Syracuse University will honor nine individuals as LetterWinners of Distinction on October 20, 2012.
Nine to be Honored as LetterWinners of Distinction on Oct. 20
9/30/2012 6:00:00 AM | General
Eight of Syracuse University's former athletic standouts and one former coach will relish their well deserved time in the spotlight during the annual LetterWinner of Distinction banquet. Syracuse University will honor the former student-athletes who have left their mark on the athletics program and in their lives after graduation at the 'The Tradition of Excellence Continues' celebration on Saturday, October 20 at the Turning Stone Event Center in Verona, N.Y. The 2012 honorees include George Oechsle '47 (soccer), C. James Zeszutek '72 (wrestling), Jeffrey S. McCormick '83 (lacrosse), Sidney Oglesby '65 (gymnastics), Todd Flaherty '70 (football), Gene Mills '81 (wrestling), Doug Sedgwick '80 (lacrosse), Debbie Gibaratz Tirico '89 (basketball) and Elton Fairbank, honorary (ski coach).
Tickets are $100 per person or $1,000 for a table of 10. A reception begins at 6:00 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m. To purchase tickets, please visit click here contact the Orange Club Office (315-443-1419) before October 5.
George Oechsle, 1947 (Soccer)
A native of Philadelphia, George Oechsle entered the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University in 1940. He was a varsity soccer starter and letter winner as a sophomore and junior and was elected team captain for the 1943 season but then WWII intervened and Oechsle enlisted in the Army Air Forces. Three years later, in 1946, Oechsle returned to Syracuse where he was elected captain again and graduated with a B.S. in pulp and paper manufacturing in 1947. Following graduation, Oechsle worked for Robert Gair Co., Continental Can Company and finally with The Newark Group, which he and fellow Forestry graduate, Edward Mullen, co-owned. It is the largest privately held recycled paper manufacturing company in the United States.
C. James "Jim" Zeszutek, 1972 (Wrestling)
James Zeszutek is a two-time letterwinner in wresting who earned a B.S. in industrial relations from the School of Management in 1972. In 1975, Zeszutek graduated from Syracuse University's College of Law and earned his Masters in Public Administration from Syracuse's Maxwell School in 1976. Presently, Zeszutek is the Managing Partner of the Pittsburgh office of Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP and is a partner in its Litigation Department. He is active in his community as a member of the Board of Directors of Easter Seals Western Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Society of Fellows and serves on the SU College of Law's Board of Advisors and the Board of Directors of the SU Athletic Department's Development Advisory Board.
Tickets are $100 per person or $1,000 for a table of 10. A reception begins at 6:00 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m. To purchase tickets, please visit click here contact the Orange Club Office (315-443-1419) before October 5.
George Oechsle, 1947 (Soccer)
A native of Philadelphia, George Oechsle entered the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University in 1940. He was a varsity soccer starter and letter winner as a sophomore and junior and was elected team captain for the 1943 season but then WWII intervened and Oechsle enlisted in the Army Air Forces. Three years later, in 1946, Oechsle returned to Syracuse where he was elected captain again and graduated with a B.S. in pulp and paper manufacturing in 1947. Following graduation, Oechsle worked for Robert Gair Co., Continental Can Company and finally with The Newark Group, which he and fellow Forestry graduate, Edward Mullen, co-owned. It is the largest privately held recycled paper manufacturing company in the United States.
C. James "Jim" Zeszutek, 1972 (Wrestling)
James Zeszutek is a two-time letterwinner in wresting who earned a B.S. in industrial relations from the School of Management in 1972. In 1975, Zeszutek graduated from Syracuse University's College of Law and earned his Masters in Public Administration from Syracuse's Maxwell School in 1976. Presently, Zeszutek is the Managing Partner of the Pittsburgh office of Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP and is a partner in its Litigation Department. He is active in his community as a member of the Board of Directors of Easter Seals Western Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Society of Fellows and serves on the SU College of Law's Board of Advisors and the Board of Directors of the SU Athletic Department's Development Advisory Board.
Jeffrey S. "Jeff" McCormick, 1983 (Lacrosse)
A four-year starting defenseman on the men's lacrosse team and 1982 and 1983 team captain, Jeffrey McCormick led the Orange to its first NCAA championship in 1983. He was a three-time All-American and captain of the winning North All-Star team in 1983. An ECAC Scholar Athlete, McCormick earned a B.S. degree in biology in 1983. His began his career in private equity in Boston but then founded an early stage venture capital firm, Saturn Partners, in 1993. He has been co-chair of Bostonians for Youth, founding board member and lead sponsor of the Sean McDonough Charity for Children and is the executive producer of the film Crooked Arrows, which featured Native American lacrosse players.
