Mark Edstrom

EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is the biography of Mark Edstrom, one of nine individuals who will comprise the 2025 induction class of the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame. The other inductees are Jessica Anderson, Tom Anderson, Anthony Barone, Stephen Carlson, Ron Frederes, Nick Kahanic, Aaron Leeper and Nick Sirianni. These nine individuals will be formally inducted at the CSHOF’s 43rd annual induction banquet on Presidents Day, Feb. 17, 2025, at the Lakewood Rod & Gun Club. Tickets are available prior to Feb. 1 for $50 at the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame, 15 W. Third St., Jamestown; at the Jock Shop, 10 Harrison St., Jamestown; online at www.chautauquasportshalloffame.org; or by calling chairman Chip Johnson at 716-485-6991.

One of the most gifted athletes at Jamestown High School and Alfred University will be an inductee of the Class of 2025 of the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame.

Mark Edstrom, decorated athlete for both the JHS Red Raiders and the AU Saxons, will take his rightful place among Chautauqua County’s honored sports individuals.

A Post-Journal article from 1963 was a precursor of things to come. The headline read “Edstrom Leads P P & K Competition.” The article stated that Mark was the 9-year-old winner of the Jamestown Area Punt, Pass and Kick Competition with a total score that exceeded even the boys in the older age groups. Even at that young age, it became obvious that he was a talented performer.

Entering Jamestown High School as a sophomore in 1969, he immediately made his presence known. He became the starting quarterback on Coach Tony Nunes’ Red Raider squad, a position that he continued to hold as a junior and senior for Coach Dick Noonan.

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 the 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 the 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, Massachusetts.