I know it has kept you on the edge of your seat since you enrolled at Boston College. It has been the one question you've wanted an answer for at Trivia Night in Kinvara or Mary Ann's.
Kev, get to the question.
Right, without further delay. Here it is: Who holds the BC record for the fastest time in the indoor mile?
OK, you're taking longer than Yankees/Red Sox playoff game to answer, so I'm going to fill you in.
His name? Tom Horton, BC '80. The time? 4:04.6. Twenty-four years later, the record remains untouched. Horton was one of the finest middle-distance runners to come across a pair of track spikes while an undergraduate at BC. During his four years at Chestnut Hill, Horton left his mark on the track while setting the pace of numerous records. In fact, the mile was not the only impressive time that he left behind.
Horton ranked highly in several events, including third place in the indoor 800 (1:50.6), third in the indoor 1000 (2:23.3), and third in the outdoor 800 (1:49.38). Pretty impressive for a guy you never heard of, eh?
But, Kev, why are you busting out the trivia?
Well, it's been a trip down memory lane these days around the BC sports scene. With the 1984 football team reuniting this past weekend and the 20th anniversary of the Flutie Miracle approaching, it's a good time to look back at the BC of old and pay attention to the athletes who set the stage for the success many of the BC teams are currently enjoying. The list of impressive athletes includes Horton and seven others who were recently inducted the Varsity Club Athletic Hall of Fame.
In their years at BC they were impressive. Now, they are enshrined.
Eight of the most accomplished athletes to don the maroon and gold took their place in a ceremony at the Sheraton Needham last week. Included in the gathering were brothers Doug and Greg Brown of the hockey team, Malcolm Huckaby from basketball, Brian Kelley from baseball, Rico Labbe and Joe Wolf from football, and Kathleen Sweet from basketball.
In their college years, each of the inductees was able to perform at a level most never reach. Doug Brown, BC '86, was a forward who won All-America second-team honors in both his junior and senior years before graduating and playing 15 years in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings. While with the Red Wings, Brown won the Stanley Cup in 1997 and 1998.
Joining Brown in the hall is brother Greg, BC '90, another hockey player, who graduated in 1990. The younger Brown played for Team USA in the 1988 Calgary Olympic Games. After BC, he played 94 games over the course of four seasons in the NHL.
Moving from the ice to the hardwood, Malcolm Huckaby, BC '94, was inducted for his sharp shooting skills and defensive contributions. In his years with the Eagles he was named Most Outstanding Defensive Player three times and was a member of the BC team that graced the cover of Sports Illustrated following its upset of North Carolina and trip to the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament.
Staying with hoops, Kathleen Sweet was inducted as well. As a member of the 1,000- point/ 500- rebound club, she joined elite company and forever etched her name in the record books for women's hoops at BC.
Out on the baseball diamonds of the Big East, Brian Kelley, BC'91, was the man with the hot bat. After transferring from the University of Richmond, Kelley notched two All-Big East selections.
On the gridiron, Rico Labbe and Joe Wolf made their names as a defensive back and offensive guard, respectively. Labbe played in the East-West Shrine game and Wolf preceded Labbe in the NFL draft by one year. Labbe was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round of the NFL draft while Wolf was taken as the 17th selection of the 1989 draft. He spent 10 years in the league with the Cardinals.
So there you have it. There's your BC sports history, minus Doug Flutie. Didn't know about some of these guys? Now you do.
If you forget again, just look up on the wall in Conte Forum. The history's on the wall.
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