Thats the reason I recruited Ernie, because he was a great, great player and it was starting to change. 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. 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. He was also a military veteran. 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. The team he was coaching at the time was his favorite simply because of his great love of coaching. He later joined teammate Patrick Whelan, 71, of Safety Harbor, at a Tampa screening. 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. As a paratrooper with the 82nd, he was among the first wave of soldiers that jumped on D-Day in 1944. 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. 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. Neither believes "The Express" captures his personality, or accurately portrays his relationships with head coach Ben Schwartzwalder and teammates. Under Bens leadership, SU produced 22 straight years of non-losing football. 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. Following his completion of ROTC, as a Distinguished. And enthusiasm!! Allen explained his position, but the coach refused to listen. The media focused on only one request, the hiring of a black assistant coach, ignoring their other grievances. He coached at Syracuse from 1949 to 1973, compiling a 178-96-3 record, and winning one national championship in 1959 while going undefeated. He said, You have to realize, in the civil rights movement, there had to be radicals and peacemakers, radicals like Malcolm X and peacemakers like Martin Luther King. 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. 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. Quaid, who plays legendary Syracuse University coach Ben Schwartzwalder, described his character as "a hard-nosed, tough guy who stormed the beaches at Normandy. He served with the 82nd Airborne and was in the first wave of troops that jumped on D-Day in 1944. I am not sure the assistant coach had the facts correct. I didnt know why people loved their university. You know, white folks could like him, black folks could like him, without really selling out. 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. Syracuse University did not strip the players of their scholarships, but. By the end of the war Ben had been promoted to major and during the post-war period of occupation served as the military mayor of Essen, Germany. Following his death in 1993, Schwartzwalder was survived by his daughters, Susan Walker and Mary Scofield. 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. 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. Even if you go to Syracuse now, there is a constant battle that goes on. 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 . 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. In 1967, Schwartzwalder was elected president of the American Football Coaches Association. Jim was skeptical, Fleder recalls. At first, Ben Schwartzwalder was a legend at Syracuse. Davis still had no idea where he was going to attend, but what sealed the deal with Syracuse was when Jim Brown the former Syracuse . 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. In 1967, Schwartzwalder was elected president of the American Football Coaches Association. No portion of this site may be reproduced or duplicated without the express written permission of Syracuse University. BlackPast.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and our EIN is 26-1625373. (2017, November 17). 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. . The Orange had won but nine games in four years and everyone was unhappy. "Unfortunately, little else is known about Coach Schwartzwalder's rather outstanding military service in World War II. Capt. Dec. 15, 1991 12 AM PT. Mary ScofieldMary Scofield (born Mary Schwartzwalder) passed away on December 7, 2017 after battling ovarian cancer for three years. Schwartzwalder's teams went to seven bowl games and won four Lambert Trophies. 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. Here's more about their relationship (all from the unknown emailer): Gary Fleders The Express, which hits theaters next month, is really two compelling movies in one. During practices a limit was placed on the number of black players who could be on the field at the same time. He is part of Syracuse University history, and a veteran of the U.S. military. "By doing the best we can do with the job we have, wherever it is, we can serve our nation in its greatest task.". Gary Fleder: Did you feel it from the players? 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). 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. In 1959, he also won the national coach of the year award. During the West Virginia fracas, Davis snaps at his coach: "Maybe, just maybe, the rules down here are your rules too. Soon after being drafted No. Search and browse yearbooks online! Casualties caused the 507th to regroup and reorganize. During his 25 years as head coach Syracuse teams outrushed their opponents by more than 22,000 yards. The Black student-athletes first sent their grievances to Coach Schwartzwalder, though that document does not exist in the University Archives. 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. It doesnt break down in gender. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Soon thereafter, a force of 80 507th paratroopers led by G Company commander, Captain Ben Schwartzwalder, joined the developing battle. You see, if Ernie didnt perform, all that nice [stuff] wouldnt have been about nothing. 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 a Veteran coach Ben Schwartzwalder was musing about his Lack of depth recently. However, Ed Wagner's group overlooked the main route of advance for the German armored forces racing to reinforce the town of Carentan. Almost immediately, Coach Ben Schwartzwalder enlisted in the United States Army, earning his paratrooper wings as part of the famous 82nd Airborne Division. He also was a hero of World War II. The 1987 Orangemen electrified a crowd of more than 50,000 up there on their campus while routing these Nittany Lions' ancestors behind Don McPherson & Co. Find high-quality images, photos, and animated GIFS with Bing Images. 