Anselmo Headed to Cortland Hall of Fame
10/12/2010 11:57:51 AM | Football
Syracuse football secondary coach John Anselmo is slated to be inducted into the SUNY Cortland C-Club Hall of Fame. Anselmo is one of six inductees who will be honored at the 42nd annual C-Club Hall of Fame banquet and ceremonies on Saturday, October 30.
A 1971 SUNY Cortland graduate, Anselmo excelled in athletics at Cortland. He won the Red Letter and captained the football team as a record-setting and All-ECAC quarterback. He lost just once in two years as a wrestler before an injury sidelined his career in that sport. He became only the second Red Dragon to bat over .300 for three consecutive years. He was an All-State University of New York Athletic Conference outfielder and the league's leading hitter. He was the baseball Red Letter Award winner and team captain as a senior.
A member of Beta Phi Epsilon fraternity, Anselmo served as vice president of the Interfraternity Council on campus. Active with the Men's Athletic Association, he was listed in the 1971 edition of Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities. He earned a bachelor's degree in physical education from in 1971, a master's degree from Syracuse University in 1972 and an School District Administrator certificate from C. W. Post in 1981. He began his professional career teaching physical education and coaching football, wrestling and baseball at Tappan Zee (N.Y.) High School from 1972-77 and at Freeport High School from 1977-86.
Under Anselmo's direction, the Orange secondary has shown improvements each season, currently ranking 23rd nationally in pass defense with 169.5 yards allowed per game, the best since 1999. SU also currently ranks 33rd nationally in pass efficiency defense compared to 101st in 2008.
Anselmo joined the Orange in 2009 after an impressive head coaching career at Nassau Community College. During his time at Nassau, Anselmo set the highest standard of excellence as his football teams won a staggering 80 percent of their games during his 18 seasons as head coach.
From 1987-94 and 1999-2008, Anselmo guided Nassau to an impressive 152-37 record and 12 Junior College Bowl games. His squads finished undefeated in 1989, 1991 and 1993, capturing the national title in the latter year. Between 1989-94, Nassau won 55 of 58 contests. His teams finished ranked in the nation's top three on five occasions and the top 20 in 15 different seasons.
A five-time Coastal Conference Coach of the Year, Anselmo mentored more than 150 student-athletes who went on to Division I schools and more than 600 student-athletes who advanced to compete at four-year colleges. Of those, more than 300 received scholarships to compete and earn educations at NCAA Div I or Div I-AA institutions. More than 50 of his charges played in the NFL. Overall, 85 percent of all his Nassau football players advanced to four-year institutions.
Established in 1969, the C-Club Hall of Fame recognizes Cortland alumni who competed as athletes at the College and who have since distinguished themselves in their professions and within their communities. Honorary members are recognized for their long and significant contributions to SUNY Cortland athletics.
This weekend Syracuse hosts Pittsburgh in the Carrier Dome (12:00 p.m., BIG EAST Network for the University's homecoming/reunion weekend known as Orange Central. Tickets are available online, at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B) and by phone (888-DOMETIX). The 12th Man Ticket Package features 12 tickets, four Skytop parking passes, Block 'S' stickers for business locations and a football autographed by head coach Doug Marrone. The Tops $44 Family Package includes two adult and two youth tickets, two 'Cuse Kids Club memberships, a seat cushion, a coupon for a Pepsi 12-pack and a Tops Friendly Market sub coupon.
