Air Force Boxing to Induct First Class into Ring of Honor
2/24/2025 5:53:00 PM | Boxing
USAF ACADEMY, Colo. – Air Force Boxing will induct the first class into its newly-created Ring of Honor this Friday (Feb. 28) prior to the start of the Wing Open Championships. Longtime coach Eddie Weichers, as well as former boxing standouts Arturo Alvarado, Mike Benza, and Ricky Graham will be honored as the program's inaugural class of honorees.
Weichers served as the Falcons' head coach from 1976, until his retirement in 2014. He led Air Force to 19 team titles at the National Collegiate Boxing Association Championships during his tenure, while never finishing lower than second during a 27-year stretch that ranged from 1980-2007. The Falcons, who amassed 113 individual NCBA titles and 325 NCBA All-America accolades, also accounted for the NCBA Western Regional titles during 34 of his final 35 years,
On the other side of the ropes, the trio of Alvardo, Benza and Graham combined for 12 NCBA national titles – including 11 in the 139-pound weight division – during their time at the Academy, as they swept through the national championship rounds. Graham (Class of 1983) and Benza (Class of 2000) both claimed four titles in the 139-pound weight division, while Alvarado, a 1994 graduate, captured three NCBA titles at 139 pounds and added another in the 147-pound weight class. Graham and Benza also captured four-straight Wing Open titles during their careers – and remain two of just 19 boxers in program history that can make that claim. All three were honored as the Wing Open's Outstanding Boxer once in their career, with Alvarado and Benza claiming the award during their senior year and Graham earning the honor as a junior.
The Ring of Honor ceremony will take place prior to the start of the Wing Open, so fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 5:40 p.m. (MT) to help honor our first class of inductees.
Weichers served as the Falcons' head coach from 1976, until his retirement in 2014. He led Air Force to 19 team titles at the National Collegiate Boxing Association Championships during his tenure, while never finishing lower than second during a 27-year stretch that ranged from 1980-2007. The Falcons, who amassed 113 individual NCBA titles and 325 NCBA All-America accolades, also accounted for the NCBA Western Regional titles during 34 of his final 35 years,
On the other side of the ropes, the trio of Alvardo, Benza and Graham combined for 12 NCBA national titles – including 11 in the 139-pound weight division – during their time at the Academy, as they swept through the national championship rounds. Graham (Class of 1983) and Benza (Class of 2000) both claimed four titles in the 139-pound weight division, while Alvarado, a 1994 graduate, captured three NCBA titles at 139 pounds and added another in the 147-pound weight class. Graham and Benza also captured four-straight Wing Open titles during their careers – and remain two of just 19 boxers in program history that can make that claim. All three were honored as the Wing Open's Outstanding Boxer once in their career, with Alvarado and Benza claiming the award during their senior year and Graham earning the honor as a junior.
The Ring of Honor ceremony will take place prior to the start of the Wing Open, so fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 5:40 p.m. (MT) to help honor our first class of inductees.
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