Edwin Sweetland

College coach infobox
Name = Edwin Regur Sweetland


Caption = E. R. Sweetland - 1898
DateOfBirth = birth date|1875|1|10|mf=y
Birthplace = Dryden, New York
DateOfDeath = death date and age|1950|10|21|1875|1|10|mf=y
Sport = Football, Rowing, Basketball & track
College =
Title = Head Coach
CurrentRecord =
OverallRecord = 100-41-10 (football)
13-8 (basketball)
Awards =
Championships =
CFbDWID = 2286
Player = Y
Years = 1894 (football)
1895,96 & 98 (football)
1898,99 (rowing)
Team = Union
CornellCornell
Position = guard & tackle (football)
No. 5 (rowing)
Coach = Y
CoachYears = "Football"
1899
1900-02
1903
1904-05
1908
1909-10
1911
1912
1913
1914
1915-18
"Rowing"
1901-03
"Basketball"
1909-10
1911-12
CoachTeams =
Hamilton
Syracuse
Hamilton
Ohio State
Colgate
Kentucky
Miami University
Kentucky
West Virginia
Tulane
Alfred University
Syracuse

Kentucky
Kentucky
FootballHOF =
BBallHOF =

Edwin Regur Sweetland (January 10, 1875 - October 21, 1950) was a coach and athletic administrator at several universities. During his coaching career he was head coach of many sports including basketball, track and field and crew, but the majority of for his coaching work was in football. Even with mainly being know for football he was able to leave his mark on several other sports. He was the first paid coach of the Kentucky Wildcats basketball team and the Syracuse University Navy (rowing team).

Sweetland attended Union College and was graduate of Cornell in 1899. A gifted athlete, Sweetland was on the varsity football team at Union and Cornell and the varsity rowing team at Cornell. At Cornell he was coached by Hall of Fame Coaches Pop Warner in football and Charles E. Courtney in rowing.

Early life and family

Edwin Sweetland was born to George Sweetland and Hannah (Marsh) Sweetland on January 10, 1875 in Dryden, New York. He had several brothers and sisters. One of his brothers was Monroe Marsh Sweetland who founded Delta Chi fraternity while a law student at Cornell. [cite web | url=http://www.deltachi.org/history/index.php | title= The Founding of The Delta Chi Fraternity | publisher= deltachi.org | accessdate=2008-01-30] Another brother, Dr. George James Sweetland, was captain of the Union College football team in 1895 and would later go on to be athletic director, head football coach at University of North Dakota.Citation |last =|first =|author-link =|last2 =| first2 =| author2-link =|title = Union’s New Football Captain | newspaper = New York Times| pages =3| year = 1895| date = December 2, 1895 | url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=950CEEDA113AE533A25751C0A9649D94649ED7CF ] [ Raymond, Andrew Van Vranken, " Union University: Its History, Influence, Characteristics and Equipment," Vol. III (Lewis Publishing Company, New York New York 1907), p. 258]

College

After attending Union College for one year, Sweetland transferred to Cornell University where he graduated in 1899, with the degree Bachelors of Science in Agriculture. [cite journal | last = | first = | title = THIRTY-FIRST COMMENCEMENT | journal = Cornell Alumni News | volume = 1 | issue = 12 | pages = 33 | publisher = The Cornell Alumni News publishing Co. | location = Ithaca, New York | date = January 13, 1938| url = http://dspace.library.cornell.edu/bitstream/1813/3163/11/001_12.pdf | accessdate =2008-01-30|format=PDF] At Cornell, he was member of Phi Gamma Delta and Sphinx Head Society. cite web | title = Edwin R. Sweetland - University of Kentucky Coaching Record| work = | publisher = www.bigbluehistory.net | url = http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/statistics/Coaches/Edwin_R_Sweetland.html | accessdate = 2008-01-30] cite web | title = Political advertisement, 1933 | work = | publisher = livingindryden.org | date = 2007-04-11 | url = http://livingindryden.org/2007/04/political_advertisement_1933_1.html | format = | doi = | accessdate = 2008-01-28] A talented athlete, Sweetland rowed on the Varsity crew, and played tackle on the football team at Cornell. Sweetland was a considered one of the top players in the early years of Big Red football. The New York Sun named Sweetland to the 2nd team of the all-time Cornell football team in an article on January 29, 1927. [cite journal | last = | first = | title = Prominent Figures in Three Decades of Cornell Football | journal = Cornell Alumni News | volume = XXIX, | issue = 18 | pages = 218 | publisher = The Cornell Alumni News Publishing Co. | location = Ithaca, New York | date = February 3, 1927| url = http://dspace.library.cornell.edu/bitstream/1813/3544/23/029_18.pdf | accessdate =2008-01-30|format=PDF]

