For Teammates by Teammates -- Orange Forever Memorial Fund

Cliff Ensley has etched his name in the Syracuse football record book for his interception and punt return prowess in 1968 as well as serving as team captain and MVP of the 1969 lacrosse team. Today the Orange three-sport letterwinner ensures all former Syracuse student-athletes will forever be remembered by their teammates and the University. In 2010, Ensley and other former student-athletes increased the size of the endowment of the Orange Forever Memorial Fund, an initiative Ensley started in 2007. The Fund initially provided an Orange Forever "Block S" blanket to the family of each passing athlete from the sports of football, men's lacrosse, wrestling and boxing for display and/or as a permanent keepsake. The Fund now provides an Orange Forever "Block S" blanket to all former Syracuse University letterwinners.

"The Orange Forever Memorial Fund honors both teammates and Syracuse University which brought us together at that point in our lives," Ensley said upon establishing the Fund. "We had a common goal and bond. It is something that we carry with us the rest of our lives with pride."

In 2007, the following story was written about Ensley and the Orange Forever Memorial Endowed Fund, which was initially established for four Syracuse sports. In 2010, Ensley and others fully endowed the Fund to ensure all Orange student-athletes are memorialized.

When Cliff Ensley enrolled at Syracuse University, no one expected the walk-on would become the school's Athlete of the Year. Ensley overcame those odds and became a three-sport letterwinner at SU. Now he is using that same focus and drive that propelled him as a student-athlete in establishing a program that will pay final tribute to those who have worn the orange.

"Tom George and I were the two smallest guys on the football team," Ensley shared about his friend who passed away in 2003. "He was like a brother to me. We roomed together and played the same position on the field and were very close off the field. When I went to his services I made sure there were flowers from his former teammates, from his fraternity and from my family. His family had set up some SU football memorabilia. It was a sad thing that there was no representation of Syracuse University other than what his family had saved. I decided at that moment that teammates should have the support of their teammates at their final hour. They've earned it and their families will appreciate it. Some of our teammates may be gone but they will not be forgotten.

"Our goal is to get coverage for all Syracuse University student-athletes. I hope there are other former student-athletes who feel the same way I do. This is our Fund. Only good can come from this."

Ensley was born in Virginia and moved to New York State at the age of 10, where he was voted Athlete of the Year at Scarsdale High School in 1965. When it came time to choose a college, Ensley, unrecruited, wanted to test his athletic skills at a Division I school. He was making plans to attend West Point or Oklahoma, but a visit to Central New York changed that plan.

"I made a campus visit in February and ended up at Manley Field House with Roy Simmons Sr.," Ensley said. "We talked and I showed him my scrapbook. He took me back to his house for a late lunch. When he dropped me off at the airport he said if I promised not to go to West Point there would be a spot for me on the lacrosse team."

Ensley didn't intend on limiting his athletic exploits to the lacrosse field. Prior to enrolling in his first semester, Ensley tried out for the football squad with head coach Ben Schwartzwalder. It didn't take long for Ensley to make an impression.

"Before school started I tried out for the football team as one of ten walk-ons," Ensley said. "After two weeks I was the only walk-on left. During the spring that year it was tough because I couldn't make all of the freshman lacrosse practices and games because of spring football. During that period Ben called me into his office and offered me a scholarship. I respected Coach Ben and he had rewarded my efforts. He encouraged me to wrestle but not play lacrosse, but I couldn't agree with him on that. I wanted to play lacrosse for Simmie (Coach Simmons) and I managed to get in some wrestling for Coach (Ed) Carlin."

During his career Ensley led the football team in interceptions twice, recording six in both his junior and senior seasons. He is tied for sixth place on Syracuse's career interceptions leader list (12) and his 176 interception return yards is the seventh-highest total in school history. As a senior he recorded 147 interception return yards, a total that ranked first on SU's season list until 2004. Ensley also returned punts and his 31 punt returns in 1968 was either first or tied for first on the school's all-time leader list until 2000. He holds the single-game school record for punt returns with nine which he did against both Navy and Holy Cross in 1968. One of his punt returns against Navy was a 76-yard TD return in the Orange's 44-6 win against the Midshipmen.

Ensley, a defenseman, was a three-year member of the lacrosse team and was co-captain and MVP his senior year. During that span the Orange posted a 25-14 record, including an 11-3 mark in 1969. He earned a letter in wrestling as a sophomore, making him the last in a select group of student-athletes to earn three letters in a single-year, a group which includes NFL greats Jim Brown and John Mackey. Ensley was honored as Syracuse University's 1968-69 Athlete of the Year.

An avid student, Ensley earned a B.A. in 1969 and went on to earn a B.S. from the L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science in 1970 while serving as an assistant freshman football coach under Wally Mahle, and his MBA in 1971. A brief stint in the Army to fulfill his ROTC obligations followed. He now resides in New Jersey with his wife, Sue. His son's family lives nearby and his daughter resides in Florida. Ensley is the CEO and founder of Leisure Luggage, the company he started 29 years ago. He is a loyal supporter of the Athletics Department and is a lifetime member of the Varsity Club. In 1993 Ensley was honored as a LetterWinner of Distinction.

Ensley's latest gift provides a formal process for former teammates and the Athletic Department to honor and pay last respects to former Orange teammates. He chose the initial sports the Fund would support to reflect his own athletic career and as a tribute to coach Roy Simmons Sr.'s passion for boxing. Details of the Orange Forever Fund will be released soon.

The first honoree of the Orange Forever Memorial Fund was Kevin Mitchell. A star for the Orange from 1990-93 who went on to play 10 years in the National Football League, Mitchell passed away unexpectedly in April 2007.

"Kevin was a great player and I enjoyed watching him at Syracuse and in the pros," Ensley said. "He is the first recipient recognized through this program."

The Orange Forever Memorial Fund will continue to honor those who's sacrifice and dedication has made Syracuse University Athletics what it is today.

"I thank Syracuse University for sharing my vision and making this memorial fund possible," Ensley said. "I hope a few other former student-athletes will step up to help expand this Fund to honor all those who ever wear the Orange."

Syracuse University Athletics

For Teammates by Teammates -- Orange Forever Memorial Fund

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