Syracuse University to Honor Seven as LetterWinners of Distinction
9/11/2001 12:54:27 PM | Swimming / Diving
The 37th annual LetterWinner of Distinction Awards Dinner will honor Dr. Robert L. Blaich ('52), Alan M. Brown, Jr. ('69), Martha M. Mogish ('82), Charles Rigoglioso, ('51), Ira S. Rimerman, ('60), Sid Young, ('59), Louis R. Walker, Jr. ('75) and Doug Logan (honorary). The dinner will be Friday, September 21, 2001, at the Goldstein Auditorium in the Schine Student Center on the campus of Syracuse University. Tickets are $50 each or $500 for a table of 10. A social hour begins at 6:00 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m.
Dr. Robert I. Blaich '52
Tennis, Aspen, CO
Dr. Robert Blaich dominated the tennis courts for the Orange from 1950-52, while earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in industrial design. In 1951 he served as the Vice President of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and was a member of the Tau Sigma Delta Honor Society in Architecture and Allied Arts.
Blaich's career took him all over the world. He introduced the concept of design management as a strategic tool for integrating product design into the production and marketing process. From 1960-79 Blaich was the Vice President of Corporate Design and Communications for Herman Miller, Inc in Zeeland, MI, and served as the Managing Director of Herman Miller in Europe in Switzerland. From 1980-92 Blaich was the Executive Vice President of Royal Phillips Electronics in the Netherlands before opening Design Management Consultants in Aspen, Colo.
Blaich served on many committees and boards dealing with product design and design management. He presently serves as the Vice President of Design for the World in Barcelona, Spain. He also serves on the Board of International Design Conference in Aspen and as Chairman of the Board of the Walter Dorwin Teague Design in Seattle, New York and Los Angeles. Blaich is the author of several articles and books on design such as Product Design and Corporate Strategy (1993) and New and Notable Product Design (1995).
Blaich has been a lecturer and visiting professor at many major universities. He served as a member of the Advisory Board at the University of Art and Design Helsinki, Finland. Blaich's expertise in the field brought him to the Center of Design and Business, Copenhagen Business School, Denmark, as well as the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago.
Blaich has used his knowledge of design management on many community boards and commissions. He presently is the Chairman of the Aspen Planning and Zoning Commission, serves on the Aspen Design Review Board and is a member of the Aspen Downtown Enhancement Committee. He served as the Chairman of the Environmental Design Committee on the Michigan Council for the Arts and served as a panel member for the National Endowment for the Arts.
Blaich received an honorary doctorate from Syracuse University in 1990.
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Alan M. Brown, Jr. '69
Lacrosse, Hartsdale, New York
A three-year lacrosse letterwinner, Alan Brown graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Management, majoring in marketing. Brown was was the starting goalie for the SU varsity, after serving as a co-captain for the undefeated 1966 freshman team. As a junior Brown ranked second nationally in saves and was an All-America nominee as a senior.
Prior to enrolling at Syracuse University, Brown began working in the field of art as a framer for the artist Arlette Buchman. He also worked for the Scarsdale Art and Frame shop after school and on the weekends. Brown continued to work for art galleries and frame shops in Syracuse.
After graduation, he went to work fulltime for the Sindin Harris Gallery in Hartsdale, NY as the Director of the Gallery. In 1971 he took a position with the Ronald Feldman Fine Arts in New York, NY, a gallery opened by SU graduate Ron Feldman.
In 1972 Brown opened his own art house, the Alan Brown Gallery in Hartsdale, NY, dealing in Modern American and European Masters, Emerging Artists, 19th and early 20th Century French Posters, and African Art. Two of his first shows were for Roy Simmons, Jr. and Jim Ridlon, whom he has continued to represent. He also began a museum quality picture framing business, catering to museums, galleries, artists and corporations throughout the United States, Mexico, Canada and Europe. For several more years Brown continued his business and helped many individuals with the curation of many art shows. He designed and installed many exhibitions and shows throughout the world. In 1997 Brown closed his business and became a private art dealer in Hartsdale and Naples, Fla. In 1990 Brown received the Golden Apple Award from Westchester County, recognizing involvement in enhancing life in the county, and in 1993 he received the Westchester Winners Award from the Westchester County Small Business Council and the County Chamber of Commerce, given to an individual who has made significant achievements in his/her business and community affairs activities. In 1994 and 1995 he was honored with the Circle of Winners Award. Since 1985 Brown has been listed in Who's Who in the East, Who's Who in American Art, Who's Who in Society and Who's Who of Emerging Leaders in America.