Football career

Edwin Sweetland began his college football career in 1894. “Sweet” as he was nicknamed , played guard for Union College along with his brother George Sweetland. He transferred to Cornell for the 1895 season where he moved to tackle under Coach Marshall Newell and helped the school to a 3-4-1. That year Sweetland was part of the line that help Clint Wyckoff become Cornell first All-American. The following year Cornell changed coaches replacing Newell with Joseph Beacham. Sweetland helped the Beacham led squad to a record of 5-3-1. In 1897 Glenn "Pop" Warner. took over as head coach.cite web | url= http://www.cornellbigred.com/Sports/football/2007/07FBGuide.asp| title= 2007 Cornell Football Media Guide| publisher= CornellBigRed.com| accessdate=2008-01-10 ] Sweetland could not play for Warner in the 1897 season. During the offseason he went through surgery and his doctors would not allow him to play. [Citation |last =|first =|author-link =|last2 =| first2 =| author2-link =|title = CORNELL'S FOOTBALL OUTLOOK.; Many Old Players Will Have to be Replaced by New Men| newspaper = New York Times| pages =10| year = 1897| date = September 19, 1897| url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9401E4DD1039E433A2575AC1A96F9C94669ED7CF] When practice started for the 1898 season, Coach Warner had to replace many starters including last year captain William McKeever. [Citation |last =|first =|author-link =|last2 =| first2 =| author2-link =|title = Football at Cornell | newspaper = New York Times| pages =20| year = 1898| date = September 11, 1898 | url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9B06E7D81139E433A25752C1A96F9C94699ED7CF ] Sweetland returned to the line to help Warner's 1898 Cornell football. With Sweetland help the team started strong winning 10 of the fist 11 games. This set up a big game for Cornell against national power University of Pennsylvania in the last game of the season. Sweetland helped Cornell take a 6-0 lead right before half. He broke through Penn’s line blocking a kick and recovered the ball for a touchdown. Penn would come back and win by a score of 12 to 6. [ Davis, Parke Hill, "Football, the American Intercollegiate Game," (Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York New York 1911), p. 177] With the Penn loss, the team finished the season 10-2, outscoring their opponents by a score of 296 - 29.

Sweetland planned to the return for the 1899 football season even though he would be graduating. He planned to start his medical training at Cornell. After the 1898 season he became involve in a Controversy between two factions on the future direction of the football program that came to the head with the election of captain for the 1899 season. Originally three year starter at left guard, Daniel A. Reed was elected captain over Sweetland for the 1899 season. A very close election caused a rift in the football team. Reed won by a vote of ten to nine. [Citation |last =|first =|author-link =|last2 =| first2 =| author2-link =|title = Cornell's New Football Captain| newspaper = New York Times| pages =2| year = 1898| date = December 4, 1898| url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9A06E6DF1E39E433A25757C0A9649D94699ED7CF] Later Reed resigned as captain and the team elected Sweetland unanimously. [Citation |last =|first =|author-link =|last2 =| first2 =| author2-link =|title = CORNELL'S FOOTBALL CAPTAIN.; The Members of The Team Elect Edwin R. Sweetland| newspaper = New York Times| pages =8| year = 1899| date = January 15, 1899| url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9800E4D7163DE433A25756C1A9679C94689ED7CF] The Cornell Athletic Council refused to ratify the election of Sweetland, stating that their decision was "in the interest of harmony among the various elements who co-operation is necessary for the success of Cornell athletics." The council statement listed two specific reasons. The first was that the Council wanted to purge all leaders of the competing factional rivalries on the team. This included Coach Warner and Tom Fennell as well as Daniel A. Reed. All three stated they would not return for the 1899 season. The second reason was a large number of football alumni protested the election of Sweetland as captain. Additionally, a charge was leveled that Sweetland was a professional, not an amateur, since he was paid for playing football for Elmira Athletic Club in the fall of 1897. Sweetland denied the allegation only admitting that he received reimbursement for his expenses but not for playing. [cite journal | last = Maxwell | first = W. H. | title = College Athletics | journal = Recreation | volume = X | issue = 5 | pages = 408 – 415 | publisher = Charles Francis Press , G. O. Shields (editor) | location = New York | month = May | year = 1899 ] After the Athletic Council ruling the team elected fullback Raymond Starbuck as team captain. [Citation |last =|first =|author-link =|last2 =| first2 =| author2-link =|title = Cornell's New Football Captain| newspaper = New York Times| pages =9 | year = 1899| date = February 19, 1899 | url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F01E6D9153DE633A2575AC1A9649C94689ED7CF]

Varsity rower

Sweetland was a member of the varsity crew at Cornell in 1898 and 1899 under Coach Charles E. Courtney. In 1897, as a novice rower, Sweetland went out for Cornell rowing team but did not make varsity. Early on he was mentioned as a possible varsity rower at the no. 5 position. He had to go against more experienced rowers including E. J. Savage who rowed varsity in 1896 and Edgar Johnson, who rowed varsity in 1895. [Citation |last =|first =|author-link =|last2 =| first2 =| author2-link =|title = OARSMEN AT CORNELL; Members of Both the University and Annapolis Crews Being Rapidly Whipped Into Shape| newspaper = New York Times| pages =20| year = 1897| date = April 11, 1897| url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=980CEFDE1630E132A25752C1A9629C94669ED7CF] Sweetland had trouble throughout the season. First he was thrown out of his boat when he wrecked his shell upon a snag. He also had to spend several days in the hospital do to trouble with his appendicitis. [Citation |last =|first =|author-link =|last2 =| first2 =| author2-link =|title = CORNELL'S STROKE FASTER.; No Truth in the Rumor of Another Shake-up t he Boat | newspaper = New York Times| pages =5| year = 1897| date = June 8, 1897| url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9A06E3D91230E333A2575BC0A9609C94669ED7CF] In 1898 he was a substitute on team that finished second in Intercollegiate Rowing Association Regatta at Saratoga Lake. The following year he rowed in the No. 5 position that finished third in the Intercollegiate Rowing Association Regatta at Poughkeepsie, New York. In that race, the Cornell crew had the slight advantage holding the outer course but lost to the University of Pennsylvania coached by Ellis Ward. The University of Wisconsin using a modified English stroke started quickly and held a lead at the mile and half marker but lost the lead to Penn do to bad steering. Penn finished strong using a stroke that depended on leg drive over the catch. This gave the boat a slight amount of checking between strokes. Sweetland and the Cornell crew were unable to catch Penn and finished three and a half lengths behind. They were also unable to catch Wisconsin and finished varsity race in third place. [Hewett, Waterman Thomas, "Cornell University: A History," (The University Publishing Society, New York, USA, 1905), vol 3, p. 196-200, 257-258,]