A four-year starting defenseman on the men's lacrosse team and 1982 and 1983 team captain, Jeffrey McCormick led the Orange to its first NCAA championship in 1983. He was a three-time All-American and captain of the winning North All-Star team in 1983. An ECAC Scholar Athlete, McCormick earned a B.S. degree in biology in 1983. His began his career in private equity in Boston but then founded an early stage venture capital firm, Saturn Partners, in 1993. He has been co-chair of Bostonians for Youth, founding board member and lead sponsor of the Sean McDonough Charity for Children and is the executive producer of the film Crooked Arrows, which featured Native American lacrosse players.
Sidney Oglesby, 1965 (Gymnastics)
Sidney Oglesby was a two-time All-American, NCAA champion (vault), three-time ECAC champion and three-time letter winner. He was the first African-American gymnast to earn All-America honors and to be an NCAA champion, which he accomplished in 1964. Ogelsby, along with 17 other African-American student-athletes at SU, as a group, publicly supported a University Senate proposal, backed by the Faculty Senate and Equality Committee, to ban further interscholastic competition with segregated schools in 1964. The proposal was subsequently adopted by the University and put into effect for the 1970 school year. Ogelsby earned a B.A. in education and an M.A. in Counseling and Rehabilitation in 1968. For the last 11 years, Ogelsby has been the Onondaga County Commissioner of Jurors and also serves on the Syracuse Common Council and the Onondaga County Legislature.
Todd Flaherty, 1970 (Football)
Todd Flaherty, who earned a B.A. in history in 1970, earned a letter as a football student-athlete. He went on to earn his M.S. in Social Studies Education from Alfred University and an Ed.D with honors from Boston University. Flaherty has spent his career in education and since 2009 has been the President and CEO of the College Crusade of Rhode Island, the largest college readiness-access program serving the state's poorest urban communities. In 2007, Flaherty became a policy adviser and senior consultant to two national research and policy organizations in Washington DC. In 1995 he was appointed state Deputy Commissioner of Education. In 1978 he was honored by the Boston Globe as Massachusetts High School Football Coach of the Year.
Sidney Oglesby was a two-time All-American, NCAA champion (vault), three-time ECAC champion and three-time letter winner. He was the first African-American gymnast to earn All-America honors and to be an NCAA champion, which he accomplished in 1964. Ogelsby, along with 17 other African-American student-athletes at SU, as a group, publicly supported a University Senate proposal, backed by the Faculty Senate and Equality Committee, to ban further interscholastic competition with segregated schools in 1964. The proposal was subsequently adopted by the University and put into effect for the 1970 school year. Ogelsby earned a B.A. in education and an M.A. in Counseling and Rehabilitation in 1968. For the last 11 years, Ogelsby has been the Onondaga County Commissioner of Jurors and also serves on the Syracuse Common Council and the Onondaga County Legislature.
Todd Flaherty, 1970 (Football)
Todd Flaherty, who earned a B.A. in history in 1970, earned a letter as a football student-athlete. He went on to earn his M.S. in Social Studies Education from Alfred University and an Ed.D with honors from Boston University. Flaherty has spent his career in education and since 2009 has been the President and CEO of the College Crusade of Rhode Island, the largest college readiness-access program serving the state's poorest urban communities. In 2007, Flaherty became a policy adviser and senior consultant to two national research and policy organizations in Washington DC. In 1995 he was appointed state Deputy Commissioner of Education. In 1978 he was honored by the Boston Globe as Massachusetts High School Football Coach of the Year.
Gene Mills, 1981 (Wrestling)
Syracuse's first male four-time All-American in any sport and the 1979 and 1981 NCAA Champion, Gene Mills posted a 144-5-1 career record at Syracuse, including victories in his last 77 matches. He earned wins in 24 of the last 25 by pin. The NCAA Outstanding Wrestler honoree, Mills continues to hold the NCAA Division I career record of 107 pins. A four-time letter winner, Mills is a physical education teacher at Phoenix (N.Y.) High School, where his team won the 2008 and 2012 state wrestling championships. He has run the Pin2Win wrestling camp since 1981 and travels the country as a speaker and wrestling teacher. Mills has won every major national and international championship between 1980 and 1982 and is a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Mills earned a B.A. in psychology in 1981 and his master's in Physical Education from SU in 1998.
Deborah Gibaratz Tirico, 1989 (Basketball)
A four-time letter winner in women's basketball and a tri-captain of the 1989 team, Deborah Giberatz Tirico played in the 1988 NCAA tournament, SU's second postseason appearance. She graduated with a B.S. magna cum laude in finance from the School of Management. She was Big East All-Academic and an ECAC Scholar Athlete. Her teammates honored her for outstanding courage and desire ('87) and as most dedicated ('89). After graduation, Tirico began her career in finance at Carrier Corporation, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation. In 1997, she joined HSB as a Vice President of Business Development and spent two years growing the engineering consulting business. She later earned an MBA from NYU's Stern School of Business. In 1999, Tirico moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she has devoted her time to local non-profit organizations.
