Former Syracuse AD Crouthamel Passes Away

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Former Syracuse University Athletics Director Jake Crouthamel passed away this morning at the age of 84. His influence was felt in all aspects of athletics. He facilitatied conference play in the BIG EAST for all sports, opened the famously-known Carrier Dome in 1980, upgraded facilities for student-athletes and department staff, and hired and retained national championship coaches in John Desko, Dick MacPherson, Roy Simmons Jr. and Jim Boeheim. Crouthamel embodied great success for Syracuse Athletics. The legacy he leaves behind is expansive. He will forever be Orange.

"Jake dedicated his life to intercollegiate athletics and was one of the best and most successful athletics directors of his era," said Syracuse Director of Athletics John Wildhack. "The success of the Orange programs during his tenure speaks to his behind-the-scenes leadership, guidance and expertise. Jake was a driving force in the creation and success of The BIG EAST Conference, which was among the preeminent basketball conferences for decades. The Syracuse Athletics family extends its deepest condolences to Jake's wife, Carol, their daughters and their entire family."

During his tenure as Syracuse University's longest-serving athletics director from 1978 through 2005, men's lacrosse won eight NCAA titles, men's basketball earned 20 NCAA Tournament bids and captured the 2003 National Championship, football teams played in 12 bowl games, and women's athletics were expanded. Improvements in women's athletics led to post-season trips in women's basketball, field hockey, women's lacrosse, women's and men's soccer, swimming, track and field and women's rowing.

He oversaw visible changes in grounds and facilities with the opening of the Carrier Dome in 1980, major renovations at Manley Field House and the Lampe Athletics Complex, including the addition of the Roy Simmons Sr. Coaches Center, the Stevenson Educational Center, the Iocolano/Petty Football Wing, a 1,500-seat Soccer Stadium, grass football/lacrosse/soccer practice fields, and the Joe Vielbig Outdoor Track. In 2022, the complex was renamed the John A. Lally Athletics Complex and is undergoing a multi-million, multi-year transformation to elevate the student-athlete experience.

Among the Founding Fathers of The BIG EAST Conference, Crouthamel keyed its formation in 1979, a move that gathered many of the basketball powers in the East into a configuration that immediately became a power player in college basketball with network television. When it came to televised college athletic contracts, Crouthamel's expertise in negotiations was invaluable.

The BIG EAST evolved as an all-sports league and soon became a prominent football participant. He encouraged the addition of Rutgers, Virginia Tech and West Virginia to the conference. Nationally-known Notre Dame joined the association in all sports except football. Crouthamel also served on the highly influential NCAA Men's Basketball Committee, was a member of the College Football Hall of Fame's Honors Court and chaired the NCAA Football Issues Committee. In August, 2001, Crouthamel was appointed to a four-year term on the NCAA Division I Management Council. When the shifting waters of the intercollegiate athletic scene were prevalent in the spring of 2003, he again became a key figure in responding to the challenges faced by the BIG EAST.

During his 27-year tenure at Syracuse, Crouthamel was frequently recognized nationally and locally. He received the National Football Foundation John L. Toner Award in 1999, was named National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Division I-A Northeast Region Athletics Director of the Year in 2000 and was inducted into the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame for his outstanding achievements as an athlete, coach, and athletic administrator in 2018. He was awarded an SU Chancellor's Citation for Excellence in 2002; with his wife, Carol, was named a recipient of the Salvation Army Community Team Spirit Award in 2002; and was named an SU Honorary Letterwinner of Distinction in 1995.

Crouthamel had "old school" written all over him but don't be mistaken –– "old school" didn't mean a lack of vision or a lack of progressive thinking. His work ethic at Syracuse was the roll-up-your-sleeves kind. His drive, fostered as a student-athlete and coach, still ran full bore in an administrator's hat. He was a straight shooter, a look-in-your-eye conversationalist, a man of perhaps few words, but a man of words that count. He was a natural leader, a visionary in intercollegiate athletics, and a role model for anyone working in athletics after him.

Born in June 27, 1938, in Perkasie, Pa., he was an outstanding football player at Pennridge High School, starring on teams that won 26-of-27 games in three years. He picked up three more letters in track and two in basketball, earning All-League honors in all three sports and the school's top athlete award.

Crouthamel attended Dartmouth College, where he won three letters in football and one in track. He led Dartmouth to a record of 19-6-2 from 1957-59, twice earning All-Ivy honors and making second team All-America. He was a two-way halfback and set the Big Green career rushing record that stood until 1973. He was named to the Ivy League Silver Anniversary second team. Crouthamel received his B.A. in history from Dartmouth in 1960.

He was the first player to sign with the NFL's expansion Dallas Cowboys and was the last player released from training camp. He then joined the fledgling AFL's Boston Patriots in their inaugural season, before leaving pro football to enter the Navy in 1961. There that he became involved with coaching, leading the Pearl Harbor Naval team to the 1962 Armed Forces League Championship.

Following his tour of duty, Crouthamel coached at Mercersburg (Pa.) Academy in 1964 and then returned to Dartmouth in 1965 as assistant coach. He became head coach, replacing Bob Blackman, in 1971. During his seven-year stint as head coach of the Big Green, Crouthamel's teams compiled a 41-20-2 record, winning two league titles and sharing another. He resigned after the 1977 campaign to take the Syracuse AD post.

Crouthamel and his wife, Carol, have two daughters, Lisa (Jim) Evans and Christie Falkenburg, and four grandsons, John and Owen Evans and Ted and Jake Falkenburg.

A gathering to remember Jake Crouthamel '60 will be held at the Top of the Hop at The Hopkins Center at Dartmouth College on Friday, November 18, 2-4 p.m. Donations in Jake's memory can be made to the Maurice Neinken Scholarship Fund, in care of the Bucks County Foundation, PO Box 2073, Doylestown, PA 18901. This fund benefits students from Pennridge High School where Jake was a student prior to attending Dartmouth.

Syracuse University Athletics

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