College coaching career

Sweetland started coaching football the fall after he graduated from Cornell. He would coach college sports for the next twenty years with all but two as a head coach. As a football coach he finished with a record of 100-41-10. His coaching career allowed Sweetland earn several advance degrees at the schools he coached, including a Ph.M. in Sociology from Syracuse and LL.B and LL.M from the University of Kentucky. [ Smalley, p. 258,]

Hamilton College

After graduation, Sweetland took his first coaching job as the head football coach at Hamilton College in near by Clinton, New York. In his first season as a head coach, he led the 1899 squad to an 8-2-1 record. That year Hamilton played a then school-record 11 games with one of the two losses coming at the hands of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, coached by his former coach Glenn Scobey "Pop" Warner, and the other loss coming to Sweetland’s former school Cornell. cite web | url=http://www.hamilton.edu/athletics/mfootball/MediaGuide.pdf | title= Hamilton 2007 football media guide | publisher= Hamilton.edu| accessdate= 2008-02-08|format=PDF] He left for Syracuse University after the season.

Syracuse University

On January 3 1900 Sweetland was picked to be the head coach for the Syracuse University football team. A month later, on February 6 1900, Sweetland agreed to also become Syracuse's rowing coach. [ Smalley, Frank (editor), " Alumni Record and General Catalogue of Syracuse University 1899-1904," (Alumni Association of Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA, 1904), Vol II (supplement) p.15-16] Even though rowing had some history at the university since 1873, including hosting professional crew races on Onondaga Lake, Sweetland became their first Intercollegiate coach. Chancellor James Roscoe Day assisted the rowing team that year by persuading Lyman Cornelius Smith to donate equipment.cite web | url= http://www.suathletics.com/Pdfs/Crew/2007/11/8/0708MensRowingGuide.pdf | title= 2007 Syracuse Rowing Media Guide| publisher= suathletics.com| accessdate= 2008-01-23|format=PDF]

In Sweetland’s first year as coach of the rowing team, he was basically starting the rowing team from scratch. He spent good amount of time on basic watermenship and maintaining an even keel. [Citation |last =|first =|author-link =|last2 =| first2 =| author2-link =|title = COLLEGE ATHLETES' WORK; Men Being Rapidly Whipped Into Shape for Contests | newspaper = New York Times| pages =10 | year = 1900| date = April 8, 1900| url =http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9C05E1DC1E3CE433A2575BC0A9629C946197D6CF ] He started practice in late March and was able to get the team ready for a race against the Francis Club Crew of Cornell in June. Smalley, p. 457-461 ] A crowd of 3000 showed up at Onondaga Lake to watch the 2 mile race in which Sweetland’s varsity crew lost by 6 seconds. [Citation |last =|first =|author-link =|last2 =| first2 =| author2-link =|title = Cornell Crew Won | newspaper = New York Times| pages =5| year = 1890| date = June 16, 1900| url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9A04E6DF163FE433A25755C1A9609C946197D6CF ]

In fall of that year, Sweetland began football practice on September 4, 1900 with 10 returning players from the 1899 team. [ Smalley, p. 20] His team finished the season with a 7-2-1 record including victories over Amherst and Oberlin.cite web | url= http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/bigeast/syracuse/yearly_results.php?year=1900 | title= Syracuse Yearly Results | publisher= cfbdatawarehouse.com | accessdate= 2008-01-23] One of his losses was to his former school, Cornell by a score of 6-0. Syracuse coming into the game did have a several of advantages that made their fans optimistic that the Orange could pull out a victory. First the game was being played early in the season, September, 29th. The Orangemen had been practicing for several weeks longer than Cornell. The second benefit was a large crowd of Syracuse rooters attended the game. Even with the game being played at Cornell’s Percy Field, Syracuse rooters filled half the grand stand and part of the bleachers. The third advantage was Cornell’s captain, Raymond D. Starbuck, was hurt earlier in practice and could not play. Sweetland’s team started out strong had several opportunities to score. Early in the game, after stopping Cornell on their first possession, Syracuse drove the ball into scoring position at the Cornell’s 15 yard line but could not score. Later, just before half time, Cornell returned a fumble to the Syracuse's seven yard line but Sweetland's defence stopped them from scoring and took over on downs. Then in Syracuse's next possession, Carr, Syracuse's half-back, went through a hole in the Cornell line and ran seventy yards before Cornell’s halfback A. B. Morrison caught him to prevent a touchdown. The game remained tied until the about 2 minutes to play when Cornell’s Morrison ran 25 yards for a touchdown. After the game Cornell accused Coach Sweetland's team of rough and dirty play. [cite journal | last = | first = | title = FOOTBALL VICTORIES - Cornell Defeats Colgate and Syracuse in the Opening: Games.| journal = Cornell Alumni News | volume = III | issue = 2 | pages = 11 | publisher = The Cornell Alumni News publishing Co. | location = Ithaca, New York | date = October 3, 1900 | url = http://ecommons.library.cornell.edu/bitstream/1813/3165/2/003_02.pdf | accessdate = 2008-01-23|format=PDF]

