News From Fort Schuyler

January 23, 1999 - Volume 3, No. 6

NO KIDDING, WE GOT THEIR GOAT - With the basketball game between SUNY Maritime and Kings Point days away, this posting from KEN PETERS, Class of 1954, is timely. "The Kings Point Caper (or, Goat Anyone?) featuring the SUNY-MC class of 1954 but starring DAVE OAKSMITH and JOHN (Jiggs) TURI. This event took place during our 2nd class year - winter of 52-53."

"Even though we were a much smaller school, we were undefeated in history by Kings Point. Publicly they reacted in the only way that they could - we didn't exist. They ignored all our taunts. They, like Canoe U from Annapolis, had a goat for a mascot. A plot was hatched to filch their goat prior to the annual basketball game. Where was the goat housed? What security existed? There was a need to case the joint."

"In those days before Sports Illustrated, the prime magazine was True Sport. Our guys called KP as reporters from True Sport and requested an interview with coach and team. Dave and Jiggs (a.k.a. John De Santo for this caper) dressed in trench coats with fedora hats complete with press passes stuck into the brims ... showed up at KP. Dave was the reporter and Jiggs the photographer. Jiggs was armed with the camera of the day - a 4 X 5 Graflex with flash bulbs."

"Now, the KP folks were impressed that True Sport was doing an interview, so to the surprise of Dave and Jiggs, they faced the KP admiral, coach, team, and cheer leaders. Dutifully they interviewed and photographed all. Even had the cheerleaders leaping and tumbling. They inquired of the goat so the goat was interviewed too. Mission accomplished. Some evening later the group returned, stole the goat, and deposited it with a local Bronx veterinarian for safe and proper keeping. Those of us in the know chipped in to pay the cost of the vet. The ending was an anticlimax. The game was on our home court - the old Armory. The goat was returned to their admiral at half time and, of course, we won the game."

"The next issue of Scuttlebutt (school paper at the time) carried the complete caper, photos and all. It when to press in the thousands rather than the usual 500 for the Corps of Cadets. It was distributed for free on Long Island in the environs of Kings Point."

"There were more involved than just Dave Oaksmith and John Turi, but my memory is of those two. Dave was the mastermind of the Kings Point Caper which led to the complete embarrassment of the Administration and the trade school across the sound. Don't remember if any engineers were involved, but I doubt it as we used to have homework."

BANNER YEAR - The Alumni Association will award $100 for the best cadet banner during half-time at center court at the big game. Guidelines indicated were: "tasteful" and "displaying the most enthusiastic school spirit." (Source: Plan of the Week for January 25 - 31, 1999)

CELEBRATING FIL - A reception marking long-time librarian FILOMENA MAGAVERO's 50 years at the Maritime College will be held on Friday March 5, in the Reading Room of the Stephen B. Luce Library from 4:30 to 6:00.

Friends, colleagues, past and present, and alumni, young and old, are invited to stop by the library to say hello to a very special person who has played an important role in the education of several generations of cadets! Filomena I. Magavero is one of the most dedicated (and durable) members of the Maritime College library faculty. She began working as a librarian on March 1, 1949. Although officially "retired" since 1995, she has, nevertheless, continued her professional work at the Luce Library as interim Government Documents Librarian on a part-time, volunteer basis, one day a week, year around.

Before agreeing to attend this reception, Fil extracted the promise that there be no speeches, presentations or other program-type things at this event. This is, of course, "vintage" Fil. She would much rather use the time to talk to greet and talk to all who attend. Since Fil has seniority over all of us, we will accede to her desire on this matter. RSVP to Richard Corson by 01 March if you plan to attend to insure there will be ample refreshments for all.

STRETCHING A POINT - In addition to recounting the Kings Point Caper, KEN PETERS, Class of 1954, has another tall tale to tell. "I'm not done with DAVE OAKSMITH [Class of 1954] yet. When we were MUGs we lived in the Fort. Dave was in my compartment of 20 C/M. Prior to admission, Dave failed to pass the navy physical as he is short. (Today he is no longer short as he has become 'vertically challenged.') To grow the necessary quarter of an inch, Dave visited a chiropractic doctor for treatment and exercises. Also we would grab him by his legs and arms and pull. The evening prior to his makeup physical he returned from the chiropractor and slept on the deck. In the morning he was carried horizontal on a hatch (door) to a station wagon, driven to 346 Broadway, and carried up on the door. He stood up on the scale and just passed the exam."

"Not quite done yet. I'm puzzled as I heard that Dave went into the Coast Guard. I always thought you had to be 6 foot tall to get into the Coast Guard so that you wouldn't drown in 5 foot of water."

"I have been blessed with great shipmates and these two [Dave Oaksmith and John Turi] are among the best."