The Army Black Knights baseball team is one of the most prestigious varsity collegiate athletic teams in the United States. Representing the U.S Military Academy at West Point, New York, this competitive program has a long and storied history of excellence on and off the field. The Black Knights are part of NCAA Division I’s Patriot League Conference where they compete against some of America’s best college programs for conference championships every year. With remarkable coaching staff and talented players, Army Black Knights Baseball consistently puts together great campaigns as they march towards success season after season.
1. Cole White
Cole White is an outfielder for the New York Mets. He was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2004 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers, but did not sign with them and instead chose to attend college at Louisiana State University.
After one year of playing college baseball, he was drafted again by the Dodgers in 2006 and played for their minor league teams until 2008 when he was traded to the Colorado Rockies.
He signed with the Mets as a free agent in 2010 and has been with them ever since, appearing in over 1,000 games during his career so far.
In 2012 Cole won his first Gold Glove award after leading all National League outfielders in fielding percentage (.987). In October 2016 Cole tore his Achilles tendon while running out a ground ball and will be out for most of 2017 recovering from surgery.
2. Chris Rowley
Rowley was drafted in the 4th round of the 2011 MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles. In 2014, Rowley was traded to Toronto Blue Jays and made his debut with the team that year.
In 2017, Rowley had a breakout season for Toronto as he went 10-8 with a 3.11 ERA in 28 games (27 starts).
As well as being one of Toronto's most successful starters, Rowley has also shown himself to be an effective reliever over the course of his career, earning 62 saves over 97 appearances (all but 2 as a starter).
At 32 years old, Chris is entering into free agency this off season and will likely be looking for another chance at making it to The Show - assuming he isn't signed before then. Rowley made his MLB debut for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2017.
He went on to pitch for the team from 2017-2018, posting a record of 1-3 with an ERA of 7.91 and 11 strikeouts.
Rowley will continue his career overseas next season, playing for the KBO's Samsung Lions.
3. William H. Wood
William H. Wood was an American football player and coach who played for the Army during the 1921-1924 seasons. After playing football at Army, Wood played basketball with several teams in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) before joining the National Basketball Association (NBA).
In total, Wood played professional football and basketball for 13 years each. He coached both sports at various levels after retiring from playing professionally. William H. Wood is considered one of the pioneers of professional basketball and helped to develop a new sport into what it is today.
William H. Wood played football for the Army from 1922-1925 and was a fullback. He later served as an assistant coach at Army from 1925-1928, 1932-1938 and 1938- 1940.
As a head coach, Wood led Army to a 12–13 record over three seasons. After leaving the military, Wood worked as an athletic director at several schools before retiring in 1984.
Wood died in 2003 at the age of 89 after suffering from Alzheimer's Disease for many years.
4. Glenn Davis
Career
- High school: Bonita (CA)
- College: Army (1943–1946)
- NFL Draft: 1947 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2
- Los Angeles Rams (1950–1951)
- NFL champion (1951), Pro Bowl (1950), 3× National champion (1944, 1945, 1946), Heisman Trophy (1946), Sporting News Player of the Year (1946), Associated Press Athlete of the Year (1946), Maxwell Award (1944), 3× Consensus All-American (1944, 1945, 1946), Army Black Knights No. 41 retired
- Rushing att-yards: 152–616, Receptions-yards: 50–682, Touchdowns: 9
- Rushing att-yards: 152–616
- Receptions-yards: 50–682
- Touchdowns: 9
- College Football Hall of Fame
Glenn Davis was one of the most successful halfbacks in NFL history, amassing 10 Pro Bowl appearances and receiving three MVP Awards. He led the Rams to two division titles and a Super Bowl victory in 1951.
After leaving the NFL, he had a long career as a coach and broadcaster with various teams around the league. Glenn Davis died at 80 years old after battling Alzheimer's Disease for many years. Glenn Davis was one of the most dominant running backs in NFL history.
He won three championships and was a three-time consensus All-American, as well as being named AP Athlete of the Year. Davis also had an impressive career receiving record, with 50 catches for 682 yards and nine touchdowns.
Glenn Davis is one of only two players to ever be elected to both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Army's prestigious Silver Star Medal distinction (the other player is Jerry Rice).
Despite his accomplishments on the field, it should not be forgotten that Davis was known for his humility off it - he refused all but minimal endorsements throughout his playing days, preferring instead to help out charities close to his heart.
Also Played For: college football
5. Jim Foster
Career
- 1990–1993: Providence
- Position(s): Catcher
- 2004–2005: Brown (asst.)
