Bobby Martinez – Sports Writer
NEW HAVEN — The founder of Southern Connecticut State University’s football team, Jess Dow, has been selected into 2014’s college football hall of fame.
Dow was a part of a program that dominated opponents for four decades that resulted into 16 winning seasons playing against teams such as Connecticut University, Northwestern and Temple to name a few. Southern’s athletic director Patricia Nicol said Jess Dow’s legacy will forever be a part of Southern and is pleased to know he has been recognized for his work he did in his time.
“He,”said Nicol, “set the foundation for sustained athletic excellence for our football program and the entire athletic department. I am extremely pleased that the National Football Foundation has selected him for this prestigious honor. It is certainly well-deserved for his many contributions to SCSU, to college football, and to college athletics on the whole.”
Dow began his football program in 1947 at New Haven State Teacher’s College, which was Southern Connecticut’s State University previous name. During his time at the realm, Dow’s teams were dominating opponents giving Dow the recognition of one of the most successful coaches in a small college.
Nicol said Dow was not just a football coach to Southern, Nicol said his work off the field as far as a worker for the school was appreciated greatly.
“Jess Dow,” said Nicole, “left an indelible legacy on the Southern Connecticut State University community over the span of four different decades in his roles as a coach, administrator and faculty member,”
Dow was born in Tona Texas in which he played full-back for Littlefield High School from 1930-1933. Dow was then named as an All-American at West Texas State in 1937. Dow managed to secure a roster spot for the Philadelphia Eagles in which he was a part of for three seasons.
Dow left the Eagles to join the U.S. military but was discharged. He left to be a part of World War II and was named Lieutenant Commander during his time in the military. Dow went on to receive his master’s degree in education. Dow’s first season as a head coach didn’t go well resulting in a 3-4-1 record. Dow’s way of coaching was like no other. He was always open to play tougher teams that would help his team become a better team and also build a strong program. Dow managed to coach one undefeated season in in 1956 and also had seven teams over a span of 10 years that lost one game during their season.
One of Dow’s greatest accomplishment as a coach came in 1959 in which his program received their first bowl game, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Playoff Bowl semifinal. In 1965 Dow won coach of the year and the Eastern Conference Title which was Southern’s first year in the EFC.
After coaching for 18 years, Dow became Southern’s director of athletics until 1975. Dow retired with a record of 108-40-6 with a winning percentage of .730. In memory of Dow, Southern named their field which is currently called “Jess Dow Field” after Dow.
Not only was Dow a coach for football, he was also a coach of basketball, baseball, track and golf. Dow was a member of numerous programs which helped build his name as one of college football’s best coaches and person overall.
Dow was a part of the American Association of University Professors, Race Brook Country Club, the Pine Orchard Yacht and Country Club and the New Haven Rotary Club, American Football Coaches Association, the American College Golf Coaches Association.
Dow died at age 88 in 2003.
