Bucknell Athletics Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2016
- Class:
- 1981
Tony Paxton began his water polo career at the University of Michigan, but he transferred to Bucknell after the Wolverines discontinued their program. Paxton then became a three-year starting goalie for the Bison, leading the team to three straight Eastern championships from 1978-80. Those teams also placed sixth, fifth and seventh, respectively, at the NCAA Championships and had a combined overall record of 86-10-3. The 1980 team set a school record with 31 wins, and the 1978 squad won a record 21 games in a row.
A Pittsburgh native, Paxton backstopped a terrific defense, and he set Bucknell season (.657) and career (.633) save percentage records. He also graduated as the team record-holder in career saves (833), despite playing only three years. His school record stood for 21 years before being broken in 2001. Paxton was named to the All-East First Team in 1978, 1979 and 1980, and he was an honorable mention AAU All-American in 1980.
One month after his induction into the Bucknell Athletics Hall of Fame, Paxton was enshrined in the Collegiate Water Polo Association Hall of Fame.Â
(Hall of Fame Class of 2016)
