Air Force inducts 11th athletics hall of fame class
10/18/2024 10:00:00 PM | General
Air Force athletics inducted its 11th class into the school's Athletics Hall of Fame Friday, Oct. 18, at the East Club Presented by L3Harris at the Kucera Legacy Center. The class was made up of football standout and NFL veteran Ben Garland, soccer All-American Len Salvemini, women's basketball career scoring leader Melissa Standley James, dual sport standout Charlie Toth, lacrosse All-American Joe Vasta and the 1998 conference champion football team.
Garland, a 2010 graduate, was an all-Mountain West selection in 2009, helping the Falcons to an 8-5 record and an Armed Forces Bowl victory over Houston. Garland signed as a free agent with the Denver Broncos in 2010, where he began his professional football career. Garland later signed with the Atlanta Falcons where he played both on offense and defense and played in the 2017 Super Bowl. He was the starting center for the San Francisco 49ers in 2019 and played in Super Bowl LIV. Garland won the NFL's Salute to Service Award in 2018 and is a two-time NFL Man of the Year nominee from two different franchises.
Salvemini, a 1975 graduate, is the program's career scoring leader with 149 points and all-time leading goal scorer with 65. A two-time All-American, he was a four-time all-conference and all-Far West region selection. Salvemini later played three seasons in the Major Indoor Soccer League and played on the Olympic team during the 1976 qualifiers.
Standley James, a 1990 graduate, is the program's career scoring (1,738) and rebounding (853) leader. A three-time all-conference selection, she earned team most valuable player honors in 1990. Her 20.4 career scoring average is the best in program history. Standley James led the team in scoring three times and rebounding four times. Her military career includes serving as Wing Commander for Al Udeid Air Force and Vance Air Force Base. She is also a member of the Indiana Sports Hall of Fame.
Toth, a 2001 graduate, was a two-sport standout in men's swimming and water polo. He became the program's first Mountain West champion in any sport, winning the 100-meter freestyle in 2000. Toth is the school record holder in the 50, 100. 200 and 400 free, along with the 200 and 400 free medley relays. He earned honorable mention All-America honors in water polo in 2000 and is the school record holder in steals with 257. Toth earned the Academy's Athletic Excellence Award in 2001.
Vasta, a 1986 graduate, earned honorable mention All-America honors in 1986. A two-time team captain and most valuable player, he was a four-time all-Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League selection. Vasta is the school record holder in career points (343) and assists (170). He ranked sixth in NCAA history in career assists and eighth in career goals when he graduated.
The 1998 football team finished 12-1 overall to match the school record for most wins, while winning the program's only outright conference championship. The Falcons defeated BYU, 20-13, to win the Western Athletic Conference title and later defeated Washington, 45-25, in the O'ahu Bowl, finishing the season ranked 10th nationally. The team finished the season with a nine-game winning streak, the nation's second longest. The team featured the conference's offensive player of the year in quarterback Blane Morgan, defensive player of the year, defensive lineman Bryce Fisher and coach of the year Fisher DeBerry.
Garland, a 2010 graduate, was an all-Mountain West selection in 2009, helping the Falcons to an 8-5 record and an Armed Forces Bowl victory over Houston. Garland signed as a free agent with the Denver Broncos in 2010, where he began his professional football career. Garland later signed with the Atlanta Falcons where he played both on offense and defense and played in the 2017 Super Bowl. He was the starting center for the San Francisco 49ers in 2019 and played in Super Bowl LIV. Garland won the NFL's Salute to Service Award in 2018 and is a two-time NFL Man of the Year nominee from two different franchises.
Salvemini, a 1975 graduate, is the program's career scoring leader with 149 points and all-time leading goal scorer with 65. A two-time All-American, he was a four-time all-conference and all-Far West region selection. Salvemini later played three seasons in the Major Indoor Soccer League and played on the Olympic team during the 1976 qualifiers.
Standley James, a 1990 graduate, is the program's career scoring (1,738) and rebounding (853) leader. A three-time all-conference selection, she earned team most valuable player honors in 1990. Her 20.4 career scoring average is the best in program history. Standley James led the team in scoring three times and rebounding four times. Her military career includes serving as Wing Commander for Al Udeid Air Force and Vance Air Force Base. She is also a member of the Indiana Sports Hall of Fame.
Toth, a 2001 graduate, was a two-sport standout in men's swimming and water polo. He became the program's first Mountain West champion in any sport, winning the 100-meter freestyle in 2000. Toth is the school record holder in the 50, 100. 200 and 400 free, along with the 200 and 400 free medley relays. He earned honorable mention All-America honors in water polo in 2000 and is the school record holder in steals with 257. Toth earned the Academy's Athletic Excellence Award in 2001.
Vasta, a 1986 graduate, earned honorable mention All-America honors in 1986. A two-time team captain and most valuable player, he was a four-time all-Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League selection. Vasta is the school record holder in career points (343) and assists (170). He ranked sixth in NCAA history in career assists and eighth in career goals when he graduated.
The 1998 football team finished 12-1 overall to match the school record for most wins, while winning the program's only outright conference championship. The Falcons defeated BYU, 20-13, to win the Western Athletic Conference title and later defeated Washington, 45-25, in the O'ahu Bowl, finishing the season ranked 10th nationally. The team finished the season with a nine-game winning streak, the nation's second longest. The team featured the conference's offensive player of the year in quarterback Blane Morgan, defensive player of the year, defensive lineman Bryce Fisher and coach of the year Fisher DeBerry.
Joe Scott and Player POST Alabama State
Thursday, November 20
Air Force wins their first game of the season over Alabama State
Thursday, November 20
Western Invitational Fencing Day Two - November 22, 2025
Wednesday, November 19
Western Invitational Fencing Day One - November 22, 2025
Wednesday, November 19
