Gene Long passed away peacefully at home on November 18, 2022. He leaves a legacy of love to all the lives he touched.
He was born in Oneonta, New York, April 15, 1929. He graduated from Oneonta High School lettering in football, basketball and baseball. Hoping to pursue his passion for football he attended the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York. After a term he changed his focus and enrolled at Cortland State Teachers College. Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he received the rank of Captain.
In June of 1953 he was hired as track coach and athletic trainer at Hamilton College, Clinton, NY. He continued at Hamilton College for the next 39 years. He assumed the role of Director of Physical Education, Athletics and Recreation and held that post, with occasional change in title, until his retirement in 1991. He and his wife, moved to Jekyll Island, Georgia and subsequently lived in Bluffton, South Carolina and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Gene and Arlene moved to their longtime summer residence in Clayton, NY permanently in 2019.
Gene was the first to design and build a form-fitting fiberglass mask for hockey goaltenders and in 2020 was nominated to the United States Hockey Hall of Fame.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 69 years, Arlene, daughters, Karen Roden and her husband, Peter, Nancy Heitzman and her husband Tom, his son-in-law Michael Prestegord, grandchildren, Matthew Roden and his wife, Andrea, Gregory Prestegord, Will Prestegord, Grace Heitzman, one great grandchild, Hanya Prestegord, his sister, Elizabeth Fontaine and his favorite travel companions, his brother-in-law John J Welsh and his wife, Rae.
He was predeceased by a daughter, Dr. Christina Long-Prestegord.
A Celebration of the wonderful life of Gene Lone will be held in the summer of 2022.
Geri Knortz
My deepest condolences to Arlene and all of Gene’s family and all who loved him. A true gentleman and the moral compass of the athletics department at Hamilton. It’s been 30 years since I saw him but remember him dearly. Never knew he was a fellow red dragon (SUNY Cortland).
Doreen Meeks
To Kaen and family I send my prayers to all of you.
Did you know our Island mimister is from Hamilton? Also Debbie Smith,who’s father used to be the minister over on the Island. Small world isn’t it ?????
Stop up and visit some day.I am most often home but # is 3955 . (You know the rest )in case you wish to call !
Regards,Doreen
John Pitarresi, Hamilton '70
Sincere condolences to all the Long family. Gene was a great coach and trainer, a great athlete himself, and was a tremendous influence on all the athletes at Hamilton for several generations. I had to take swim class from him when I was a freshman. I swam like a rock, and still do. I asked him if he would let me out of class if I could tread water for the entire period. He said yes, I did it, and that was that. Gene put the football team through workouts in our long and tough preseasons, and he made sure we were strong and in shape. We won’t forget Gene, a greeat coach and a true gentleman.
Richard Hunt
Dick Hunt -class of 1966 -so sorry to read about Gene’s passing-a wonderful trainer -&a better person-I had an injury my senior year &he really helped me through it-I really feel bad because I just learned for the last four years we only had lived a few miles apart -sincere wishes to the family for its loss –
Jerry Pitarresi
I was very sorry to learn of Gene’s passing. He never coached me, but I, along with so many others, benefited from his unsurpassed expertise as a trainer. He was definitely ahead of his time when it came to working out and training athletes for a variety of sports. While more than 50 years have passed since Gene put us football players through “Gene Long Day” preseason workouts, I remember them vividly. He helped us prepare for the season ahead. and then took care of our inevitable bumps and bruises. Gene was a great guy, personable and devoted to the athletes in his care. He was a true gentleman and a memorable figure who had a lasting, positive impact on countless Hamilton athletes during his long tenure at the College. My sincerest sympathies to all of you in Gene’s family in your loss of a wonderful man.
Jerry Pitarresi
I was very sorry to learn of Gene’s passing. While I never had him as a coach, I benefited, along with many others, from his unsurpassed expertise as a trainer. He was definitely ahead of his time in his knowledge of training techniques and treatment of injuries. As a member of the football team in the late 1960s, I still remember the special preseason workouts Gene designed for us — we called them “Gene Long Days” in his honor. Looking back, I know Gene’s workouts helped prepare us for the season ahead when he took care of our inevitable bumps and bruises. Gene was a truly memorable individual, personable and devoted to the athletes entrusted to him. A true gentleman and dedicated educator, he had a lasting, positive impact on countless individuals during his long tenure at Hamilton. My sincerest sympathies go out to all of Gene’s family in your loss of a very special man.