Sweetland again coached the rowing team for the 1901 season. The Syracuse crew took part in a regatta on Onondaga Lake on June 7, 1901. Sweetland’s varsity 8 again raced against the Francis Club crew of Cornell and lost by 1/4 of a boat length.They raced in spite of the fact that Sweetland was in the hospital suffering from an attack of typhoid fever just a few weeks before the race. [cite journal | last = | first = | title = The Alumni | journal = Cornell Alumni News | volume = III | issue = 33 | pages = 253 | publisher = The Cornell Alumni News publishing Co. | location = Ithaca, New York | date = May 22, 1901| url = http://ecommons.library.cornell.edu/bitstream/1813/3165/33/003_33.pdf | accessdate = 2008-01-23 |format=PDF] The season ended with his team rowing in the Intercollegiate Rowing Association Regatta in Poughkeepsie, New York. This was the first time in school history that Syracuse attend this event. Sweetland’s varsity 8 finishing 5th out 6 teams. Cornell finished 1st but the Orangemen were able to beat University of Pennsylvania coached by Ellis Ward.

Controversy erupted before the start of the 1901 football season. Cornell refused to play Syracuse because of bad feeling about rough play from the year before. They also questioned the amateur status of the Syracuse team. Syracuse stated that there were rules in force that prevented professional players but admitted that slight violations of the rules were possible. On the issue of rough play the year before, Syracuse investigated and found the accusation to be groundless. The Syracuse General Athletic Committee severed all athletic relations with their upstate New York rivals. The two schools would not play again until 1935. The team finished 7-1 with including victories over Brown, Columbia and Amherst and outscored their opponent by 150 to 27. The New York Sun rated them 7th best team in nation.

Sweetland returned for his third year as rowing coach in 1902. Before the season the outlook for Varsity crews at Syracuse look to be good. Coach Sweetland had experience rowers to chose the Varsity crew from. Most members of the 1901 Varsity and Freshmen crews returned for 1902. [cite journal | last = | first = | title = THE ROWING SITUATION. At the Universities Which Will Be Represented at Poughkeepsie | journal = Cornell Alumni News | volume = IV | issue = 22 | pages = 165 | publisher = The Cornell Alumni News publishing Co. | location = Ithaca, New York | date = March 12, 1902 | url = http://ecommons.library.cornell.edu/bitstream/1813/3166/22/004_22.pdf | accessdate = 2008-01-23|format=PDF] The team returned to Intercollegiate Rowing Association Regatta. Before the race Syracuse crew weight dropped to average of less than 155 lbs. Sweetland had to reduced the training before the Regatta. [Citation |last =|first =|author-link =|last2 =| first2 =| author2-link =|title = CORNELL IS THE FAVORITE; But Courtney Says His Crew Has Been Overrated -- Good Work by the Columbia Oarsmen.| newspaper = New York Times| pages =10 | year = 1902| date = June 20, 1902 | url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F70A16F8385412738DDDA90A94DE405B828CF1D3 ] In their second attempt, Syracuse finished 5th out of 6 teams beating Georgetown in the Varsity race. Cornell finished first followed by Wisconsin, Columbia and Penn. Even though this was the same place they finished the year before it was consider an improvement. The time of 19 minutes 31 seconds was the fastest time at that distant. [Citation |last =|first =|author-link =|last2 =| first2 =| author2-link =|title = CORNELL OARSMEN SWEPT THE RIVER; Ithaca Crews Won All Three Races at Poughkeepsie | newspaper = New York Times| pages =1 | year = 1902| date = June 22, 1902 | url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F05E4D7173BE733A25751C2A9609C946397D6CF ]

The 1903 football season under Coach Sweetland saw Syracuse out score their opponents by a combined score of 153 to 87. The team finished the season with a record of 6-2-1. Wins included shutouts against Colgate and Amherst and disappointing lopsided losses to Army and Yale.

Before the 1903 rowing season, the Athletic Council replaced Sweetland with James A. Ten Eyck as rowing coach. Sweetland had demanded a higher salary to coach the rowing team. When his demands were not met he resigned from all athletic work at Syracuse. The rowing team threaten a revolt but no major action was taken. [Citation |last =|first =|author-link =|last2 =| first2 =| author2-link =|title = Ten Eyck to Coach Syracuse Crew| newspaper = New York Times| pages =10 | year = 1903| date = January 23, 1903,| url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=980DE2D81030E733A25750C2A9679C946297D6CF] Even though they replaced him at rowing coach some in the council tried retain him as football coach for the 1904 season. [cite journal | last = | first = | title = Syracuse not to come | journal = Cornell Alumni News | volume = V | issue = 19 | pages = 151 | publisher = The Cornell Alumni News publishing Co. | location = Ithaca, New York | date = February 19, 1903 | url = http://ecommons.library.cornell.edu/bitstream/1813/3167/19/005_19.pdf | accessdate = 2008-01-23 |format=PDF] They were unsuccessful, with the full council deciding to go a different direction. In the end Sweetland coached football for three years at Syracuse with a combined record of 20–5-2.

