than Boston, NewYork City and St. Louis. The city sits at 5,280 feet above sea level. In fact, there is a step on theState Capitol Building that is exactly one mile above sea level. Even at a mile above sea level, thecity is dwarfed by its backdrop. The foothills being just west of the city and the peaks of themountain range reach heights of more than 14,000 feet. Despite the proximity to the mountains,the city receives just 8-15 inches of precipitation per year, about the same as Los Angeles.

The United States Census Bureau estimates that, in 2006, the population of the City andCounty of Denver was 566,974, making it the 27th most populous U.S. city. The Denver-AuroraMetropolitan Statistical Area had an estimated 2006 population of 2,408,750 and ranked as the21st most populous U.S. metropolitan statistical area.

Denver has the largest city park system in the nation. There are 650 miles of off-street, bikepaths, 90 golf courses and 200 parks. Within a 90-minute drive from downtown Denver, thereare opportunities for some of the country’s best skiing, hiking, fishing, rafting and mountain bik-ing.

(all photos on this page courtesy of the Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau)

UU..SS.. AAiirr FFoorrccee AAccaaddeemmyy


The United States Air Force Academy offers afour-year program of instruction and experiencedesigned to provide cadets the knowledge andcharacter essential for leadership, and the moti-vation to serve as Air Force career officers. Eachcadet graduates with a bachelor of science de-gree and a commission as a second lieutenantin the Air Force.

COURSE OF STUDYCadets are exposed to a balanced curriculumthat provides a general and professional foun-dation essential to a career Air Force officer. Spe-cial needs of future Air Force officers are met byprofessionally oriented courses, includinghuman physiology, computer science, econom-ics, military history, astronautics, law and politi-cal science.

The core curriculum includes courses in science,engineering, social sciences and humanities.Cadets take additional elective courses to com-plete requirements for one of 25 major areas ofstudy. About 60 percent of the cadets completemajors in science and engineering; the other 40percent graduate in the social sciences and hu-manities. Some of the most popular majors in-clude management, astronautical engineering,international affairs and political science, history,behavioral science, civil engineering, aeronauti-cal engineering, electrical engineering and engi-neering mechanics.

FACULTY COMPOSITIONThe majority of the Academy's nearly 600 facultymembers are Air Force officers. They are se-lected primarily from career-officer volunteerswho have established outstanding records ofperformance and dedication. Each has at least amaster's degree and more than 35 percent havedoctorates.

In addition to imparting knowledge, each facultymember must assist with the development ofcharacter and qualities of leadership essential tofuture Air Force career officers and the motiva-

tion of service to country. To provide greater con-tributions by a diverse faculty, the Academy hasseveral distinguished civilian professors and as-sociate professors who serve one or more years.Officers from other services are members of thefaculty as well, and a small number of officersfrom allied countries teach in the foreign lan-guage, history and political science depart-ments. Distinguished civilian and militarylecturers also share their expertise with thecadets during the academic year.

ATHLETIC PROGRAMThe Academy's athletic program is designed toimprove physical fitness, teach athletic skills anddevelop leadership qualities. To achieve itsgoals, the Academy offers some of the most ex-tensive physical education, intramural sportsand intercollegiate athletic programs in the na-tion. Cadets take at least three different physicaleducation courses each year.

MILITARY EDUCATION AND TRAININGAn aerospace-oriented military education, train-ing and leadership program begins with basiccadet training and continues throughout the fouryears. Seniors are responsible for the leadershipof the cadet wing, while juniors and sophomoresperform lower-level leadership and instructionaltasks. Cadets are projected into as many activeleadership roles as possible to prepare them tobe effective Air Force officers.

Fundamental concepts of military organization --drill, ethics, honor, Air Force heritage and physi-cal training -- are emphasized the first summerduring basic cadet training. Freshmen then studythe military role in U.S. society as well as the mis-sion and organization of the Air Force. Sopho-mores receive instruction in communicativeskills, and juniors study the combat and opera-tional aspects of the Air Force. Military studies forthe senior class focus on military thought.

