Ben Schwartzwalder Papers An inventory of his papers at the Syracuse 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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Adversity and Ben were old combatants and Ben usually won. During the war, Schwartzwalder was a military hero, a paratrooper, part of the D-Day invasion in June 1944 fighting behind enemy lines. This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. 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. 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.". Schwartzwalder is portrayed by actor Dennis Quaid in the 2008 Universal Pictures film The Express: The Ernie Davis Story, a biographical film about Syracuse University Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Christian Rudolph Kessler was the school's first teacher and administrator. Under Bens leadership, SU produced 22 straight years of non-losing football. 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.. 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. Ben Schwartzwalder, a pre-war high school coach in West Virginia who served as a major with the army paratroopers during the war, returned home and took over the program as its new coach. 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 is part of Syracuse University history, and a veteran of the U.S. military. Ernest R Davis Essay Papers - 1117 Words | Internet Public Library He is part of Syracuse University history, and a veteran of the U.S. military. Racism on the Gridiron: Protest and Tear Gas at Syracuse University 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. Penn state then killed the clock and Tom Cherry took a deliberate safety with eight seconds to play to preserve the Victory. 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. Following his death in 1993, Schwartzwalder was survived by his daughters, Susan Walker and Mary Scofield. The teammates also say that Brown's portrayal misses Davis' essence. This remains Syracuse's only football national championship to date. World War II: Capturing the La Fiere Causeway - HistoryNet 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. Ben passed away in 1993 and is buried in the Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery. How does one describe Ben Schwartzwalder? In 1941, Ben found himself a 33 year old high school football coach, working in Canton, Ohio, on the day that the Japanese attached Pearl Harbor. Floyd Benjamin Ben Schwartzwalder was for 25 years a teacher, a mentor, and a coach at Syracuse University. The Mules played in the 1946 Tobacco Bowl - The Morning Call Starting in the fall of 1968, Black football players at Syracuse University expressed concerns about racial discrimination within the football program. Time Machine: Eight Black athletes off football team During the spring season, the players attempted to nudge coach Schwartzwalder one more time. List of battleships of the United States Navy, Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, West Virginia Mountaineers football players, High school football coaches in the United States, United States Army personnel of World War II, People from Point Pleasant, West Virginia, Players of American football from West Virginia, "'The Express' and the movie's connections to Parkersburg", by Jody Murphy. On the Monday following a game, the coaches used to show the game films in Sadler Hall for anyone wishing to see them. When he was personally decorated by General Matthew Ridgway, the General said "Ben, I never expected to see you here to receive this award.". Enjoyed the story, I am sure Czonka repeated what he heard. Ben was clearly on his way to the top. [continued on next page] Pages: 1 2 3 4 Director Gary Fleder uses Davis' football career to illustrate racial intolerance that Easterly and Whelan claim seldom existed for him. NY Senate Resolution | NY State Senate Schwartzwalder was a West Virginia graduate. 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. He was a paratrooper in World War II, rose to the rank of major, and was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple . 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. 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. Parkersburg. An endearing photo is one from 90s I believe when Cuse players have Ben raised on their shoulders after a win. The sacrifice that it takes, the [bad stuff] that goes on all around and where it comes from. During the West Virginia fracas, Davis snaps at his coach: "Maybe, just maybe, the rules down here are your rules too. By Frank Giardina For the Gazette-Mail; Jun 10, 2017 Jun 10, 2017 Updated Nov 21, 2017; Comments; If you look at the Underground Railroad, it wasnt just Harriet Tubman, it was all those white people who risked their lives to help these slaves get up north. 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. In "The Express," Schwartzwalder (Dennis Quaid) is initially depicted as reluctant to recruit Davis (Rob Brown) because he's "too old to butt heads with another Jim Brown," one of the first black. Syracuse passing More than Ever in Ben Schwartzwalder s 19 year career took holy Cross apart 41-7. When he refused their request, they walked out of spring practice and leaked their act of resistance to the media. Ernie doesnt scream and he doesnt protest, but hes raging inside. I'm guessing it's after beating WVU to claim the Schwartzwalder Trophy. West Virginia University - Monticola Yearbook (Morgantown, WV) It may not display this or other websites correctly. Schwartzwalder, Floyd Burdette ("Ben") - Encyclopedia.com He thought the first script was a little thin. Reggie was born on January 18, 1912, in Pine Grove, West. Its also a genuine comeback for Fleder, who hasnt made a feature in five years (hes been directing TV pilots), and he finally seems poised to recapture the promise of his early career work on such films as Things To Do in Denver When Youre Dead and Kiss the Girls. Before Fleder began work on the film, he knew he had to have one key figure on board -- Jim Brown, who was a star running back at Syracuse in the 1950s, helped recruit Davis (after Brown left to play in the NFL) and later become an action film star and civil rights activist. "Sometimes outstanding individuals are never appreciated until they are gone," said Beano Cooke, a former sports information director and now with ABC-TV. Teammates say 'Express' fumbles the facts - Chicago Tribune Even as a paratrooper, Schwartzwalder remained focused on his football career. During his 25 years as head coach Syracuse teams outrushed their opponents by more than 22,000 yards. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Today Ed is buried with many of his fallen comrades from the 507th PIR in the beautiful US Military Cemetery, which overlooks Omaha Beach in Normandy. After being labeled black dissidents, the Syracuse 8 were suspended from the team. Google Image Result for https://d3d4f9a2nwdz4m.cloudfront.net/images/2011/9/28/SchwartzwalderBenonshoulderscolor.jpg, The Penn State game looms down there in Jersey; not so long ago, it delivered Dome delirium. One other thought on that. And they made Ben look like a racist, to me.". He was 80 then and hit every drive down the middle. Wiping Systems Market Is Likely To Boost In Upcoming Years 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) 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. 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. 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. A new head coach, Floyd "Ben" Schwartzwalder, would take over in 1949. 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. He was bowlegged, sent off to military school and told his IQ was too low to even consider college. The players believed that many of these issues could be remedied by hiring a black coach. Quick Facts. The rest is now history. ", Easterly scoffs at that dramatic license. Truth is sometimes rearranged in screen biographies, when facts aren't dramatic enough for the filmmaker's vision. Did you feel the constant pressure or did you acclimate to it? 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. It's everyone's fight, even if it's not specifically your story 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. This remains Syracuse's only football national championship to date. Schwartzwalder, a decorated World War II veteran with just three years of coaching experience at the college level, arrived at Syracuse . Schwartzwalder's teams went to seven bowl games and won four Lambert Trophies. Syracuse leads the overall record of the series 31-27, however West Virginia has won the trophy 11 times to Syracuse's 7. 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. Under Bens leadership, SU produced 22 straight years of non-losing football. Ben and Ed trained together and most likely socialized with each other at unit functions and the officers' club. He thought there was only one way to play football and that was the rough way . They believed this practice restricted their talents and abilities and decreased the teams likelihood of winning games. In the spring of 1970, he arranged for former Syracuse football great Floyd Little 67 to help with spring practice under the guise of an assistant football coach, but the Black athletes were upset to learn it was just for a few days. 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. Casualties caused the 507th to regroup and reorganize. How Floyd Little Decided To Play Football At Syracuse: The Non 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. Gary Fleders The Express, which hits theaters next month, is really two compelling movies in one. After returning home, Schwartzwalder began his college coaching career at Muhlenberg College, where he went 25-5. Mary Scofield Obituary (2017) - Westport, CT - Westport News - Legacy.com Bernie Custis, Orange Quarterback, Changed Far More than a Game - SU News The ROTC building at Penn State is named after Wagner. But it was changing. He graduated from Syracuse University in January 1966 with a bachelor's degree in Economics. 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 Davis was only weeks from dying the last time Dick Easterly saw his Heisman Trophy-winning teammate. He was a member of the 1964 Sugar Bowl team. The most Schwartzwalder families were found in USA in 1920. Schwartzwalder Trophy not in play - Big 12 Blog- ESPN Sta Znaci TOP THEMSELVES na Hrvatskom - Hrvatski Prijevod He was a paratrooper in World War II, leaving the serv ice as a . Your donation is fully tax-deductible. Dropped far behind enemy lines and miles off target, Ben organized his command immediately and a week later brought a bunch of prisoners to the Allied lines. By any definition, during the war Ben distinguished himself in service to the nation, and to his men. He was captain of the football team in 1933. Ben Schwartzwalder. He was personally decorated by Matthew Ridgeway who recalled Ben well. He 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 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. 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. Rivalry Trophy Series: Battle for the Schwartzwalder Trophy About coming to Syracuse, Schwartzwalder famously said: The alumni wanted a big-name coach. But there was to be a delay. Chancellor John Corbally Records, University Archives. Inductee | Floyd Burdette Schwartzwalder 1982 | College Football Hall You must log in or register to reply here. Ben Schwartzwalder - Wikipedia In 2006, thirty-six years after leaving the team, during a Syracuse University-University of Louisville halftime ceremony, the nine former players were recognized with their letterman jackets for the courageous stand they took against racism. "We football coaches are most fortunate," Ben said as he left office as the president of the American Football Coaches Association. Schwartzwalder had a knack for developing excellent running backs. In 1967, Schwartzwalder was elected president of the American Football Coaches Association. 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. 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. You had an amazing four years, breaking records and you make it easier for Ernie to come to school. [1] He coached high school football for six years in West Virginia a year at Sistersville High School, followed by the Parkersburg High School Big Reds football from 1936 to 1940[1] and Ohio a year at Canton McKinley High School[1] and won two state championships. 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. By any definition, during the war Ben distinguished himself in service to the nation, and to his men. Muhlenberg College was founded in 1848 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, as the Allentown Seminary by Samuel K. Brobst, a Reformed Lutheran minister. He produced 22 straight years of non-losing football, took the Orange to seven bowls, and won the national championship in 1959. Gary Fleder: I just want to make a film that has the essence of Ernie Davis. 