The Cortland intercollegiate golf team medalist who helped to establish the sport at the College after World War II, Clyde O. Eidens '49 enjoyed a long educational career as a teacher, coach and administrator. In 1982, Educative Educator magazine named him as "one of the top 100 school administrators in North America."
A native of Chautauqua, N.Y., Eidens had his Cortland education interrupted by World War II. Serving with the Armed Forces in Europe, he received a Bronze Star for bravery as well as the Purple Heart with two oak leaf clusters. Back at Cortland in 1946, he led the newly created golf team and was a standout floor tumbler on the Cortland gymnastics squad. Before the War, he had played basketball and soccer. Eidens, a Delta Kappa fraternity officer, was the Hilltop Press sports editor. He graduated cum laude with a physical education degree. He earned a master's degree from St. Lawrence University, where he coached the basketball and golf teams during the 1955-56 season, and a doctorate from Columbia University Teachers College.
Between 1949-55, Eidens taught and coached throughout New York State at Pine Valley, Clymer and Saratoga Springs Central Schools. He was a teacher and Administrative Council member in the Bedford Central Schools before becoming principal at Grand Island Junior and Senior High in 1963. Within the Scotia-Glenville School District, Eidens was assistant superintendent for three years and superintendent from 1970 until his retirement in 1983. In the mid-1980's, he was acting superintendent in the Shenendehowa and Niskayuna School Districts.
A former president of the New York State Council of School Superintendents, Eidens received the organization's Distinguished Service Award. He also received the Frank C. Moore Award from the Capital District Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration. Over the years, he has been active with the United Way Committee for Schenectady County, Schenectady Community College, the Schenectady County Boy Scouts, the Scotia Rotary Club and the Ronald McDonald House in Albany. His local impact was recognized when Schenectady County proclaimed September 29, 1995 as "Clyde O. Eidens Day." An excellent golfer, he was inducted into the Edison Golf Club Hall of Fame in 1995.
Eidens and his wife, Helen, reside in Scotia, N.Y., and are the parents of four children: Michael, Richard, Susan (deceased) and Jerry.
UPDATE: Eidens passed away on May 24, 2011.
