Michigan State University Athletics
Weldon Olson: Former Spartan And Olympic Hockey Player
Weldon Olson: Former Spartan And Olympic Hockey Player
Olson to be inducted into MSU Athletics Hall of Fame Sept. 7.
Sept. 5, 2001
Weldon Olson, a member of the MSU hockey team from 1951-55, is one of seven former Spartans who will be honored for their accomplishments with enshrinement into the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame, September 7, 2001. Joining Olson in this year's class are Jerry DaPrato (football, 1912-15), Sue Ertl (golf, 1977-80), George M. (Jud) Heathcote (basketball coach 1976-95), Sherman Lewis (football/track, 1961-64), Steve Smith (basketball, 1987-91) and John D. Wilson (Football, 1950-52).
"I'm thrilled to be honored, especially with this group of people," Olson said. "It's nice to be remembered after all these years. I'm very thankful to Amo Bessone. He brought me down here and gave me a chance to play. Hockey wasn't quite as accomplished then as it is today. Amo's job was to build the program and I was glad to be a part of the foundation."
Olson started his MSU hockey career as a freshman, 1951 was the first year the Big Ten Conference allowed freshmen to play. The Marquette, Mich., native went on to become the team's MVP in 1953, leading scorer in 1954 and co-captain of the 1954-1955 team. The rugged center didn't miss a game during his four-year career.
"Weldy was a very intelligent hockey player and carried that through with his scholastics," said former MSU hockey coach Amo Bessone. "He was a finesse player, a good puck handler and he knew how to score."
Olson's hockey career continued after he left MSU. He played for the 1956 U.S. Olympic Team that won the silver medal in Cortina, Italy. From 1956-60, Olson served in the U.S. Air Force and competed as a member of the U.S. National Team. He captained the 1957-58 team that took fifth place in the World Championships in Oslo, Norway. He also was part of the first North American team to play behind the Iron Curtain in Poland, Czechoslovakia and Russia.
The former Spartan earned another chance to represent his country at the 1960 Olympics in Squaw Valley, Calif. The Americans captured the gold medal in hockey for the first time ever. Fellow State alum Gene Grazia (MSU '58) was a teammate.
Olson's playing days eventually came to an end, but his support for the game continued through other avenues. He coached youth and senior teams in Madison, Wis., and a midget team in Detroit. He was a referee for the Michigan Amateur Association, served as vice-president of the Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association, director of hockey program in Allen Park, Mich., and president of the Michigan Junior Hockey League. He served on the Board of Directors for the Detroit Junior Wings and the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame and was a member of the U.S. Olympic Ice Hockey Committee for the 1976 games.
Named to the U.S. Amateur Hockey Association 50 Year Dream Team, Olson was an initial inductee for the Michigan Amateur Sports Hall of Fame. In 1993, he received the MSU's hockey program's Distinguished Alumnus Award. The 1960 Olympic Team Olson played on was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame as well as the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame in 1984.
"The opportunity to attend MSU provided me with a solid foundation - both on the ice and off," said Olson. "Coming from a small community, the MSU campus and area permitted me to grow stronger in confidence and experience."
** Today marks the fifth installment of a seven-part series unveiling the members of the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2001. Two-time All-American Steve Smith will be featured on Thursday (Sept. 6).
** The MSU Athletics Hall of Fame, which is located in the Clara Bell Smith Student-Athlete Academic Center on the campus of Michigan State University, was dedicated on Oct. 1, 1999. It is open to the general public on home football Saturdays, normally two hours after the game. The $250,000 Hall of Fame displays key moments in Spartan athletic history as well as plaques of the 72 current inductees. The charter class of 30 former Spartan athletes, coaches and administrators was inducted in 1992.