(Photo by Marc Squire/Getty Images)
“Eddie is a stickler for teamwork. His men understand it, and if a player attempts to star at the expense of the rest of the team, he is assailed immediately by the other members of the team as well as the coach. Syracuse teams play for points, not for press notices.” -Excerpt from Syracuse Basketball by Rod Macdonald
The legendary former Syracuse University basketball player and coach will finally get his due.
It has been announced today that Edmund Dollard, also known as “Eddie” to family, will be inducted in to the 2009 class of the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame.
It has been a long time coming for the Syracuse native, who had a tremendous career as a player for the Orange from 1904-1908 as well as an even greater career as a coach from 1911 until 1924. His thirteen-year tenure as head basketball coach saw the second-highest winning percentage in school history, an undefeated season, and Syracuse University’s first ever National Championship.
In Dollard’s 17 years of association with the program, Syracuse compiled a staggering 188-75 record. Also a catcher for the University’s baseball team, Dollard was a proven winner wherever he went, lettering for four years behind the plate for the Orange.
As a player, Dollard was known for his defensive game as a lock-down defender. As a coach, his unselfish demeanor transitioned beautifully.
Dollard’s philosophy was geared very heavily towards team basketball as well as having a great eye for the strengths and weaknesses of his opponents. His .724 winning percentage as a coach was the best in Syracuse University history until current head coach Jim Boeheim topped it following the 2008-2009 season.
As it stands, Dollard has been a tremendous part of a storied program that is one of the top-five winningest college basketball programs in history.
To see such a prominent figure in Syracuse Athletics history receive such an honor is truly gratifying.
A graduate from Christian Brothers Academy, Dollard loved the city of Syracuse, all the way until his death in 1964. He was a caring and compassionate man with a love for the game and a love for both his direct family as well as his extended family on the court.
Dollard can currently be seen on a picture at the Carrier Dome next to a video screen, where his 1918 National Championship team photo hangs.
The Hall of Fame Induction dinner will take place in October.
-KShaw
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