Claude Byer

Induction Year: 2026

Category: Basketball, Coaching

Location: Amityville

Claude was the varsity girls basketball coach at Amityville from 1979 to 2001, winning  359 games and 70% of his games.

Led Amityville to four league championships, 10 sectional championships, three regional championships and two Final Four appearances.

Made the playoffs in 20 of 23 seasons and won at least one playoff game in each of his first 19 years as head coach.

Never missed a game or scrimmage during his entire coaching career.

Named Newsday Coach of the Year, Daily News Coach of the Year and Suffolk County Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year.

Graduate of Farmingdale High School and Tuskegee University, earning a degree in chemistry and education. Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force through ROTC and rose to the rank of Captain. Earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Southern California while serving in the military.

Dedicated educator and math teacher in Amityville and is in the school’s Hall of Fame.

He’s also in the New York State Coaches Hall of Fame.

A pioneer and champion for girls’ athletics before Title IX, he created summer leagues, clinics, camps and opportunities for young female athletes.

To this day, he is respected throughout Section XI for his leadership, sportsmanship, and lasting impact on girls’ basketball and education.