Reggie Schwartzwalder, wife of legendary SU football coach Ben Schwartzwalder, turned 100 years old today.
Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski
Reggie Schwartzwalder Turns 100
1/18/2012 1:25:32 PM | Football, General
Orange All Access
A large photo of a little girl hangs on the wall in her room. The border of the photo, which was given to her on her 80th birthday, is covered from end to end with messages and well wishes from family and friends. The girl in the photo is none other than Reggie Schwartzwalder.
Twenty years later, Reggie, wife of the legendary Syracuse football coach Ben Schwartzwalder, has reached another milestone: her 100th birthday on Wednesday, January 18.
The first lady of Syracuse football has a virtual encyclopedia of memories. Eighteen presidents have occupied the White House since her birth, while the country survived two world wars, Vietnam, the Middle East and 9/11. Her husband served in the military as a paratrooper in WWII.
“It was hard” said Reggie. “I lived with my family. I didn't pine away or anything like that, but I know it was hard for everyone… not knowing if they would be back or not. But we got along all right.”
Ben survived against all odds during the invasion of Normandy. More than sixty-five percent of his company was killed, but many more lives would have been lost had it not been for Schwartzwalder's leadership and courage. He was awarded a Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his heroic efforts.
Reggie and Ben met at West Virginia University as freshmen, began dating and married after graduation.
“We hit it off right from the beginning” according to Reggie. “He was kind of cute. He was a football player and he wasn't very big. We were both in the Physical Education school. They had just started a physical education program for women and I went into it right away. But I never taught school like I was planning to. It was kind of hard to get a job in those days, in the early 30's.”
Ben became the breadwinner, coaching high school football in West Virginia and Ohio. After completing his military service, Ben returned to the football field and became head coach at Muhlenberg College in 1946. Three years later, he was hired as head coach at Syracuse and a legend was born.
“Ben was a good coach” proclaimed his proud wife. “He won a lot of games. I can't say he did it all by himself. He put a good staff together. We had a good time. The wives got along and we really enjoyed it.”
In 1959, Schwartzwalder's team completed an undefeated season, was declared national champions and accepted an invitation to play Texas in the Cotton Bowl.
“It was pretty exciting”, recalled Reggie. “We usually didn't travel with the team when they went on trips, probably because we didn't have the money. But for the Cotton Bowl, we all went… the wives and children. It was fun.”
Ben and Reggie were blessed with two daughters and hundreds of football sons, who had a special place in the hearts of both the coach and his wife. They're still called “Ben's Boys”, a fiercely loyal and passionate group of men who say Schwartzwalder molded them into the people they are today. Many of them still keep in touch with and look after Reggie.
They're her sons too, and they're grateful for her longevity and the gift of her enduring memory.
“The key to having a long life?” Reggie pondered thoughtfully. “I think it's because I'm physically well. I've always been active and I've never been sick really. I've had a good life and a good family. Living with a coach who won most of his games was exciting. He always was a winner… always.”
We've all heard the expression that behind every successful man is a woman. For Ben Schwartzwalder that woman was his wife, Reggie. Happy 100th Birthday, Reggie. We wish you continued good health and happiness. You are, and will always be, the first lady of Syracuse football.
A large photo of a little girl hangs on the wall in her room. The border of the photo, which was given to her on her 80th birthday, is covered from end to end with messages and well wishes from family and friends. The girl in the photo is none other than Reggie Schwartzwalder.
Twenty years later, Reggie, wife of the legendary Syracuse football coach Ben Schwartzwalder, has reached another milestone: her 100th birthday on Wednesday, January 18.
The first lady of Syracuse football has a virtual encyclopedia of memories. Eighteen presidents have occupied the White House since her birth, while the country survived two world wars, Vietnam, the Middle East and 9/11. Her husband served in the military as a paratrooper in WWII.
“It was hard” said Reggie. “I lived with my family. I didn't pine away or anything like that, but I know it was hard for everyone… not knowing if they would be back or not. But we got along all right.”
Ben survived against all odds during the invasion of Normandy. More than sixty-five percent of his company was killed, but many more lives would have been lost had it not been for Schwartzwalder's leadership and courage. He was awarded a Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his heroic efforts.
Reggie and Ben met at West Virginia University as freshmen, began dating and married after graduation.
“We hit it off right from the beginning” according to Reggie. “He was kind of cute. He was a football player and he wasn't very big. We were both in the Physical Education school. They had just started a physical education program for women and I went into it right away. But I never taught school like I was planning to. It was kind of hard to get a job in those days, in the early 30's.”
Ben became the breadwinner, coaching high school football in West Virginia and Ohio. After completing his military service, Ben returned to the football field and became head coach at Muhlenberg College in 1946. Three years later, he was hired as head coach at Syracuse and a legend was born.
“Ben was a good coach” proclaimed his proud wife. “He won a lot of games. I can't say he did it all by himself. He put a good staff together. We had a good time. The wives got along and we really enjoyed it.”
In 1959, Schwartzwalder's team completed an undefeated season, was declared national champions and accepted an invitation to play Texas in the Cotton Bowl.
“It was pretty exciting”, recalled Reggie. “We usually didn't travel with the team when they went on trips, probably because we didn't have the money. But for the Cotton Bowl, we all went… the wives and children. It was fun.”
Ben and Reggie were blessed with two daughters and hundreds of football sons, who had a special place in the hearts of both the coach and his wife. They're still called “Ben's Boys”, a fiercely loyal and passionate group of men who say Schwartzwalder molded them into the people they are today. Many of them still keep in touch with and look after Reggie.
They're her sons too, and they're grateful for her longevity and the gift of her enduring memory.
“The key to having a long life?” Reggie pondered thoughtfully. “I think it's because I'm physically well. I've always been active and I've never been sick really. I've had a good life and a good family. Living with a coach who won most of his games was exciting. He always was a winner… always.”
We've all heard the expression that behind every successful man is a woman. For Ben Schwartzwalder that woman was his wife, Reggie. Happy 100th Birthday, Reggie. We wish you continued good health and happiness. You are, and will always be, the first lady of Syracuse football.
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