Former Fordham Football Coach G. Dean Loucks Passes

Glenn 'Dean' Loucks fondly remembered in White Plains (lohud.com)
 
Bronx, N.Y. (October 24, 2014) – The Fordham University football program mourns the loss of former head coach G. Dean Loucks, who passed away last week at the age of 79.
 
Loucks coached the Rams from 1972-1974, taking over the program from Jim Lansing, who guided Fordham football back to the varsity level in 1970. Over his three years at the helm, Loucks guided the Rams to a 14-14-1 record, including a 6-4 record in 1973, Fordham's first winning varsity season since 1951.
 
An All-America quarterback at White Plains High School in the early 1950's, Loucks led the Tigers to three undefeated seasons. Following graduation, he went on to play collegiately at Yale from 1954-1956, leading the Eli to the Ivy League title in 1956, earning All-Ivy and All-East accolades, while displaying his versatility by passing the ball with both his right and left hand.
 

Loucks, who also graduated from Yale Law School, coached the White Plains High School team from 1960-1968 and then tool the defensive coordinator position at Iona College before coming to Fordham.
 
When Loucks arrived at Rose Hill, he saw a team in transition, and he saw what needed to be done to get Fordham football back where it belonged.
 
"He was a classy guy from the Ivy League who brought spirit, academics and a competitive college football background to Fordham," said Michael Ajello, a 1974 team captain.  "He was the perfect guy to come in and pick up what Coach Lansing had started and take us to the next level."
 
The Rams were playing at the NCAA Division III Level when they brought football back on the varsity level and Fordham immediately faced some of the top teams in the division, including Ithaca, Alfred, C.W. Post, Hofstra and Widener. In 1972, Loucks first year, the Rams even played at Columbia, who was picked to win the Ivy League, the school's first game against a Division I opponent.
 
Loucks was able to convince local Division talent to stay home and play college football due to his strong ties with both the PSAL and New York CHSAA. Among these student-athletes were running backs Pierre Davis and Dennis DeMeo, both Fordham Athletic Hall of Famers. He also instituted the first Fordham football spring practice in 1974 and that fall, helped Fordham host the first ever night game on Jack Coffey Field, a game which drew over 6,000 fans.
 
Loucks' also helped the Fordham football program off the field, raising funds for a new locker room and weight facility.
 
"Coach Loucks planted the flag for Fordham football and the future teams have benefitted from that," said Ajello. "He was a coach who was loved and respected by all his players."