US Lacrosse Magazine January/February 2005

Magic in the Air

Hundreds gather for 'best ever' Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

by Bill Tanton

Excerpt re: Peter's Induction

Perhaps the best example of becoming a Hall of Famer without having played the game is Peter Kohn. For over 50 years he has actively served lacrosse as a team manager working at all levels of the sport — U.S. national teams, club teams, colleges and youth. He served Middlebury College with such dedication for 23 years that the playing field there has been officially named Peter Kohn Field.

Peter was presented at the ceremony by former Middlebury coach Jim Grube, who later observed: “I don’t think there are many sports that honor a field manager this way, and I don’t think there are many Peter Kohns either.

For Peter, going in the Hall of Fame topped off a wonderful life.”

On a night of excellent speeches, all of which respected the time limits requested of everyone, Kohn’s acceptance speech was unusually touching. He thanked several coaches - Richie Moran, Dave Urick, Erin Quinn and Grube - who had him work with their teams and their camps. He said he has “a debt of special gratitude to the late Jerry Schmidt ... who paved the way for all the blessings the game of lacrosse has given me.”

“The most important thing that happened to me,” Peter said, “was to be loved and cared for for what I am. It took 73 years but thank God that happened. And thank God so many people put up with me when many times they could have fired me.”

Even Sal LoCascio, who knew Kohn well through their times together with three U.S. world teams, said in his acceptance speech that Peter had “done so much for so many people.”