It was 1963 at Syracuse University's alumni football game, where teammates celebrated the Orangemen's 1959 national championship. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. "A lot of things in the movie didn't happen at that time at Syracuse but did happen in the country. It was a scene he had repeated several hundred times but on this particular day, November 24, 1973, it was different. He also watched Spike Lees documentary, Jim Brown All-American, which offered more insight into the era. And there was always the female situation -- dont date white girls and you have to play better than anybody else. Here's more about their relationship (all from the unknown emailer): He served with the 82nd Airborne and was in the first wave of troops that jumped on D-Day in 1944. What did Jim Brown say that made such a difference? Despite promising to do so, Schwartzwalder failed to follow through. Following his completion of ROTC, as a Distinguished. Almost immediately, Coach Ben Schwartzwalder enlisted in the United States Army, earning his paratrooper wings as part of the famous 82nd Airborne Division. In fact, I never knew what being an alumnus was. This month marks 50 years since the Syracuse 8 began their peaceful protest. Before the summer of 1970, Coach Schwartzwalder agreed but failed to hire a Black assistant coach more than once. 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. While the regiment was stateside Capt. The funny part is that so many people have known this for years, including myself.". They included the battalion surgeon who had stayed behind to care for the wounded. West Virginia University - Monticola Yearbook (Morgantown, WV), Class of 1932, Page 231 of 392 | E-Yearbook.com has the largest online yearbook collection of college, university, high school, middle school, junior high school, military, naval cruise books and yearbooks. Syracuse head football coach Ben Schwartzwalder. Biography Edit Early life and career Edit. Syracuse football was coached at the time by Ben Schwartzwalder, a beloved figure on campus, who led the Orange to. The Schwartzwalder family name was found in the USA between 1880 and 1920. BlackPast.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and our EIN is 26-1625373. 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. 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. The trophy was established in 1993, the year Schwartzwalder died, and was sculpted by Syracuse sports hall-of-famer Jim Ridlon. During the West Virginia fracas, Davis snaps at his coach: "Maybe, just maybe, the rules down here are your rules too. Richard Winters (played by Damian Lewis), who also received a battlefield promotion to major and was also from West Virginia, like Ol' Ben. 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. Hell, the movie's more about him than Ernie. 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. He also wrestled and dodged a young coed who was just as fierce a competitor as he when it came to getting her man. In 1967, Schwartzwalder was elected president of the American Football Coaches Association. The Syracuse 8 continued their boycott through the 1969 football season. Ben Schwartzwalder was a decent guy, but he was from another era. 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. Syracuse University Photo & Imaging Collection, University Archives. After the war, Ben came back to coaching, and eventually found his way to Syracuse University. Finally, we got the scene where Ernie wants to give his jersey, with No. The basics. Is that in the book? By Frank Giardina For the Gazette-Mail; Jun 10, 2017 Jun 10, 2017 Updated Nov 21, 2017; Comments; There is so much joy on the faces of the players and Ben. Quite a story, but as an amateur historian, that kind of second or third hand quote, especially one delivered 50 years after it was shared, makes me very skeptical to its veracity. Point Pleasant, Mason County, West Virginia, USA. Because in my experience, I just wanted to get out of there and get moving. The rest is now history. Floyd Benjamin Ben Schwartzwalder was for 25 years a teacher, a mentor, and a coach at Syracuse University. 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 would never in a million years talk to Ben Schwartzwalder like that," Easterly said. If Jim Brown was happy, I was happy., Still, what fascinated me was that first conversation between Fleder and Brown. National Veterans Resource Center | Daniel & Gayle DAniello Building | 101 Waverly Ave, Syracuse, NY 13244, Notable Veteran Alumni: Floyd Benjamin Ben Schwartzwalder. Syracuse 8 Collection, University Archives. Ben always refused to pick a favorite team or make comparisons. You should know his story, because it's a Syracuse University story - one that speaks to our past, our present, and our future. He is part of Syracuse University history, and a veteran of the U.S. military. They claim key events on screen never occurred, like the team being showered with garbage and racial epithets during a game at West Virginia. Cemetery staff is on duty Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Did you feel the constant pressure or did you acclimate to it? He was also a military veteran. Ben passed away in 1993 and is buried in the Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery. !8 holes of golf and Ben never said a word about football. 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. Over that time he led Syracuse to its only football national title, in 1959. During his 25 years as head coach Syracuse teams outrushed their opponents by more than 22,000 yards. The story grew each time it was told. Even as a paratrooper, Schwartzwalder remained focused on his football career. He was captain of the football team in 1933. Floyd Benjamin "Ben" Schwartzwalder (June 2, 1909 as Floyd Benjamin Schwartzwalder - April 28, 1993) AKA Ben Schwartzwalder 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 Am 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 . I didnt know why people loved their university. It may not display this or other websites correctly. SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) The year was 1959. Since Davis grew up with his grandfather, he always wanted his grandfather, "pops" to have a say in what he did. Davis was the team's juggernaut running back, later the first African-American ever to win the Heisman Trophy. An hour before the game, Al Davis stands at the 50-yard line of the silent Coliseum, surveying the field through his sunglasses darkly, as . Schwartzwalder with quarterback Dick Easterly at the Los Angeles Coliseum, 1959. In addition to Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis, he coached Jim Brown, Floyd Little, Jim Nance, and Larry Csonka through their college careers. 