He graduated from Syracuse University in January 1966 with a bachelor's degree in Economics. Ernie Davis becomes first Black to win Heisman Trophy Ben gave Syracuse its finest hours in football. 1 after winning their first seven games. The Syracuse 8 demand for equal access as white players to tutors and academic advisors was based on their being relegated to general reading and education classes predicated on notions of their limited academic ability. Ben Schwartzwalder, Head Coach 1949-73 - Syracuse University He was a real comedian too. In addition to Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis, he coached Jim Brown, Floyd Little, Jim Nance, and Larry Csonka through their college careers. This is where that appetite of desire was whetted and the burning determination to succeed was honed. The private Ben was a very devoted family man who loved to putter around in his garden or who always had time to stop and give a stray dog a reassuring pat on the head or say hello to a youngster. Fleder didnt simply want Browns take on Davis; he wanted to hear what the former football star thought of Ben Schwartzwalder, the legendary Syracuse coach who wasnt so enthralled by the civil rights fervor that was starting to sweep the nation. Schwartzwalder, a decorated World War II veteran with just three years of coaching experience at the college level, arrived at Syracuse . It doesnt break down in color. Fleder admits to being something of a nervous wreck. george w bush medal, us defense savings. See About archive blog posts. Bills two-time AFL champion, Al Bemiller passed away Sc It's everyone's fight, even if it's not specifically your story You must log in or register to reply here. He served with the 82nd Airborne and was in the first wave of troops that jumped on D-Day in 1944. And if you deal with my life, while Im dealing with all these bad people at Syracuse, I got all these good people out there helping [me]. He thought there was only one way to play football and that was the rough way . Qualities missing from Davis' portrayal in "The Express," opening Friday. Capt. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. "Unfortunately, little else is known about Coach Schwartzwalder's rather outstanding military service in World War II. Mere Eglise. Following his completion of ROTC, as a Distinguished. Ben Schwartzwalder Death Fact Check, Birthday & Date of Death The demand for a black coach was prompted by the black players accusations of discriminatory practices by their coach, Floyd Ben Schwartzwalder, and his assistant coaches. Richard Winters (played by Damian Lewis), who also received a battlefield promotion to major and was also from West Virginia, like Ol' Ben. Ruth "Reggie" Simpson Schwartzwalder (1912-2012) - Find a Grave He had many reasons for doing what he did, but he stood up against his own people. Between 1848 and 1867, the college operated as the Allentown Seminary, the Allentown Collegiate and Military Institute, and the Allentown Collegiate Institute. About Ben Schwartzwalder is a member of the following lists: 1993 deaths , American military personnel of World War II and United States Army officers . He organized an athletic league from among the soldiers being assembled in England in preparation for D-Day in order to keep the troops motivated and fit. When he refused their request, they walked out of spring practice and leaked their act of resistance to the media. Dropped far behind enemy lines and miles off target, Ben, a Captain in Company G of the 507th, organized his men, established command, and a week later delivered a large group of prisoners to the Allied lines. Davis still had no idea where he was going to attend, but what sealed the deal with Syracuse was when Jim Brown the former Syracuse . The Story of the Syracuse 8, The Players Tribune, October 25, 2015, https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/syracuse-football-1960s-race-civil-rights; WBUR. Ben Schwartzwalder grew up in West Virginia, and developed into a superb athlete (a standout wrestler and football player, both in high school and college). Before Kaepernick, The Syracuse 8 Were Blackballed By Pro Football, WBUR Radio, https://www.wbur.org/onlyagame/2017/11/17/syracuse-8-football-boycott-kaepernick. Frank Giardina: Sports Legend Dinner, relationships, Ben Schwartzwalder They boycotted knowing that their actions threatened their scholarships as well as potential careers in professional football. Both sites mention that in addition to the Silver Star, Major Ben was also awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart, the latter indicating a combat wound.". All WW11. When Ben recruited Larry, he