Ben Schwartzwalder was a decent guy, but he was from another era. 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 was like a Marine, with a real army attitude. In 1973, Schwartzwalder retired from coaching and moved to St. Petersburg, Florida. 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. . Qualities missing from Davis' portrayal in "The Express," opening Friday. Before Kaepernick, The 'Syracuse 8' Were Blackballed By Pro Football - WBUR Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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). He eventually was able to link up with some 180 other "lost" paratroopers who had been dropped off target. Its a great history lesson, offering kids a look at the real-life exploits of Ernie Davis, the trail-blazing Syracuse University running back who in 1961 became the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy. This remains Syracuse's only football national championship to date. Yet forget wins and losses. Ben Schwartzwalder. You know, the funny thing about cinema is, usually when they do a story that has African Americans in it, there always has to be a white guy whos the savior. He earned a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Silver Star, and Presidential Unit Citation. Do you find this information helpful? During the war, Schwartzwalder was a military hero, a paratrooper, part of the D-Day invasion in June 1944 fighting behind enemy lines. How does one describe Ben Schwartzwalder? This little-known episode of brutality has been documented by the History Channel in a video titled, "Secret Massacre at D-Day". t: 1.315.443.2093f: 1.315.443.4083 scrc@syr.edu Ben Schwartzwalder, former Syracuse University football 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. - Ben Schwartzwalder. Richard Winters (played by Damian Lewis), who also received a battlefield promotion to major and was also from West Virginia, like Ol' Ben. A report on Ben Schwartzwalder. Last edited on 21 February 2023, at 00:55, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "'The Express' and the movie's connections to Parkersburg", by Jody Murphy. map this locationGoogle map location Ben gave Syracuse its finest hours in football. Items For Sale At Auction - Online Auction Sunday Jan 29th 9am Military Played golf in an SU golf outing at Drrumliuns years back with Ben and an offensive lineman on the championship team (Yeager??). You are using an out of date browser. It was 1963 at Syracuse University's alumni football game, where teammates celebrated the Orangemen's 1959 national championship. The Commission subsequently chaired several meetings between the parties, but without success. During the D-Day invasion in 1944, Schwartzwalder parachuted into Normandy and was wounded. January 25, 2010 Floyd Benjamin "Ben" Schwartzwalder was for 25 years a teacher, a mentor, and a coach at Syracuse University. Ben Schwartzwalder and Related Topics - hyperleap.com 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. Ben Schwartzwalder - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia JavaScript is disabled. The Syracuse 8 (1969) - BlackPast.org Honoring Black History: Point Pleasant's Ben Schwartzwalder Coach Ben Schwartzwalder began routines of coming up to Elmire to visit Davis and his family. 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 What did Jim Brown say that made such a difference? 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. Parkersburg. Cemeteries & Memorials Onondaga County Parks Ernie Davis becomes first Black to win Heisman Trophy Dec. 15, 1991 12 AM PT. Did you feel the constant pressure or did you acclimate to it? Those units were from the 17th Waffen-SS Panzer Grenadier Division "Gotz von Berlichingen". "I have a strange feeling that in the years to come, officials, alumni and fans might finally realize what a tremendous asset Ben was. However, that coach often sat in the back of the room and was not listed on the coaching roster. We created a day for minority students coming back together. You should know his story, because its a Syracuse University story one that speaks to our past, our present, and our future. Jim Brown: The coaches. You should know his story, because its a Syracuse University story one that speaks to our past, our present, and our future. 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. [continued on next page] Pages: 1 2 3 4 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. 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. An ad blocker has likely prevented this video content from loading. Cutting black players from the list of team members mak ing trips. Schwartzwalder's teams went to seven bowl games and won four Lambert Trophies. Jim told me something really amazing that put things in perspective. The Schwartzwalder Trophy was named after former Syracuse coach Ben Schwartzwalder, who led the Orange to the 1959 national title. 