[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 188 (Tuesday, November 28, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2240]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO DR. WILLIAM ALHEIM

                                 ______


                          HON. CARRIE P. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 28, 1995

  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would like to rise in 
recognition of the upcoming retirement of one of the great 
institutional leaders at Miami-Dade Community College, Dr. William 
Alheim. He is retiring on December 3, 1995 after some 35 years of 
superlative service to countless students and the community, 
transforming it into the topmost community college in the Nation.
  Dr. Alheim virtually epitomized the demonstration of utmost 
excellence and dedication of the college's athletic department, 
exemplified by the countless awards his teams garnered during his 25-
year tenure as basketball coach. Throughout this period he won 560 
games while losing only 176 contests for an excellent .759 lifetime 
winning percentage. His hoopsters won four State championships, and 
claimed three State runner-up trophies, while participating 17 times in 
trips to State championship tournaments. To his tribute, he coached 
seven junior college all-Americans.
  For this enviable record, Coach Alheim was voted Coach of the Year 
three times in 1968, 1982, and 1984. His finest hour came in 1982 when 
he led his team to a perfect 33-0 record and the No. 1 national ranking 
before losing an overtime decision in the national championship. 
Despite this loss Coach Alheim garnered the Kodak National Coach of the 
Year, becoming the first junior college coach to be so honored.
  He was enshrined into the Florida Community College Activities 
Association Hall of Fame, the Florida Community College Basketball Hall 
of Fame, and the National Junior College Association Hall of Fame. 
Since retiring from active coaching, Dr. Alheim has served as division 
chairman of the department of exercise science and sports medicine.
  This well-deserved retirement will certainly allow him to spend more 
time with Helen, whom he married 42 years ago. The Alheims are blessed 
with two sons, along with one granddaughter.

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