Phil Allen attended Syracuse University on a football scholarship and won varsity letters in 1937, 1938 and 1939. But Allen is most remembered for his play during in two legendary games in 1938.

 

Allen secured his place in SU football folklore for making what is known as “The Catch”. Allen caught the winning touchdown from quarterback Wilmeth Sidat-Singh against Cornell as SU rallied from a 10-0 deficit in the fourth quarter to win the game 19-17. Allen also scored the game-winning TD on an end-around to beat Colgate which ended SU’s 14-year losing streak to the Red Raiders.

 

After college, Allen served in the Navy and saw action during the D-Day Normandy invasion. He was active in local sports as he served on the Syracuse Chiefs board and was a director of the Varsity Club, Orange Pack and Ernie Davis and Dave Bing clubs at SU.

 

Allen married local golf legend Virginia Guilfoil Allen. The Alllen’s were the first husband and wife tandem to be inducted was the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame.

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Allen died in 1995.

 

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

 

1938: Made "The Catch" to beat Cornell, scored winning touchdown against Colgate; Selected Honorable Mention All-America, All East Conference

 

1942-1945: Served in the U.S. Navy, participated in the Normandy Invasion

 

1961: Elected Supervisor, Town of Geddes

 

1975: Received SU’s Letterman of Distinction Award

 

1978: Inducted into Corning Sports Hall of Fame

 

1986: Received Blind Men and Criers’ Ed Kearney Award

 

1986: Elected to Andy Kerr’s Colgate All-Opponent team

 

1992: Elected President, Blind Men and Criers