Michael Sullivan OD
Gene touched the lives of many and was a wonderful coach…He used to drag Andy Wertz and myself behind his old Chevrolet Station Wagon with a rectangular bar that he attached to the back. Around the track we would go…Andy could run, and I was the flat tire….Rest in Peace Coach Long you were one of the “good” ones at Hamilton College.
Bruce MacDonald
I remember watching you get dragged around, Sully. Coach Long was way ahead of his time. Hope you are well.
Bruce MacDonald
I remember watching you get dragged around, Sully. Coach Long was way ahead of his time. Hope you are well.
Manfred von Schiller
Our deepest sympathies to Arlene and the Long Family. Gene was a good friend to me during my years at Hamilton. I will never forget our luncheon badminton matches. Manfred & Freida von Schiller family (Erika Deep, Hans von Schiller)
Pete Hotine '67
Great track coach and person. Got more out of me than I thought I had. I will always remember our team trips to Florida and The Garden.
Ben Madonia, Hamilton 1974
I send heartfelt sympathy to the Long family and, with pleasure, reminisce about Gene Long. First, Gene was a gentleman, as were all members of the athletic department of Hamilton College. Second, they were educators, who took pride in being members of the faculty. Third, they cared deeply about all students, doing all in their power to contribute to present and future healthy bodies and minds by teaching sports students could do for the rest of their lives. Fourth, a successful coach, Gene guided the cross country team to five maybe six consecutive undefeated seasons in the early 1970s. Fifth, as trainer, he cared for all athletes that had bumps, bruises, and more serious injuries, getting them back into competition at the right time. His concern for the well-being of athletes encouraged him to make fiberglass plates for the feet of track athletes and the first face masks for hockey goaltenders. Sixth, he was generous of spirit, as he made custom face masks for Don Spencer ’59 at Hamilton, the Clinton Comet goal tender, as well as goalies at Cornell, Williams, and Don Simmons of the Boston Bruins to name a few. Seventh, Gene was an amazing athlete, especially at racquet sports, as he and other Hamilton coaches would play each other and opposing coaches, always displaying excellent sportsmanship.
Author James Mitchener, in his 1960s book “Sports in America” found the perfect athletic philosophy at Hamilton College, with its idea of physical education for all, sports for life, plus intramural, varsity and junior varsity competition for those who desired more rigorous activity. Mitchener’s analysis stands as a tribute to Gene and the fine men with whom he was associated at that time. Later in his career, as director of athletics, Gene Long helped to provide the same opportunities for women.
Thank you Gene for your impressive and enduring contributions to Hamilton College and sports in America.
Ben Madonia, Hamilton 1974
Oops, no “t” in Michener.
William Poole, Hamilton 1959
I was saddened to hear the news about Gene. When I was at Hamilton he was a very positive example of manhood for the students who knew him. The school was very intellectual at the time. The campus was in the country, there were no women, less than half the students had a car, there was no television watching and there was no iPhone nor an internet to connect you to the outside world. It was all about the professors and their demands. Seeing Gene at a gym class or afternoon track practice was a return to the real world for me. He loved Hamilton and always told us we were lucky to be there. But, at the same time, he wanted us to be healthy and know how a man behaves in the outside world. Because he was the trainer for the major sports teams he often missed our away meets and he gave us the responsibility to get to the meet, perform and get back to the campus. We all wanted to do so well for him. I remember one time we went to a conference championship in Buffalo. There was a blizzard and we won the title. We drove back in a snow storm. We couldn’t wait to tell Gene…..
Alan Podosek
Arlene I just learned that Gene died and I’m so sorry. He was such a wonderful guy. I will always remember the fantastic times we had with him and your family. I remember babysitting! I live in Lynchburg Virginia and am a retired family physician. Take care and the best to you and your family. Say hello to everybody for me.
Keith Recore
Gene & Arlene have crossed my mind over the years. What a fantastic duo to enjoy while working at Potsdam’s Star Lake Camp in the summer. The Longs and the Hunters instilled a work environment that those of us that had the opportunity to work with and for could only hope to emulate as we went out into the world on our own journey. Their sense of pride and humility, combined with work ethic and humor, have stayed with me all these years. I have been blessed lifelong with their willingness to assist younger generations to do better, but also, have fun.