Amo Bessone
{{Short description|American ice hockey player and coach (1926–2017)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox college coach
| image = Amo Bessone.png
| image_size = 200
| alt =
| caption = Bessone in 1943
| birth_date = {{birth date|1922|11|22}}
| birth_place = Sagamore, Massachusetts, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2010|01|09|1922|11|22}}
| death_place =
| alma_mater = University of Illinois
| player_years1 = 1940–1943
| player_team1 = Illinois
| player_positions = Defenseman
| coach_years1 = 1948–1951
| coach_team1 = Michigan Tech
| coach_years2 = 1951–1979
| coach_team2 = Michigan State
| overall_record = 387–458–22 ({{winpct|387|458|22}})
| tournament_record = 4–2 ({{winpct|4|2}})
| championships = 1966 NCAA National Champion
| awards = 1966 Spencer Penrose Award
{{Infobox military person|embed=yes
| name =
| image =
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| nickname =
| birth_date =
| birth_place =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| placeofburial = Calvary Cemetery
| allegiance = {{flagicon|United States}} United States
| branch = File:Emblem of the United States Navy.svg United States Navy
| serviceyears = 1942–1946
| servicenumber =
| commands =
| awards =
| laterwork =
}}}}
Amos "Betts" Bessone (November 22, 1916 – January 9, 2010) was a collegiate ice hockey player and head coach.
Bessone was born in Sagamore, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod, and raised in West Springfield, Massachusetts, where he learned to play hockey.
As a hockey coach, Bessone is best remembered for winning a national championship as a heavy underdog in 1966 with the "Cinderella Spartans."{{cite web | url=http://www.freep.com/article/20100111/SPORTS07/100111099/1356/sports/Longtime-MSU-hockey-coach-Amo-Bessone-dies | title=Longtime MSU hockey coach Amo Bessone dies | year=2010 | publisher=Lansing State Journal | access-date=2010-01-11}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}} He was one of the most colorful college coaches of his era with a trademark whistle he used to signal line changes.{{cite web | url=http://www.greenandwhite.com/article/20100112/GW03/1120328/1023/GW | title=Longtime Spartan coach Bessone shaped foundation of college game | year=2010 | publisher=Lansing State Journal | access-date=2010-01-12}}
As intense as Bessone was behind the bench, he was warm and endearing off the ice. During his coaching days, he regularly invited fellow coaches, officials and reporters out for drinks or back to his house for spaghetti following games.
Playing career
=High school=
Bessone played high school hockey in West Springfield, Massachusetts, and for two preparatory schools in Maine, Hebron Academy and Kents Hill School.{{cite web |url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1928&dat=19430104&id=tZU0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=rWgFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1020,248881 |title = Sports Survey |publisher = The Lewiston Daily Sun |date =1943-01-04 |author= | access-date =2014-03-25}} Bessone also played hockey for Association Saint-Dominique, a Lewiston amateur team. During his days in Maine, he was described as cocky{{cite web |url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1928&dat=19390217&id=qM4gAAAAIBAJ&sjid=m2oFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1064,3815664 |title = Bowdoin Opens with Notre Dame, Cyclones v Doms |publisher = The Lewiston Daily Sun |date =1939-02-22 |author= | access-date =2014-03-25}}{{cite web |url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1928&dat=19390118&id=ms4gAAAAIBAJ&sjid=m2oFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1354,1603617 |title = Cyclones Going After St Doms In Sunday Tiff |publisher = The Lewiston Daily Sun |date =1939-01-18 |author= | access-date =2014-03-25}} but one of the best defensemen in high school hockey.{{cite web |url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1928&dat=19380518&id=FMIgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mWoFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5758,3727007 |title = Amo Bessone Injured |publisher = The Lewiston Daily Sun |date =1938-05-18 |author= | access-date =2014-03-25}} Bessone was graduated from Kents Hill in 1939.{{cite web |url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1913&dat=19390612&id=bJg0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=JGoFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3602,5844047 |title = Kents Hill School Awards 74 Diplomas |publisher = Lewiston Evening Journal|date =1939-06-12 |author= | access-date =2014-03-25}}
