One of the greatest all-around athletes in Cortland's history, Merlin W. Hathaway '40 was a leader on and off the playing fields. A dreamer and a doer who motivated others by his example, Hathaway was the guiding force in the creation of the intercollegiate athletic program at SUNY Albany. He helped establish and served as the first president of the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC), and for decades was a leader in the national and state physical education, health and recreation associations.
Born May 25, 1916 in Howard, N.Y., Hathaway attended school in Greene, N.Y. He excelled as a Greene High School athlete under Coach Gerald Jones, a Class of '28 Cortland graduate. As a Cortland undergraduate, Hathaway set football scoring records that would not be broken for 40 years. Under the guidance of Coach Carl "Chugger" Davis, Hathaway tallied 153 career points, drop kicked a 47 yard field goal - the longest nationally in 1939 - for a 3-2 win over American International, and was voted to the United Press All-Upstate Football Team alongside players from Syracuse, Colgate and Cornell. He earned Little America honors in 1937 and 1938 and was listed in Who's Who in the East.
A four sport letterman at Cortland, Hathaway lettered four years in football and two years each in baseball, basketball and track. He set College track records in the 100 yards, 220 yards, and the 440 yard relay that were unchallenged for years.
After graduation, Hathaway taught and coached at North Brookfield and Whitney Point Central Schools. He earned a master's degree from Albany State Teachers College and completed all his course work requirements for his doctorate at New York University, where he met one of his lifelong mentors, J.B. Nash. In 1944, he joined the faculty at Albany, which four years later became a charter member of the SUNY system.
For the next 24 years, 1944-68, Hathaway served as chairman of the Physical Education Department, director of athletics, teacher and coach. He continued coaching varsity tennis and teaching until his retirement in 1976. In the 1950's, Hathaway was a prime mover in the creation of SUNYAC. The first president of the Conference in 1959-61, he received the SUNYAC Distinguished Service Award in 1985. Hathaway was influential in getting league members to join ECAC, the NAIA and NCAA.
For 32 years, he was a leader with the New York State Association of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. Hathaway also was active with the American Association of Health, Physical Education and Recreation (AAHPER) from 1941 until his death. He received Distinguished Service Awards from both organizations and was an emeritus member of AAHPER. Hathaway also served on the board of trustees and was honored by the New York State Council of Administrators of Health, Physical Education and Recreation.
A former president, legislative chairman and board member of both the New York State Travel and Vacation Association and the Camp Owners of New York, Hathaway was co-founder of the Adirondack Campground Owners Association. He designed, owned and operated the Daggett Lake Campsite in Warrensburg, N.Y., where he served as president of the local Chamber of Commerce.
Hathaway, who died on October 25, 1990, is survived by his wife, Eleanor. Through her generosity, an endowment has been established in her husband's name for a scholar-athlete award to be presented annually to an outstanding senior member of Cortland's football team.
