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. He was also a military veteran. Both websites for the West Virginia University, where he played center for the Mountaineers and graduated in 1935, and Syracuse University having disappointingly little information on this period of the coach's life. This was about 67% of all the recorded Schwartzwalder's in USA. About coming to Syracuse, Schwartzwalder famously said: The alumni wanted a big-name coach. Capt. He had many reasons for doing what he did, but he stood up against his own people. Forego a bottle of soda and donate its cost to us for the information you just learned, and feel good about helping to make it available to everyone. I didnt know why people loved their university. After being labeled black dissidents, the Syracuse 8 were suspended from the team. Those units were from the 17th Waffen-SS Panzer Grenadier Division "Gotz von Berlichingen". 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. What did Disney actually lose from its Florida battle with DeSantis? Played golf in an SU golf outing at Drrumliuns years back with Ben and an offensive lineman on the championship team (Yeager??). The student-athletes also repeatedly requested that head football coach Ben Schwartzwalder hire a Black assistant coach, with whom they felt they could talk more easily about problems relating to race. 5 in our series looking at the coaches and players who have made the biggest impact in Syracuse University sports. Coach Ben Schwartzwalder had no interest in acknowledging race and how racism affects the experience of black athletes. He earned a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Silver Star, and Presidential Unit Citation. During the war, Schwartzwalder was a military hero, a paratrooper, part of the D-Day invasion in June 1944 fighting behind enemy lines. But when he started talking about his own experiences, especially his conflicts with Schwartzwalder and how he was told he couldnt date white girls, I started to see a lot more drama there. Former Syracuse head coach Floyd "Ben" Schwartzwalder (center with his arm around SU's Ger Schwedes, 16) was no stranger to a good fight including this one involving the Orange and Texas Longhorns in the 1960 Cotton Bowl. He didn't starve as a boy growing up but he knew what it was to want. They identify him as later coaching Syracuse University to the national championship in 1959. Gary Fleder: You faced the exact same thing. 1/11/2013. Here's more about their relationship (all from the unknown emailer): I loved the genre and I thought Ernie was an intriguing character, but it didnt have any real conflict. Fleder started doing his own research, reading a lengthy Sports Illustrated article by William Nack that dealt with Davis, Brown and racism in college sports in the 60s. His wife Ruth "Reggie" Schwartzwalder died on August 25, 2012, aged 100. National Veterans Resource Center | Daniel & Gayle DAniello Building | 101 Waverly Ave, Syracuse, NY 13244, Notable Veteran Alumni: Floyd Benjamin Ben Schwartzwalder. After returning home, Schwartzwalder began his college coaching career at Muhlenberg College, where he went 255. Syracuse University did not strip the players of their scholarships, but. Between 1848 and 1867, the college operated as the Allentown Seminary, the Allentown Collegiate and Military Institute, and the Allentown Collegiate Institute. He played key roles in the capture of the La Fire Causeway and Sainte-Mre-glise, crucial points of entry into France during the D-Day invasion. Syracuse head football coach Ben Schwartzwalder. Schwartzwalder continued his campaign all the way into Germany and acted as military governor of the town of Essen for a period of six months. 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. But none of these shortcomings stopped Ben Schwartzwalder from plunging head first into the field of battle. 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. Chancellor John Corbally Records, University Archives. Soon thereafter, a force of 80 507th paratroopers led by G Company commander, Captain Ben Schwartzwalder, joined the developing battle. 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. By any definition, during the war Ben distinguished himself in service to the nation, and to his men. 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. Death 28 Apr 1993 (aged 83) . Cutting black players from the list of team members mak ing trips. Cemetery Policies Our goal is to provide and maintain a facility of respect and dignity for the men and women of the military and their families. 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 . Floyd Benjamin Ben Schwartzwalder was for 25 years a teacher, a mentor, and a coach at Syracuse University. On the Monday following a game, the coaches used to show the game films in Sadler Hall for anyone wishing to see them. Parkersburg. All rights reserved (About Us). ". Schwartzwalder continued his campaign all the way into Germany and acted as military governor of the town of Essen for a period of six months. He brought the school it's one and only national championship and undefeated season in 1959, but as his career progressed, it seemed to produce more and more cracks in a once so respected man. Syracuse University Football Recruiting Database, Syracuse Men's Basketball Recruiting Database, La Fire Bridge: The D-Day Battle You Should Have Heard Of. By the time the 507th reached the battle for Hill 95, they had suffered more than 65% casualties. During the summer, the black players filed a complaint against Syracuse University and the coaching staff with the Syracuse and Onondaga Human Rights Commission. ", Easterly scoffs at that dramatic license. It is very likely that Lt. Wagner assisted him with this extracurricular athletic program in view of the fact that Ed had been an assistant manager for the Penn State football team in 1939, and as the 3rd Battalion's personnel officer, or S-1, he would have been able to identify unit personnel with football experience and "facilitate" their assignment to "extra duties". Allen explained his position, but the coach refused to listen. "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. Walk Where They Fought: La Fire, 82d Airborne Division, D-Day 1944 | Armchair General Magazine - We Put YOU in Command! A small donation would help us keep this available to all. Coach Ben Schwartzwalder began routines of coming up to Elmire to visit Davis and his family. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. !8 holes of golf and Ben never said a word about football. Ben Schwartzwalder was a decent guy, but he was from another era. Mountaineer fans are just over . Schwartzwalder is portrayed by actor Dennis Quaid in the 2008 Universal Pictures film The Express, a biography about Syracuse University Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis. 1 overall by the Cleveland Browns, Davis was diagnosed with leukemia. The two men shook hands outside the Grand Ballroom at the Waldorf-Astoria. Ben Schwartzwalder, Head Coach 1949-73. You know, white folks could like him, black folks could like him, without really selling out. At first, Ben Schwartzwalder was a legend at Syracuse. Syracuse, New York 13244 Schwartzwalder 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. He was a paratrooper in World War II, rose to the rank of major, and was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple . 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Penn state then killed the clock and Tom Cherry took a deliberate safety with eight seconds to play to preserve the Victory. As a member of the famed 82nd Airborne, he parachuted onto Normandy Beach on D-Day in 1944. In fact, he didnt even look at the original script. (Courtesy Syracuse University Press) "So he looks me in the eye, and he said, 'Well then, you have a decision to make. And enthusiasm!! 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. All Rights Reserved. "He was like a magnet to good things, always; polite, smart, a real personality," Whelan said. The 1959 team was an unprecedented powerhouse with both the toughest offense (313.6 yards rushing, 451.5 yard total and 39 points per game on average) and the toughest defense (giving only 19.3 yards rushing, 96.2 yards total per game on average) in the country. He was personally decorated by the commander of the 82nd, the legendary General Matthew Ridgeway, who recalled saying to Ben I never expected to see you here to receive this award.. This month marks 50 years since the Syracuse 8 began their peaceful protest. They claim key events on screen never occurred, like the team being showered with garbage and racial epithets during a game at West Virginia. After returning home, Schwartzwalder began his college coaching career at Muhlenberg College, where he went 25-5. Almost immediately, Coach Ben Schwartzwalder enlisted in the United States Army, earning his paratrooper wings as part of the famous 82nd Airborne Division. The student-athletes stated they would not return until the University hired a Black coach and addressed racial discrimination in starting assignments, the use of racist language by the coaching staff, racial disparities in disciplinary action, lack of academic support, and substandard medical care for all players. Richard Winters (played by Damian Lewis), who also received a battlefield promotion to major and was also from West Virginia, like Ol' Ben. Enjoyed the story, I am sure Czonka repeated what he heard. Even as a paratrooper, Schwartzwalder remained focused on his football career. Burials may be scheduled by calling the cemetery staff at (315) 484-1564. He coached high schools in West Virginia and Ohio 1933-41. Los Angeles Times Staff Writer. Under Bens leadership, SU produced 22 straight years of non-losing football. In 1959, he also won the national coach of the year award. The coach is also remembered through the Ben Schwartzwalder Trophy which, goes to the winner of each game between West Virginia University (where he had played as a college student) and Syracuse University. During his 25 years as head coach Syracuse teams outrushed their opponents by more than 22,000 yards. Jim Brown: The coaches. Syracuse, NY -- Syracuse football players all heard first-hand stories of hand-to-hand combat involving the head coach of the Orangemen, Floyd "Ben" Schwartzwalder, from his service as a paratrooper in World War II. Over that time he led Syracuse to its only football national title, in 1959. Syracuse University Football Collection, University Archives. He is part of Syracuse University history, and a veteran of the U.S. military. They then approached the Office of the Chancellor. He was awarded a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart . It was a scene he had repeated several hundred times but on this particular day, November 24, 1973, it was different. I remember some story like that and Larry committed to SYR because of Ben doing that. I remember Ben as gruff, but kind. The coach is also remembered through the Ben Schwartzwalder Trophy which, goes to the winner of each game between West Virginia University (where he had played as a college student) and Syracuse University. Schwartzwalder's teams went to seven bowl games and won four Lambert Trophies. 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. Schwartzwalder plays a prominent role in the battle. . Schwartzwalder continued his campaign all the way into Germany and acted as military governor of the town of Essen for a period of six months. 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. Jim Brown: If you deal with the times, you have a pretty gritty story. "Unfortunately, little else is known about Coach Schwartzwalder's rather outstanding military service in World War II. He also was a hero of World War II. But what do you do when youve got these circumstances? "I see a lot of things that never were done to Ernie but maybe happened to [Syracuse great] Jim Brown (in the 1950s). "Nor would Ben ever talk to Ernie like that.". The priest, his friar and two elderly women who had been caring for the wounded in the local church, a structure dating back to the 12th Century, were summarily shot, and the village then set aflame. And then we played Illinois, and I had to play. All these years later, Easterly still recalls his teammate not only for his football prowess, but also for his warm, comical personality. The Black student-athletes first sent their grievances to Coach Schwartzwalder, though that document does not exist in the University Archives. Gary Fleder: You came before Ernie. Truth is sometimes rearranged in screen biographies, when facts aren't dramatic enough for the filmmaker's vision. Allen explained his position, but the coach refused to listen. Syracuse 8 Collection, University Archives. I wasnt crazy about the original script, Fleder told me over lunch recently. Thats the reason I recruited Ernie, because he was a great, great player and it was starting to change. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Although in his thirties, Ben decided he was going to be a paratrooper. Point Pleasant, Mason County, West Virginia, USA. They cited instances of unfair treatment, ranging from differences in disciplinary action to the coaching staffs intolerance of their civil rights activism elsewhere on campus. I know it well. kids games foreign dolls asst. Biography Edit Early life and career Edit. In 1959, he also won the national coach of the year award. While the team will be forever linked to offensive stars like Davis, consensus All-America guard Roger Davis, and fellow All-Americans Fred Mautino and Bob Yates, the defense . And there was always the female situation -- dont date white girls and you have to play better than anybody else. Ernie Davis was only weeks from dying the last time Dick Easterly saw his Heisman Trophy-winning teammate. He was captain of the football team in 1933. Before the summer of 1970, Coach Schwartzwalder agreed but failed to hire a Black assistant coach more than once. At Syracuse, I was the radical and Ernie was the peacemaker, the guy everyone loved. The trophy was established in 1993, the year Schwartzwalder died, and was sculpted by Syracuse sports hall-of-famer Jim Ridlon. The team he was coaching at the time was his favorite simply because of his great love of coaching. Ben was clearly on his way to the top. 222 Waverly Avenue There is so much joy on the faces of the players and Ben. 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. 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. Intro: American football player and coach: Was: Sports coach American football player: From: United States of America: Field: Sports: Gender: male: Birth: 2 June 1909: Death: 28 April 1993 (aged 83 years) His primary recommendation for every injury was ice and rest. But for the guards to be enough men to make a difference in a pitched battle, there must have been a lot of German prisoners for Badass Ben to mow down - if that actually happened. Adversity and Ben were old combatants and Ben usually won. 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). He eventually was able to link up with some 180 other "lost" paratroopers who had been dropped off target. And that was the first time I ever felt like an alumni. Damn right. A good starting place is his home state of West Virginia. Carolina a amp to 0 a Murray state 21 Livingston 0 j. C. Smith 15 William amp Mary 7 a West Liberty 20 Virginia military 9 appalachian 0 Austin play 6 Gonso. Do you find this information helpful? map this locationGoogle map location Notably, he coached the first African-American to win a Heisman trophy and maintained team unity and cohesiveness in a racially charged environment to defeat the all-white University of Texas team in the Cotton Bowl while winning the 1959 national championship. Since Davis grew up with his grandfather, he always wanted his grandfather, "pops" to have a say in what he did. You see, if Ernie didnt perform, all that nice [stuff] wouldnt have been about nothing. An ad blocker has likely prevented this video content from loading. He was personally decorated by Matthew Ridgeway who recalled Ben well. He also developed some of the most impressive running backs the game has ever seen Jim Brown, Ernie Davis, Jim Nance, Floyd Little and Larry Csonka. He produced 22 straight years of non-losing football, took the Orange to seven bowls, and won the national championship in 1959. After the United States entered World War II, Schwartzwalder joined the U.S. Army and served with the 507th Parachute Infantry of the famed Eighty-second Airborne Division. He rose to the rank of major and in the process picked up the Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart, four battle stars and a Presidential Unit Citation. Jim Brown. Ben passed away in 1993 and is buried in the Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery. As head coach from 1949-73, he mounted an impressive 153-91-3 record there. "What the director tried to accomplish is showing the conditions of those times," Easterly said. In 1941, Ben found himself a 33 year old high school football coach, working in Canton, Ohio, on the day that the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. "He would never in a million years talk to Ben Schwartzwalder like that," Easterly said. He recruited black players not . Schwartzwalder continued his campaign all the way into Germany and acted as military governor of the town of Essen for a period of six months. Chuck Leavitt did a great page-one rewrite of the script. You can't be Black and be a . On April 17, 1970, Black members of the football team sent Chancellor John Corbally a letter asking that he address their grievances within two days. During the D-Day invasion in 1944, Schwartzwalder parachuted into Normandy and was wounded. He thought there was only one way to play football and that was the rough way. A report on Ben Schwartzwalder. 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). Elliott: Kings use their heads over hearts in trading Jonathan Quick, This fabled orchid breeder loves to chat just not about Trader Joes orchids. Floyd Benjamin Ben Schwartzwalder was for 25 years a teacher, a mentor, and a coach at Syracuse University. I didnt know why people gave them money -- I didnt know any of that. You either throw in the towel or you go ahead and try to make your performance speak for you. Mary ScofieldMary Scofield (born Mary Schwartzwalder) passed away on December 7, 2017 after battling ovarian cancer for three years.