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 had a knack for developing excellent running backs. New York had the highest population of Schwartzwalder families in 1880. I just want to know -- what did you feel on a day-to-day, week-to-week basis? Syracuse head football coach Ben Schwartzwalder. As a member of the famed 82nd Airborne, he parachuted onto Normandy Beach on D-Day in 1944. In fact, I never knew what being an alumnus was. In 1941, he was coach of Canton McKinley High School in Ohio when, even though he was in his 30s, he commissioned in the US Army and fought in World War II. "Ernie knew everybody's name and went out of his way to say hello. Syracuse passing More than Ever in Ben Schwartzwalder s 19 year career took holy Cross apart 41-7. Richard Winters (played by Damian Lewis), who also received a battlefield promotion to major and was also from West Virginia, like Ol' Ben. A nice memory. He was awarded a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart . Several units were simultaneously converging on the same objective in a piecemeal, uncoordinated manner. Allen explained his position, but the coach refused to listen. Years after Davis' death, Syracuse coach Ben Schwartzwalder called him "the best kid I ever had anything to do with." "Ernie was just like a puppy dog, friendly and warm and kind," he told. Orange teams outrushed opponents by more than 22,000 yards under Ben. On the right side of the photograph are several Black team members who boycotted the football program the following spring. Truth is sometimes rearranged in screen biographies, when facts aren't dramatic enough for the filmmaker's vision. 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. 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. Hell, the movie's more about him than Ernie. What did Disney actually lose from its Florida battle with DeSantis? 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 Between 1848 and 1867, the college operated as the Allentown Seminary, the Allentown Collegiate and Military Institute, and the Allentown Collegiate Institute. 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. Sc He graduated from Syracuse University in January 1966 with a bachelor's degree in Economics. You can't be Black and be a . Mostly, we remember Floyd "Ben" Schwartzwalder as Syracuse University's successful head football coach, 1949 to 1973. By the time the 507th reached the battle for Hill 95, they had suffered more than 65% casualties. 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. An ad blocker has likely prevented this video content from loading. Schwartzwalder was a West Virginia graduate. 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. One other thought on that. 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. Syracuse University Football Recruiting Database, Syracuse Men's Basketball Recruiting Database, La Fire Bridge: The D-Day Battle You Should Have Heard Of. By Frank Giardina For the Gazette-Mail; Jun 10, 2017 Jun 10, 2017 Updated Nov 21, 2017; Comments; Yet forget wins and losses. 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 military also named Schwartzwalder governor of Essen, Germany, for about six months following the fall of Nazi Germany. SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) The year was 1959. About Ben Schwartzwalder is a member of the following lists: 1993 deaths , American military personnel of World War II and United States Army officers . The demand for a black coach was prompted by the black players accusations of discriminatory practices by their coach, Floyd Ben Schwartzwalder, and his assistant coaches. 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 show Ben in his Service today for Ben A Memorial Day service will be held at 10:30 a.m. today at Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 4069 Howlett Hill Rd. And that was the first time I ever felt like an alumni. Ben Schwartzwalder, Head Coach 1949-73. Despite promising to do so, Schwartzwalder failed to follow through. Floyd Benjamin "Ben" Schwartzwalder (June 2, 1909 April 28, 1993) was a Hall of Fame football coach at Syracuse University, where he trained such future National Football League stars as Jim Brown, as well as the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy, Ernie Davis. 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. 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. "I never expected to see you here to receive this award," said the commander of the 82nd. I have to give Jim Brown a ton of credit. The story of Jackie Robinson is also the story of Branch Rickey. He produced 22 straight years of non-losing football, took the Orange to seven bowls, and won the national championship in 1959. It is where the seeds of the fierce competitor were nurtured and matured. He thought there was only one way to play football and that was the rough way. He wore street clothes at the alumni game, serving as an honorary coach. Biography Edit Early life and career Edit. 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 He gave me a way in to tell this story. I don't know what the ratio of prisoners to guards would have been. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. He earned a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Silver Star, and Presidential Unit Citation. Cutting black players from the list of team members mak ing trips. A small donation would help us keep this available to all. 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. In fact, he didnt even look at the original script. This was about 67% of all the recorded Schwartzwalder's in USA. His primary recommendation for every injury was ice and rest. Mere Eglise. 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. Gary Fleder: I just want to make a film that has the essence of Ernie Davis. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Jim was very quiet in the early part of the film, Fleder recalls. He was a member of the 1964 Sugar Bowl team. According to an email sent to SU's office of athletics communication and passed along to me, Schwartzwalder served in the same World War II unit and fought together during the D-Day invasion of Normandy with Penn State's Harry Edward Wagner, a Phi Betta Kappa graduate. But its also a great drama about how both the athletes and coaches of that era were profoundly transformed by the civil rights movement, which initially had a far greater impact on society than on the football field. whether earlier a member of employees' pension scheme, 1995,