=College=
After prep school, he played college hockey from 1940 to 1943 at the University of Illinois under legendary coach Vic Heyliger. He was team captain his senior season of 1942–43.{{cite web |url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1913&dat=19380414&id=izgjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LmoFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4477,1201762|title = Ye Sport Sandwich |publisher = Lewiston Evening Jonral |date =1938-04-14 |author= Norman S. Thomas | access-date =2014-03-25}} In addition to hockey, Bessone earned letters in baseball and basketball.{{cite web |url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19660502&id=AxIrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WJwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3194,1720963 |title = Sports Scope |publisher = Reading Eagle |date =1966-05-02 |author= | access-date =2014-03-25}}
=Professional=
Following Illinois, Bessone played minor league hockey in the AHL for the Providence Reds. He made his professional debut with the Reds on March 16, 1943, in the first game of the opening round of the AHL playoffs against the Cleveland Barons.{{cite web |url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2194&dat=19430317&id=ePouAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AtwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2988,3066934 |title = Cleveland Wins Playoff Opener |publisher = Ottawa Citizen |date =1951-10-04 |agency= Associated Press | access-date =2014-03-25}} His career in the AHL was cut short by serving in World War II. Bessone also played for his hometown Springfield minor league baseball team of the Eastern League.{{cite web |url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19511004&id=9rItAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7dkFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1763,1488563 |title = Spartan Coach Played Pro |publisher = Reading Eagle|date =1951-10-04 |agency= Associated Press | access-date =2014-03-25}}
Coaching career
=Westfield=
Bessone was head ice hockey coach for Westfield High School for three seasons following his playing career.Sypek, Frank. [https://www.masslive.com/sports/2010/01/west_springfield_native_amo_be.html "West Springfield 'Rink Rat' Amo 'Betts' Bessone remembered as a legend"], Mass Live website (Advance Local Media LLC), January 12, 2010, updated March 25, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
=Michigan Tech=
Bessone got his first collegiate head coaching job on September 13, 1948,{{cite web | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19480914&id=0DAaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-iQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1497,2674951 | title=Sports in Short | publisher=The Milwaukee Journal |date =1948-09-14 | access-date=2010-01-11}} when he was hired by Michigan College of Mines and Technology (now Michigan Technological University). He coached at Michigan Tech for three seasons compiling a record of 20–31–2.
=Michigan State=
Following the 1951 season, Bessone accepted the head coaching position at Michigan State University after Harold Paulsen resigned. Bessone would remain at MSU for the next 28 years.
When Bessone arrived at Michigan State, the ice hockey program was just beginning its third season (after resuming competition following a 16-year hiatus) and its youth was evident with a 6–25 record over two seasons. The Spartans struggled with six losing seasons before Bessone turned things around in his seventh season as coach. In 1957–58, Michigan State enjoyed its first winning season. The following season, Bessone guided MSU to a Big Ten championship and a berth in the NCAA tournament. The Spartans lost the 1959 national championship game in overtime to North Dakota.
Following 1959, Michigan State became a charter member of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA), which was a reincarnation of the loosely affiliated Midwest Collegiate Hockey League and Western Intercollegiate Hockey League that disbanded following the 1957–58 season. Bessone and MSU struggled during the first five seasons of the WCHA.
Again, Bessone turned things around with a winning season in 1964–65. The following season, Bessone coached Michigan State to an improbable NCAA national championship.
