Emanuel "Manny" Breland
Basketball, 1957
1994 Letterwinner of Distinction
The first Syracuse area African-American to receive and athletic scholarship, Manny Breland became a staring guard and helped lead the SU basketball team to its first NCAA berth and the NCAA Eastern Finals in 1957.
Manny’s service in public education began as a science teacher in the Syracuse public schools. In 1968 he was appointed varsity basketball coach as Syracuse Central High School, the first African-American varsity coach in the Central New York area. His first-yea team won both the Central New York Cities Championship and the New York State Section III title, and Manny was voted Coach of the Year by the Coaches Association. His 1971 team repeated both championships. Also that year, Manny started his career in public education administration. Beginning as an administrative assistant, he went on to become a high school vice principal, principal and central office administrator in the Syracuse City school system. After 34 years in public education, Manny retired in 1991.
Manny has served on many civic boards, including the Bishop Forey Foundation, Dunbar Center and the Onondaga County Services Education Board. He was a civilian appointed lieutenant in the Community Relations Department for the Syracuse City Police. Long active in his church, he has served on its board of trustees, been involved on numerous committees, and is president of the men’s chorus in which he sings. He is also currently president of the church’s men’s fellowship.
Manny has given back to the community where he was born and raised in many ways: as a teacher and assistant director of the Head Start program; a counselor in the Youth Employment Service program and the CFO poverty organization; as an administrator of the School Volunteer program, the Adult Refugee program, the English as a Second Language program and the Americanization advisor to the CBT-SU Minority Alumni Reunion program.
He has been honored by many organizations and was the recipient of the American Legion Post in 1642 Community Service award. In 1992, he was inducted into the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame.
A member of the Varsity Club of SU, Manny currently serves on its Board of Directors.