Return to Hamilton College

Sweetland returned to Hamilton to coach the 1903 football team to a 6-3-record. [Citation |last =|first =|author-link =|last2 =| first2 =| author2-link =|title = Sweetland to Coach Hamilton | newspaper = New York Times| pages =10| year = 1903| date = February 26, 1903 | url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=940DE1D8163AE733A25755C2A9649C946297D6CF ] During that season Hamilton football team ran in to financial troubles and was unable to meet the financial offers from other institutions for Sweetland services and he left after the season. In statement released to the alumni, Hamilton stressed Sweetland unselfishness and dedication to the team. The release went on to state that “… his conduct on the football field, both in action and speech he was a perfect gentleman, and for this he was heartily admired by faculty and students.” [cite journal | last = | first = | title = Praise for E. R. Sweetland, '99| journal = Cornell Alumni News | volume = VI | issue = 17 | pages = 218 | publisher = The Cornell Alumni News Publishing Co. | location = Ithaca, New York | date = January 27, 1904| url = http://dspace.library.cornell.edu/bitstream/1813/3168/16/006_17.pdf| accessdate =2008-02-09|format=PDF]

Courtney and Cornell Athletic Council

After leaving Hamilton, Sweetland consider an offer to be assistant rowing coach under his former mentor Coach Courtney at Cornell for the 1904 season. Courtney wanted Sweetland to replace F. D. Colson who moved on to become coach at Harvard. While negotiation were still pending, the Rowing Committee of the Cornell Athletic Council announced that they hired C. A. Lueder to the position. This caused a power struggle between Courtney and the Athletic Council for control of the rowing program. [Citation |last =|first =|author-link =|last2 =| first2 =| author2-link =|title = ATHLETICS AT CORNELL.; Negotiations Looking to Lueder as Rowing Coach Are Suspended -- Work of the Teams| newspaper = New York Times| pages =8| year = 1904| date = January 11, 1904| url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E0DE3D81530E132A25752C1A9679C946597D6CF ] The conflict was resolved when the Rowing Committee canceled the job offer to Lueder. In addition, the Athletic Council limited their interference with the rowing team by giving Coach Courtney the power to pick member of the crew and designate the oarsmen position. However, Sweetland did not become Courtney's assistant because in the time it took resolve the conflict, he was offered and accepted the position as head football coach at Ohio State University. With Sweetland out of the picture, Courtney hired Lueder as his assistant rowing coach. [Citation |last =|first =|author-link =|last2 =| first2 =| author2-link =|title = COURTNEY WINS HIS POINT | newspaper = New York Times| pages =10| year = 1904| date = February 4 , 1904 | url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F01E0DA1E3AE733A25756C0A9649C946597D6CF ]

The Ohio State University

In 1904 Sweetland became head coach for Ohio State University football team. In his first year he led the Buckeyes to a 6-5 record. Of the Five losses only one was conference (Ohio Athletic Conference) rival, a close 4-2 decision to Oberlin. Expectations were high for the 1904 team. The athletic association to purchased 1,500 additional bleacher seats for the east side of University Field, but, the team fell way short of all expectations and the expected crowds never materialized. [ cite web | title = The History of Ohio State Football | work = | publisher = Ohio State University | url = http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/fls/17300//pdf/fb/m-footbl-history.pdf | accessdate = 2008-02-08|format=PDF] Even with the disappointing season Sweetland’s team did accomplished a first in Ohio State football history. It was the first Buckeye team to cross the goal line against University of Michigan. The touchdown was scored by the Buckeye's when Bill Marquardt returned a fumble fifty yards. [ cite web | title = Buckeyes and Sabermetrics, A Brief History | work = | publisher = gosu02.tripod.com | url = http://gosu02.tripod.com/id102.html | accessdate = 2008-02-08] [cite journal | last = | first = | title = Cornell Smoker at Philadelphia. | journal = Cornell Alumni News | volume = VII | issue = 6 | pages = 90 | publisher = The Cornell Alumni News Publishing Co. | location = Ithaca, New York | date = November 9, 1904 | url = http://ecommons.library.cornell.edu/bitstream/1813/3169/6/007_06.pdf | accessdate = 2008-02-09 |format=PDF] The next year he and the Buckeyes improved to 8-2-2. This team did not give up any points in Ohio Athletic Conference games. They did have a 0-0 tie to Case Institute of Technology. Case won the conference do to the fact they played and won two more games in conference than the Buckeyes. The two losses that season were to future Big Ten Conference rivals University of Michigan (0-40) and Indiana University (0-11). Sweetland finished with a combined record of 14–7-2 in his two years as the Buckeyes head man. Sweetland also coached the Buckeye’s track and field team. With a victory over Oberlin in a dual meet by a score of 52-33 the Buckeyes won the state championship for 1905. [cite journal | last = | first = | title = Cornell Alumni Notes| journal = Cornell Alumni News | volume = VII | issue = 27 | pages = 457 | publisher = The Cornell Alumni News Publishing Co. | location = Ithaca, New York | date = April 12, 1905 | url = http://dspace.library.cornell.edu/bitstream/1813/3169/27/007_27.pdf | accessdate = 2008-02-09 |format=PDF]