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. Ben led G Company during the D-Day operation and was decorated with the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry in his first combat action. Ben Schwartzwalder Dies at 83; Revitalized Football at Syracuse Born the second daughter to Floyd ("Ben") and Ben Schwartzwalder Papers An inventory of his papers at the Syracuse "I see a lot of things that never were done to Ernie but maybe happened to [Syracuse great] Jim Brown (in the 1950s). 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.. Syracuse's 1959 National Championship Team 'Had No Weaknesses' Despite promising to do so, Schwartzwalder failed to follow through. He coached at Syracuse from 1949 to 1973, compiling a 178-96-3 record, and winning one national championship in 1959 while going undefeated. Almost immediately, Coach Ben Schwartzwalder enlisted in the United States Army, earning his paratrooper wings as part of the famous 82nd Airborne Division. In addition to Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis, he coached Jim Brown, Floyd Little, Jim Nance, and Larry Csonka through their college careers. Youre always having to think of what youre going to say, what youre going to do, where you can go and where you cant. Schwartzwalder, Floyd Burdette ("Ben") - Encyclopedia.com About coming to Syracuse, Schwartzwalder famously said: The alumni wanted a big-name coach. Mostly, we remember Floyd "Ben" Schwartzwalder as Syracuse University's successful head football coach, 1949 to 1973. 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. ". An endearing photo is one from 90s I believe when Cuse players have Ben raised on their shoulders after a win. Chuck Leavitt did a great page-one rewrite of the script. Mere Eglise. Chancellor John Corbally Records, University Archives. 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. Allen explained his position, but the coach refused to listen. Teammates say 'Express' fumbles the facts - Chicago Tribune It's everyone's fight, even if it's not specifically your story Under Bens leadership, SU produced 22 straight years of non-losing football. And enthusiasm!! 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). The players believed that many of these issues could be remedied by hiring a black coach. As a member of the famed 82nd Airborne, he parachuted onto Normandy Beach on D-Day in 1944. I just want to know -- what did you feel on a day-to-day, week-to-week basis? The teammates also say that Brown's portrayal misses Davis' essence. Beginnings of the Boycott - Syracuse 8 Ben Schwartzwalder College Coaching Records, Awards and Leaderboards Mountaineer fans are just over . Scoop: Fans want The Ben Schwartzwalder Trophy to be awarded to the winner of the 2012 New Era Pinstripe Bowl, which features old Big East rivals Syracuse and West Virginia. Ben Schwartzwalder, Head Coach 1949-73 - Syracuse University Ron Womack had been removed from the roster due to an injury, a coaching decision he and his Black teammates viewed with suspicion, but he supported them through the whole boycott and is counted with them. Today in History: Syracuse University Football Legend, Floyd "Ben As a paratrooper with the 82nd, he was among the first wave of soldiers that jumped on D-Day in 1944. Hon. Mordue Obituary (1942 - 2022) - Syracuse, NY - Syracuse Post Standard The Mules played in the 1946 Tobacco Bowl - The Morning Call He was captain of the football team in 1933. Jim Brown: I was going to leave because it was almost unbearable. 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. She was 76 years old. It's a scene included in tonight's world premier of "The Express" at the Landmark Theatre. A nice memory. He gave me a way in to tell this story. Bernie Custis, Orange Quarterback, Changed Far More than a Game - SU News New York had the highest population of Schwartzwalder families in 1880. Frank Giardina: Sports Legend Dinner, relationships, Ben Schwartzwalder Penn state then killed the clock and Tom Cherry took a deliberate safety with eight seconds to play to preserve the Victory. Quick Facts. kids games foreign dolls asst. As a first lieutenant and S-1/adjutant of the 3rd Battalion, 507th PIR, he jumped into Normandy in the same air drop as Coach Ben. He thought there was only one way to play football and that was the rough way. The Orange had won but nine games in four years and everyone was unhappy. From 1946-48 he coached Muhlenberg (Pa.) College to a 25-5 record before heading to Syracuse to coach the Orangemen. BlackPast.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and our EIN is 26-1625373. It doesnt break down in color. He thought there was only one way to play football and that was the rough way . Floyd Little was raised in poverty in New Haven, Connecticut. The Syracuse Eight - Tumblr Enjoyed the story, I am sure Czonka repeated what he heard. Truth is sometimes rearranged in screen biographies, when facts aren't dramatic enough for the filmmaker's vision. . 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). In fact, he didnt even look at the original script. Floyd Burdette "Ben" Schwartzwalder (1909-1993) - Find a Grave Christian Rudolph Kessler was the school's first teacher and administrator. Over 25 season, he compiled a 153-91-3 record and led the team an undefeated season in 1959 that included the National Championship. 