He has held offices or has served on boards of the Westchester Arts Council, Pelham Art Center, White Plains Museum Gallery, Philharmonia Virtuosi, Neuberger Museum, Westchester County Center Sculpture Committee and the Phoenix Theater.
Martha M. Mogish '82
Women's Basketball, Syracuse, NY
One of the first females to receive a basketball scholarship, Martha M. Mogish is the first woman to be inducted as a LetterWinner of Distinction without the "honorary" tag. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in geology from the College of Arts and Sciences in 1982. A four-year starter for the women's basketball team, Mogish set the SU single-season record for rebounds. During her senior year, SU had a school-best 26-8 record.
Mogish was also a three-year member of the women's varsity crew team. She was a member of Alpha Xi Delta and was a student leader for the campus United Way campaign.
Mogish played professional basketball in Italy, France, Sweden and Finland for five years after graduation. She was a member of the National Champions of Finland and played in the European Cup Tournament with the French and Finish teams.
Mogish returned to the states to begin her career in sales in Albany, NY when her playing career was finished. She was an account representative for Alling and Cory in Albany for eight years, winning the President's Club Winner twice. In 1995 Mogish became a District Sales Manager for MCI in Albany. Mogish returned to Syracuse in 1996 to work as an Account Representative with Syracuse Office Environments.
Mogish is very active throughout the community, serving as a volunteer assistant coach for the Bishop Ludden high school girl's program since 1996 and as a volunteer for "Strathmore by the Park" home tours which benefits Onondaga Park. She is also an event volunteer for Upstate Medical University and the Leukemia Society.
Since graduating from SU Mogish has stayed very active within the athletics department as a member of the Varsity Club Board of Directors. Her father, Andy Mogish, was a coach and educator at SU for more than 40 years was inducted as a LetterWinner of Distinction in 1986.
Charles Rigoglioso, '51
Boxing Garfield, New Jersey
A three-year member of Roy Simmons' championship boxing squads, Charles "Chuck" Rigoglioso received a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Management in 1951. Prior to attending Syracuse, Rigoglioso enlisted in the U.S. Merchant Marines, attending the Academy in San Mateo, CA and serving his duty in the Pacific.
Following graduation Rigoglioso worked for the United States government as a supervisor of the Electronic Engineering Flight Aids and Navigation Systems for Fort Monmouth, NJ. He received commendation from the Department of Defense for solving a design problem that plagued helicopters during the Vietnam Conflict. The Department of the Army commended Chuck for his service and knowledge of saving the government money in 1974 and 1979. In 1980 President Jimmy Carter gave Chuck a presidential commendation for his continuing contributions to more efficient government operations.
Rigoglioso was elected to the Board of Education for the City of Garfield in 1977 and served as president of the board from 1979-80. He was a volunteer instructor at the Garfield Boys and Girls club from 1974-80 and has been very active in the YMCA. In recognition of his community involvement and his high school and college achievements Chuck was inducted into the Garfield High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991.
Three of his brothers graduated from SU, as well as his oldest son, Domini, (swimming 1978), youngest son, Daniel, (wrestling 1992), his nephew Robert (1991) and his niece Rebecca (1993).
Ira S. Rimerman, '60
Swimming, Sands Point, New York
Ira Rimerman, a four-year member and three-year letterwinner of the Orange swimming and diving team, received his Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering in 1960. Rimerman served as co-chair of the Syracuse University Campus Chest Carnival and was vice president, social committee chairman and pledge chairman of Phi Sigma Delta. In addition, he was elected to Alpha Phi Mu, the industrial engineering honor society.
Rimerman received a professional engineering degree from Columbia University and, in 1961, received a MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Rimerman then worked for ITT and Computer Usage Co. in the technical/data processing areas.
Rimerman served 28 years (1971-99) with the New York-based Citigroup, the largest financial institution in the world. After retiring from the Citigroup in 1999 Rimerman founded RSA Ventures, LLC a venture capital and advisory firm. He also serves as a director on three corporate boards, including Cyota, Inc., FreeDecision, Inc. and Ellie Mae, Inc. He has continued his service as a trustee of the Film Society of Lincoln Center, in addition to serving as a trustee of his Community Synagogue of Port Washington, NY. He was named a member of the Board of Trustees of Beth Israel Medical Center and the Visiting Nurse Service of NY. He also served as a director of the Wharton Graduate Executive Board and was a director of the Wharton Entrepreneurial Center from 1986-90.