MSU began the 1965–66 season 4–10, but rebounded winning 12 of their last 15 games including both WCHA playoff games which earned MSU a spot in the NCAA tournament. In the national semifinals, Bessone squeaked out a 2–1 victory over highly favored Boston University. In the national championship game, Bessone and the Spartans faced Len Ceglarski's Clarkson team that owned the national-best record of 24–2. Michigan State shocked Clarkson with a dominant 6–1 victory sealing MSU's first national championship. Len Ceglarski and Bessone shared the Spencer Penrose Award as the national coach of the year in 1966.{{cite web|url=http://www.ahcahockey.com/coty.html |title=Spencer Penrose Award (Division I Coach of the Year) |year=2010 |publisher=American Hockey Coaches Association |access-date=2010-01-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100116180435/http://www.ahcahockey.com/coty.html |archive-date=16 January 2010 |url-status=dead }} The national title and coaching award cemented Bessone's legacy as a coach. To this day, Bessone's 1966 Michigan State team remains one of the biggest underdog stories in NCAA ice hockey history. The total number of team victories (16) and team winning percentage (.551) is the lowest of any NCAA ice hockey champion. MSU made the NCAA tournament again with a strong WCHA playoff finish in 1967, but lost in the national semifinals.
Bessone began the 1970s with six straight winning seasons. As MSU hockey was building momentum, the 7,000-seat Munn Ice Arena was opened in 1974 just south of the old ice rink, Dem Hall. The peak of the momentum came in 1975–76 when Bessone guided MSU to its best WCHA conference finish. Michigan State was on the verge of earning an NCAA tournament berth when Minnesota knocked MSU out of the WCHA playoffs in triple overtime. Minnesota, who had finished below Michigan State in the conference, received an NCAA tournament bid instead.
The loss proved devastating to Bessone and the MSU hockey program. The Spartans suffered three straight losing seasons following 1976.
Bessone announced his retirement effective at the end of the 1978–79 season. He finished his coaching career with a 5–3 victory over archrival Michigan completing the weekend series sweep of the Wolverines. His success at Michigan State helped form a loyal group of MSU hockey supporters dubbed "Amo's Army." Bessone holds a 387–458–22 career record in 31 seasons.
Legacy
Bessone's legacy extends beyond his accomplishments at Michigan State. Bessone helped establish the Greater Lansing Area Hockey Association (GLAHA), the first organized youth hockey program in Mid-Michigan. He assisted the league by donating used equipment and encouraging his players to volunteer as coaches. GLAHA started with three players in 1953 and by Bessone's retirement from coaching in 1979, the organization boasted 450 players. GLAHA alumni include current and former NHL players: Jeff Brubaker, Danton Cole, Kelly Miller, Kevin Miller, Kip Miller, Ryan Miller and Alfie Turcotte.
For his efforts in establishing GLAHA, Bessone received the first John MacInnes Award in 1983. The award, given out by the American Hockey Coaches Association, recognizes great concern for amateur hockey and youth programs.
In 1992, Bessone was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.
Bessone is also the namesake of numerous awards including:
- The Amo Bessone Award (Springfield, Massachusetts) given to the top high school player in Western Massachusetts. The award is celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2007.
- Amo Bessone Award (Lansing, Michigan) given to the GLAHA coach of the year.
- Amo Bessone Award (Michigan State University) presented to an MSU hockey player for outstanding athletic, scholastic and community participation achievements.
Personal
Bessone was married to Mary Kennedy Bessone. They had one son, John, who wrote for Sports Illustrated and was an associate television director for ABC Sports.
His older brother, Pete, played six games for the Detroit Red Wings in 1937–38. Pete had a successful career as a player in the AHL and is a member of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame.
Bessone retired first to Englewood, Florida, with his brother Pete Bessone, then later to Santa Fe, New Mexico, with his son John Bessone. His final visit to the Michigan State campus was October 2006 for a reunion of the 1966 and 1986 NCAA national championship teams.