The Academy offers courses in flying, navigation,

soaring and parachuting, building from basicskills to instructor duties. Cadets may fly light air-craft with the Cadet Flying Team. Those not quali-fied for flight training must enroll in a basicaviation course. Astronomy and advanced navi-gation courses also are available. Studentsbound for pilot training enroll in the flight screen-ing program at the Academy and fly the DA-20Katana aircraft.

Summer training for cadets is divided into three,three-week training periods. There are a varietyof programs available, and each cadet is re-quired to complete two training periods eachsummer with leave during the other period. Allnew cadets take six weeks of basic cadet train-ing in their first summer.

Combat survival training is a required three-week program during cadets' second summer.For other second-summer training periods,cadets have options such as working with youngairmen in an operational unit at an Air Force in-stallation, airborne parachute training, soaringor basic free-fall parachute training.

During their last two summers, all cadets are of-fered leadership training as supervisors or in-structors in summer programs, such as basiccadet training, survival training, freefall para-chuting and soaring.

Extracurricular activities also are an integral partof the education program. The cadet ski club,drum and bugle corps, cadet chorale and foren-sics are a few of the programs available.

NOMINATIONSNominations to the Academy may be obtainedthrough a congressional sponsor or by meetingeligibility criteria in other categories of competi-tion established by law. For information on ad-mission procedures, write to HQ USAFA/RRS;2304 Cadet Drive, Suite 200; USAF Academy, CO80840-5025.

HISTORY -- In 1948, a board of leading civilian and military educators was appointed toplan the curriculum for an academy that would meet the needs of the newly establishedAir Force. The board determined that Air Force requirements could not be met by ex-panding the other service academies and recommended an Air Force academy be es-tablished without delay.

In 1949, then Secretary of the Air Force W. Stuart Symington appointed a commission toassist in selecting a site and on April 1, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower authorizedcreation of the United States Air Force Academy. After considering 580 sites in 45 states,the commission narrowed the choice to three locations. The summer of 1954, Secretary ofthe Air Force Harold Talbott selected a site near Colorado Springs, Colo. Colorado con-tributed $1 million toward purchase of the property.

In July 1955, the first academy class entered interim facilities at Lowry Air Force Base, Den-ver, while construction began. It was sufficiently completed for occupancy by the cadetwing in late August 1958. Initial construction cost was $142 million.

Women entered the academy on June 28, 1976, as members of the class of 1980.

AAiirr FFoorrccee AAccaaddeemmyy AAddmmiinniissttrraattiioonn


Lieutenant General John F. Regni is superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy, ColoradoSprings, Colo. He directs a four-year academic, military training, athletic and character develop-ment program leading to a bachelor's degree and commission as an Air Force officer.

The general was commissioned in the Air Force following graduation from the U.S. Air ForceAcademy in 1973. His career has encompassed a wide range of personnel, training and com-mand assignments, and he has served at base, numbered air force, major command, Air Staffand joint unified command levels. Prior to his stint at the Academy, he served as Commander, AirUniversity, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

The general’s military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal withoak leaf cluster, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal withsilver oak leaf cluster and Air Force Commendation Medal.

Vice SuperintendentCol.

Paul Ackerman

Commandant of CadetsBrig. Gen.

Susan Y. Desjardins

Dean of FacultyBrig. Gen.

Dana H. Born

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY SENIOR STAFFU.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY SENIOR STAFF

AAtthhlleett iicc DDeeppaarrttmmeenntt AAddmmiinniissttrraattiioonn


Dr. Hans J. Mueh is in his third year as the director of athletics at the Air Force Academy. A retired Air Force brigadier gen-eral, Mueh was vice dean of faculty for two years prior to his retirement in the summer of 2004. In addition, he was the Acad-emy's faculty athletics representative from 1996-2004.

Before assuming his duties as vice dean, Mueh was permanent professor and head of the department of chemistry atthe Academy, a position he held since October 1987 where he oversaw the annual design and instruction of 25 undergrad-uate courses for 1,500 cadets annually.

Mueh was born Jan. 8, 1944, in Celle, Germany, and emigrated to the United States in 1951. He entered the Air Force in1962 as a member of the Academy's eighth graduating class, and he graduated with a bachelor of science degree in chem-istry in 1966. While at the Academy, Mueh was a two-year letterwinner in soccer as a goalie. He still holds the Academyrecord for saves in a game with 30, accomplishing it twice in 1965 against North Carolina and Benedictine. In his junior andsenior years, Mueh helped the Falcons to the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Soccer League championship and quarterfinalberths in the NCAA tournament.

