SUNY Cortland Athletics

Leo Meldrim, a 1930 graduate of Cortland, has spent the last 23 years as chairman of the city Youth and Recreation Commission for the city of Cortland. He has been instrumental in the establishment and development of four city parks and two swimming pools along with approximately 80 other programs for young people.

Meldrim was an outstanding athlete at Cortland High School and was a member of the school’s first undefeated football squad before his graduation in 1926. From there he went on to the College where he won nine letters in three years as quarterback of the football team, forward on the basketball team and catcher on the baseball team.

After graduation, he joined the faculty at Rome Free Academy as a physical education instructor and assistant coach. He took over as head coach in 1933 and directed his teams to an overall record of 40-10-4 in a seven year period. For three straight years his Rome Free Academy teams were the undefeated State football champions with a three year record of 20-0-2.

Meldrim resigned from his coaching position in 1940 to return to Cortland and enter business with his father in the A.J. Meldrim paint and wallpaper business. Four years later he was appointed to the original Cortland Youth Commission and became its chairman in 1946.

He has received several awards for his service to young people including the Pop Warner Conference Distinguished Achievement Award in 1959 and the annual VFW Citizenship Award.

UPDATE: Meldrim passed away on March 22, 1996 at age 89.