did all that and also drove Larry out to the beautiful Central NY countryside and showed him where he could hunt and fish. When he was personally decorated by General Matthew Ridgway, the General said "Ben, I never expected to see you here to receive this award.". Christian Rudolph Kessler was the school's first teacher and administrator. He was a paratrooper in World War II, leaving the serv ice as a . If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Los Angeles Times Staff Writer. Ben always refused to pick a favorite team or make comparisons. Schwartzwalder was also a hero of the D-Day invasion and several other important engagements of World War II. Syracuse's 1959 National Championship Team 'Had No Weaknesses' Floyd Burdette Schwartzwalder (June 2, 1909 - April 28, 1993) was a Hall of Fame football coach at Syracuse University, where he trained future National Football League stars such as Jim Brown, Larry Csonka, Floyd Little and Ernie Davis, the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy . World War II: Capturing the La Fiere Causeway - HistoryNet Quot gosh Quot moaned the hard bitten sex paratrooper Quot All we Are is one deep. Chuck Leavitt did a great page-one rewrite of the script. I will probably buy this book too. In fact, I never knew what being an alumnus was. Cemetery staff is on duty Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. He said, You have to realize, in the civil rights movement, there had to be radicals and peacemakers, radicals like Malcolm X and peacemakers like Martin Luther King. Ernie doesnt scream and he doesnt protest, but hes raging inside. And there was always the female situation -- dont date white girls and you have to play better than anybody else. Ben was clearly on his way to the top. For his actions during the invasion, Ben was awarded a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, four battle stars, the Presidential Unit Citation, and was promoted to the rank of Major. Before Kaepernick, The 'Syracuse 8' Were Blackballed By Pro Football - WBUR Dropped far behind enemy lines and miles off target, Ben, a Captain in Company G of the 507th, organized his men, established command, and a week later delivered a large group of prisoners to the Allied lines. The Schwartzwalder Trophy was named after former Syracuse coach Ben Schwartzwalder, who led the Orange to the 1959 national title. The public Ben Schwartzwalder often appeared to be a cross between a wounded bear and a crossed bull. Ben Schwartzwalder, who recruited a series of acclaimed running backs as he restored Syracuse to football glory during 25 sparkling seasons that included an undefeated campaign in 1959, died. I remember all I was thinking was, Great, hes not gonna kill me. After it was over, Jim said, You got it right. That was the best compliment a filmmaker could ask for. Ben Schwartzwalder grew up in West Virginia, and developed into a superb athlete (a standout wrestler and football player, both in high school and college). Syracuse University Football Collection, University Archives. He was awarded a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, four battle stars, Presidential Unit Citation and was promoted to the rank of Major for his actions during the invasion. 1LT Wagner was promoted to commander of the 3rd battalion's headquarters company. Ernie Davis was only weeks from dying the last time Dick Easterly saw his Heisman Trophy-winning teammate. Syracuse University Photo & Imaging Collection, University Archives. They included the battalion surgeon who had stayed behind to care for the wounded. After the war, Ben came back to coaching, and eventually found his way to Syracuse University. His report card shows 178 wins, 96 losses and three ties during his 28-year tenure as a head coach (three years at Muhlenberg, 25 at Syracuse). Floyd "Ben" Schwartzwalder (Ben was a childhood nickname) had a major impact on the Syracuse University football program during his 25 years as head coach including winning a national championship in 1959. Floyd Little was raised in poverty in New Haven, Connecticut. The players believed that many of these issues could be remedied by hiring a black coach. He coached at Syracuse from 1949 to 1973, compiling a 178963 record, and winning one national championship in 1959 while going undefeated with an 110 record. He became a company commander and earned the rank of major. Hall of Fame football coach at Syracuse University, where he trained future National Football League stars such as Jim Brown, Larry Csonka, Floyd Little and Ernie Davis, the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy. The Commission subsequently chaired several meetings