SUNY Cortland Athletics

Having guided Baldwinsville High athletics from 1954 to 1983, Otis Sennett holds the rare distinction of being the only New York State high school athletic director to be honored nationally by both the interscholastic coaches and athletic administrators organizations. Sennett, even in retirement remained active with Central New York athletics by becoming executive director of Section III athletics which encompasses 106 high schools.

A native of Hannibal, N.Y., Sennett arrived at Cortland with a wave of older, post-World War II veterans on the GI Bill. "That was the best college education a guy could get," recalled Sennett, a member of Beta Phi Epsilon fraternity. "There was little immaturity. Those older guys were there to get an education and get a job. They sort of took us younger ones under their wings." As right fullback, Sennett played on Coach "Prof" Holloway's All-American laden Red Mule soccer squads in the late 1940's. Sennett earned a bachelor's degree in 1949 and a master's degree in 1959 from Cortland.

Immediately after graduation in 1949, Sennett began his long-standing relationship with the Baldwinsville Central School system and 30-plus year involvement with the Onondaga High School League. He taught elementary physical education and helped coach four sports. The cross country coach for 14 years, Sennett's Baldwinsville squads won back-to-back state titles in 1955 and 1956. His track teams went 40-9 in seven seasons. Sennett also directed baseball for 15 years.

In 1954, Sennett became athletic director. During his 29-year tenure, he helped to organize the first lacrosse and indoor track events in the area. Sennett organized and coached the first cross country, soccer and wresting teams in the Onondaga High School League. He was instrumental in ushering in girls sports in the conference during the 1960's. Sennett chaired both league and sectional cross country, track, baseball and basketball committees. Through Sennett's efforts, the first conference among members of the New York State Athletic Administrators Association, an organization tailored specifically to the concerns of the high school athletic directors, was held in 1983. That national organization honored Sennett with its Distinguished Service Award. A two-time recipient (1969 and 1982) of the New York State Coaches Special Honor Award, Sennett has been involved with Section III administration for 17 years.

In his community, Sennett has been an adult education swim instructor, a coach for both Connie Mack and Mickey Mantle baseball teams, and a Catholic Youth Organization advisor.

UPDATE: Sennett passed away on May 23, 2015.