For more than 30 years, Gordon "Tiger" Found had been a driving force for high school athletics in Section Six and throughout New York State. Found was particularly instrumental in pioneering the junior high program of athletics, known as the "modified program," in New York.
The influence of Cortland on Found's career stems back to his days at LeRoy High School. A three-sport participant there, Found was admittedly affected by the training he received from his high school mentor, Eddie Reifsteck, who was a Cortland alumnus. "He was like a father to me," said Found, who earned his nickname "Tiger" from a teammate at LeRoy High. "Coach Reifsteck was a credit to Cortland. He was way ahead of his time in what he was teaching us on the football field."
Following Riefsteck's example, Found entered Cortland in 1938. "Tiger" immediately began to make his presence known on the College's athletic fields. Found earned 10 letters by the time of his graduation - three each in football and basketball, and two each in baseball and track. Though baseball and football were his favorite sports, "Tiger" made his greatest mark as a Red Dragon thinclad. He set school records in the 880, the mile, the two-mile and the javelin. Found's 880 record remained unscathed until 1956 - 15 years after he established the mark.
"In my days at Cortland, everyone in physical education was expected to be versatile and able to develop skills in each sport in order to teach it," Found recalled. "No one was a specialist, but a generalist good in everything. I loved it all. Participation in Cortland athletics helped me develop a competitive spirit and confidence in myself."
"Tiger" graduated from Cortland in 1942 and entered the U.S. Coast Guard under the Jack Dempsey program for physical education majors. Receiving specialized combat training, Found served 39 months in Hawaii on-board ship. After the war, Found attended Columbia University where he earned his master's degree.
In 1946, Found started his teaching career at Angola High School, which later became Lake Shore Central School. "Tiger" coached football, basketball, baseball and volleyball, while initiating both the soccer and wrestling programs at the school. Found served as Evans Junior High principal from 1959 to 1979. Before retiring from public school service in January, 1980, "Tiger" was active with Section Six committees for 30 years. "Tiger" founded the Town of Evans recreation program in 1951 and became a member of the Recreation Advisory Board.
Found and his wife, Mary, had seven children. "Tiger" passed away in 2004.
