Milton D. Latimer competed on Cortland’s legendary undefeated football teams in the mid-1930's before earning national fame for coaching the Bolivar (N.Y.) Central football squads to five consecutive unbeaten seasons in the 1940's and 1950's. A native of Cortland, N.Y., and a Cortland High School graduate, Latimer arrived on the Cortland Normal campus a year after its new football coach, Carl “Chugger” Davis. During his four years, Latimer helped his Cortland squads win 91 percent of their games and post a combined 22-2-4 record.
The team adopted its nickname “Red Dragons” during Latimer’s freshman season and, by his senior year, Cortland drew an unprecedented 5,000 fans to its game in Buffalo against then-powerhouse Canisius College.
Latimer was an important cog on those units. He played halfback and end in his first two years before Davis moved him to quarterback because of his exceptional blocking ability. The 1937 Didascaleion wrote of Latimer that he was “a combination of brains, physical ability and experience. A deadly tackler and smart signal caller.”
While at Cortland, Latimer also played three seasons of baseball under Davis and was the president of the American Physical Education Association. He was one of the select seniors chosen to participate in Senior Luminaries. He earned his degree in physical education in 1937.
Success followed Latimer to his first teaching and coaching job at Portville (N.Y.) Central, where his football teams went 43-6-2 with three undefeated seasons between 1937-43. He served in the U.S. Army from 1944-46 and was awarded the Purple Heart.
Latimer took the football coach job at Bolivar Central in 1946. During the next eight years, his squads were 49-15-4 and won seven straight Alle-Cat Championships. The team did not lose for five seasons. Its 33-0-4 mark was the second longest win streak in Section Five history. The Bolivar Class of 1951 dedicated its senior yearbook to Latimer “whose superior leadership has built character as well as champions.” The class members added that Latimer’s “name will always be associated with the highest tradition of outstanding sportsmanship.”
A new school, Iroquois Central, opened its doors in Elma, N.Y., in 1955. Latimer was hired as its first athletic director and football coach. His teams immediately became competitive in the Erie County Interscholastic Conference. Latimer’s total commitment to the school and community, demonstrated throughout his career, made him a legend at Iroquois Central. He opened the facilities to the community on weekends, directed community recreation programs, fostered physical education and athletics by holding Saturday morning basketball games for first through sixth graders, and instantly instilled a school spirit.
Iroquois Central honored its trailblazer by naming its football field in his honor. Latimer, who died in 1966, was the first inductee into the Iroquois Central Hall of Fame.
Latimer is survived by his wife, Helen, and daughters Karen and Patricia.
