Bucknell Athletics Hall of Fame
Ostendarp, James E.
James E. Ostendarp
- Induction:
- 1981
- Class:
- 1952
Sport: Football
Jim "Smokey" Ostendarp was one of Bucknell's finest running backs ever. He went on to play professionally in the NFL and in Canada, and he later had an outstanding college head coaching record at Amherst. An All-State quarterback at Baltimore Polytechnic High School, where he played against teams coached by his Bucknell coach Harry Lawrence, Ostendarp was a halfback on the All-Pennsylvania Second Team in 1949 and received honorable mention on the Little All-America Team. He was the third-highest scorer in the state that year with 60 points and was the third-leading rusher in the East with 828 yards (6.9 avg.) in eight games, then a Bucknell record. His 211 rushing yards against a Hook Mylin-coached NYU team in 1949 remained a team record for 28 years. Ostendarp played with the New York Giants of the National Football League in 1950-51 and was named the outstanding player on the Montreal Alouettes in 1952. He began his coaching career as backfield and defensive coach at Bucknell in 1954. He was the freshman coach at Williams in 1955 and backfield and defensive coach there in 1956-57. He was defensive coach at Cornell in 1958 before beginning his tenure as head coach at Amherst in 1959. Ostendarp remained at Amherst for 33 years, compiling a record of 168–91–5 from 1959-91. He led the Lord Jeffs to undefeated seasons in 1960 and 1984 along with 13 Little Three (Amherst, Williams, Wesleyan) titles. Ostendarp was also a member of the faculty at Amherst, and he served as president of the American Football Coaches Association in 1982.
(Bucknell Hall of Fame Class of 1981)
Jim "Smokey" Ostendarp was one of Bucknell's finest running backs ever. He went on to play professionally in the NFL and in Canada, and he later had an outstanding college head coaching record at Amherst. An All-State quarterback at Baltimore Polytechnic High School, where he played against teams coached by his Bucknell coach Harry Lawrence, Ostendarp was a halfback on the All-Pennsylvania Second Team in 1949 and received honorable mention on the Little All-America Team. He was the third-highest scorer in the state that year with 60 points and was the third-leading rusher in the East with 828 yards (6.9 avg.) in eight games, then a Bucknell record. His 211 rushing yards against a Hook Mylin-coached NYU team in 1949 remained a team record for 28 years. Ostendarp played with the New York Giants of the National Football League in 1950-51 and was named the outstanding player on the Montreal Alouettes in 1952. He began his coaching career as backfield and defensive coach at Bucknell in 1954. He was the freshman coach at Williams in 1955 and backfield and defensive coach there in 1956-57. He was defensive coach at Cornell in 1958 before beginning his tenure as head coach at Amherst in 1959. Ostendarp remained at Amherst for 33 years, compiling a record of 168–91–5 from 1959-91. He led the Lord Jeffs to undefeated seasons in 1960 and 1984 along with 13 Little Three (Amherst, Williams, Wesleyan) titles. Ostendarp was also a member of the faculty at Amherst, and he served as president of the American Football Coaches Association in 1982.
(Bucknell Hall of Fame Class of 1981)
In The Herd: Saint Francis Game Preview And Nick Hoying Feature
Wednesday, September 24
In The Herd: First Practice Review And Tuana Coskun Feature
Tuesday, September 23
In The Herd: First Practice Review And Ruot Bijiek Feature
Monday, September 22
(Coaches Camera) Salem Men's Water Polo Vs. Gannon (9/21/25)
Monday, September 22
