Photo by: Stephen Parker
Orange Athletics Loses a Legend
8/21/2019 9:00:00 AM | Football, General
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – A captain of Syracuse University's first bowl team who led the Orange in receiving in each of his three seasons and then went on to coach the sport he loved and serve in the athletics department administration, Joseph Szombathy left his mark on the Orange athletics programs. Szombathy peacefully passed away on Aug. 14 after an extended illness. He was 87.
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"Joe Szombathy is part of the fabric of Syracuse University Athletics," said Syracuse Director of Athletics John Wildhack. "He was an accomplished student-athlete who had a great run as an Orange assistant football coach and athletics administrator during the 50 years he was associated with the University and athletics department. We remain grateful for Joe's immeasurable impact. The Orange athletics family extends its deepest condolences to the Szombathy family."
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In his senior season, Szombathy and the 1952 Orange closed the season ranked 14th nationally and played Alabama in the Orange Bowl, marking the first bowl appearance for Syracuse. Szombathy scored the first touchdown for the Orange in the opening quarter of the game that Alabama went on to win. Szombathy was selected by the Baltimore Colts in the 1953 NFL Draft.
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Szombathy earned his Syracuse University degree in 1953 before jumping into the coaching ranks at Central Bucks High School where he also taught while pursuing his master's degree. In 1957, he returned to Syracuse, to coach under legendary the legendary Ben Schwartzwalder. Szombathy helped lead the Orange to the 1959 national championship and coached in six bowl games. Joe and his wife, Shirley, his high school sweetheart who passed away in 2012, made Syracuse their home where they raised their three children, Suzy, Karen and Joe.
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After 17 years on the gridiron sidelines, Syracuse athletics director Les Dye encouraged Szombathy to move into athletic administration. In 1974, he was named an assistant to Dye. He was also named the executive director of the Varsity Club and the newly formed Orange Pack, Syracuse's first official athletic fundraising organization, which initially focused on raising funds to assist with football recruiting. Under Szombathy's direction, the Orange Pack grew to become a fundraising and support organization for all Orange teams. In 1989, Syracuse honored Szombathy as a Letterwinner of Distinction. In 1996, he was inducted into the Lehigh Valley Football Hall of Fame. Szombathy retired in 1999 after more than 45 years of association with Syracuse University Athletics and 19 football bowl games.
The Szombathy family will host a memorial service on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 11 a.m. at St. Michael Church in Gainesville, Ga.
For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
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"Joe Szombathy is part of the fabric of Syracuse University Athletics," said Syracuse Director of Athletics John Wildhack. "He was an accomplished student-athlete who had a great run as an Orange assistant football coach and athletics administrator during the 50 years he was associated with the University and athletics department. We remain grateful for Joe's immeasurable impact. The Orange athletics family extends its deepest condolences to the Szombathy family."
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In his senior season, Szombathy and the 1952 Orange closed the season ranked 14th nationally and played Alabama in the Orange Bowl, marking the first bowl appearance for Syracuse. Szombathy scored the first touchdown for the Orange in the opening quarter of the game that Alabama went on to win. Szombathy was selected by the Baltimore Colts in the 1953 NFL Draft.
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Szombathy earned his Syracuse University degree in 1953 before jumping into the coaching ranks at Central Bucks High School where he also taught while pursuing his master's degree. In 1957, he returned to Syracuse, to coach under legendary the legendary Ben Schwartzwalder. Szombathy helped lead the Orange to the 1959 national championship and coached in six bowl games. Joe and his wife, Shirley, his high school sweetheart who passed away in 2012, made Syracuse their home where they raised their three children, Suzy, Karen and Joe.
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After 17 years on the gridiron sidelines, Syracuse athletics director Les Dye encouraged Szombathy to move into athletic administration. In 1974, he was named an assistant to Dye. He was also named the executive director of the Varsity Club and the newly formed Orange Pack, Syracuse's first official athletic fundraising organization, which initially focused on raising funds to assist with football recruiting. Under Szombathy's direction, the Orange Pack grew to become a fundraising and support organization for all Orange teams. In 1989, Syracuse honored Szombathy as a Letterwinner of Distinction. In 1996, he was inducted into the Lehigh Valley Football Hall of Fame. Szombathy retired in 1999 after more than 45 years of association with Syracuse University Athletics and 19 football bowl games.
The Szombathy family will host a memorial service on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 11 a.m. at St. Michael Church in Gainesville, Ga.
For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
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