CLARKSON
ATHLETICS HALL of FAME

CLARENCE "Boots" GAFFNEY '36
Inaugural Class of 1992 Inductee

Clarence "Boots" Gaffney was a multi-talented athlete who was a three-sport star for Clarkson during the early thirties. As Clarkson's quarterback on the football team, when head coach Pete Dwyer's squads routinely played in front of thousands of fans in the fall, Gaffney led Clarkson to some of its finest seasons.

After a sensational 1932 undefeated frosh campaign under coach Hank Hodge, Gaffney took command of the varsity, under the guidance of head coach Dwyer, and led Clarkson to two consecutive winning campaigns. Gaffney, at 5-8, 171 pounds, was a fast and shifty broken-field runner and an excellent passer and punter. His best attribute, however, was his thorough knowledge of the game which made him unusually valuable as a field general. A native of Watertown, New York, he was considered one of the best quarterbacks at the small college level in New York State and led the Dwyerites to the NYS Conference championship in 1934. He was elected captain of the 1935 team, but signed to play professional football with the Watertown Red and Black, foregoing his senior campaign.

Gaffney was also a starting forward on Coach Dwyer's basketball teams in the winter and was Clarkson's leading scorer in 1933-34 when it posted a 12-4 record. The following season, 1934-35, Gaffney again played a major role scoring 114 points to help lead Clarkson to 15 wins, which still stands as a Clarkson record. In the spring, Gaffney turned his talents to the baseball diamond, where he was a classy fielding shortstop for Coach Hank Hodge.

One of the most popular men on campus, he served as class president, was a member of A.M.A., and a Lambda Iota Fraternity member. Gaffney's son Pete'59 carried on the family's athletic heritage as a basketball and baseball stare at Clarkson in the late 1950s.

The Clarkson University Athletic Hall of Fame was founded to honor and perpetuate the memory of those individuals who, either through participation, support or interest have made outstanding contributions to Clarkson athletics, and who have helped to bring recognition, honor and distinction to the University. It is with great pride that Clarkson inducts Fran Costello into the Athletic Hall of Fame.

The Clarkson University Athletic Hall of Fame was founded to honor and perpetuate the memory of those individuals who, either through participation, support or interest have made outstanding contributions to Clarkson athletics, and who have helped to bring recognition, honor and distinction to the University. It is with great pride that Clarkson inducts Clarence "Boots" Gaffney into the Athletic Hall of Fame.

William O' Flaherty
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Hall of Fame Chairman
October 31, 1992