CLARKSON
ATHLETICS HALL of FAME

JOHN SIEDLECKI '35
Inaugural Class of 1992 Inductee

John Siedlecki was a three-sport star for Clarkson in the early thirties and one of the most determined athletes ever to attend Clarkson. On the football field, his aggressive style of play, coupled with his ability to punt, pass or run, made him one of the most dangerous men on either offense or defense. (As a 5-10, 175-pound triple-threat man for Clarkson, Siedlecki was one of the best sophomore backs in the country in 1932. He finished third in the race for Eastern Scoring honors as head coach Pete Dwyer's squad earned the number one ranking in the New York State Small College Conference with a 6-2 record.) Siedlecki earned little college All-America honors that season.

In the first week of practice of the 1933 season, Siedlecki broke his ankle sidelining him for the year. He bounced back in his senior year, however, serving as captain of the 1934 squad, which won the NYS Conference Championship for the second time in four years with a 3-3 record. The "Dwyerites" lost their first three games to big school powers Manhattan, Syracuse and Niagara (7-0), but evened their mark with shutouts over RPI (33-0) and Buffalo (27-0) and a 13-7 victory over arch-rival St. Lawrence as Siedlecki crashed through from the three yard line for the winning touchdown. Head coach Pete Dwyer called the 1934 squad "The best team Clarkson ever had." The following year, Siedlecki acted as an assistant coach for Clarkson and later moved n to a long and distinguished coaching career at Johnstown High School.

Siedlecki was also a starting guard/forward on Clarkson's basketball teams and scored 90 points in his senior year (1934-35) as coach Dwyer's squad set the school record for most wins in a season with 15 and won the NYS Conference Championship.

Siedlecki was a durable catcher on Coach Hank Hodge's teams in the spring and served as captain in his senior year. He was also a player/manager in the summer for Deferiet A.C., an outstanding semi-pro organization in the North Country.

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 John Siedlecki into the Athletic Hall of Fame.

 

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