PIONEER OF KNIGHTS ATHLETICS TO BE INDUCTED INTO HALL OF FAME

Randolph Center, VT: Long time athletic director and coach at Vermont Tech, (now Vermont State University- Randolph) Austin Wood, will be inducted in VTSU- Randolph Hall of Fame this September. " This is long overdue. You are talking about a man who basically built this athletic program." Athletic Director Jamal Hughes said. Hughes is referring to the one man show that was Wood. Wood wore many hats at VTSU- Randolph  as he was the athletic director, basketball soccer and baseball coach during his tenure. Wood started his career at the college in the late 1940's when it was Vermont School of Agriculture  (VSA) where he served as the basketball coach, before he left to continue his barber career. He returned as a part time coach in 1964, before becoming the full time athletic director. During his tenure he proceeded to win multiple conference championships, in basketball, soccer and baseball. His tenure ended in 1983, when he was controversially let go by the college. His firing rocked the Randolph community which led to protest and outcry. " I've heard a little about it and it was unfortunate, but that's in the past " Hughes said. Our job is to make sure we honor the people who contributed to making this program what it is. No one had a bigger impact on this program than Austin Wood. He is the pioneer of Knights athletics, he was beloved in the community and a great person from what I hear. I invite the Randolph and Central Vermont community to join us on September 21^st as we cement his name in VTSU- Randolph history."

Austin passed away in 2017, but will be represented by his children and grandchildren.