Ostendarp was affectionately referred to as "the Darp" by his players, though never to his face. During Ostendarp's tenure, four Amherst football players went on to play in the NFL, an amazing accomplishment for a Div. III program that does not give athletic scholarships. The alumni honored Ostendarp with an endowed professorship in 1990.
While his achievements on the football field were immense, they alone do not fully explain why hundreds of alumni filled Johnson Chapel and wore "Darp" baseball caps to the Amherst-Colby game on Saturday. Ostendarp, who passed away 10 months ago at the age of 82 from complications due to Alzheimer's Disease, was honored and remembered during this ceremony.
While many of the alumni present played for Ostendarp, they were not alone in honoring his memory. Kit Kaufman '67, who played for the tennis team, nonetheless felt Ostendarp defined Amherst athletics.
Reverend Thomas Massaro '83 led the memorial service and had similar praise for Ostendarp. "[He was a] great-souled and generous man, a dedicated family man, a man for all seasons, and not just football season," said Massaro.
President Tony Marx praised Ostendarp, saying, "[He got] everyone to think beyond the team and the game."
After Marx's opening address, four of Ostendarp's former players paid tribute to their coach. All four men discussed how Ostendarp placed a premium on character, and was very proud of his players and their successes. In coaching young athletes, Ostendarp hoped to shape successful and moral young men. Lee Levison '77 said, "He expected every Amherst football player to be a great person, and pursue great things."
Levison also recalled Ostendarp's interest in his students' lives, saying, "Football was the medium for him to teach us how to live our lives."
Chairman of the Board of Trustees Jide Zeitlin '85 explained Ostendarp's emphasis on discipline, but also the great affection he felt for his players. "He looked at everyone as though we were his son," said Zeitlin. He also described how daily he tries to honor "the Darp" by "trying to live the timeless values I learned on Pratt Field."
David Hixon '75, a former assistant coach to Ostendarp, referred to the coach's love of art and music, which he shared with his players by taking them to the Mead Art Museum during practice.
Dave Morine '66, echoing the sentiments of the previous speakers, mentioned how Ostendarp could change from coach to professor, as he often did following a tough loss. One speaker mentioned that Ostendarp's favorite song was "Lord Jeffrey Amherst," which was sung at the service in his honor.
The College community also explained that "the Darp" was committed to education as well as football. When declining ESPN's offer to televise the 100th Amherst-Williams football game, Ostendarp stated, "We're in the education business, not the entertainment business."