Amo Bessone

Today marks the 93rd birthday of former Illini baseball and hockey star Amo Bessone. Born on Cape Cod, Bessone grew up in Springfield, Mass., where he learned to play the two sports in which he specialized. After attending prep school in Maine, Bessone played college hockey and baseball at Illinois under legendary coaches Vic Heyliger and Wally Roettger. He played pro hockey, briefly, for the Detroit Wings in 1936 and later with Springfield in the American League, taking time out to be skipper of a PT boat in World War II. After the war, Bessone coached hockey and assisted with football and baseball at Westfield High School in Massachusetts before starting Michigan Tech's hockey program in 1948. He then moved on to Michigan State in 1951. Under Bessone's watchful eye, the Spartans struggled through six losing seasons before a reversal of fortune in Year 7. During the 1957-58 campaign, Bessone guided Michigan State to a Big Ten championship and a berth in the NCAA tournament. The following season, the Spartans lost the 1959 national championship game in overtime to North Dakota. Six years later, Bessone brought a team back to the title game, and this time the underdog Spartans shocked Clarkson 6-1 to win the program's first national championship. The national title and the Spencer Penrose Coach of the Year Award, which he shared with Boston College's Len Ceglarski, cemented Bessone's legacy as a coach. Bessone announced his retirement after the 1978-79 season, finishing with a career coaching mark of 367-427-20. To this day, his legacy extends beyond the Spartans' campus. Bessone helped establish the Greater Lansing Area Hockey Association (GLAHA), donating used equipment and encouraging his players to volunteer as coaches. GLAHA started with three players in 1953, and by Bessone's retirement from coaching in 1979, the organization boasted 450 players that went on to fame in the college ranks as well as the NHL. For his efforts in establishing GLAHA, Bessone received the first John MacInnes Award in 1983, which is given out by the American Hockey Coaches Association. Today, there are several Amo Bessone Awards presented, including one given to the top high school player in western Massachusetts. In 1992, Bessone was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. He lives in New Mexico with his son, John.

Illini birthdays this week

Sunday: Ryan Murphy, football (34)

Monday: Nolan Nawrocki, football (32)

Tuesday: Charles Myles, football (25)

Wednesday: Cliff Hill, track and field (52)

Thursday: Luther Head, basketball (27)

Friday: Jan Ochsenwald, athletic trainer (52)

Saturday: Ken Zimmerman, football (68)

By Mike Pearson, author of Illini Legends, Lists & Lore and assistant athletic director at Miami (Ohio)