Oliver Cook played his entire four years at Cortland on the football team, which was undefeated from 1932-33, and was named honorary co-captain in 1933. Besides football, Cook also played basketball, soccer, baseball, and additionally competed in lacrosse, tennis and track. His best performance in football was when he "scored two touchdowns, gaining about 100 yards against East Stroudsburg in 1933. The win insured the second consecutive undefeated season for Chugger Davis," Cook stated.
In his professional life, Cook taught physical education and coached at Madrid Central School from 1934-42, was athletic director and coach at Phelps Central School from 1942-69 and was also athletic director and coach at Phelps Clifton Springs Central School (Midlakes) from 1969-71. Cook was on the Central Committee of NYSPHSAA from 1957-70 and on the Executive Committee from 1961-70. He was on the NYSPHSAA Section-Five Athletic Council from 1949-72 and president from 1969-71 as well as president of the Finger Lakes League. Cook was president of the State Coaches Association in 1963 and on the Phelps Youth Commission from 1960-78, where he served as chairman from 1960-72.
When asked how athletics have affected his life, Cook responded, "Being associated with athletics kept me young - associating with the thousands of young men I had the privilege of coaching, seeing them grow through the years to become outstanding members of the community and forming lifetime friendships with opposing coaches and players. The best and nicest people seem to be associated with athletics in some way. Satisfaction was increased having a successful coaching record; football - 24 years, wins 121, losses 43, ties 4 and 11 league championships; basketball - 35 years, wins 402, losses 211 and 17 league championships; and baseball - 16 years, wins 113, losses 57 and 8 league championships."
When asked to single out his biggest athletic thrill, Cook stated, "The biggest thrill was being elected co-captain of the undefeated 1933 football team. The second biggest thrill was just being a member of that fine team."
Cook and his wife, Maxine, have one son.
UPDATE: Cook passed away on Feb. 1, 1983.