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. A i turned . He is buried in the Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Syracuse, NY. He wore street clothes at the alumni game, serving as an honorary coach. 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. I will probably buy this book too. Here are some excerpts from a 2005 conversation between Fleder and Brown that paved the way for the making of The Express.. Floyd Little was raised in poverty in New Haven, Connecticut. Biography Lists News Also Viewed. Almost immediately, Coach Ben Schwartzwalder enlisted in the United States Army, earning his paratrooper wings as part of the famous 82nd Airborne Division. However, his plane was seriously off course and dropped its "stick" of twelve paratroopers some ten miles away from its designated landing zone. [1] He coached high school football for six years in West Virginia a year at Sistersville High School, followed by the Parkersburg High School Big Reds football from 1936 to 1940[1] and Ohio a year at Canton McKinley High School[1] and won two state championships. 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). Ben Schwartzwalder Death Fact Check, Birthday & Date of Death In 1946 he rotated back to the States and was honorably discharged. 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. I know it well. Schwartzwalder had a knack for developing excellent running backs through their college careers, including Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis, Jim Brown, Floyd Little, Jim Nance, and Larry Csonka. It doesnt break down in color. Anyways, getting back to the rivalry, the trophy was introduced in 1993 after the death of Coach Ben Schwartzwalder. 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. When he was personally decorated by General Matthew Ridgway, the General said "Ben, I never expected to see you here to receive this award.". About Ben Schwartzwalder: American football player and coach (1909 Cemetery staff is on duty Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Ben enrolled at West Virginia University and went out for football. 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. He later joined teammate Patrick Whelan, 71, of Safety Harbor, at a Tampa screening. What is a filmmaker looking for when hes researching a film based on real-life events? 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. 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. After the war, Ben came back to coaching, and eventually found his way to Syracuse University. No portion of this site may be reproduced or duplicated without the express written permission of Syracuse University. West Virginia and Syracuse might have a sordid past as Big East rivals, but you'd never know it by what's not at stake in this month's upcoming Camping World Bowl. Shortly after Dec. 7, 1941, Canton McKinley lost a coach and the U.S. Army gained a soldier. Because in my experience, I just wanted to get out of there and get moving. He was awarded a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart . 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. Even if you go to Syracuse now, there is a constant battle that goes on. 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. 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. You know, white folks could like him, black folks could like him, without really selling out. 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. 3 pair military pants 36s 38s 36xs shirt. Ben Schwartzwalder . 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. BEN SCHWARTZWALDER (1909-93) The game ended and Ben Schwartzwalder walked to the middle of the field, shook hands, exchanged a few words with his opposing coach, then turned and headed toward the dressing room. Coach Ben Schwartzwalder and the SU football team were having a great season. After holding off the vastly superior German forc es for four days, the senior officer in command ordered the paratroopers to withdraw under the cover of darkness and attempt to reach Allied lines by exfilling in small bands through the flooded marshes and swollen streams. You should know his story. Today in History: Syracuse University Football Legend, Floyd "Ben Ben gave Syracuse its finest hours in football. - Ben Schwartzwalder. Collapse. 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. But none of these shortcomings stopped Ben Schwartzwalder from plunging head first into the field of battle. Honoring Black History: Point Pleasant's Ben Schwartzwalder 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. Played golf in an SU golf outing at Drrumliuns years back with Ben and an offensive lineman on the championship team (Yeager??). Floyd Benjamin Ben Schwartzwalder was for 25 years a teacher, a mentor, and a coach at Syracuse University. 1/11/2013. 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). Biography Edit Early life and career Edit. They identify him as later coaching Syracuse University to the national championship in 1959. Ben Schwartzwalder was a decent guy, but he was from another era. In 1946, Ben came east and guided Muhlenberg to a 25-5 slate in three years. "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. So if you take a story like Ernies, you can show that, for the first time somebody can show what it is to be an American and the subtleties of carrying that burden. 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. In 1969 a group of nine student-athletes boycotted Syracuse Universitys football program to demand change and promote racial equality. Heres a clip from a recent Bob Costas interview talking with Brown about Ernie Davis: Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, sheriff says, Newsom, IRS give Californians until October to file tax returns, 15 arrested across L.A. County in crackdown on fraudulent benefit cards, Hidden, illegal casinos are booming in L.A., with organized crime reaping big profits, Look up: The 32 most spectacular ceilings in Los Angeles. Jim Brown: The other star of "The Express" - Los Angeles Times You can't be Black and be a . In 1973, Schwartzwalder retired from coaching and moved to St. Petersburg, Florida. "Nor would Ben ever talk to Ernie like that.". (2017, November 17). Mary ScofieldMary Scofield (born Mary Schwartzwalder) passed away on December 7, 2017 after battling ovarian cancer for three years. Jim Brown: I was going to leave because it was almost unbearable. As a paratrooper with the 82nd, he was among the first wave of soldiers that jumped on D-Day in 1944.