between the parties, but without success. Penn state then killed the clock and Tom Cherry took a deliberate safety with eight seconds to play to preserve the Victory. He wanted p He also watched Spike Lees documentary, Jim Brown All-American, which offered more insight into the era. All rights reserved (About Us). He gave me a way in to tell this story. In 1967, Schwartzwalder was elected president of the American Football Coaches Association. After the intervention of Syracuse football alumnus Jim Brown, who acted as an intermediary between the coach and the players, a black assistant coach was hired. Time Machine: Eight Black athletes off football team At West Virginia, he became a first-string center at only 148 pounds. A good starting place is his home state of West Virginia. Floyd Benjamin Ben Schwartzwalder (June 2, 1909 April 28, 1993) was a Hall of Fame football coach at Syracuse University, where he trained future National Football League stars such as Jim Brown, Larry Csonka, Floyd Little and Ernie Davis, the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy. Truth is sometimes rearranged in screen biographies, when facts aren't dramatic enough for the filmmaker's vision. 44 on it, back to Ben Schwartzwalder, saying Im not Jim Brown. And Ben says to him, God I hope not and God I hope so. And Jim started laughing out loud, watching that, and I finally relaxed. He is buried in the Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Syracuse, NY. "Miraculously, Ed and the majority of his "lost" group were able to reach the US lines and by 14 June he was reunited with the regiment outside of St. A new head coach, Floyd "Ben" Schwartzwalder, would take over in 1949. An ad blocker has likely prevented this video content from loading. The two men shook hands outside the Grand Ballroom at the Waldorf-Astoria. Jim told me something really amazing that put things in perspective. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1982. wood stock homemade appx 30 3/4l 2" metal lincoln bust heavy appx 5" politician dewey bust copyright 1899 5" general john j pershing 1917 glass mold. ben schwartzwalder autograph hotel. Despite promising to do so, Schwartzwalder failed to follow through. Ben and Ed trained together and most likely socialized with each other at unit functions and the officers' club. Ben Schwartzwalder College Coaching Records, Awards and Leaderboards | College Football at Sports-Reference.com Ben Schwartzwalder Career Record: 25 Years, 153-91-3, .626 Win% (at major schools) Bowl Record: 7 Games, 2-5, .286 Win% (at major schools) College Football Coaches Ben Schwartzwalder Overview More Other SR Sites Jim Brown: The other star of "The Express" - Los Angeles Times He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1982. After being labeled black dissidents, the Syracuse 8 were suspended from the team. Significance: The Ben . If Jim Brown was happy, I was happy., Still, what fascinated me was that first conversation between Fleder and Brown. During the West Virginia fracas, Davis snaps at his coach: "Maybe, just maybe, the rules down here are your rules too. Soon after being drafted No. Search and browse yearbooks online! He coached the 507th PIR football team, leading them through a ten game season in which the 507th was never defeated and never even scored upon. He is part of Syracuse University history, and a veteran of the U.S. military. Ben Schwartzwalder. The story grew each time it was told. December 23, 2014 Floyd Benjamin "Ben" Schwartzwalder was for 25 years a teacher, a mentor, and a coach at Syracuse University. Coach Ben Schwartzwalder began routines of coming up to Elmire to visit Davis and his family. "We football coaches are most fortunate," Ben said as he left office as the president of the American Football Coaches Association. But it was changing. What did Jim Brown say that made such a difference? At Syracuse, I was the radical and Ernie was the peacemaker, the guy everyone loved. Anyways, getting back to the rivalry, the trophy was introduced in 1993 after the death of Coach Ben Schwartzwalder. As head coach from 1949-73, he mounted an impressive 153-91-3 record there. serving during World War II, Ben Schwartzwalder returned home and began coaching college football; and WHEREAS, In 1949, the couple moved to Syracuse, New York, and Ben Schwartzwalder began his long and distinguished coaching career with the football team at Syracuse University; and After talking to him, I knew we had a movie. Ben Schwartzwalder - Wikipedia You had an amazing four years, breaking records and you make it easier for Ernie to come to school. Beginnings of the Boycott - Syracuse 8 With the aid of