SPORTS HALL of FAME ATHLETE
Dr. Jon Jay DeTemple '61'

One page may not be enough for us to list the accomplishments of Jon Jay DeTemple. But if we left it up to the man himself, he’ll probably tell you his life comes down to these real basic tenets: Family, Education, Athletics and a strong bond with his roots in Sidney, NY.

Jon Jay’s roots indeed formed the basis for good things to come. He Lettered 3 years in football and baseball as well as two more in basketball. The first real difference he made in varsity sports at Sidney was stepping into the starting quarterback role as a sophomore on the 1958 football team under Hall of Fame Coach Fran Redmond. The team had just come off a flu-shortened 3-1 season and needed to replace its star QB in Bill Burdick. Jon’s first two seasons were a combined 4-8-2, but it set the stage for the last unbeaten Sidney football team ever.

That 1960 team was the first (and only) to go 8-0. Two of Redmond’s earlier squads had finished with 7-0 (‘50) and 6-0 (‘56) championship seasons. Spectacular on the offensive and defensive lines, the ‘60 Warriors also bragged a 100+ yards per game rusher in Del Hodges, which gave QB DeTemple the chance to use the pass as a real weapon – and he did: 549 yards, 11 TD passes, only two interceptions and a 56.36% completion rate. Sidney capped off a great season with a resounding 60-7 thrashing of Greene. The team averaged nearly 34 points a game, a school record that lasted until 2004!

Jon Jay also hooped it up for the Warriors, playing two seasons under Ted Huntington. This included christening the brand new Sidney HS gymnasium as a junior. Although no specific statistics are available here, this sport would become a lifelong passion for our inductee. In baseball, Jon played for another Hall of Fame coach in Alan Drake. Primarily a 2nd baseman in his early years, he moved to shortstop and was the leading hitter (.370 average) on the 1961 Warriors who despite a bad start finished the regular season in a first place tie with Delhi. Sidney lost the tie-breaking game.

Scholastically, Jon was also class president, played in the band and was active in Youth Service Council among his many activities.

Earlier in his senior year, Jon gained acceptance into Cornell’s School of Engineering. He kept up his sports pursuits, playing quarterback on the freshman football team. He was switched to halfback upon making the varsity team in 1962. Why? Well, future NFL quarterback Gary Wood was just a little bit better. Jon’s Big Red football coach Tom Harp was also the baseball coach, so “as a favor to him...” as we were told, Jon suited up for the diamond as well.

In his professional life, Jon Jay has tried – and succeeded at - many things. His zig-zag career path seemed consistent with his athletic talents that in executing a game plan, to be ready to go with whatever cards life deals out. Jon saw opportunities and went for them. He earned a PhD along the way and now is President of Harcum College in Bryn Mawr, Pa. This is the culmination of his many years in education and if you ask him, where he belongs professionally.

As Sidney Alumni know, Jon Jay is an integral part of the Association. He serves on the Board of Directors, takes charge of the annual budget review, and actively participates in both his class reunions and the Wall of Fame.

A strong family man (as you will see & hear), Jon also keeps others involved in activities he enjoys. Two great examples - "The Huddle" is a mini-newsletter for SCS alums, and his Jelly Belly Basketball League keeps players on the basketball court regardless of age or ability.

We welcome Jon Jay DeTemple as a member of the Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2011!