8 Black Syracuse Football Players Continue Boycott Coach Ben Schwartzwalder had no interest in acknowledging race and how racism affects the experience of black athletes. Several units were simultaneously converging on the same objective in a piecemeal, uncoordinated manner. I remember some story like that and Larry committed to SYR because of Ben doing that. When the Waffen-SS troops finally overran Graignes, they took out severe revenge on the villagers for having "collaborated with the enemy". 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. During practices a limit was placed on the number of black players who could be on the field at the same time. 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. They got a long-name coach. And while maybe the alumni didnt get the big name coach, Floyd Burdette Ben Schwartzwalder gave SU its finest hours in football, becoming the most successful football coach in the Universitys history. They believed this practice restricted their talents and abilities and decreased the teams likelihood of winning games. Even as a paratrooper, Schwartzwalder remained focused on his football career. A small donation would help us keep this available to all. 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. Bills two-time AFL champion, Al Bemiller passed away Al Davis: the Machiavelli of football - Los Angeles Times The story of Jackie Robinson is also the story of Branch Rickey. You should know his story, because it's a Syracuse University story - one that speaks to our past, our present, and our future. Director Gary Fleder uses Davis' football career to illustrate racial intolerance that Easterly and Whelan claim seldom existed for him. During World War II, Schwartzwalder enlisted and served as a paratrooper in the United States Army. It may not display this or other websites correctly. And according to the emailer, Schwartzwalder and Wagner served together as paratroopers in the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment. "We football coaches are most fortunate," Ben said as he left office as the president of the American Football Coaches Association. He was also a military veteran. Ben passed away in 1993 and is buried in the Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery. During the West Virginia fracas, Davis snaps at his coach: "Maybe, just maybe, the rules down here are your rules too. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1982. A Life Cut Short - Sports Illustrated Vault | SI.com He recruited black players not . Who is Ben Schwartzwalder dating? Ben Schwartzwalder girlfriend, wife The demand for better medical care was rooted in the fact that the medical doctor for the team was a gynecologist by training and was hesitant to touch black bodies. Schwartzwalder plays a prominent role in the battle. After talking to him, I knew we had a movie. Mary Scofield Obituary (2017) - Westport, CT - Westport News - Legacy.com Ben Schwartzwalder | American Football Database | Fandom He wanted p The public Ben Schwartzwalder often appeared to be a cross between a wounded bear and a crossed bull. 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. Ben Schwartzwalder AKA Floyd Burdette Schwartzwalder Born: 2-Jun - 1909 Birthplace: Point Pleasant, WV Died: 28-Apr - 1993 Location of death: St. Petersburg, FL Cause of death: Heart Failure Gender: Male Race or Ethnicity: White Sexual orientation: Straight Occupation: Football Nationality: United States I wasnt crazy about the original script, Fleder told me over lunch recently. It was superficial and cloying and didnt give enough dimension to the story. Just watched Seize and Secure a one hour documentary on PBS about the battle to secure the bridge at La Fire on DDay Capt. Some white teammates stood in solidarity and threatened to boycott if the black players were not allowed back, but they were overpowered by the alumni who wanted all the black players off the team and their scholarships revoked. Bad-ass Ben | Syracusefan.com 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. Under Bens leadership, SU produced 22 straight years of non-losing football. (2017, November 17). 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. A i turned . 222 Waverly Avenue He had the same burning drive in 1973 as he did as a rookie coach back in West Virginia in 1933. During the summer, the black players filed a complaint against Syracuse University and the coaching staff with the Syracuse and Onondaga Human Rights Commission. Syracuse University Football Collection, University Archives. You should know his story. They then approached the Office of the Chancellor. Ernie doesnt scream and he doesnt protest, but hes raging inside. "When Ed initially reported for duty with G Company, 3rd Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment in Sep42 at Ft. Benning, Georgia, his company commander was none other than Captain Floyd B. Schwartzwalder, the future head football coach of Syracuse University and eventual gridiron nemesis of Ed Wagner's Nittany Lions.