Mark Edstrom

Mark earned a starting position on Coach Dutch Leonard’s hardwood team as a sophomore and responded by leading the JHS in scoring – a feat he would duplicate the next two seasons as well.

Upon his graduation, Edstrom would be the leading scorer and rebounder (588) in the history of the Jamestown High basketball program. His 1,047 points were accomplished in just three seasons and without benefit of the 3-point shot.

The 1971-72 basketball team was one Jamestown’s finest. The squad went 19-2 playing in the Erie-centric Lake Shore League against Cathedral Prep, McDowell Academy, Strong Vincent, Erie East and Erie Tech. The Red Raiders even beat national powerhouse Schenley High from Pittsburgh.

The Edstrom-led team won the Section VI Class AAAA, which was as far as a team could go in the era before New York State Championships.

Former teammate Tom Benson recalls that “Mark was the absolute leader of the team and its heart and soul. He was not vocal or boastful. He led by example, working harder and out-hustling everyone on the floor. He always guarded the best player on the opposing team, was never intimidated, and refused to lose. He was the glue, the catalyst, the force that made the rest of us better.”

He was also a member of the JHS track & field team that set a school record in the 880-yard relay (1:31.20).

Edstrom took his talents to Alfred University where he played basketball for four years. His 1,356 points ranked third on the AU all-time list upon his graduation in 1977.

After being away from football for three years, he joined the Saxons gridiron team under legendary Saxon coach Alex Yunevich. Playing back and placekicker, he achieved a rare feat – he was the leading scorer on both the Alfred basketball and football teams in the same year.

He was elected to the Alfred University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988.

While living in Jamestown, Edstrom was also a talented fast-pitch softball player on the highly regarded See-Zurh House team managed by Tim Brown.

Mark retired from the United States Postal Service as a postmaster in 2010 and lives in Ludlow, Mass.