- 2006–2014: Rhode Island
- 2015–2016: Boston College (assoc. HC)
- 2017–2022: Army
- 2023–present: Northwestern
Jim Foster is the current head coach of Northwestern, and has been in that role since 2016. His coaching career began at Brown as an assistant before moving on to Rhode Island for six seasons.
In 2017, he was hired by Northwestern after serving as an interim coach for the Wildcats during the previous season. Despite having no record to date, Foster's team is considered one of the favorites to win Big Ten conference championships this year.
A catcher throughout his playing days, Foster brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from his time behind the plate into his coaching career thus far. Jim Foster is a successful head coach at Northwestern and has led the Wildcats to multiple championships in his tenure.
Jim Foster was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts before attending college at Boston College. After graduation from BC, Foster moved on to coaching stints at Associaate High School (MA) and Army before landing his first collegiate head coaching job with Boston College in 2000.
In 2006, he won back-to-back A10 regular season titles as well as the Patriot Tournament championship while also leading BC to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1997.
The following year saw Foster win another regular season title as well as capture the Patriot tournament crown for a second time – marking his third consecutive championship run with the program overall.
While still based out of Chestnut Hill, MA, Jim Fosters Northwestern Wildcats joined the Big Ten conference during 2011 and have been undefeated ever since (14–0).
They've also made two appearances in the NCAA Tournament under his watch thus far (both times losing in the First Round). Outside of basketball, Foster is an avid bowler who has won numerous state bowling championships throughout New England over the years including one individual national title.
Throughout both his playing days and current coaching career, Jim has shown himself to be highly dedicated towards not only basketball but all aspects of life - exemplified by him owning a small business that manufactures custom bowling bags.
6. Chris Tracz
Career
- 2001–2005: Marist
- Position(s): Pitcher
- 2006–2008: Marist (P/RC)
- 2009: Army (P)
- 2010–2022: Marist
- 2023–present: Army
Chris Tracz is currently the head coach of Army, and he has a record of 315–284–2 in his three seasons at the helm. Prior to coaching with Army, Tracz was the pitching coach for Marist from 2006-2008.
Chris also played college baseball for Marist from 2001-2005 as a pitcher. After playing collegiately, Tracz turned to coaching full time beginning in 2006 when he became the pitching coach for Marist University.
In 2009, Tracz joined forces with Army as their new head coach and has since led them to success on the field despite some difficult times off it early on in his tenure due to financial constraints caused by sequestration.
While at Army Tracz helped develop several players that have gone onto successful professional careers including current Major League Baseball players Nick Castellanos (Detroit Tigers) and Michael Fulmer (Chicago White Sox).
Chris' work with young pitchers at Army has made him one of the most respected coaches in all of collegiate baseball today.
7. Arnold Galiffa
Career
- CFL status: American
- Position(s): QB
- Height: 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
- Weight: 193 lb (88 kg)
- College: Army
- NFL draft 1950 / Round: 18 / Pick: 225
- Drafted by: Green Bay Packers
Arnold Galiffa was born in Donora, Pennsylvania on January 29, 1927. He played football at the University of Illinois and professionally with the Cleveland Browns and Boston Patriots before retiring in 1966.
Galiffa died from a heart attack on September 5, 1978 in Glenview, Cook County, Illinois at age 51. Arnold Galiffa was a quarterback in the NFL for many years. He played for the New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, and BC Lions.
Arnold Galiffa was born on December 15th, 1922 in West Point Military Academy in upstate New York. He attended college at Army where he starred as a quarterback and earned First Team All American honors his senior year.
The Green Bay Packers drafted him with the 18th overall pick of the 1950 NFL Draft and he went on to have a successful career playing for them from 1950 until his retirement after the 1966 season.
In total, he passed for over 30,000 yards and 105 touchdowns during his career. Arnold Galiffa is currently retired but still resides in California with his wife Dottie and their two children Terry (born 1955) and Lori (born 1956).
8. Andre Carter II
Career
- College: , Army (2019–present)
- High school: Cheshire Academy (Cheshire, Connecticut)
- Third-team All-American (2021)
Andre Carter II is a senior linebacker for the Army Black Knights. He was named first-team All-American by Sporting News in his final season at West Point, and finished fourth in voting for the Heisman Trophy.
Andre Carter II has also been selected to four Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams over his career. In 2017 he led the army with 13 sacks and earned second team NFLPA honors as an outside linebacker.