=Military service=
Bessone enlisted in the United States Navy in 1942 and was discharged in 1946 as an ensign.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/4137612 "Amateur Hockey Banquet Thursday"], The Evening News, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, April 8, 1957, page 8. He served on PT boats during World War II in both the European and Pacific theaters, including as the executive officer and the commanding officer.Alderton, George S. [https://www.newspapers.com/image/211114121/ "Michigan Tech Hockey Coach comes to State: Amo Bessone of Huskies Replaces Paulsen as Spartan Ice Mentor"], The State Journal, Lansing, Michigan, August 10, 1951, page 20.Ruester, Lynn. [https://www.newspapers.com/image/668243430 "Off the Cuff"], The Evening Courier, Urbana, Illinois, June 13, 1945, page 8.Fairman, Art. [https://newspaperarchive.com/chicago-daily-illini-sep-15-1944-p-2/ "Illini and the War"], The Daily Illini, September 15, 1944, page 2.[https://www.hobeybaker.com/1986-legend "Amo Bessone - 1986 Legend of College Hockey"], Hobey Baker Award website. Retrieved December 04, 2020.
Head coaching record
{{CBB Yearly Record Start
|type = coach
|conference =
|postseason =
|poll = WMPL/USCHO
}}
{{CIH yearly record subhead
|name = Michigan Tech Huskies men's ice hockey
|color = color:white; background:#000000; {{box-shadow border|a|#FFCD00|2px}}
|startyear = 1948
|conflong = NCAA Division I independent schools (ice hockey)
|conference = Independent
|endyear = 1951
|}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1948–49
| name = Michigan Tech
| overall = 5–10–0
| conference =
| confstanding =
| postseason =
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1949–50
| name = Michigan Tech
| overall = 10–7–0
| conference =
| confstanding =
| postseason =
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1950–51
| name = Michigan Tech
| overall = 5–14–2
| conference =
| confstanding =
| postseason =
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal
| name = Michigan Tech
| overall = 20–31–2
| confrecord =
}}
{{CIH yearly record subhead
|name = Michigan State Spartans men's ice hockey
|color = color:white; background:#18453B
|startyear = 1951
|conflong = Western Collegiate Hockey Association
|conference = MCHL
|endyear = 1953
|}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1951–52
| name = Michigan State
| overall = 7–13–0
| conference = 3–9–0
| confstanding = 6th
| postseason =
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1952–53
| name = Michigan State
| overall = 5–16–1
| conference = 2–16–0
| confstanding = 7th
| postseason =
}}
{{CIH yearly record subhead
|name = {{color|white|Michigan State Spartans}}
|color = color:white; background:#18453B
|startyear = 1953
|conflong = Western Collegiate Hockey Association
|conference = WIHL
|endyear = 1958
|}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1953–54
| name = Michigan State
| overall = 8–14–1
| conference = 4–13–1
| confstanding = 6th
| postseason =
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1954–55
| name = Michigan State
| overall = 9–17–1
| conference = 5–14–1
| confstanding = 7th
| postseason =
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1955–56
| name = Michigan State
| overall = 5–18–0
| conference = 1–17–0
| confstanding = 7th
| postseason =
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1956–57
| name = Michigan State
| overall = 7–15–0
| conference = 5–15–0
| confstanding = 7th
| postseason =
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1957–58
| name = Michigan State
| overall = 12–11–0
| conference = 9–11–0
| confstanding = 5th
| postseason =
}}
{{CIH yearly record subhead
|name = {{color|white|Michigan State Spartans}}
|color = color:white; background:#18453B
|startyear = 1958
|conflong = Big Ten Conference
|conference = Big Ten
|endyear = 1959
|}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship = conference
| season = 1958–59
| name = Michigan State
| overall = 17–6–1
| conference = 5–2–1
| confstanding = 1st
| postseason = NCAA runner-up
}}
{{CIH yearly record subhead
|name = {{color|white|Michigan State Spartans}}
|color = color:white; background:#18453B
|startyear = 1959
|conflong = Western Collegiate Hockey Association
|conference = WCHA / Big Ten
|endyear = 1979
|}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1959–60
| name = Michigan State
| overall = 4–18–2
| conference = 4–18–2
| confstanding = 7th / 3rd
| postseason =
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1960–61
| name = Michigan State
| overall = 11–16–0
| conference = 5–15–0
| confstanding = 6th / 3rd
| postseason =
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1961–62
| name = Michigan State