Colgate University

After serving as an assistant coach to Pop Warner at Cornell, Sweetland returned to being a head coach in 1907 at Colgate University. [ Raymond, Andrew Van Vranken, " The Phi Gamma Delta," Vol. III (Phi Gamma Delta, Indinapopolis IN, October 1908), p. 149] [cite journal | last = | first = | title = PRINCETON 14 CORNELL 5 | journal = Cornell Alumni News | volume = IX, | issue = 5 | pages = 218 | publisher = The Cornell Alumni News Publishing Co. | location = Ithaca, New York | date = October 31, 1906 | url = http://ecommons.library.cornell.edu/bitstream/1813/3171/5/009_05.pdf | accessdate =2008-01-30|format=PDF] Sweetland led Colgate to a winning record in his only season as the thirteenth coach of the Red Raiders. After getting shut out in 3 of the first 4 games of the season, the Raiders were able to turn the season around with a strong finish. The offense out-scored, Union, Syracuse and Hamilton by 53 to 4 in the last three games to secure a wining record. Though Sweetland was able to beat his former employer, Syracuse, he lost to his alma mater, Cornell, by a score of 9-0. [cite web | url=http://www.gocolgateraiders.com/sidebar.asp?id=667&path=football | title=Colgate 2007 media guide | publisher= gocolgateraiders.com | accessdate=2008-01-29]

University of Kentucky

Sweetland left Colgate and was hired as head football coach at the University of Kentucky (known as Kentucky State University at the time) in the fall of 1909. Kentucky was able to hire him do to a financially successfully 1908 Thanksgiving game versus in state rival Centre College, This game allowed them afford “eastern” coach to lead the football team. [ Stanly, Gregory Kent, "Before Big Blue – Sports at the University of Kentucky 1880-1940," (The University Press of Kentucky, 1996), p. 48, ISBN 0-8131-1991-X.]

During the 1909 season the Wildcats scored several notable victories including a 6 to 2 over the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. The head of the military department at Kentucky, Commandant Corbusier, stated that the team “"fought like Wildcats." Shortly after this Wildcats became sunomonis with the University and would eventually become the official nickname.cite web | url=http://www.ukathletics.com/index.php?s=&url_article_id=11401&change_well_id=2
title= Wildcats Nickname| publisher=ukathletics.com | accessdate=2007-10-10 ] Other victories that year included a shutout victory over University of Tennessee Volunteers and a blow out of cross town rival Transylvania College. The team finished the season with a 15 – 6 victory over Centre before six thousand fans to win the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Association (KIAA) state title. Stanly, p. 49] The Sweetland led Wildcats finished the year at 9-1 and outscored their opponents by a combined score of 261 to 29 with the only blemish being a 6- 15 loss to North Carolina A&M.cite web | url=http://www.ukathletics.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=39&url_article_id=20301&change_well_id=2| title= 2007 University of Kentucky Football Media Guide| publisher=ukathletics.com | accessdate=2007-10-10 ] The gridiron success was more remarkable considering Sweetland became ill during the season and was feared that he could not continue to coach the football team. The local newspaper went so far to report that a replacement was selected.

In the fall of 1909 the faculty athletic senate voted to abolish the men’s basketball at Kentucky do to poor record and an overcrowded gym. As a reaction to this, the University of Kentucky students presented the board of trustees with a solution to the overcrowding. The plan was for a wooden floor and new lighting to be installed in the Armory. To address the poor record of the past teams Sweetland was named coach. This made him first paid coach in Kentucky’s basketball history. Before this time the team only had managers. In his first year the basketball team finished 4-8. R. E. Spahr assumed coaching duties during the season when Sweetland once again became ill. [ Stanly, p. 115-116]

Sweetland had recovered from his Illness to coach the 1910 football season. The season went well for the Wildcats as they won the first seven straight victories. Among their victims were the North Carolina, Tennessee and Tulane. The last two games of the season did not go the Wildcats way. Team traveled to St. Louis University in the eighth game and was shut out by a score of 9-0. Centre College beat Kentucky on Thanksgiving Day in the last game of the season by a score of 6-12. Sweetland’s team had several costly fumbles to allow Centre to claim the State title. This game was marred by several controversies. The first was before the game A. H. Throckmorton of the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Association (KIAA) ruled that several of Centre College players were not eligible to play do to there education background did not meet the minimum requirement set out by the KIAA. Centre played the players that KIAA stated that were ineligible in the game anyway. It did so since both Kentucky and Centre were also members of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) who had not ruled on the players’ eligibility. The second was do to a verbal argument before the game the game escalated to a point that Centre stated it was fearful of UK’s actions and also stated it would never play Kentucky again. [ Stanly, p. 50-51]

