Drumlins Country Club
Syracuse, NY
October 17,2004
The Onondaga community had a lot to celebrate at the US Lacrosse Upstate New York Lacrosse Hall of Fame Dinner. At the celebration Mike Greene of Watertown NY, Joseph Mars of Cortland NY, Steven Miller of Fayetteville-Manlius NY, Robert Streeten of Corning NY and our own Eli Cornelius and the 1948-54 Onondaga Lacrosse team were honored.
Eli Cornelius was a special person and player. Eli was a big strong player for Onondaga with a reputation of a hard, heavy shot who wouldn’t be denied on his way to the goal. Eli was part of the 48-54 team as well as playing professionally for the Syracuse Red Devils. After Eli ended his playing days, he turned his talents to coaching and stick-making. Eli lead Onondaga to 4 championships from 1963-67. Eli was also made high quality sticks that were used all over the world. Eli began making sticks in 1956 and continued for 31 years until his death in 1987.
Eli Cornelius was also a great friend and assistant to Coach Roy Simmons Jr. of Syracuse University. Eli assisted Coach Simmons for over 10 years. After the 1983 Syracuse University’s first Division I Championship, Eli received a championship ring for his efforts! Eli’s son Vic accepted the Hall of Fame plaque for his late father and thanked the crowd for the honor.
The 1948-54 team was also inducted into the Hall of Fame. The team evolved from a winless season to being undefeated for 4 straight seasons. This team played both in the box and in the field against the local colleges and universities. Irving Powless Jr. reminisced about how the team would meet collegiate All-Americans for a Saturday game. After a half, the Onondagas would hold the All-Americans scoreless! Powless also told of how all of these men on this team played for the love of the game. If there was a game, they would be there. The Onondagas loved matching their skills against other opponents in a spirited game. Some of these games included the day that the great Jim Brown came to Onondaga to play. And on that day, Jim Brown was knocked to the ground for the first time on a lacrosse field by our 145 pound Irving Powless Jr..
As a young goaltender, Oren Lyons Jr. remarked about the defense of this team. He remembered that these were big men with sticks. These men were strong, rough and determined checkers who made it easier to be between the pipes. Then when opposing attackers did venture toward the goal, they were taking a chance not to come out in one piece.
Both Irving Powless Jr. and Oren Lyons Jr. acknowledged the women and the community for supporting them. Without their support, the game wouldn’t be quite the same. In closing, Oren reminded all lacrosse players to treat their women well, or be prepared to find your stick and equipment gone!
Congratulations to the members of the 1948-54 team including: Andy Angus, Stanley Buck, Freeman Bucktooth Sr., Eli Cornelius, Wayne Coulon, Alfred Laverne Doctor, Donald Doctor, Floyd Doctor – Manager, Vernon Doctor, Lloyd Elm, Ray Elm Jr., Bill Foote, Davis Greene, Howard Hill, Oliver Hill Sr., Harry Isaacs, Robert Johnson, Art Jones, Dave Jones – Coach, Johnson Lewis Jr., Lee Lyons, Oren Lyons Jr., Roger Moses, Ernest Pierce Sr., Irving Powless Sr. – Coach., Irving Powless Jr., Edward Shenandoah, Gilbert Stout, Alfred Thomas, John Thomas Sr., Emerson Waterman and Ross Webster.
Pictured in 2004 Hall of Fame Induction are: L To R: Oren Lyons Jr., Art Jones, Wayne Coulon, Vern “Beet” Doctor, Irving Powless Jr., and Robert Johnson