| overall = 13–11–1
| conference = 6–9–1
| confstanding = 4th / 2nd
| postseason = WCHA consolation game (win)
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1962–63
| name = Michigan State
| overall = 11–12–0
| conference = 6–10–0
| confstanding = T – 5th / 2nd
| postseason =
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1963–64
| name = Michigan State
| overall = 8–17–1
| conference = 1–12–1
| confstanding = 7th / 3rd
| postseason =
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1964–65
| name = Michigan State
| overall = 17–12–0
| conference = 7–7–0
| confstanding = 4th / 2nd
| postseason = WCHA first round
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship = national
| season = 1965–66
| name = Michigan State
| overall = 16–13–0
| conference = 9–11–0
| confstanding = 4th / 2nd
| postseason = NCAA Champion
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship = conference tournament
| season = 1966–67
| name = Michigan State
| overall = 16–15–1
| conference = 8–11–1
| confstanding = 5th / 1st
| postseason = NCAA third-place game (win)
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1967–68
| name = Michigan State
| overall = 11–16–2
| conference = 6–13–1
| confstanding = 6th / 3rd
| postseason = WCHA first round
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1968–69
| name = Michigan State
| overall = 11–16–1
| conference = 7–10–1
| confstanding = 6th / 2nd
| postseason = WCHA East Regional semifinals
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1969–70
| name = Michigan State
| overall = 13–16–0
| conference = 10–12–0
| confstanding = 7th / T – 3rd
| postseason = WCHA West Regional semifinals
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1970–71
| name = Michigan State
| overall = 19–12–0
| conference = 12–10–0
| confstanding = 4th / 1st
| postseason = WCHA West Regional semifinals
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1971–72
| name = Michigan State
| overall = 20–16–0
| conference = 15–13–0
| confstanding = 4th / 3rd
| postseason = WCHA second round
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1972–73
| name = Michigan State
| overall = 23–12–1
| conference = 16–9–1
| confstanding = 4th / T – 1st
| postseason = WCHA first round
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1973–74
| name = Michigan State
| overall = 23–14–1
| conference = 15–12–1
| confstanding = 4th / T – 3rd
| postseason = WCHA second round
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1974–75
| name = Michigan State
| overall = 22–17–1
| conference = 19–12–1
| confstanding = 5th / 4th
| postseason = WCHA second round
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1975–76
| name = Michigan State
| overall = 23–15–2
| conference = 20–12–0
| confstanding = 2nd / 1st
| postseason = WCHA second round
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1976–77
| name = Michigan State
| overall = 14–21–1
| conference = 11–20–1
| confstanding = T – 8th / 4th
| postseason =
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1977–78
| name = Michigan State
| overall = 7–27–2
| conference = 7–23–2
| confstanding = 10th / 4th
| postseason =
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1978–79
| name = Michigan State
| overall = 15–21–0
| conference = 12–20–0
| confstanding = T – 8th / T – 3rd
| postseason =
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal
| name = Michigan State
| overall = 367–427–20
| confrecord =
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record End
|overall = 387–458–22
|conference =
}}
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
- {{find a Grave|197369788}}
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{{s-ach}}
{{succession box | before = James Fullerton| title = Spencer Penrose Award | years = 1965–66 (With Len Ceglarski)| after = Edward Jeremiah}}
{{succession box | before = Herb Gallagher | title = Hobey Baker Legends of College Hockey Award | years = 1986 | after = Murray Murdoch}}
{{s-end}}
{{Michigan Tech Huskies men's ice hockey navbox}}
{{Michigan State Spartans men's ice hockey navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bessone, Amo}}
Category:American ice hockey coaches
Category:American men's ice hockey defensemen
Category:Ice hockey players from Massachusetts
Category:Illinois Fighting Illini men's ice hockey players
Category:Michigan State Spartans ice hockey coaches
Category:Michigan Tech Huskies men's ice hockey coaches
Category:Sportspeople from Springfield, Massachusetts
Category:United States Hockey Hall of Fame inductees
Category:United States Navy personnel of World War II
Category:United States Navy officers
Category:Ice hockey coaches from Massachusetts