At the end of the season Sweetland’s health once again began to fail. He submitted his resignation and accepted what he hoped would be a “less stressful job” as the University of Wisconsin-Madison rowing coach. By mid January, Sweetland, had to send word to University of Wisconsin-Madison Athletic Director George W. Ehler that he will be unable to continue his duties do to his ongoing illness. [Citation |last = |first = |author-link =|last2 = | first2 = | author2-link = |title = Vail to Coach Wisconsin Crew | newspaper = New York Times| pages =| year = 1911|date = January 20, 1911|url =http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9D01E4DA1331E233A25753C2A9679C946096D6CF] cite web | url= http://www.wiscorowinghistory.org/seasons/1911.html| title= 1911 Season | publisher= wiscorowinghistory.org| accessdate=2007-10-10 ]

Miami University

After leaving Kentucky, Sweetland wound up as head football coach at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio for the 1911 season. He replaced Harold Iddings who ended up replacing Sweetland as head basketball coach at UK. After scoring a 46-0 victory over Wilmington, Miami’s offence only scored 11 points and finished the season 2-4-2. One of his team’s losses was to his former employer the University of Kentucky by the score of 0-12. He returned to coach the Wildcats for the 1912 season. He was the last head coach to leave Miami with a losing record until 1989 when Tim Rose‘s contract was not renewed. [cite web | url=http://muredhawks.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/05-mediaguide.html| title=Miami 2005 media guide | publisher= muredhawks.com| accessdate= 2008-01-23]

Return to Kentucky

. Barker created a position of Athletic Director to over see all athletics and physical education. The position had the faculty status of a department chair. Baker hired Sweetland to fill this position which included that he serve as both head coach of the football and basketball team. Stanly, p. 58-59 ]

The second addition of Sweetland basketball team at Kentucky was more successful than his first. His second stint as head basketball coach went better than his first. The Wildcats posted an undefeated season with a record of 9-0.

Even with the success on the hard court Sweetland return was marred by several problems and troubles. Sweetland had to deal with disciplinary action by KIAA who had been investigating the use of ineligible athletes. Sweetland announced that Kentucky would leave the KIAA after the end of the academic year. Even with this announcement the KIAA suspended the Wildcats for one year. This caused Sweetland several problems including putting together a schedule for the 1912 football season. Most games had to be filled with schools from outside the state with emphasis put on games with fellow SIAA schools. Rumors that the KIAA had informed the SIAA of its findings plus strong criticism from the Faculty council most notably the dean of the engineering department, Paul Anderson were an ongoing issues that Sweetland had to deal with.

The 1912 Wildcats posted a 7-2 record losing only to Sweetland former school Miami University 13-8 and VMI by a score of 3-2. During the season, Sweetland had to fire his assistant coach Richard S. Webb after he took several team members to a Knoxville Red-light district after the football game versus the University of Tennessee.

Near the end of the season a fire broke out in the on campus office of Athletic department critic Paul Anderson. The fire caused little damage to the building but destroyed several items in the office. Originally was reported as an electrical fire but latter changed to arson. This was reinforced by discovery of several items from Anderson’s office near the football field. In early December Sweetland, along with 6 students with ties to the athletic department were arrested for starting fire. The warrants for arrest were sworn to by Captain Richard Webb. [Citation |last =|first =|author-link =|last2 =| first2 =| author2-link =|title = Desk Burned, Six Arrested| newspaper = New York Times| pages = | year = 1912| date = December 10 1912 | url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9B06E1DB1E3AE633A25753C1A9649D946396D6CF] As well as being and former Kentucky football coach and captain of the 1910 Wildcat football team, Webb was from a prominent Lexington Family as well as being an officer of the court. Sweetland and Webb had been close friends and business partners but their friendship had deteriorated. [ Stanly, p. 66-67]

The case took an unexpected turn when the investigation by the State Fire Marshall, Police and District Attorney changed its focus from Sweetland to Richard Webb. Webb hired a prominent legal team which included Henry S. Breckinridge. During the preliminary trial Webb’s defense attorneys, tried to paint Sweetland mentally unstable and tried to switch suspension to Sweetland. At the end of the preliminary trail the judge ruled that probable cause existed to hold Webb on the charge of arson.

At the trial the Webb’s defense team dropped the tactic of switching blame to Sweetland. Instead they focused on discrediting the testimony of Thomas Baker who had confessed to a charge of arson and implicated Webb as his accomplice. They also had several family members provide an alibi for Webb and were successful in having that the fingerprint evidence thrown out. During final arguments the defense team argued that the prosecution had failed to Webb’s motive. In the end the jury only took 45 minutes to reach a not guilty verdict. [ Stanly, p. 64-72] Early in 1913, before the Webb arson case went to trial, Edwin Sweetland resigned his duties as coach and athletic administrator. The UK athletic department announced that he “could not be induced to stay.” [ Stanly, p. 68] As the football coach of the Wildcats, Sweetland compiled a 23-5 mark in three seasons.

