SUNY Cortland Athletics

Peter Betrus, a scholar-athlete at Cortland, has devoted a lifetime to advancement of athletics in New York State as a coach, teacher, referee, New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHAA) president and in retirement he was the only instructor in three North Country counties teaching coaching certification courses.

Born and raised in Carthage, N.Y., Betrus entered Cortland in the autumn of 1937. During basketball season that initial year, Coach Francis Moench moved the 6' 0", 157 pound freshman up to the varsity. Betrus soon broke into the starting five and remained a regular for the next three seasons.

Betrus also played football as a freshman, varsity soccer for "Prof" Holloway during his sophomore and junior years, and as a senior was chosen by "Chugger" Davis to coach the Cortland College frosh grid team.

“I don’t think Holloway was too happy with that,” recalled Betrus, whose duties on the football field kept him from soccer. “I was so impressed with that man. Prof. Holloway was the best teacher that I’ve ever had. He could break down a skill and teach that skill better than any man I’ve met.”

The talented Betrus did not restrict his achievements to athletics. He graduated second in the Cortland Class of 1941 and won top honors in teaching.

After graduation, Betrus taught and coached at Westport High on the shores of Lake Champlain for four years. Then, from 1945 to 1950, he was athletic director and physical education instructor at Canajoharie High. His basketball crews won league and sectional championships at both schools. Betrus returned to the Lake Champlain area from 1950 to 1959, when he became superintendent of Mineville High School. Betrus crossed the Adirondacks to Harrisville, where he was chief school administrator from 1959 until his retirement in 1975.

Throughout the years, Betrus remained active in statewide athletic organizations. He officiated high school and college football and basketball contests for more than three decades. Betrus served as president of the New York State Football Officials Association for one year.

In 1976-77, Betrus was president of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA). During his historic term, 11 representatives (one from each section) of girls athletics were included for the first time on the state executive committee. While president, Betrus also oversaw the first high school basketball tournament in New York State in many years.

After retiring in 1975, Betrus offered to teach the three courses necessary for teachers to earn coaching certification in New York State.

Betrus, and his wife, Margaret, have six children.

UPDATE- March, 2015: Betrus retired 20 years ago and was recently acknowledge for his accomplishments. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame by Section 10 and the St. Lawrence Co. Betrus now has 17 grandchildren and 34 great grandchildren.

UPDATE: Betrus passed away in September 2014 at age 99.