Following graduation, Mueh completed two assignments in intelligence before attending the University of Wisconsin wherehe earned his master's degree in chemistry in 1970. He later earned a doctorate degree in chemistry from Wisconsin in 1976 as a distinguished graduate. He has alsocompleted Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College and Air War College.

Between earning the two degrees, Mueh returned to the Academy as an instructor in the department of chemistry from 1970-72. He also served as assistantsoccer coach and played semi-pro soccer with the Aurora Internationals in Denver during those two years, leading the Internationals to the Colorado state title in 1971.He volunteered for duty in Vietnam and served as an intelligence officer in Saigon, Republic of Vietnam and at Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand, in 1972 and 1973.

After earning his doctorate degree, Mueh returned to the Academy in 1976 as an associate professor of chemistry. He remained at the Academy except for astint in 1985-86 as the special assistant for technical matters at the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon.

In 1986, he assumed the position of acting head, department of chemistry, before being selected for his position of permanent professor and head of the de-partment of chemistry in 1987. As faculty athletics representative, he was active in both the Western Athletic Conference and Mountain West Conference, and was theAcademy's representative on the transition team to form the new MWC, the only faculty athletics representative on the team. He is currently the chairman of RegionVII for the NCAA's Postgraduate Scholarship Committee, covering 119 schools, and has served in that capacity for five years. He competes in golf, racquetball, volley-ball, handball and tennis, and has promoted Air Force Academy intercollegiate sports throughout his tenure, beginning with work as chairman of the hockey eligibil-ity committee, officer representative to the men's golf team and five years as the officer representative to the football team.

Mueh is married to the former Sally Flax of Cincinnati, Ohio. They have three children: Kristine, Kurt and Deborah.

Vice Director of AthleticsBrad DeAustin

Associate AD/ProgramsCol. Billy Walker

Associate AD/IntercollegiatePrograms

Marti Gasser

Associate AD/Sports Medicine

Lt. Col. Bob Wishtischin

Associate AD/Support

Wayne Kellenbence

AAtthhlleett iicc DDeeppaarrttmmeenntt


Few schools in the country have an athletic program as extensive as the AirForce Academy's.

The goals of the athletic program are to enhance the physical conditioning ofall cadets, to develop the physical skills necessary for officership, to teach leader-ship in a competitive environment and to build character. There are three subdi-visions of the athletic program: intercollegiate athletics, intramurals and physicaleducation.

The intercollegiate program has 17 men's and 10 women's NCAA-sanctionedteams, facing some of the top competition in the nation. Men’s teams are foot-ball, baseball, basketball, ice hockey, cross-country, fencing, golf, gymnastics, in-door and outdoor track, lacrosse, rifle, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis,water polo and wrestling. The Academy fields women's teams in basketball,cross-country, fencing, gymnastics, rifle, indoor and outdoor track, swimming anddiving, soccer, tennis and volleyball. In addition, the Academy sponsors two non-NCAA programs; boxing and cheerleading.

The majority of the Academy’s men’s and women’s programs compete at theNCAA Division I level in the Mountain West Conference. The Falcons compete inthis conference against teams from Brigham Young, New Mexico, Colorado State,San Diego State, TCU, Wyoming, Utah and UNLV. All sports also compete againstnon-conference opponents, including many nationally-ranked teams.

The football team competes annually for the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy,which is emblematic of service academy football supremacy. The Falcons havewon the trophy 16 times, which is more than Army and Navy combined. The win-ner of the annual rivalry visits with White House to have the trophy presented bythe President of the United States.

The USAFA Cadet Field House is one of the most impressivebuildings in the country. It’s a modern, versatile structurewith seemingly endless uses. The $5.6 million building is fivestories high and 396 feet by 426 feet, the size of three foot-ball fields laid side by side. The structure is divided intothree areas--basketball arena, ice hockey arena and multi-purpose area. The three sections have a combined seatingcapacity of 11,000.

