By: Evan Ryan, Athletic Communications Intern
Following the conclusion of World War II, the United States saw a major transformation. Production moved from military weaponry and equipment to the production of self-sustaining goods for civilians.
The economy was exploding through the roof. Jobs were a surplus. The population was increasing significantly due to the acclaimed "Baby-Boomer" generation. Life in America was at an all-time high. And for many, we should thank these "Baby-Boomers" for their dedication and hard-work, which paved the way for future successes.
For one individual, the State University of New York at New Paltz pays tribute.
Gordon Krajna, born in 1940, will be inducted into the State University of New York at New Paltz Athletics Hall of Fame on Oct. 10, 2014. As a person, Krajna exemplified this dedication and hard work through his abilities on and off the field.
Krajna was a two-sport athlete at the College, competing for both the men's tennis and men’s soccer teams. While excelling in both sports during his time at the College, Krajna also pursued a Bachelors and Masters in Fine Arts at New Paltz.
Krajna, born in Tonawanda, N.Y., but raised in Kingston, N.Y., came to the College in what some might consider a non-traditional fashion. In a sit-down interview with Mr. Allan Masters ’68, a former tennis and business partner of Krajna, he describes the events leading up to Krajna’s enrollment at New Paltz.
As a son to an executive business man, Krajna found himself moving to Texas by the start of his college career. Off the bat, he “didn’t fit in” while attending a state school in the large state. In an attempt to find himself again, Gordon made the decision to head back east to New York. As Krajna drove into the state he called home, he drove through the town of New Paltz. Masters continues to describe that Krajna drove up Main Street and “hears a lot of commotion, and sees a lot of people having a good time.” This commotion, according to Masters’ recollection of Krajna’s story, was coming from P&G’s.
“Gordon looked at the mountains that overlook New Paltz, he looked at P&G’s, and said, ‘This is where I’ll go to school, this is where I’ll live.’”
“A bear of a man,” Masters describes. Krajna accumulated an impressive resume while competing for the Hawks. As a tennis star, Krajna, in just his freshmen year, won the NY Inter-Collegiate Athletic Conference singles championships and went to the finals in doubles with his partner, Jack Gatje. In addition, New Paltz won its first State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) championship in any sport during his freshman year. During his sophomore year, Krajna and the Hawks went on to win the program’s second consecutive SUNYAC championship in 1959-60. More impressively, by Krajna’s junior year, the student-athlete had yet to be defeated collegiately since his arrival at New Paltz, a streak that lasted 35 matches in total.
From the clay courts of tennis to the soccer pitch, Krajna excited the crowd by proving his prowess as a member of Hall of Fame coach Albert Miller’s team. During Krajna’s junior year in 1961, he was a Second-Team All-SUNYAC selection, which was just his second year on the team.
In his years after attending New Paltz, Krajna immediately got a job as an art teacher at Ellenville Central High School in 1962. Outside of teaching, Krajna was the high school’s tennis coach.
Krajna would also find time to compete at the local New Paltz tennis club. This is where Krajna and Masters met, competing together as partners in doubles, but they mostly found themselves competing against one another. Separate from tennis, the two became business partners together, acquiring buildings in the local area.
Apart from teaching and coaching, Krajna also found time to build huge sculptures. In an effort to hone in on his ability as a sculptor, Krajna went down to New York City to try and fit in with the art scene, but after realizing he did not like it, he continued to teach.
“Gordon was a dreamer,” Masters describes.
Krajna would later make the transition from sculpting to building homes. According to Masters, they were extremely “unique homes that were made from massive logs, with beautiful beams.” This was a testament to Krajna’s creativity and ability to think beyond the box.
In 1995, Krajna stepped away from teaching after 33 years of service at the age of 55. Krajna and Masters’ real estate remained intact until eventually the partners decided to sell the buildings.
In later years, the two remained friends and stayed in contact. Krajna moved to High Falls, N.Y., and continued to live in a blue-collar manor.
On January 4, 2002, the New Paltz community and others mourned the passing of Krajna. An honorable man, Krajna suffered from unexpected heart failures.
Masters explains Krajna’s final dream, which was to build a grass court on his property. Ultimately, Krajna did build that court, but it was clay due to the difficulty of creating a grass court.
A friendship that was cut short, Mr. Masters goes on to say that “Gordon was a special guy to me. His personality was quite magnetic. Women loved him, and guys wanted to hang out with him.”
Krajna and five other individuals will be honored at this year’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Masters has been chosen to speak on behalf of Krajna’s induction.
The ceremony will take place Friday, Oct. 10, 2014. There will be a reception from 6-6:45 p.m. prior to the 7 p.m. dinner and ceremony. The dinner and ceremony will take place in the College's Multi-Purpose Room in the Student Union Building, while the reception will occur in the lobby outside of the room.
