Fior those of you who missed it, our classmate Ernie Oehrlein was inducted into theArmy Sports Hall of Fame last October. The offical newsrelease for this event stated:
Richard Vincent Oehrlein
Class of 1964
Squash (1961-64)/Men’s Tennis (1962-64)
Equally adept at handling either a tennis racquet or a squash racquet, Richard Oehrlein carved a superb athletic career
at West Point prior to his graduation in 1964. A three-year letterwinner in both sports, Oehrlein served as the squash
team captain as a senior in 1963-64.
Over his three varsity seasons, Army’s squash team forged a 31-10 (.756) record and defeated Navy all three years.
During Oehrlein’s senior season, the Black Knights crafted a sterling 12-2 record en route to tying Princeton for
second place at the national tournament. Army’s dozen wins that winter came in succession, after an 0-2 start, while
nine of the 12 were via shutout.
Playing at number one singles over his final two years, and teaming with brother Walter at number one doubles
throughout much of his final two seasons, Richard Oehrlein was instrumental to the team’s 38-10 (.792) showing over
his three varsity campaigns. At one point, Oehrlein built a 30-match win streak, which was snapped late in his senior
season. He was 16-0 during dual meets as a junior, and competed at the NCAA Championships in both singles and
doubles in 1963.
Army’s tennis squad defeated Navy during each of Oehrlein’s three seasons, while the Black Knights’ 1962 victory
was its first over the Mids since 1949.