West Virginia University

After the second stint at Kentucky, Sweetland moved on to West Virginia University for the 1913 season. After starting the season with two convincing wins over Davis & Elkins College and Waynesburg the Mountaineer stumbled the rest of the way to a 3-4-2 record. This did not sit well with West Virginia fans and alumni. “When WVU lost to (West Virginia) Wesleyan for the second straight season, 21-0, outraged alumni called for the hiring of a nationally known coach.” [cite web | title= WVU football timeline | publisher= Charleston Daily Mail |work = | url = http://www.dailymail.com/static/specialsections/lookingback/lb07099.htm |accessdate= 2008-02-08]

Tulane University

Sweetland left West Virginia and took a job to coach football for the 1914 season at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. In his only year as the Head coach for the Green Wave, Sweetland, had a record to 3-3-1. The highlight of the season was an 82-0 victory over Centenary and a 0-0 tie with archrival LSU in the season finale.cite web |url= http://tulanegreenwave.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/100605aaa.html| title= Tulane Green Wave 2005 football media guide | publisher= Tulane University| accessdate= 2008-02-10]

Alfred University

After leaving Tulane, Sweetland returned to his native Western New York and spent several seasons in a part time job as football coach at Alfred University. He took over the team in 1915 and coached it to a 4-2 record. The biggest win was a 13-7 victory over nearby Syracuse University’s freshman team. Under Sweetland leadership Saxons won regularly, posting a 17-5-0 record during his four years as coach. In 1917 he led Alfred to the school’s first unbeaten and untied season. [cite web | url=http://herrick.alfred.edu/special/archives/stud_life/football.asp | title=Alfred Football History | publisher= herrick.alfred.edu| accessdate= 2008-01-23]

After coaching

After coaching Sweetland was very involved in Dryden, New York and Tompkins County politics. Sweetland was a prominent member of the local Democratic Party. He served his community by holding numerous town offices including serving as member of the local draft board. He also served as Supervisor of the Town of Dryden from 1938 to 1944 In his political career he had to overcome being a Democrat in an overwhelming Republican county. The local voter rolls when he was elected Supervisor, shows that Republican outnumbered Democrats by close to a 2.5 to one margin in Tompkins County and a 3 to 1 margin in his hometown of Dryden. [cite journal | last = | first = | title = ON THE CAMPUS AND DOWN THE HILL | journal = Cornell Alumni News | volume = 40 | issue = 14 | pages = 195 | publisher = The Cornell Alumni News publishing Co. | location = Ithaca, New York | date = January 13, 1938| url = http://dspace.library.cornell.edu/bitstream/1813/3555/22/040_14.pdf | accessdate = 2008-01-28 |format=PDF]

Head coaching record

Football

CFB Yearly Record Entry
year = 1899
name = Hamilton
overall = 8-2-1
conference =
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year = 1900
name = Syracuse
overall = 7-2-1
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year = 1901
name = Syracuse
overall = 7-1-0
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year = 1902
name = Syracuse
overall = 6-2-1
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championship = CFB Yearly Record Entry
year = 1903
name = Hamilton
overall = 6-3-0
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championship = CFB Yearly Record Entry
year = 1904
name = Ohio State
overall = 6-5-0
conference = 2-1
confstanding = 2nd
bowlname =
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bcsbowl =
ranking =
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CFB Yearly Record Entry
year = 1905
name = Ohio State
overall = 8-2-2
conference = 2-0-1
confstanding = 2nd
bowlname =
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bcsbowl =
ranking =
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championship = CFB Yearly Record Entry
year = 1908
name = Colgate
overall = 4-3-0
conference =
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ranking =
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championship = CFB Yearly Record Entry
year = 1909
name = Kentucky
overall = 9-1-0
conference =
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bowlname =
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championship = CFB Yearly Record Entry
year = 1910
name = Kentucky
overall = 7-2-0
conference =
confstanding =
bowlname =
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bcsbowl =
ranking =
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championship = CFB Yearly Record Entry
year = 1911
name = Miami University
overall = 2-4-2
conference = 1-3-1
confstanding = 9th
bowlname =
bowloutcome =
bcsbowl =
ranking =
ranking2 =
championship = CFB Yearly Record Entry
year = 1912
name = Kentucky
overall = 7-2-0
conference =
confstanding =
bowlname =
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bcsbowl =
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championship = CFB Yearly Record Entry
year = 1913
name = West Virginia
overall = 3-4-2
conference =
confstanding =
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championship = CFB Yearly Record Entry
year = 1914
name = Tulane
overall = 3-3-1
conference =
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championship = CFB Yearly Record Entry
year = 1915
name = Alfred
overall = 4-2-0
conference =
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ranking =
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championship = CFB Yearly Record Entry
year = 1916
name = Alfred
overall =
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championship = CFB Yearly Record Entry
year = 1917
name = Alfred
overall =
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bowlname =
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bcsbowl =
ranking =
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championship = CFB Yearly Record Entry
year = 1918
name = Alfred
overall =
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confstanding =
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bcsbowl =
ranking =
ranking2 =
championship =

Basketball

CBB Yearly Record Start
type=coach
conference=
postseason=
poll=noCBB Yearly Record Subhead
name= Kentucky
startyear=1909
conference=SIAA
endyear=1912|CBB Yearly Record Entry
championship =
season = 1909-10
name = Kentucky
overall = 4-8
conference =
confstanding =
postseason =
ranking = no
ranking2 = noCBB Yearly Record Entry
championship =
season = 1911-12
name = Kentucky
overall = 9-0
conference =
confstanding =
postseason =
ranking = no
ranking2 = noCBB Yearly Record Subtotal
name = Kentucky
overall = 13-8
confrecord = CBB Yearly Record End
overall=13-8
poll = no
polltype =

Notes

References

* [http://www.oac.org/documents/football.pdf OAC media guide]
* [http://www.suathletics.com/sidebar.asp?id=48&path=football Syracuse history]