Nov. 12, 2005

Charleston, SC - Thanking his father for making him play catch and calling it the most defining moment of his life, pitcher Mike Montei led a group of five into The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame during ceremonies Saturday morning in McAlister Field House.

Joining Montei into the hall were football standouts Conrad Tuza and Carey Cash, shooter Eric Sundstrom and Col. Harvey Dick, who entered in the honorary category.

Montei, a member of the Class of 1987, reiterated that induction in the Hall of Fame "is the highest honor bestowed on any Citadel athlete." Yet he singled out his father as a primary influence because he made him play catch.

As a result, Montei, who played for Coach Chal Port who inducted him, left his mark on Citadel baseball having won a total of 30 games, tying him with Dick Almes '60 for the most in school history. Montei also praised his coach for "making something out of nothing."

Tuza, a native of Berwick, PA and a member of the Class of 1958, was a bruising lineman and kicker, and played for three coaches (John McMillan, John Sauer and Eddie Teague). In his remarks, Tuza stated that he was "honored and humbled," and pointed out that two of his coaches - Hank Witt and Ephie Seabrook - looked after him while he was a cadet.

Cash, who anchored the offensive line for the 1992 Southern Conference championship team, is on active duty and is currently on the USS San Jacinto in the Persian Gulf. Accepting for him was his father, retired Navy Captain Roy Cash, who said in his remarks that Carey's experience at The Citadel "framed his service to God and country."

Sundstrom, from the Class of 1967 and the college's only four-time All-American, was a member of the rifle team that won the national championship and the William Randolph Hearst Trophy. Sunstrom thanked Gen. Mark Clark, then the college's president, for supporting the team and for making the college's postal mark read "Home of the Rifle National Champions" on all outgoing mail from the school. Col. Dick, a veteran student who graduated in 1953, was the first recipient of a football scholarship from the Brigadier Club and according to friends, "has spent a lifetime repaying The Citadel" for his scholarship. Col. Dick, who stated that he was eternally grateful, closed his remarks by saying that he "owes this school so very much."

Col. Dick was introduced by his longtime friend, Dr. Jim Weston '52 and Sunstrom was inducted by his classmate, Ben Peeples '67. Cash's fellow offensive lineman Dave Morelli '92, presented him while Don Reid '58 inducted Tuza.

The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame, which began in 1977, now boasts 133 inductees and their plaques are displayed in the lobby of McAlister Field House.