Syracuse's first male four-time All-American in any sport and the 1979 and 1981 NCAA Champion, Gene Mills posted a 144-5-1 career record at Syracuse, including victories in his last 77 matches. He earned wins in 24 of the last 25 by pin. The NCAA Outstanding Wrestler honoree, Mills continues to hold the NCAA Division I career record of 107 pins. A four-time letter winner, Mills is a physical education teacher at Phoenix (N.Y.) High School, where his team won the 2008 and 2012 state wrestling championships. He has run the Pin2Win wrestling camp since 1981 and travels the country as a speaker and wrestling teacher. Mills has won every major national and international championship between 1980 and 1982 and is a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Mills earned a B.A. in psychology in 1981 and his master's in Physical Education from SU in 1998.
Doug Sedgwick, 1980 (Lacrosse)
A captain of the 1980 lacrosse team and a four-time letterwinner, Doug Sedgwick was chosen to play in the 1980 North-South Game. Sedgwick earned a B.A. in geography in 1980. In 1997, the office furniture industry veteran founded Sedgwick Business Interiors in Rochester and serves as its president. The company added offices in Syracuse and Ithaca and has earned top performance awards from Cornell University, the Army Corps of Engineers and earned nationwide best in class and leadership awards from Herman Miller. Sedgwick has been the varsity girl's lacrosse coach at Christian Brothers Academy since 2005. In 2011, he coached the team to the New York State Championship, was named All-Central New York Girls Coach of the Year and won the Reed Hawk Sportsmanship award from the Syracuse Sports Corporation. He has been named the Onondaga HS Liberty League Coach of the Year three times.
A captain of the 1980 lacrosse team and a four-time letterwinner, Doug Sedgwick was chosen to play in the 1980 North-South Game. Sedgwick earned a B.A. in geography in 1980. In 1997, the office furniture industry veteran founded Sedgwick Business Interiors in Rochester and serves as its president. The company added offices in Syracuse and Ithaca and has earned top performance awards from Cornell University, the Army Corps of Engineers and earned nationwide best in class and leadership awards from Herman Miller. Sedgwick has been the varsity girl's lacrosse coach at Christian Brothers Academy since 2005. In 2011, he coached the team to the New York State Championship, was named All-Central New York Girls Coach of the Year and won the Reed Hawk Sportsmanship award from the Syracuse Sports Corporation. He has been named the Onondaga HS Liberty League Coach of the Year three times.
A four-time letter winner in women's basketball and a tri-captain of the 1989 team, Deborah Giberatz Tirico played in the 1988 NCAA tournament, SU's second postseason appearance. She graduated with a B.S. magna cum laude in finance from the School of Management. She was Big East All-Academic and an ECAC Scholar Athlete. Her teammates honored her for outstanding courage and desire ('87) and as most dedicated ('89). After graduation, Tirico began her career in finance at Carrier Corporation, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation. In 1997, she joined HSB as a Vice President of Business Development and spent two years growing the engineering consulting business. She later earned an MBA from NYU's Stern School of Business. In 1999, Tirico moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she has devoted her time to local non-profit organizations.
Elton "Elt" Fairbank, Honorary
Elton Fairbank earned a master's degree in Health and Physical Education from Syracuse in 1954. He served as ski coach from 1960 to 19 71 and was a member of the Health and Physical Education faculty from 1981 to 1988. His ski teams dominated both Alpine and Nordic events, consistently placing among the top three in invitational meets involving New York and New England teams. A lifelong skier and World War II veteran, he began a 27 year association with the Syracuse and Onondaga Chapter of the American Red Cross after teaching and coaching at Hancock Central School. At the Red Cross, he served as director of First Aid and Water Safety, director of Disaster Services, Executive Director and Division Manager. He is a volunteer with Meals on Wheels and is a member of the Labrador Mountain Ski Patrol.
Elton Fairbank earned a master's degree in Health and Physical Education from Syracuse in 1954. He served as ski coach from 1960 to 19 71 and was a member of the Health and Physical Education faculty from 1981 to 1988. His ski teams dominated both Alpine and Nordic events, consistently placing among the top three in invitational meets involving New York and New England teams. A lifelong skier and World War II veteran, he began a 27 year association with the Syracuse and Onondaga Chapter of the American Red Cross after teaching and coaching at Hancock Central School. At the Red Cross, he served as director of First Aid and Water Safety, director of Disaster Services, Executive Director and Division Manager. He is a volunteer with Meals on Wheels and is a member of the Labrador Mountain Ski Patrol.
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