SUNY Cortland Athletics

Long before becoming one of the state's most influential figures in drug education during the 1970's and 1980's, Anthony DiBenedetto swayed opposing coaches and players as an honorable mention All-America soccer standout for Cortland in the post WWII years. In perhaps the greatest tribute ever paid to DiBenedetto's athletic talents, Cortland's legendary soccer coach T. Fred "Prof" Holloway called DiBenedetto "one of the best center halfbacks I have ever seen play the game of college soccer."

A native of Washingtonville, N.Y., DiBenedetto earned a trio of letters in both soccer and track at Cortland. He majored in physical education hygiene and earned his bachelor's degree in 1949. DiBenedetto later earned two master's degrees from New York University. Following his Cortland graduation, DiBenedetto taught physical education and health at Pine Island (N.Y.) Central School, spent two years with the U.S. Army Special Services, then five years teaching physical education in Levittown, N.Y. From 1950 to 1970, DiBenedetto was supervisor of health education and recreation at USFD #5 in Levittown.

In 1970, DiBenedetto began a 15-year involvement with the New York State Education Department. For three years, he was a consultant in health and drug education for the State Education Department in Albany. Then, from 1973 to 1982, he became chief of the Bureau of Drug Education for the Department. Between 1982 and 1985, DiBenedetto was the Department's Supervisor of Health and Drug Education. DiBenedetto supervised and participated in the development of the State's alcohol, tobacco and drug education curricula for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. He also worked toward making health education a continuing program.

Through the years, DiBenedetto has received many awards for his outstanding service in drug education, for his contributions to high school athletes, for his volunteer work providing resettlement assistance to refugees, for his work within his parish, and for his character as an outstanding citizen. Since 1985, DiBenedetto has served as the volunteer associate exeuctive director of the New York State Federation of Professional Health Educators.

UPDATE: DiBenedetto passed away on July 26, 2014, at the age of 87.