Sid Young, '59
Football, Havertown, PA
A varsity football student-athlete, Sid Young graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1959 and received his Master of Science degree in 1961. Prior to entering SU he served as a member of the military with the 11th Airborne Division in 1953 and 1954 at Fort Campbell, KY. He played in the 1957 Cotton Bowl and in the 1959 Orange Bowl. He was a member of the Psi Upsilon Fraternity, the Phi Epsilon Kappa Fraternity for Health and Physical Education and was an officer in the fraternity. He joined the ROTC and served in the campus security office.
Young began teaching health and physical education at Haverford Senior High School, where he remained for almost 40 years before retiring. During his tenure Young was a teacher, coach and referee, coaching football, wrestling, basketball and softball and officiating high school football and college baseball, basketball and lacrosse. He also served as an assistant football coach at Villanova University.
Very active in his community, Young worked for the Red Cross, teaching basic life saving courses. These courses came in handy one day when he saved the life of a student using the Heimlich maneuver. Young was been involved with the CYO youth leagues as a coach and a referee. He is one of the founding members and served as the chairman of the Haverford High School Sports Hall of Fame for several years. As the chairman of the National Football Foundation Philadelphia chapter at Villanova University, he received an award from the National Football Fund from the National Office. He was inducted into his High School Hall of Fame (Roxborough High School, Philadelphia), the Community Hall of Fame and his County Hall of Fame.
Louis R. Walker, Jr. ' 75
Swimming and Diving, Baldwinsville, NY
A 26-year veteran of the SU coaching staff, Lou Walker earned a degree in physical education from the school of Arts and Science in 1975 and a Masters Degree in education from SU in 1982. A four-year varsity swimming letterwinner, he was a two-time captain and a four-year finalist at the Eastern Championship. He set seven school records during his career. Walker qualified for the Pan American trials, the NCAA Championship and the U.S. Nationals. Walker was also a member of the Physical Education Honorary fraternity.
Throughout his coaching career, which began immediately following his graduation and has spanned more than 25 years, Walker has been named the BIG EAST Coach of the Year five times. He has guided the SU swimming & diving team to three BIG EAST Conference championships and has coached 17 All-Americans, including two four-time All-Americans. Walker mentored 11 BIG EAST Most Outstanding Swimmers and the BIG EAST Athlete of the Decade for the 1980's. He has coached several Olympic qualifiers and four Olympians.
Walker has served as the president of the BIG EAST Coaches Association and has been a member of the NCAA Certification Steering Committee. He presently serves on the NCAA Swimming and Diving Committee. Since 1975 Walker has also been involved with the Senior National Championship Qualifiers and the Junior National Championship Qualifiers.
Walker is the Syracuse Chargers Swimming Club's president, an organization he has also served as head coach and participated with as a swimmer. He served as the Chairman for the United States Swimming Niagara LSC from 1994-97, and in 1992 and 1993 Walker was involved in the NCAA Y.E.S. Clinics. Every summer Walker conducts swim clinics for the city of Syracuse Parks and recreation.
In 1997 Walker was inducted into the Orange Plus Hall of Fame.
Doug Logan
Honorary, Manlius, NY
The Varsity Club of Syracuse University chose Doug Logan this year as an honorary LetterWinner of Distinction as a thank you for support and dedication to the SU athletics department. For 19 years he served as the play-by-announcer for Syracuse football and basketball on the WSYR New York State Radio Network. Throughout the years as the play-by-play announcer Logan called the action for 850 games for the Orange, including 11 bowl games, 16 NCAA tournaments, two final fours, four NIT games and two NIT Championship games. He received the 1999 Vic Hanson medal of excellence and the 1998 BIG EAST Media Award.
A graduate of Purdue University with a Bachelor of Arts in speech, radio-television, Logan has served as sports director at WIXT-TV for the past 18 years. Throughout his career he has won awards from the Associated Press, UPI, New York State Broadcasters Association and the Syracuse Press Club. For the last 20 years Logan has served as the host of "This Week on Dirt," a weekly television racing show, a syndicated program. Since 1996 Logan has served as the play-by-play announcer for "Rush Hour on DIRT, " a 90-minute "live" race telecast.
Logan has served as Chairman of the Board, president and board member for the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association during the past 20 years and is a three-time winner of the State Sportscaster of the Year Award.
In 2000 Logan received the Community Team Spirit Award from the Salvation Army and the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. In 1999 Logan was awarded the Vic Hanson Medal of Excellence for Outstanding Contributions to College Basketball and also received the Achievement Award from the Syracuse Sunrise Rotary. Logan has also served as the master of ceremonies or as a guest speaker for many non-profit groups in Central New York to help raise funds for charity.
