Summary
John L. Toner (May 4, 1923 – September 23, 2014) was an American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at the University of Connecticut (UConn) from 1966 to 1970 and as the school's athletic director from 1969 to 1987. During his 18-year tenure as athletic director Toner also served in several roles with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), including as its president from 1983 to 1985. Toner was responsible for several momentous decisions in his time as athletic director at UConn, including UConn becoming a founding member of the Big East Conference in 1979, as well as the hiring of future Hall of Fame coaches Geno Auriemma and Jim Calhoun. He also oversaw the funding and construction of Gampel Pavilion.
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 4, 1923 Nantucket, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | September 23, 2014 (aged 91) Savannah, Georgia, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1947–1948 | Boston University |
| Position(s) | Quarterback |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| early 1950s | Boston University (assistant) |
| 1954–1956 | New Britain HS (CT) |
| 1957–1965 | Columbia (backfield) |
| 1966–1970 | Connecticut |
| Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
| 1969–1987 | Connecticut |
| 1983–1985 | NCAA (president) |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 20–24–3 (college) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| 2 Yankee (1968, 1970) | |
| Awards | |
| NFF Distinguished American Award (1986) | |
Personal life edit
Toner was born in 1923 in Nantucket, Massachusetts.[1][2] He died at the age of 91 in 2014.
Football coach edit
Toner became UConn's 21st head football coach in 1966.[3] after having been the head football coach at New Britain High School in New Britain, CT. In five seasons under Toner the Huskies compiled a 20–24–3 record.[4] Toner resigned as football coach at the end of the 1970 season to concentrate on his position as athletic director.[5]
Athletic director edit
Toner became UConn's athletic director in 1969, continuing a tradition of elevating someone from the football program to that position.[5] He served in that position for 17 years until he resigned in 1987 except to oversee the construction of Gampel Pavilion.[6]
Joining the Big East Conference edit
Toner was first approached about Connecticut becoming a founding member of the Big East Conference in May 1979, but was uncertain. On May 26, UConn was given a 24-hour deadline to decide whether they would join. Toner, unable to reach the university president, unilaterally accepted the invitation.[7]
NCAA edit
Toner served as president of the NCAA from 1983 to 1985. During his tenure, he was involved in implementing Title IX in collegiate athletics, splitting college football into Divisions I-A and I-AA, and passing new freshman eligibility rules.[8] He also was involved in Herschel Walker's leaving college early to join the United States Football League.[9]
Honors and awards edit
- In 1997, the National Football Foundation inaugurated its John L. Toner Award, with Toner as the first recipient.
- On February 28, 2009, Toner was inducted as the 29th member of the UConn Huskies of Honor.[10]
Head coaching record edit
College edit
| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Huskies (Yankee Conference) (1966–1970) | |||||||||
| 1966 | Connecticut | 2–6–1 | 2–2–1 | 3rd | |||||
| 1967 | Connecticut | 5–4 | 4–1 | 2nd | |||||
| 1968 | Connecticut | 4–6 | 4–1 | T–1st | |||||
| 1969 | Connecticut | 5–4 | 3–2 | T–2nd | |||||
| 1970 | Connecticut | 4–4–2 | 4–0–1 | 1st | |||||
| Connecticut: | 20–24–3 | 13–8–1 | |||||||
| Total: | 20–24–3 | ||||||||
| National championship Conference title Conference division title or championship game berth | |||||||||
References edit
- ^ Toner, John L. "United States Public Records, 1970-2009". FamilySearch. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
- ^ Canfield, Owen (October 27, 1998). "Big-Time Thanks to Coach Toner". The Hartford Courant. Tribune Corporation. p. C5. Archived from the original on July 23, 2011. Retrieved March 17, 2010.
- ^ Shea, Jim (1995). Huskymania: The inside story of the rise of UConn's men's and women's basketball teams (1st ed.). New York: Villard. p. 36. ISBN 978-0-679-44887-7.
- ^ UConn Athletic Communications (2009). 2009 University of Connecticut Football Media Guide (PDF). University of Connecticut. p. 119. Retrieved February 21, 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b Shea, Jim (1995). Huskymania: The inside story of the rise of UConn's men's and women's basketball teams (1st ed.). New York: Villard. p. 37. ISBN 978-0-679-44887-7.
- ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE; UConn Search Begins". The New York Times. January 23, 1987. p. A18. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved March 17, 2010.
- ^ Shea, Jim (1995). Huskymania: The inside story of the rise of UConn's men's and women's basketball teams (1st ed.). New York: Villard. pp. 38–39. ISBN 978-0-679-44887-7.
- ^ Shea, Jim (1995). Huskymania: The inside story of the rise of UConn's men's and women's basketball teams (1st ed.). New York: Villard. p. 38. ISBN 978-0-679-44887-7.
- ^ "One On One: John Toner". The Pittsburgh Press. E. W. Scripps Company. May 13, 1985. p. D2. Archived from the original on January 24, 2013. Retrieved March 17, 2010.
- ^ "John Toner To Be Inducted Into "Huskies Of Honor"". www.uconnhuskies.com. University of Connecticut. February 23, 2000. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved February 7, 2010.