SUNY Cortland Athletics

Clarence Mepham was an All-America and all-state men's soccer defender and record-setting track and field middle distance runner who taught and coached for more than 30 years in the Cortland and Brighton (N.Y.) school districts.
 
* A native of Ontario, N.Y., he earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Cortland in 1955 and a Master of Science in Physical Education from Cortland in 1964.
 
* Competed in soccer for four seasons at Cortland (JV forward in 1951; varsity midfielder-defender from 1952-54). Basketball forward for four seasons (JV in 1951-52, varsity 1952-55). Four-year track and field competitor (1952-55) in the 440-yard, 880-yard and mile runs and the mile relay. School's Senior Male Athlete of the Year in 1955.
 
* All-America soccer defender as a senior in 1954 and two-time all-state selection in 1953 and 1954. Red Letter Award winner and co-captain. Team had combined varsity record of 17-5-1 from 1952-54.
 
* Set Cortland's school track and field records in the 880-yard run, mile run, and mile relay (twice). Won three state titles in the 880 (1953-55), as well as state championships in the mile and the mile relay (1955). Team co-captain and Red Letter Award winner in 1954. Basketball team co-captain in his senior year (1954-55).
 
* High school health teacher and elementary physical education teacher in Cortland from 1955-61, and full-time physical education teacher from 1961-65. Coached outdoor track and field (1959-65), tennis (1956-57), golf (1958), JV football (1956-61) and JV basketball (1955-61). Introduced cross country and indoor track and field to the athletic program in 1961 and coached both sports.
 
* Taught and coached in the Brighton (N.Y.) Central School District from 1965-88. Assistant athletic director from 1985-87 and interim athletic director in 1987-88 school year. He retired in 1988.
 
* Coached varsity soccer at Brighton from 1966-87 (more than 170 wins) and varsity basketball from 1965-85 (more than 200 wins).
 
* Named Rochester Democrat & Chronicle Basketball Coach of the Year twice (1968, 1976) and earned New York State Coaches Association Honor Award for basketball and soccer in 1984.
 
* Section Five Soccer Hall of Fame inductee in 1988. Inducted into Wayne Central (1951 alumnus) Hall of Fame as a coach in 1986 and into its Soccer Hall of Fame as a player in 2014.
 
* Was a member of the Central Western Zone Physical Education and Recreation board and received the Central Western Zone's "Amazing Person Award" in 1989.

UPDATE: Clarence passed away on Oct. 2, 2024, at age 91.