Oswego, NY – The Oswego State Lakers Hockey team will honor one of the program's pioneer players, its first All-American and 1972 Olympic silver medalist, goaltender Gordon "Pete" Sears when they retire his jersey No. 1 and raise it to the rafters of the Deborah F. Stanley Arena and Convocation Hall at the Marano Campus Center on November 15.
 
The success of Oswego State Lakers Hockey today is a direct result of the early players like Sears who laced up their skates when the program began more than 60 years ago.
 
"When talk of retiring numbers of past Lakers legends began, there was only one name that was discussed about who should be first – Pete Sears," Lakers head coach Ed Gosek said. "In the history of the program, we've had lots of great players, but none have been greater than Pete. He and his wife Kay have been shining examples, mentors and friends to countless members of the Oswego community for more than 50 years, myself included."
 
After being recruited by Clarkson University, Sears came to Oswego State in 1965 from Lake Placid as a standout goaltending prospect, as well as an all-star baseball and football player while in high school. Following his sophomore year, his college career was interrupted when he tried out for the 1968 U.S. Olympic Men's Hockey Team. Though he did not make the team that year, he impressed and caught the eye of Olympic head coach Murray Williamson, who also would coach the 1972 Olympic squad.
 
Further interruption to Sears' Oswego State career occurred near the end of 1967 when he was drafted and served as a combat infantry squad leader during the Vietnam War in 1968.
 
Upon returning as a veteran from active duty in the United States Army, Sears came back to Oswego State where he backstopped the burgeoning Lakers hockey team under new head coach Herb Hammond. He went on to a stellar career and earned recognition as the program's first All-American following the 1969-70 season. Sears earned other athletic accolades including Oswego State Hockey Most Valuable Player in 1967, 1970 and 1971; All-Conference baseball player for Oswego State in 1971; as well as Oswego State Athlete of the Year in 1971.
 
Upon graduation and with Olympic hockey aspirations still occupying his dreams, Sears embarked on realizing his goal of competing in the Olympics. That dream came true when he was named as a member of the 1972 U.S. Men's Olympic Hockey Team that went on to win a silver medal in Sapporo, Japan.
 
Following the Olympics, Sears returned to Oswego where he became a history teacher in Mexico, NY followed by more than 30 years at the Oswego Middle School where he taught 7^th grade social studies. He became head coach of the Oswego High School Boys Varsity Hockey Team in 1979-80 and led his teams to 10 Section III League titles, five Section III championships and three appearances in the New York State Division I Boy's Ice Hockey Championship game. He was inducted into the Oswego State Hockey Hall of Fame in 1990, the Oswego State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001, New York State High School Hockey Hall of Fame in 2000, the Lake Placid Sports Hall of Fame in 2006 and Oswego City Softball Hall of Fame in 1991.
 
Residents of Oswego for more than 50 years, Pete, along with his wife Kay, have a daughter, Ranee, and grandson, Kyle. Pete and Kay have been members of the Lakers Hockey community for 60 years, including service as a goaltender coach from 2000-15 during Coach Gosek's tenure behind the bench as an assistant and head coach.
 
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Contact:
Cory Moehringer | SUNY Oswego | 315.312.2488 | cory.moehringer@oswego.edu