John Toner
| John Toner | |
|---|---|
| Sport(s) | Football |
| Biographical details | |
| Born |
1923 (age 90–91) Nantucket, Massachusetts |
| Playing career | |
| 1947–1948 | Boston University |
| Position(s) | Quarterback |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| early 1950s 1954–1956 1957–1965 1966–1970 |
Boston University (assistant) New Britain HS (CT) Columbia (backfield) Connecticut |
| Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
| 1969–1987 1983–1985 |
Connecticut NCAA (president) |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 20–24–3 (college) |
|
Statistics College Football Data Warehouse | |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
|
Awards NFF Distinguished American Award (1986) | |
John L. Toner (born 1923) is a former college football head coach and athletic director at the University of Connecticut (UConn). 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.
Early life
Toner was born in 1923 in Nantucket, Massachusetts.[1]
Football coach
Toner became UConn's 21st head football coach in 1966.[2] In five seasons under Toner the Huskies compiled a 20–24–3 record.[3] Toner resigned as football coach at the end of the 1970 season to concentrate on his position as athletic director.[4]
Athletic director
Toner became UConn's athletic director in 1969, continuing a tradition of elevating someone from the football program to that position.[4] He served in that position for 17 years until he resigned in 1987 except to oversee the construction of Gampel Pavilion.[5]
Joining the Big East Conference
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.[6]
NCAA
Toner served as president of the NCAA from 1983–85. 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.[7] He also was involved in Herschel Walker's leaving college early to join the United States Football League.[8]
Honors and awards
- 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.[9]
References
- ↑ Canfield, Owen (October 27, 1998). "Big-Time Thanks to Coach Toner". The Hartford Courant (Tribune Corporation). p. C5. Archived from the original on March 17, 2010. 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.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 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 17, 2010. 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 March 17, 2010. 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 February 7, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
External links
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