Billard Hall

Billard Hall was the Academy's primary indoor athletics facility prior to the construction of Roland Hall. The building is named for Frederick C. Billard, who served as Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard from 1924 to 1932. Billard is credited as the founder of the "modern" Coast Guard Academy due to moving the school from Fort Trumbull and expanding the curriculum to four years. He also coined the Academy's motto: Scientae Cedit Mare — The Sea Yields to Knowledge.

The building's gymnasium is used as a competitive space for the Academy wrestling team, with spectators able to watch matches from a second-level viewing area. The gymnasium is also home to the Otto Graham Hall of Athletic Excellence and offices used by CGA varsity team coaches. The lower level of the building features a practice room for the wrestling team, respective locker rooms for staff and cadets, and a recreational weight room and pool.

The Hall of Athletic Excellence is named for Otto Graham, head football coach and Athletics Director at the Academy from 1959 to 1966. Graham played professional football and was recognized as one of the greatest players in the game's history at the time of his retirement.

In 1959 Otto Graham accepted the Head Coach and Athletic Director position at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Just four years prior he had completed a successful football career as quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, leading them to the league championship 10 years straight and winning seven of them. During his time at Northwestern, Graham enlisted in the Coast Guard following the attack on Pearl Harbor.

In 1963, Graham led the Academy football team to it's only undefeated and untied season in program history, with the team earning a trip to that season's Tangerine Bowl. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965 and left the Academy to coach the Washington Redskins in 1966. Graham returned to New London in 1970 as Athletics Director, a position he'd hold until his retirement in 1985 as a Captain in the fleet. He briefly returned to the helm of the football team during the 1974 and 1975 seasons.