As a high school student in Southold, L.I., during the early 1940's, Robert Young "maintained a burning desire to enter an athletic-related vocation." He clung to that dream while serving as a radio gunner in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and finally began pursuing the goal after his military discharge. "This led me to Cortland," recalled Young, "where I learned that the greatest wealth on earth is its human resources - our youth. Cortland was a way of life in itself - a respected college, a caring faculty, and an unequaled camaraderie between students."
Young became active in Delta Kappa fraternity, earning its Alumni Achievement Award as well as the Great Greek on Campus Award as a senior. An outstanding sprinter in track, Young was among his team's top point scorers. His brilliant photo finish victory in the 220-yard dash gave the Red Dragons a thrilling 68-62 win over Sampson in 1948 and provided Young with one of his most cherised Cortland memories.
"My participation on the gymnastics exhibition team, first coached by Dr. Raymond Weiss, taught me things about myself and others that were to last a lifetime," said Young. "I learned firsthand that a person's potential is seemingly unlimited if one is willing to invest dedication and toil. It was a lesson well learned and I can attest to the fact that this philosophy had a direct effect, not only on me, but on the many students and adults with whom I've worked over the past 30 years."
Young earned a B.S. in education from Cortland in 1949, an M.S. in education from Hofstra University in 1953, and a Director's Certificate from New York University in 1960. After graduation from Cortland, Young began devoting a lifetime toward tapping resources of the youth as a recreation director for the Suffolk County Second Supervisory District B.O.C.E.S. in 1949-50. Young then became the director of health, physical education, athletics and recreation for the Island Trees Public Schools in Levittown from 1950 until 1965. For the next 16 years until his retirement in 1981, Young served as the district supervisor of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Athletics and Health Services for the South Huntington Union Free School District. Over the years, Young has been an active participant in NYSAHPER and with Section II. Young has worked with youth councils, teen centers and the Little League in his community.
Young and his wife, Audrie, have two children: Robin Sears Young and Cynthia Young, both SUNY Cortland graduates.
UPDATE: Robert passed away on Nov. 30, 2018 at age 92.
