Bessone Named MSU Hockey `Distinguished Spartan'
2/10/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Feb. 10, 2010
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East Lansing, Mich. - Amo Bessone, who spent 28 years as the head coach of the Michigan State hockey and guided the Spartans to the 1966 NCAA title, has been selected to receive the program's 2010 Distinguished Spartan Award. Bessone, who passed away on Jan. 9, will be honored posthumously at the Hockey Awards Banquet on Wednesday, March 3 at the Kellogg Center. Former Spartan Tom Ross, who played for Bessone from 1972-76, will pay tribute to his former coach at the banquet and accept the award on behalf of the Bessone family.
"My father loved every minute of his tenure at Michigan State and he was truly a Spartan to the very end," noted John Bessone, the son of the former Spartan head coach. "He would be honored to receive this very special award. I'm disappointed that our family cannot be at the banquet, but I can't think of a better person to accept this on our behalf than Tom Ross. Tommy is, of course, another great Spartan - but he also held a special place in my father's heart."
Bessone coached 814 games behind the Michigan State bench, second only to Ron Mason (974). Bessone was Michigan State's longest-tenured hockey coach and was instrumental in building the Spartan hockey program, progressing from a 7-13 record in his first season (1951-52) to four consecutive campaigns with 20 or more wins (1973-76). He tutored 12 All-Americans and three Olympians (Weldon Olson, Gene Grazia, and Doug Volmar). He retired after the 1978-79 season with a career record of 367-427-20 at Michigan State, with Big Ten titles in 1966-67, 1970-71 and 1975-76, (outright) and tying for the title in 1972-73.
His 1966 "Cinderella Spartans" won the National Championship in Minneapolis, defeating Clarkson, 6-1 in the title game. At midseason, MSU owned a 4-9 record, but began to jell in the second half going 12-4 in its final 16 games, defeating both Michigan and Michigan Tech in the playoffs to advance to the Frozen Four. He brought the Spartans back to the Frozen Four in 1967 and finished third, and MSU had been the runners-up in 1959 (losing to North Dakota in overtime in the championship game). He was named the Spencer Penrose Coach of the Year in the National Championship season.
One hallmark of Bessone's tenure was giving back to the community, a tradition and responsibility that continues to this day within the walls of Munn Ice Arena. Bessone is credited with helping the Greater Lansing Amateur Hockey Association (GLAHA) get off the ground - he donated used Michigan State equipment in addition to encouraging his varsity players to help coach in the youth hockey circuit. GLAHA started with three players in 1953 and by Bessone's retirement from coaching in 1979, the organization boasted 450 players. Today, GLAHA has 23 teams for boys and girls from mites to midgets.
Bessone was acknowledged for his community work with the John MacInnes Award in 1983, which recognizes an individual who has shown a great concern for youth hockey and amateur programs. In 1992, Bessone was inducted into the US Hockey Hall of Fame as well as Michigan State's Hall of Fame.
In tribute to his efforts over the years, several awards now bear his name. At Michigan State, one player each year since 1980 has been named the winner of the Amo Bessone Award, which recognizes athletic and academic achievement as well as community participation. In addition, each year, GLAHA's Coach of the Year receives the Amo Bessone Award as well. In his hometown of Springfield, Massachusetts, the Amo Bessone award is given to the top high school player in Western Massachusetts.
Bessone was 93 years old when he passed away in January. He was born on November 22, 1916 on Cape Cod and raised in West Springfield, Mass. He attended West Springfield High School then later played at Hebron Academy and the Kent Hills School in Maine. He earned his undergraduate degree University of Illinois in 1943, where he lettered in baseball in addition to hockey. He moved onto an AHL career, but that was cut short due to his service in World War II. He began his coaching career at Westfield (Mass.) High in 1946, and made his move into the college ranks at Michigan Tech two years later. He spent three seasons at the helm of the Husky program (1948-51) before signing on at Michigan State in the fall of 1951.
Tickets for the Michigan State hockey banquet are available for $35 and additional information can be obtained by calling the hockey office at 517-355-1639 or by emailing hockey@msu.edu. All banquet registrations are due no later than Monday, Feb. 15.