Cafaro Elected to Army Hall of Fame

A legend in lacrosse as an attackman, Thomas R. Cafaro will be inducted into the Army's Sports Hall of Fame at a special banquet to be held at West Point on September 28th announced the United States Military Academy, bringing the total number of Hall of Famers to just 48. In addition, Cafaro will be honored during a halftime ceremony the next day when Army hosts Temple at historic Michie Stadium.

Cafaro has been on staff with Nichols College for 20 years, beginning his career in 1987 as director of men's athletics. He was first appointed vice president in 1998, and currently oversees the areas of enrollment and marketing. Under his leadership, Nichols College exceeded its goal for a six-year comprehensive fundraising campaign, re-branded the College's marketing program, launched an interactive website, and this year, broke the record for day student enrollment.

"This is a shining achievement for Tom," says the President of Nichols College, Dr. Debra M. Townsley. "We have always known him as a great leader and competitor. Everyone in the Nichols community salutes his outstanding lacrosse record for Army's Black Knights."

Cafaro graduated from West Point in 1971 and holds a master's from the University of Massachusetts. He resides in Dudley, Mass., and has three daughters: Nicole (19), Ellie (16), and Jill (15).

Cafaro's Record (1969-1971)

Cafaro is a two-time first-team All-American and was elected into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1988. He was a member of the NCAA's Silver Anniversary Lacrosse squad and was a vital contributor to Army's 1969 national championship team. He won the Lt. Ray Enners Award as the nation's most outstanding player in 1971 and also the Jack Turnbull Award as the country's top attackman that same year.

Cafaro graduated with six Academy records and still holds four of them: points in a single season (85), goals in a single season (51), points in a postseason (18) and goals in a postseason game (7). He ranks sixth all-time in scoring (167), ninth in goals (96) and seventh in assists (71). He scored seven goals against Cornell in the 1971 semifinals (still a record for goals in an NCAA semifinal), the third best single game performance in Army history.

Cafaro averaged 6.54 points per game in 1971, a feat that still lists 17th in NCAA history. He totaled an unprecedented 18 points in two NCAA games in 1971, an NCAA record at that time.

Lacrosse has grown in popularity in the United States, becoming the fastest growing sport at the high school and NCAA levels. It's most popular in North America and is Canada's national summer sport.

The Army Sports Hall of Fame

The Army Sports Hall of Fame is a subset of the Kenna Hall of Army Sports, a comprehensive museum displaying Army's rich and proud intercollegiate athletic program.

The announcement of the Army Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2007 marks the end of a lengthy process that began in the spring. A 10-member selection committee, representing athletic administrators, academic administrators, former West Point athletes, graduates and representatives from the Association of Graduates began the process of developing a workable list from the thousands of athletes, coaches and administrators that have represented the Academy on the "fields of friendly strife."

Only athletes that graduated from the Academy and those five years removed from their playing and coaching days are eligible. Once the selection committee finalized its recommended list, the names were forward to the USMA's Athletic Committee for review and ratification before being passed on to Superintendent Lt. Gen. Franklin L. Hagenback for final approval.