Clune Arena seats 5,939. The Cadet Ice Rink has a seat-ing capacity of 2,502, while the multipurpose area seats1,000 fans for track and field competitions.

Falcon Stadium open on Sept. 22, 1962. The stadium was originally builtsolely for football, but non-athletic events like the Academy’s annualgraduation ceremonies are also conducted there. The newest modifica-tion to the stadium was completed in the spring of 2006 with fieldturf.Falcon Stadium has a seating capacity of 46,692.

Over the years, Falcon Field has be-come one of the toughest parks in which toplay in the nation. Nestled against the Ram-part Range of the Rocky Mountains, FalconField sits at over 7,000 feet above sea level.In 1991, the field became one of the mostunique in the country. Due to the severeColorado weather, an Astroturf infield wasinstalled with a brand new grass outfieldand drainage system. The turf allows theFalcons to play games after spring snow-storms which, in the past, would have hadto be postponed. Also in 1991, the fenceswere moved back more than 20 feet insome spots. The current dimensions are349 in left field, 393 in left center, 400 incenter, 365 in right center and 316 in rightfield. The “short porch” in right field is pro-tected by a 24-foot chain link “Monster.” Aspart of the renovation, the dugouts wereupgraded with heaters and, permanenthelmet and bat racks and the park gainedspace for more than 500 fans with addi-tional seating on the grass for a capacity ofmore than 1,000. In the fall of 2004, the oldAstroTurf infield was replaced with newSport Turf.

During the first five seasons after the

renovation, the Falcons improved in everyarea of the game - team defense, team of-fense and team pitching. The batting aver-age of .328 and fielding percentage of .942were the highest in any five-year period upto that point. The team ERA consistently im-proved and the five-year ERA of 7.25 is thebest since joining a major conference in1981.

As a result, the Falcons posted a 128-122 record during that time for a winningpercentage of .512, the best since joining amajor conference in 1981. The Falcons aver-aged nearly 26 wins per season in thosefive years, the best five-year average inschool history. AFA’s home winning percent-age of .550 in 2000 is the best since a .625mark in 1995.

Since 1957, the Falcons have won 55percent of the games played at FalconField. The 1993 team broke the schoolrecord by winning 21 home games.

In 51 seasons of Falcon baseball, theteam has posted 34 winning seasons athome. In 2007, the Falcons were 5-18 athome. Falcon Field also earned nationalrecognition as the host of the 1976 and 1995U.S. Olympic Festivals.

FFaallccoonn FFiieelldd//IInnddoooorr HHiitttt iinngg FFaaccii ll ii ttyy


Year W L1957 5 51958 6 41959 4 21960 10 51961 6 41962 12 31963 9 71964 11 21965 6 21966 10 41967 9 11968 6 61969 12 11970 12 41971 16 11972 9 41973 6 81974 7 31975 8 71976 9 71977 13 41978 12 41979 11 11980 18 31981 8 131982 15 3

Year W L1983 8 111984 8 51985 12 71986 15 21987 3 71988 10 111989 12 101990 10 121991 9 81992 14 101993 21 101994 18 61995 15 91996 9 141997 8 161998 7 141999 9 112000 11 92001 12 152002 17 52003 10 152004 2 132005 4 182006 2 82007 5 18Totals 501 394

On The Horizon...

In the coming years, major renovations are planned for Falcon Field.

Highlights of the renovations include:

- New artificial turf covering the entire playingsurface except for a dirt mound.

- New, padded, 30-foot high fence for the entire outfield.

- Hitters Eye.

- 1,500 seat-capacity, chairback stadium.

- New press box.

- New home and visiting lockers adjacent to dugouts.

- Open terrazzo at top of stadium for concessions, tailgating, etc.

- Addition of second floor to the indoor hitting facility.

Falcon Field

Indoor Hitting FacilityIn 2006, the Falcon indoor facilitywas built. The state-of-the-art facilityis located along the southeast cornerof Falcon Field.The new facility features three cagesfor hitting and pitching practice,player lockers, bathrooms andshowers. In the coming years, asecond floor is slated to be added tothe facility and will feature thecoaches offices, pitching lanes and abaseball-specific workout room.

Prominent Alumni

Documents

Transcript of Prominent Alumni