Syracuse’s Century Club Honors Cazenovia Artist

The Century Club, a private social club in Syracuse since 1876, announces that James A. Ridlon has been chosen as the recipient of its 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award.

An outstanding athlete and talented artist and educator, Ridlon has demonstrated extraordinary creativity and skill on football and lacrosse fields, in the classroom and in his art studio.

As a student-athlete, Ridlon came to Syracuse University in 1953. On the football field, he was listed on the depth chart as a defensive back and half-back from 1954-56. Ridlon also played on the 1957 National Championship Lacrosse team.

He received his Bachelors and Masters of Fine Arts degrees from SU and later was awarded an honorary doctorate from Cazenovia College in 1997.

Upon graduating from SU, Ridlon was drafted by the NFLs San Francisco 49ers where he played for six seasons. He also suited up for the Dallas Cowboys. In 1964, he was named an All-Pro defensive back. After his NFL career, Ridlon returned to SU and joined head coach Ben Schwartzwalder as a defensive backfield assistant coach.

Moving from the sidelines to the broadcast booth, Ridlon began a 24-year stint as a SU color commentator alongside sports announcer, Doug Logan.

On the academic side, Ridlon was a member of Syracuse University’s School of Visual and Performing Arts faculty until his retirement in 2000 with the title of distinguished professor emeritus. He was also recognized with an Outstanding Faculty Award in 1997.

Ridlon’s passion for art has made him one of the top sports artists in the country. He was commissioned to create the Outland Trophy for college football’s most outstanding lineman, SU’s 100th Anniversary Football assemblage which is installed in the Carrier Dome, Wide World of Sports 25th Anniversary assemblage, Monday Night Football’s 20th Anniversary assemblage and the Disney Pigskin Classic Football Trophy, among other installations. In addition, Ridlon was awarded the Outland Association’s Tom Osborn Legacy Award in 2016.

Ridlon’s artwork has received dozens of prizes in juried competitions and is held in private collections as well as permanent collections including the Everson Museum, Munson-Williams Proctor Institute is Utica, the State Legislature Building in Albany and at Binghamton University.

The Century Club Lifetime Achievement Award was presented at a private ceremony earlier this month.