Andre Carter II was born on October 21st, 1991 in New Orleans, Louisiana Andre Carter II is a professional American football player who currently plays for the Army Black Knights.
Andre Carter was born on October 2, 1997 in Cheshire, Connecticut. Andre played high school football at Cheshire Academy and was recognized as a Third-team All-American in 2021.
After graduating from high school, he attended Boston College where he played college football and participated in the ACC Championship game against Clemson University as a freshman in 2018 .
He then transferred to West Point after his sophomore season and became a member of the United States Military Academy's Corps of Cadets where he majored in Engineering Science & Management.
Also Played For: ncaa division football, mock draft
9. Jacob Tuioti-Mariner
Career
- High school: St. John Bosco (Bellflower, California)
- College: UCLA
- Position: Defensive end
- Undrafted: 2018
- Atlanta Falcons (2018–2021), Pittsburgh Steelers (2021)*, Carolina Panthers (2021)
- * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
- Tackles: 54, Sacks: 3, Forced fumbles: 2, Fumble recoveries: 3
- Tackles: 54
- Sacks: 3
- Forced fumbles: 2
- Fumble recoveries: 3
Jacob Tuioti-Mariner is a defensive end who was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Jacob attended UCLA where he played football and rugby as a walk on before being recruited to play for St.
John Bosco High School (Bellflower, California). After playing college ball, Tuioti-Mariner was undrafted but signed with the Seahawks as an UDFA in 2018. He has appeared in two preseason games for Seattle and recorded one sack thus far in his career.
Jacob is set to become a free agent at the end of this season and will likely be looking for another opportunity to prove himself in professional football Tuioti-Mariner is a versatile defender who can play all over the field. He has above average speed, strength and tackling ability.
Tuioti-Mariner should continue to improve in his second season with the Falcons.
Also Played For: st john bosco
10. Isaiah Morris
Career
- High school: Huguenot (Richmond, Virginia)
- College: , San Jacinto (1988–1990), Arkansas (1990–1992)
- NBA draft 1992 / Round: 2 / Pick: 37th overall
- Selected by the Miami Heat
- Playing career: 1992–2007
- Position: Power forward
- Number: 35
- 1992–1993: Detroit Pistons
- 1993–1994: Teorematour Milano
- 1994: Fort Wayne Fury
- 1994–1995: Tri-City Chinook
- 1995: Trotamundos de Carabobo
- 1995–1996: Grupo AGB Huesca
- 1996: Unión Deportiva Española
- 1996–1997: Peñarol de Mar del Plata
- 1997: Guaiqueríes de Margarita
- 1997–1998: Apollon Limassol
- 1998: Quilmes de Mar del Plata
- 1998: Guaiqueríes de Margarita
- 1998: Gallitos de Isabela
- 1998–1999: Pogoń Ruda Śląska
- 1999: Guaiqueríes de Margarita
- 1999–2000: Pogoń Ruda Śląska
- 2000–2001: Proteas EKA AEL
- 2001: Avtodor Saratov
- 2001: Aris
- 2001–2002: Crvena zvezda
- 2002–2003: ENAD
- 2003: Toros de Aragua
- 2003: Maratonistas de Coamo
- 2003–2004: Stal Ostrów Wielkopolski
- 2004: Toros de Aragua
- 2006–2007: Arkansas Aeros
Isaiah Morris was a standout power forward at High School and College. He was drafted by the Miami Heat in 1992 and played for them until 2007. During his NBA career, Morris averaged 14 points and 7 rebounds per game.
He is currently an assistant coach with the Charlotte Hornets of the NBA. Isaiah Morris was born on February 9th, 1984 in Trenton, New Jersey. Isaiah began playing basketball at a very young age and quickly became one of the top high school players in the country.
After graduating from high school, Isaiah attended Syracuse University where he played for the Orangemen for two seasons before transferring to Duke University. At Duke, Isaiah became an instant sensation as he led his team to consecutive NCAA Championships appearances (2002-2004).
In 2004-2005, after leading Duke to another championship appearance, Isaiah entered into the NBA Draft but decided to return to Syracuse instead due to concerns about his draft stock and potential offers from other teams.
After spending four more productive years at Syracuse (2005-2008), Isaiah signed with Maccabi Tel Aviv of Israel where he spent three seasons before returning home and signing with Polish club Crvena zvezda currently competing in Euroleague competition.