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 Ben was clearly on his way to the top. Schwartzwalder was born in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Syracuse, New York 13244 Qualities missing from Davis' portrayal in "The Express," opening Friday. This remains Syracuse's only national football title in football to date. Orange teams outrushed opponents by more than 22,000 yards under Ben. Im just saying you have an opportunity to take that story and do some things thatve never been done. During World War II, Schwartzwalder enlisted and served as a paratrooper in the United States Army. As a captain in the 82nd Airborne (CO of Company G of the 507th), Schwartzwalder earned distinction during the invasion of Normandy and battles that followed in the last days of the war. 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. Mary ScofieldMary Scofield (born Mary Schwartzwalder) passed away on December 7, 2017 after battling ovarian cancer for three years. After returning home, Schwartzwalder began his college coaching career at Muhlenberg College, where he went 255. In the spring of 1970, he arranged for former Syracuse football great Floyd . 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. 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. At first, Ben Schwartzwalder was a legend at Syracuse. This little-known episode of brutality has been documented by the History Channel in a video titled, "Secret Massacre at D-Day". Elliott: Kings use their heads over hearts in trading Jonathan Quick, This fabled orchid breeder loves to chat just not about Trader Joes orchids. He was a paratrooper in World War II, rose to the rank of major, and was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple . Ben Schwartzwalder. Adversity and Ben were old combatants and Ben usually won. Ben enrolled at West Virginia University and went out for football. Schwartzwalder, a decorated paratrooper during World War II in the 82nd Airborne Division who was among the first wave of soldiers that jumped at D-Day in 1944, coached the Orange from 1949 through 1973. I remember Ben as gruff, but kind. The players believed that many of these issues could be remedied by hiring a black coach. 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. Reggie was the widow of legendary Syracuse University head football coach Floyd Ben Schwartzwalder, who died in 1993. Schwartzwalder, a decorated World War II veteran with just three years of coaching experience at the college level, arrived at Syracuse . Oct 8, 2008 Dennis Quaid has played both a baseball and football star on the big screen but never a coach. They wanted me to change positions, all kinds of stuff. ". 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. 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. The Commission subsequently chaired several meetings between the parties, but without success. 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. In 1967, Schwartzwalder was elected president of the American Football Coaches Association. Truth is sometimes rearranged in screen biographies, when facts aren't dramatic enough for the filmmaker's vision. Quick Facts. He had many reasons for doing what he did, but he stood up against his own people. 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. 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. 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 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. Parkersburg. 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. 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. I gave him the transcript of my talk with Jim and based on that, he said, Im in. Hearing Jim talk about the times was all he needed to convince him., Two and a half years later, after Fleder had a completed film -- with Rob Brown playing Davis and Dennis Quaid as Schwartzwalder -- Fleder returned to Browns house with a DVD of the film in his hands. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1982. Schwartzwalder was a West Virginia graduate. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. They then approached the Office of the Chancellor. Shortly after Dec. 7, 1941, Canton McKinley lost a coach and the U.S. Army gained a soldier. No portion of this site may be reproduced or duplicated without the express written permission of Syracuse University. 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. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Ben was just an old fashioned guy who thought you were privileged to play. 3 pair military pants 36s 38s 36xs shirt. 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 Texas Longhorns in the 1960 Cotton Bowl Classic and win a national championship. Your donation is fully tax-deductible. He remained with the 507th PIR when it was reassigned to the newly formed 17th Abn Div, and fought with this unit during the Battle of the Bulge and in the airborne drop across the Rhine River at Wessel in March 1945. When he refused their request, they walked out of spring practice and leaked their act of resistance to the media. 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 . The trophy was established in 1993 and was sculpted by Syracuse sports hall-of-famer Jim Ridlon. Mere Eglise. Following his death in 1993, Schwartzwalder was survived by his daughters, Susan Walker and Mary Scofield, his wife Ruth "Reggie" Schwartzwalder died on August 25, 2012, aged 100. Gary Fleder: You came before Ernie. 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. 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. Search and browse yearbooks online! "Unfortunately, little else is known about Coach Schwartzwalder's rather outstanding military service in World War II. You find it where you find it. Allen explained his position, but the coach refused to listen. Reggie was born on January 18, 1912, in Pine Grove, West. He later joined teammate Patrick Whelan, 71, of Safety Harbor, at a Tampa screening. 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. I know it well. 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. Ed was killed and the acting battalion commander seriously wounded. He is buried in the Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Syracuse, NY. The team he was coaching at the time was his favorite simply because of his great love of coaching. 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. Cutting black players from the list of team members mak ing trips. 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. Wiping Systems Market Is Likely To Boost In Upcoming Years. 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. Gary Fleder: You faced the exact same thing. New York had the highest population of Schwartzwalder families in 1880. As Dolan approached from the north, Captain Ben Schwartzwalder led more than 40 men of the 507th to the south side of the Manoir, where he was also stopped by machine-gun fire. They basically tried to take all my self-esteem away. Less than a dozen men rank in this category. 