Two St. Lawrence University graduates have gained entry into the
Lake Placid Hall of Fame.
Former figure-skating professional and television executive John Walsh '44 and
Nordic skiing pioneer and Olympian Joe Pete Wilson '58 are joining the
Hall of Fame, established by the Olympic Regional Development Authority in
1983.
Walsh became a professional figure-skater in 1946 and was the partner of
three-time Olympic gold medalist and film star Sonja Henie in the 1950-53
U.S. tour Hollywood Ice Reviews. He served in the U.S. Army's 13th
Airborne Division in Europe during World War II, and retired from skating
in 1954. Following his retirement, Walsh became an executive at CBS Broadcasting,
and was later president of his own advertising and public relations firm in
New York.
Wilson was a member of the 1960 U.S. Olympic Nordic team and named one of the
10 all-time greats in Nordic skiing by SkiTrax magazine in 1998. Also
an accomplished bobsledder, he and teammate Fred Fortune won a bronze medal
at the 1965 four-man bobsled World Championship in St. Moritz. The author of
Cross Country Skiing and Ski Touring, Wilson has been active in promoting
and expanding the sport of Nordic skiing.
Induction ceremonies will be held in Lake Placid October 13.