Obituary from Todd Carton
The University of Maryland athletic has one less living legend with the death the past Saturday of Benjamin “Benny” Alperstein at age 102. I’d find it no surprise if few among you recognize his name. You see, Alperstein boxed for Maryland from 1936 – 1939 and not only were most of us not alive at that time, but you’d likely have to be as old or older than I to recall when boxing, which was discontinued in 1960, was an NCAA sport. However, Alperstein’s is a name worth remembering.
Alperstein fought in the featherweight division in 1937 and lightweight division in 1938 and he won the NCAA Championship in each year becoming the first male athlete to win an individual NCAA National Championship at Maryland. He added to this accolade by being named the Most Outstanding Boxer in the NCAA in 1938. Additionally, he was named the Outstanding Boxer in the Southern Conference in both years and captained Maryland’s team in 1938 and 1939.
The Maryland State Athletic Hall of Fame inducted Alperstein in 1968. Having served many years as Chairman of the District of Columbia’s Boxing Commission he was also inducted into the D.C. Boxing Hall of Fame. Alperstein also holds a place on honor in the Greater Washington Jewish Sports Hall of Fame where he was inducted in 1992.
In 1986, Alperstein earned a spot in the University of Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame. Perhaps the next time you’re walking through the main concourse at the Xfinity Center, you can stop a moment to salute Benny Alperstein (he actually reached the rank of Major while fighting in World War II so a salute might be appropriate) – one of the greatest athletes in the history of Maryland athletics.
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