the local French people this small group, isolated behind the German lines, attempted to hold the village of Graignes until the US units moving inland from the invasion beaches could reach their position. After returning home, Schwartzwalder began his college coaching career at Muhlenberg College, where he went 255. The three major forces in the dispute have been the eight black athletes, and their spokesman George Moody, director of King-on-campus School; Chancellor John E. Corbally and the administration; and Coach Schwartzwalder, supported by his coaching staff and football squad. Schwartzwalder Family History - Ancestry.com Coach Schwartzwalder led the SU team to an impressive record of 153 wins, 91 losses, and 3 ties, including seven bowl games, and the only National Championship in SUs history (1959 undefeated team). Yet forget wins and losses. A Life Cut Short - Sports Illustrated Vault | SI.com I remember Ben as gruff, but kind. In 1941, he was coach of Canton McKinley High School in Ohio when, even though he was in his 30s, he commissioned in the US Army and fought in World War II. Mostly, we remember Floyd "Ben" Schwartzwalder as Syracuse University's successful head football coach, 1949 to 1973. We created a day for minority students coming back together. He is part of Syracuse University history, and a veteran of the U.S. military. He wore street clothes at the alumni game, serving as an honorary coach. I have to give Jim Brown a ton of credit. Schwartzwalder was born in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Gary Fleder: You came before Ernie. Director Gary Fleder uses Davis' football career to illustrate racial intolerance that Easterly and Whelan claim seldom existed for him. And they made Ben look like a racist, to me.". By any definition, during the war Ben distinguished himself in service to the nation, and to his men. Gary Fleder: You faced the exact same thing. A call for help went out and in the end it was that man who was to win more games than Knute Rockne, Frank Leahy, Bud Wilkinson or Earl Blaik that answered. Corbally and Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Jim Carleton met with the boycotting players that spring and committed to hiring a Black assistant football coach before fall practice. On the right side of the photograph are several Black team members who boycotted the football program the following spring. Muhlenberg College - Wikipedia These SS troopers also executed the twenty plus wounded US paratroopers who had been too injured to evacuate with the others. Gary Fleder: Did you feel it from the players? Syracuse, New York 13244 Jim was very quiet in the early part of the film, Fleder recalls. But there was to be a delay. Frank Giardina: Sports Legend Dinner, relationships, Ben Schwartzwalder and D-Day. And thus, Ruth Simpson became Mrs. Floyd Schwartzwalder. Ben Schwartzwalder . Floyd Benjamin Schwartzwalder (June 2, 1909 - April 28, 1993) was a Hall of Fame football coach at Syracuse University, where he trained future National Football League stars such as Jim Brown, Larry Csonka, Floyd Little and Ernie Davis, the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy. It doesnt break down in gender. Reggie was the widow of legendary Syracuse University head football coach Floyd Ben Schwartzwalder, who died in 1993. You should know his story, because its a Syracuse University story one that speaks to our past, our present, and our future. Parkersburg, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ben_Schwartzwalder&oldid=1140633059, This page was last edited on 21 February 2023, at 00:55. Quaid, who plays legendary Syracuse University coach Ben Schwartzwalder, described his character as "a hard-nosed, tough guy who stormed the beaches at Normandy. Allen explained his position, but the coach refused to listen. Ben Schwartzwalder, former Syracuse University football coach The Syracuse 8 (1969) - BlackPast.org Very similar to Ronald Spiers story in episode 2 of that series when he supposedly gave a handful of German soldiers a cigarette and then executed all but one. Dennis Quaid: I Cleaned My Life Up - Parade: Entertainment, Recipes He was bowlegged, sent off to military school and told his IQ was too low to even consider college. However, Ed Wagner's group overlooked the main route of advance for the German armored forces racing to reinforce the town of Carentan. Schwartzwalder's teams went to seven bowl games and won four Lambert Trophies. Death 28 Apr 1993 (aged 83) . He was awarded a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, four battle stars, Presidential Unit Citation and was promoted to the rank of Major for his actions during the