Bernard “Putt” LaMay

Putt grew up in Whitehall, where he was a star on the football, basketball and track teams. He went on to play at Green Mountain College and Ithaca College.

He was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving in World War II.

Putt spent 33 years as a coach, earning 10 football league championships, 16 golf championships, nine boys’ basketball league titles and three track sectional titles. His high school coaching career took him to Fort Edward and Saratoga Springs before he settled in at Glens Falls High School. As a coach, he was best known as Glens Falls football coach from 1953 to 1972, where he went 110-28-6. He served as athletic director for 25 years and was president of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association from 1978 to 1980.

He had six undefeated seasons as a football coach. His former players said he was known for being honest, straightforward and demanding, and a man who drew respect from everyone.

His crowning accomplishment was bringing the boys basketball tournament to Glens Falls in 1981. But that was merely the final act in a long career marked by success as an athlete, coach, administrator and golfer.

He served on the state’s Central Committee and the Section II Executive Committee, and was an officer in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) for 8 years. During his two years as president, the state began to reinstate championships that have been missing since the 1930’s.

In 1981, with the state boys basketball tournament struggling in Rochester, Putt convinced the state to bring the event to the Civic Center. It has been here ever since, a run that will extend at least until 2010. He was chairman of the tournament for 10 years, until he turned it over to Doug Kenyon.

Putt had been inducted into several halls of fame, including the Glens Falls Heritage Sports Hall of Fame, the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame and the Green Mountain College Hall of Fame.

In 2003, the city of Glens Falls declared March 17 to be Bernard “Putt” LaMay Day.

1946-49 LaMay played fullback for the Whithall Pachyderms against the Greenjackets and coached the Pachyderms in 1950.

Bernard “Putt” Lamay Memorial Field is located at Glens Falls High School at 10 Quade Street, in Glens Falls NY. Parking is in the main lot behind the high school, with many handicap parking spots available near the entrance,