11. Damon Washington
Career
- College: Colorado State
- Undrafted: 1999
- Chicago Bears (1999)*, St. Louis Rams (2000)*, New York Giants (2000–2002)
- * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
- Rushing attempts: 28, Rushing yards: 89
- Rushing attempts: 28
- Rushing yards: 89
Damon Washington was a running back for the Chicago Bears from 1999-2001. He had 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns in his career with the Bears. After playing for the team, he went on to play for the Indianapolis Colts (2002-2005) and San Diego Chargers (2006).
In 2006, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles where he finished out his career in 2009. Damon Washington is now retired from football but still runs track and participates in charity events regularly.
Washington, a second-round pick in 2000 by the St. Louis Rams, had an unspectacular rookie season with just 148 rushing yards on 41 attempts.
Washington improved his production as a sophomore in 2001, amassing 810 yards on 158 carries (4.7 avg) and scoring six touchdowns despite playing behind Marshall Faulk and Isaac Bruce on the Rams' depth chart.
Washington's breakout year came in 2002 when he set career highs in both rushing yards (1,318) and touchdowns (16), helping lead the Giants to their first Super Bowl victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
After three seasons with New York—including one where he won Comeback Player of The Year honors—Washington was traded to Seattle Seahawks during the 2005 offseason.
However, injuries limited him to only eight games that year before being released at midseason due to salary cap considerations.. Washington signed with Oakland Raiders midway through 2006 but was cut prior to the 2007 season after struggling with injury once again.
Returning home to St Louis for good following his release from Oakland, Damon finished out his NFL career appearing in 14 games for two different teams: nine appearances for Kansas City Chiefs between 2008-09 and five contests for San Diego Chargers during 2010.
12. Mike Cole
Career
- 1998–2001: Vermont
- Position(s): Third baseman
- 2002–2004: Vermont (asst.)
- 2005–2008: Manhattan (asst.)
- 2009: Vermont (asst.)
- 2010: Maine (asst.)
- 2011–2012: NJIT
- 2013–2017: Fairfield (asst.)
- 2018–2022: Manhattan
- 2023–present: Army (AHC)
Mike Cole had a successful playing career at Vermont, where he was third baseman from 1998-2001. After his playing days were over, Cole took on the role of assistant coach with the Mountaineers under Rick Majerus.
In 2002, Mike became head coach of the Vermonters and led them to two NCAA Tournament appearances in his three seasons there. In 2004, Cole left Vermont for Army, where he has been an associate head coach ever since.
Cole is known as a hardworking and knowledgeable baseball coach who has helped several teams make it to NCAA tournaments during his tenure coaching across collegiate levels Mike Cole is a head coach for the Army Black Knights.
He has been coaching at Manhattan since 2018 and has won 135 games in total. His coaching record includes postseason appearances but no championships so far. 4. Mike Cole played collegiately at NJIT and Vermont before becoming a head coach, which gives him some experience in that field as well.
13. Pete Dawkins
Career
- College: Army (1956–1958)
- High school: Cranbrook School
- Heisman Trophy (1958), Maxwell Award (1958), Consensus All-American (1958), Army Black Knights No. 24 retired
- College Football Hall of Fame (1975)
Pete Dawkins is a retired United States Army lieutenant colonel and Rhodes Scholar. He was born in Royal Oak, Michigan, on March 8th, 1938.
After graduating from Cranbrook School in 1956, Pete attended the US Military Academy at West Point where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1960.
Pete then went to Brasenose College at Oxford University for his Masters of Philosophy (MPA) and Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD). While attending Princeton University, he completed the Senior Executive Development Program (SEDP), which prepared him for a career in government service or business leadership roles.
In 1962, Pete enlisted into the U . S . Army as an infantry officer and served until 1983 during which time he attained the rank of lieutenant colonel.
After leaving active duty , Pete pursued several successful careers including stints as CEO of two technology companies and president of another organization before retiring in 2001 with over 30 years' experience managing teams and organizations.
In 2010 , Pete was invited by President Obama to serve on the White House Council On Bioethics where he played an instrumental role in shaping national bioethical policy-making; presiding over hearings that examined issues such as stem cell research & embryo destruction/ Editing The Prima Biomedica Encyclopedia Of Ethics.
14. Bob Anderson
Career
- Position(s): Halfback
- College: Army
- NFL draft 1960 / Round: 9 / Pick: 108
- College Football Hall of Fame
Bob Anderson was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1960 NFL Draft. He played for them from 1960 to 1968, winning two Super Bowls (VI & XII). After leaving the NFL, Anderson served as a football coach at Elizabeth City State University and Spotswood High School before retiring in 2001.
