SUNY Cortland Athletics

William Class was director of physical education and athletic director for Huntington High School. He was also director of special services. At Huntington he coached football for 20 years and had a 73-35-17 record including three county championships. He coached baseball for 23 years and his teams won several titles.

At Cortland he played football and baseball and competed with the gymnastics team. William was football team captain and most valuable player in 1926. He was also accorded the MVP award for baseball in 1925 and was president of the senior class.

After graduation he continued at N.Y.U., earning both bachelor's and master's degrees. William was active in community affairs in Huntington serving with the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and the YMCA. He was president of the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and the YMCA as well as the Suffolk County High School Athletic Association.

William was married to Velma Horton Class and they have two children: William Horton Class and Betty Ann Connell, who is a 1960 Cortland graduate.

When William was asked how athletics affected his life, he responded, “The opportunity to work with young men to improve their ability and knowledge of the game and to instill the desire and drive to be good in their chosen field has been both challenging and rewarding as a life’s work.”

UPDATE: Class passed away on August 2, 1984, at age 79.