2024 Hall of Fame Inductees

Rob "Doc" Wade

Robb Wade is the only person to have been involved with the Ice Hockey Program as a Player, Head Coach, and Faculty Advisor. As a player, he was a wizard with the puck, having a sniper shot, and a player maker's touch. He took more pride in his passing ability than his scoring. For several years after his graduation, he remained the all-time Ohio Hockey Assists Leader. He was a smooth skater and always loved to be around the facility. He enjoyed giving back to the game and was a volunteer coach for various Athens Minor Minor Hockey Association and teams. 

As a Graduate Student, he helped the program by securing sponsors, generating revenue through various fundraising projects, managing the ice arena and golf course. He also promoted the team and increased attendance through various avenues. 

Doc made a smooth transition from player to assistant coach in the 1990-91 season, quickly earning the respect of the team in that role through his understanding of the game and handling personalities and day-to-day issues. The next season ('91-92), the first season in a decade to focus on the recruitment and development of the undergraduate players, Doc was able to usher in a new era and enthusiasm for the program that built momentum for the first of a series of National Championships.

Todd "Bubba" Smith

Todd Smith was an outstanding defenseman during the late 80's. He not only excelled defensively, but he also anchored the power play and had a booming shot from the point. He was a rugged player and played the game with grit. There are a few things to look for in a teammate - character, leadership, toughness, and someone who has your back. Todd had all those things. Most importantly, the bigger the game, the bigger he played. His combination of strength, brute force and set of exceptionally soft hands made him a standout on defense. He was not afraid to mix it up or defend a teammate. A tone-setting nasty streak on the ice completed Bubba's skill set to be effective on the power play, penalty kill, or at full strength. Bubba was an apt nickname. He was someone you always wanted on the ice for his calming presence and ability to shut down dangerous offensive players. Todd truly reflects what it meant to be a Bobcat, and he is deserving of this honor.

Tom Bartz

Tom Bartz brought a unique and necessary set of skills to the Ohio University Hockey team. Bartzy had a tremendous wrist shot that was accurate from anywhere in the offensive zone. He also had great vision on the ice which allowed him to make great passes in all three zones. He was a gifted skater, and the coaching staff was able to use him both power plays and short man situations. Tom had an extremely hard and accurate shot, which helped him produce points on the power play. 

Tom led the team in goals his freshman year with 19. He had two 4-goal games in big-time situations, one in an 11-0 win against Penn State for third place in the 1987 National Tournament in Tuscon; and a second time aginst Wisconsin Whitewater in pool play in 1990 in Athens. He averaged 1.65 points per game and finished his time at OU with 102 goals and 190 points. Coach Tony Martindale labeled his style as "relentless; never say die." Tom was a consistent performer and strong skating two-way player, with a quick shot that caught goalies off guard. 

Tom was a sound hockey player with an excellent grasp on the strategies and nuances of the game. He was exceptional, defensively, and was a great team player on and off of the ice. He meshed well with the undergraduate students and the graduate alike. Tom was an amazing teammate and leader on the team. He is deserving and worthy addition to Ohio University Hockey Hall of Fame.

Greg Griffin

Greg Griffin played for Ohio from the 1974 through 1979 seasons. He wore the A in the 1976-77 campaign, and then the C from 1977 through 1979. He won MCHL First Team honors in the 78-79 season. While he joked that he barely made the team in 1974 because of the departure of all the Canadian players, because of the loss of funding from loosing NCAA status, he was instrumental in Ohio's first Midwest Collegiate Hockey League title in 1978-79, which marked the beginning of the renaissance of OU Hockey. Griff was a hard-nosed player who also had a unique talent for being in the open. All one had to accomplish offensively was to get the puck from the opponent (easy) and get it to him (easier) at which time usually recieved an assist (easiest). He was a freewheeler in open ice and a bulldog in the corners. He was also a player who routinely used the area behind the net strategically. He was known to intentionally bounce the puck of the goaltenders back and into the net. 

Griff was a true leader by example and from out front. His determination dedication and resolve were addicted and it was not hard to be gathered into his orbit making everyone around him want to be better themselves. Greg Griffin is a true Hall-Of-Famer.

Rowland Alexander "Lex" Tisdale Jr.

"Lex came to Ohio University in 1979 enjoying successful seasons from 1979 to 1983, only retiring from the team to advance his engineering degree. Lex was a powerful force as a defenseman clearing the front of the net providing a powerful physical presence in the corners, and providing support and direction on the ice. He was an accomplished passer and playmaker in his own right. Lex provided ongoing mentorship and enhanced the lives of players around him from rookies coming in to the Seniors on their way out. He treated everyone with respect and rest-assured if you wore the green and white he considered you a teammate and a friend. Lex once sat next to a teammate to encourage him to apply appropriate punishment to an opposing player. When told he only wanted to hit the person to "rub him off the puck or slow him down," Lex, in typical fashion responded that it "was the dumbest thing ever." And that "if your going to hit someone, make it worthwhile." He was an imposing figure on the ice, there were few players at that time who were his size and even fewer who were his size coupled with his talent. 

Lex has continued his support and leadership to the Ohio Hockey Program through the Blueline Boosters assisting with coach and coaching staff recruitment, stewardship of the Ohio Hockey Hall of Fame, and as an organizer of both Alumni weekends and player interaction. Lex remains instrumental in the Ohio University Russ College of Engineering and Technology, where he is involved in internship programs for students, advisement, and training programs as a member of the Russ College Board of Visitors. 

Lex was and is a great teammate to those he played with and a great teammate to everyone associated with the program with whom he has come in contact. He has over 40 years of providing Ohio University and Ohio University Hockey his dedication, leadership, and resolve. Simply put, he has earned the honor."

Gordon McCance 

Gordon tended the pipes for the 1985-86 season where his play helped guide the Bobcats to their best finish at the time for a third place at the National Tournament. During the 1985-86 season, Gordon set a single season win record of 17-5 with a .921 Save Percentage. Gordon was named to the Second Team All-Tournament at the National Club Championships in Tucson, AZ. He was also named to the All-Tournament Team at Penn State where he played a stellar championship game won by the Cats 4-3 in overtime. 

In 1986-87, the Cats had a rough season Gordon finished with a save percentage right at .90%. He made forty-six saves in the 5-3 suprise win against Norrth Dakota State earning another Second Team All-Tourament Honor. During the 1986-87 National Torunament, Gordon tended the net for one of the biggest wins ever in Bobcat history as they beat the defending National Champions North Dakota State. The Bobcats took third at Nationals with McCance as tendy. 

It is hard to judge a goalie when compared to a forward or defenseman. Save percentages are great, but when play is in your end for more than 80% of the time, these stats can go out of the window. Goalies are different. They really are. Their skillsets are different, their situational awareness is different, their preparation is different, and with the very job they do, the last line of defense an error is usually a goal, a missed play is a goal. Teammate Shawn Maley said of Gord, "Goalies must be different from their teammates because of the position and role they play requires them to do so. Gordon was a pure goalie in every sense of that description. He owned the net. That was his house, and you were not getting anything into that house if he had anything to do with it.