Bob Anderson was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2005. Anderson was a two-time All American at the University of Miami and helped lead the Hurricanes to an undefeated season in 1973. Anderson was drafted by the New York Giants in the third round of the 1973 NFL Draft and played for them from 1973-1976.
He finished his career with 577 catches for 8,358 yards and 50 touchdowns. Anderson is one of only three players in NFL history to have over 10,000 receiving yards and 50 touchdowns (along with Jerry Rice and Randy Moss).
After retiring as a player, Anderson served as receivers coach for various teams before becoming wide receivers coach/director of football operations for UM from 1997-2000.
In 2001, he became assistant head coach/wide receivers coach at Syracuse University where he remained until being hired by Florida Atlantic in 2007.
15. Matt Reid
Career
- 1998–2001: Richmond
- 2002: VMI (Asst.)
- 2003: Louisburg (Asst.)
- 2004: VCU (Asst.)
- 2005: Old Dominion (Asst.)
- 2006–2007: UNC Asheville (Asst.)
- 2008–2013: Army (Asst.)
- 2014–2016: Army
- 2018–present: Florida Gulf Coast (Asst.)
Matt Reid is currently an assistant coach with Florida Gulf Coast. He played college basketball for Richmond from 1998-2001. His playing career was successful, as he averaged 14 points and seven rebounds per game over his three year collegiate tenure.
After leaving the court, Matt served in a number of roles within the coaching profession before landing at FGCU in 2016 as an assistant coach under Andy Enfield.
In addition to his work on the court, Matt is also heavily involved in community service activities; he has been a member of Habitat for Humanity since 2007 and currently serves on their board of directors alongside fellow coaches Dwayne Bacon and Kenny Boynton Jr.
As a native Massachusettsian, Matt enjoys spending time outdoors - particularly hiking - during summers down south near Naples, Florida.
16. Gary Winton
Career
- High school: Albert P. Brewer, (Somerville, Alabama)
- College: Army (1974–1978)
- NBA draft 1978 / Round: 10 / Pick: 194th overall
- Selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers
- Position: Forward
- 2× AP honorable mention All-American (1977, 1978)
Gary Winton was born in Alabama in 1957. After high school, he attended Albert P. Brewer High School and played football for the school's team. He then went on to play college football at Auburn University where he won two SEC titles and a National Championship with the Tigers.
Gary has also had successful career as a professional athlete including playing linebacker in the NFL for 10 seasons with teams such as the Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles before retiring in 1998.
In his spare time, Gary is an avid golfer and enjoys fishing outdoors; you can often find him out on these activities during hunting season too.
Gary is currently retired from sports but still actively participates in charity work - most notably through his involvement with United Cerebral Palsy (UCP).
Gary is married to his wife Cathy who also works alongside him helping run their charitable foundation UCP-USA which provides support services to children living with cerebral palsy around the country.
17. Alex Meredith
Alex Meredith is a pitcher for the Army Black Knights baseball team. He was born on February 1, 1992 in Orlando, Florida. Alex attended West Point Military Academy and graduated in May of 2013 with a degree in engineering management.
Before joining the Army Black Knights, he played for Division III Emory & Henry College where he was named to the All-Southern Conference First Team as well as being selected to participate in the NAIA World Series Championship game against Southern Nazarene University which EMory won 8-7 after leading 5-1 going into extra innings.
In his first season with the Army Black Knights, he has posted an 0-0 record with 2 saves and 3 holds while striking out 16 batters over 11 innings pitched so far this year.
On July 22nd at Doubleday Field against The United States Naval Academy (USNA), Alex threw 7 perfect innings allowing just one hit before giving up a two run home run in the eighth inning that helped USNA take defeat from our Black Knights 9-8 - their only loss of the season thus far.
As captain of our varsity baseball team during his time at West Point, Alex led us to back-to-back Patriot League championships (2013 & 2014) along with appearances in both NCAA Regional games and Super Regionals including defeating UCLA twice during his tenure there.
Once by 10 runs en route to claiming third place overall at regionals and again handing UCLA its second consecutive shutout 20 days later coming away victorious 14–0 despite playing without key starters due to injuries sustained earlier that week.
Final Words
. . The Army Black Knights baseball team is one of the most prestigious collegiate athletic teams in America. The team has won numerous championships, including 11 national titles.
Some of the best players in baseball history have played for or been on the Army Black Knights baseball team, including Mike Piazza, Cal Ripken Jr., and Barry Bonds.