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. Syracuse a Veteran coach Ben Schwartzwalder was musing about his Lack of depth recently. It doesnt break down in gender. Coach Ben Schwartzwalder began routines of coming up to Elmire to visit Davis and his family. I will probably buy this book too. Just watched Seize and Secure a one hour documentary on PBS about the battle to secure the bridge at La Fire on DDay Capt. Coach Ben Schwartzwalder had no interest in acknowledging race and how racism affects the experience of black athletes. Christian Rudolph Kessler was the school's first teacher and administrator. Following his death in 1993, Schwartzwalder was survived by his daughters, Susan Walker and Mary Scofield. Ben Schwartzwalder. 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. 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 led G Company during the D-Day operation and was decorated with the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry in his first combat action. Military Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. The two men shook hands outside the Grand Ballroom at the Waldorf-Astoria. "Sometimes outstanding individuals are never appreciated until they are gone," said Beano Cooke, a former sports information director and now with ABC-TV. kids games foreign dolls asst. The public Ben Schwartzwalder often appeared to be a cross between a wounded bear and a crossed bull. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1982. Biography Lists News Also Viewed. 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 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 see, if Ernie didnt perform, all that nice [stuff] wouldnt have been about nothing. In 1959, he also won the national coach of the year award. 1 after winning their first seven games. Chuck Leavitt did a great page-one rewrite of the script. Coach Ben Schwartzwalder and the SU football team were having a great season. He was bowlegged, sent off to military school and told his IQ was too low to even consider college. And that was the first time I ever felt like an alumni. 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. Schwartzwalder was born in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. By the time the 507th reached the battle for Hill 95, they had suffered more than 65% casualties. But there was to be a delay. He became a company commander and earned the rank of major. 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 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. 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. 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. 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. The greatest part of Ernie Davis was that he could cross over lines. He is part of Syracuse University history, and a veteran of the U.S. military. Soon after being drafted No. 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. 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. Gary Fleder: Did you feel it from the players? 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 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 and Ohio a year at Canton McKinley High School and won two state championships. Despite promising to do so, Schwartzwalder failed to follow through. He was 80 then and hit every drive down the middle. 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. No. 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. Yet forget wins and losses. You had an amazing four years, breaking records and you make it easier for Ernie to come to school. They boycotted knowing that their actions threatened their scholarships as well as potential careers in professional football. Jim Brown: I was going to leave because it was almost unbearable. Enjoyed the story, I am sure Czonka repeated what he heard. 20072023 Blackpast.org. You can't be Black and be a . Sc In 1946 he rotated back to the States and was honorably discharged. "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. December 23, 2014 Floyd Benjamin "Ben" Schwartzwalder was for 25 years a teacher, a mentor, and a coach at 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). After the war, Ben came back to coaching, and eventually found his way to Syracuse University. You should know his story. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. The coaches? During the D-Day invasion in 1944, Schwartzwalder parachuted into Normandy and was wounded. He was a member of the 1964 Sugar Bowl team. 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. The most pivotal character was Company Capt. But it was changing. You should know his story. Several units were simultaneously converging on the same objective in a piecemeal, uncoordinated manner. With the score Reading 13-6, North Carolina state drove All the Way to the Lions goal but Pound it Over. During practices a limit was placed on the number of black players who could be on the field at the same time. Syracuse University did not strip the players of their scholarships, but. You either throw in the towel or you go ahead and try to make your performance speak for you. Fleder admits to being something of a nervous wreck. However, Ed Wagner's group overlooked the main route of advance for the German armored forces racing to reinforce the town of Carentan. Jim Brown: If you deal with the times, you have a pretty gritty story. 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". YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Later that afternoon, a beaming Davis, seeing Syracuse coach Ben Schwartzwalder, went floating toward him through a. 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. Under Bens leadership, SU produced 22 straight years of non-losing football. 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 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. 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. In 1880 there were 6 Schwartzwalder families living in New York. 2023 Syracuse University. By the time the 507th reached the battle for Hill 95, they had suffered more than 65% casualties. 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. In fact, he didnt even look at the original script. He thought the first script was a little thin. Even as a paratrooper, Schwartzwalder remained focused on his football career. It was superficial and cloying and didnt give enough dimension to the story. After talking to him, I knew we had a movie. The Schwartzwalder Trophy was named after former Syracuse coach Ben Schwartzwalder, who led the Orange to the 1959 national title. Davis, 23, died the next month in a Cleveland hospital. 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.