An immortal in the world of collegiate hockey, Sid Watson guided
the Bowdoin hockey program to extraordinary heights during his
career behind the bench.
As an undergraduate at Northeastern, Sid became one of the
greatest gridiron players in school history. He averaged more than
100 yards per game and 7.1 yards per carry during his career as a
running back. He still holds Northeastern's school records for most
career points (191) and single-season points (74). Watson then
moved on to play in the National Football League with the
Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Redskins. In 1958, despite the
chance to play another year in the NFL, Watson accepted a temporary
position as Bowdoin¹s hockey coach. Watson grew to love the
game while playing at Northeastern, earning his stripes in the
ultra-competitive collegiate hockey environment of Boston. After
one season as a co-coach with Nels Corey, Watson took over the
position full-time in 1959.
Over the next 24 seasons, Watson's teams compiled a record of
326-210-11 (.606). In the postseason, Watson's teams qualified for
the ECAC playoffs every year but once from 1969 to 1983, reaching
the ECAC Championship Game six times. The Polar Bears won the ECAC
Division II Championship four times, in 1971, 1975, 1976 and 1978.
He received numerous awards for his exploits, winning the Edward
Jeremiah Trophy as national college division coach of the year
three times (1970, 1971, 1978). In 1983, Watson retired as coach
and became Bowdoin's athletic director one year later; he retired
from that position in 1998. During Watson¹s tenure as athletic
director, Bowdoin athletics grew to 29 varsity sports, 5 club
teams, and more than 20 physical education courses. In 1996 Bowdoin
dedicated the Sidney J. Watson Fitness Facility in his honor.
In 2001 he was awarded the Hobey Baker Legend of Hockey Award and
inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame. He has also
been inducted into the Andover Hall of Fame, the Northeastern
University Hall of Fame, and the Maine Sports Hall of Fame. Watson
is a native of Andover, Massachusetts, and resided in Brunswick,
Maine and Naples, Florida with his wife, Henrietta until his death
in 2004. His son Christopher is a member of the Class of 1988. The
Watsons have five children and 11 grandchildren.
