Long and lean, Newell always played second fiddle at Syracuse to basketball stars Billy Gabor, Jack Kiley and Ed Stickel.

But as a teacher, coach and administrator, Royce took a back seat to no one. He stood above the crowd, not just because he was 6-foot-8.

His accomplishments — as a player, and for more than a half-century thereafter — made him an obvious choice as the Veterans’ Committee inductee to the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame.

Born in Corry, Pa., Royce played high school ball in Jamestown, NY.  He played on post-World War II teams at SU coached by Hall of Famer Lew Andreas from 1945-49.

As a freshman on a varsity team that went 23-4 and played in the 1946 National Invitation Tournament (SU’s first postseason bid), Royce was second in scoring (11.4 ppg) to Hall of Famer Gabor.  He was top scorer three of the last four games that season.

Needed more to rebound and defend inside as a sophomore and junior, he averaged 8.3 and 7.7, respectively.  SU was 19-6, losing a playoff for the ’47 NCAAs to CCNY by 2, but a disappointing 11-13 the next season.

His senior year, the Orangemen went 18-7 and Royce averaged 10 ppg.  During his Hill career, he started 99 of 101 games and scored 951 points ( 9.4 ppg) as SU went 71-30.

Royce earned his BA and Master’s at Syracuse.  He is best known for his 33 years as teacher/coach/Director of Physical Education and Athletics for the West Genesee Central School District.  He was West Genny’s first AD and first lacrosse coach.

He retired in 1982, then was employed for 23 years as a manufacturer’s representative for NEVCO Scoreboard Company.

A legendary figure in Onondaga High School League circles, Royce served as OHSL secretary-treasurer for nearly a half-century.

Active in the Camillus community, Royce — who passed away in 2006 — and Caroline, his wife of 56 years, had two children (Bill and Julie).