SUNY Cortland Athletics

During a 37-year teaching career, Richard Ross coached for 17 years and led his teams to an overall record of 544 wins, 169 losses, and 9 ties - a 76 percent winning record. The sports he coached included football, soccer, baseball, volleyball and track. He has had 12 undefeated seasons, including four in football and three in soccer.

A coaching highlight for Ross was at Groton High School where his varsity basketball team won 37 consecutive games and the junior varsity team won 55 straight.

A native of Cortland, Ross was a member of the Red Dragon football team during "Chugger" Davis’ first three years of coaching and was co-captain as a senior. During these campaigns, Cortland suffered only one loss. Included among the victories was a game against the Cornell freshman in which Ross scored three touchdowns. Ross also co-captained the track team, played basketball, participated in dramatics, and served as freshman class president. He did graduate work at Columbia Teachers’ College.

Ross’ teaching and coaching positions were with Shrub Oak Central, Haldane Central School in Cold Spring, N.Y., Cortland City Schools, and Groton. He was at Groton from 1948 to 1972 when he retired, and his name has been given to the Groton football field. He has been active in civic affairs as well as professionally.

UPDATE: Ross passed away on Oct. 10, 2001.