invasion. "Ernie knew everybody's name and went out of his way to say hello. Coach Schwartzwalder's Decision A Black assistant football coach, Carlmon Jones, was finally hired in the summer of 1970, but neither the administration nor the football coaching staff took any other steps to address the boycotting athletes' other grievances. He produced 22 straight years of non-losing football, took the Orange to seven bowls, and won the national championship in 1959. We might have to change and modify things Jim Brown: You can do a hell of a film if you can understand what it is to be a man in America. By 1941, he had earned a name for himself and was offered the head coaching job at Canton McKinley High School in Ohio, one of the top jobs in the Midwest. However, his plane was seriously off course and dropped its "stick" of twelve paratroopers some ten miles away from its designated landing zone. The media focused on only one request, the hiring of a black assistant coach, ignoring their other grievances. Ben Schwartzwalder, Head Coach 1949-73. When their request was not met, Greg Allen, Richard Bulls, John Godbolt, Robin Griffin (who only boycotted in the spring), Dana D.J. Harrell, John Lobon, Clarence Bucky McGill, A. Alif Muhammad (then known as Al Newton), and Duane Walker began their boycott of spring football practice. Dec. 15, 1991 12 AM PT. Ruth Simpson Reggie Schwartzwalder, 100, of Syracuse, died peacefully and surrounded by her family on August 25, 2012, at Crouse Hospital. Shortly after Dec. 7, 1941, Canton McKinley lost a coach and the U.S. Army gained a soldier. Biography Edit Early life and career Edit. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Cemeteries & Memorials Onondaga County Parks At first, Ben Schwartzwalder was a legend at Syracuse. The school? "Sometimes outstanding individuals are never appreciated until they are gone," said Beano Cooke, a former sports information director and now with ABC-TV. Syracuse head football coach Ben Schwartzwalder. But because that promise already had been made and broken repeatedly, the student-athletes decided to not return to practice and instead hold their own practice for the time being. During the war, Schwartzwalder was a military hero, a paratrooper, part of the D-Day invasion in June 1944 fighting behind enemy lines. Under Bens leadership, SU produced 22 straight years of non-losing football. Meanwhile, up in central New York, Syracuse was struggling for survival. By any definition, during the war Ben distinguished himself in service to the nation, and to his men. (Courtesy Syracuse University Press) "So he looks me in the eye, and he said, 'Well then, you have a decision to make. During the D-Day invasion in 1944, Schwartzwalder parachuted into Normandy and was wounded. He played center at West Virginia University, despite weighing only 146 pounds, and was an all-campus wrestler in 1930 in the 155-pound weight class. Is that in the book? After associate coaches ignored the players request to hire a black assistant for a year, one of the Syracuse 8, Greg Allen, met with head coach Schwartzwalder in spring 1969. Ben Schwartzwalder Papers An inventory of his papers at the Syracuse This remains Syracuse's only national football title in football to date. It was a scene he had repeated several hundred times but on this particular day, November 24, 1973, it was different. Mary ScofieldMary Scofield (born Mary Schwartzwalder) passed away on December 7, 2017 after battling ovarian cancer for three years. Ben Schwartzwalder: Syracuse University top sports figures of - YouTube Syracuse 8 Collection, University Archives. Schwartzwalder was a West Virginia graduate. He rose to the rank of major and was awarded a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, four battle stars, and a Presidential Unit citation. Muhlenberg College was founded in 1848 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, as the Allentown Seminary by Samuel K. Brobst, a Reformed Lutheran minister. ", Easterly scoffs at that dramatic license. Courtesy Syracuse Library Special Collections (Syracuse 8 Collection, John Lobon Box 1), African American History: Research Guides & Websites, Global African History: Research Guides & Websites, African American Scientists and Technicians of the Manhattan Project, Envoys, Diplomatic Ministers, & Ambassadors, Racial Conflict - Segregation/Integration, https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/syracuse-football-1960s-race-civil-rights, https://www.wbur.org/onlyagame/2017/11/17/syracuse-8-football-boycott-kaepernick, Foundation, Organization, and Corporate Supporters.

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