Falcons host former airmen and Olympians, Feb. 19-20
2/11/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - The Air Force Academy and USA Hockey welcomes two former airmen and Olympians to the Cadet Ice Arena, Feb. 19-20, as Willard Ikola and Weldy Olson will be in attendance when the Falcons host the Robert Morris Colonials. Ikola and Olson both served in the Air Force in the 1950's and earned Olympic medals playing hockey for the U.S. National Team.
Ikola, from Evelth, Minn., played at the University of Michigan where he joined forces with two former Air Force coaches, Vic Heyliger and John Matchefts. With Heyliger behind the bench, Ikola and Matchefts helped lead the Wolverines to NCAA national titles in 1951 and 1952. Following his collegiate career. Ikola joined the Air Force and served from 1953-57.
Ikola helped lead Team USA to the Silver Medal at the 1956 Olympic Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, and was named the outstanding goaltender of the Olympic Games. Following the Olympics, Ikola hung up the skates for his famous houndstooth hat and began his coaching career at Edina (Minn.) High School and Edina East High School. As one of the most successful high school coaches in the country, Ikola posted a 616-149-38 career record, over 33 years, including 19 sectional championships and eight state titles. Two of Ikola's grandsons, Bryan and Matt Becker, are former Falcon hockey players and USAFA graduates.
Olson, from Marquette, Mich., was a four-year letterman at forward at Michigan State from 1951-55. A team MVP, co-captain and leading scorer, he never missed a game in his career and scored 125 points in 71 games. From 1956-60, he served in the Air Force and also competed as a member of the U.S. National hockey team. Olson earned a Silver Medal in the 1956 Games and then helped lead the USA to the first ever Gold Medal in hockey at the 1960 Olympic Games in Squaw Valley, Calif.
In his Olympic career, he played 14 games and scored seven goals. He is one of just five Americans to win a Gold and Silver Medal in Olympic hockey (Bill Cleary, John Mayasich, Dick Meredith and Richard Rodenheiser).
Both Ikola and Olson will be available for autographs throughout the weekend. For tickets, please click here.
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