Page 12 - Fall 2016 | Rochester Athletics News

Alumni Profile
RICHARD LEIBNER ’59

Steinbeck, who also retained Sol as his Determination is something Leibner
accountant. attributes to growing up in mid-20th century
Brooklyn. “We all had a real can-do attitude.
In 1964, Bienstock invited Sol to join his
business and handle the accounting. Richard, If you watch a war movie from that era, you’ll
a self-proclaimed news junkie, soon went always see a character from Brooklyn, and
to work with them and helped manage the that character could get through just about
affairs of such news personalities as Walter anything.”
Cronkite and Charles Collingswood. ALWAYS A CHEERLEADER
In January of 1965, Sol, Nate, and Richard Leibner has always been a cheerleader
formed N.S. Bienstock Inc., which grew to for Rochester and Rochester athletics. In
become one of the world’s largest talent 1994, he established the Eleanor and Sol
agencies for news personalities and reality Leibner Scholarship, which is designated
programming. Its client roster has included for a deserving incoming freshman student
Mike Wallace, Dan Rather, Chris Matthews, of diversity from Brooklyn. He and Cooper
Anderson Cooper, Robin Roberts, Bill O’Reilly, endowed the Leibner Cooper Family
and many others. Leibner’s career milestones Foundation Scholarship as well, designated
include negotiating a then unprecedented for full-time students studying business.
10-year, $22 million contract for Dan Rather In 2011, Leibner and his wife also made a
to replace the retiring Cronkite on the CBS
It was November 9, 1959—a day of reckoning Evening News. He also moved Diane Sawyer generous gift to establish the Richard A.
for the Yellowjackets’ football team. It had and other CBS News personalities to ABC Leibner and Carole Cooper Leibner Room
been a great year to that point, with six News when Roone Arledge became its inside the Robert B. Goergen Athletic Center.
straight wins. The mighty unbeaten Tufts president. In 2014, the University presented Leibner with
University team was coming to town that the James S. Armstrong Service Award, which
day, though, and the Democrat and Chronicle In 2014, United Talent Agency acquired is awarded to an alumnus in recognition
favored them over our own yellow and blue. N.S. Bienstock. As part of the arrangement, of outstanding and extraordinary service,
N.S. Bienstock retained its name, corporate leadership, loyalty, and commitment to the
The big game drew a crowd of 8,000 to Fauver identity, and New York offices. Leibner and University. Most recently, he made a gift that
Stadium—the second largest in history at his wife and business partner, Carole Cooper, significantly upgraded the equipment in the
that time. A pregame rally in front of Todd would remain as co-presidents and continue Larry and Cindy Bloch Fitness Center.
Union ignited the atmosphere. In the end, the to manage its day-to-day operations. When
Yellowjackets stomped Tufts in a surprising the Hollywood Reporter asked Leibner how Leibner’s passion for sports continues to
and electric 46–6 game. long he would remain at the agency, Leibner this day. He coaches first base and is the
statistician for the Fringe, a Fire Island softball
Richard Leibner ’59 was there. As one of two replied, “As I’ve always said, they will have to team. His passion for the University of
male cheerleaders for the team and, as he carry me out.” Rochester also continues. “I have such great
says, “one of the loudest voices on campus at affection for my alma mater,” he adds, “when
that time,” it’s something he will never forget. BROOKLYN STRONG I see someone on the streets of New York
“That season was a thrill ride. It gave us all the Leibner was never an athlete, but he loved City or anywhere wearing the University’s
feeling that anything was possible.” sports. Growing up in Brooklyn, he was a distinctive ‘R,’ I’ll yell out ‘Meliora,’ and I’ll
rabid Dodger and then New York Mets fan.
In its season wrap up, the Campus Times He was also the bat boy for James Madison always get a thumbs up.”
proclaimed that “this was a team . . . the most High School’s championship baseball team,
superb all-around eleven in the gridiron a school that not only graduated Leibner—at DID YOU KNOW?
history of the University of Rochester.” the young age of 16—but also four Nobel What many people don’t know is that Nathan
Every member of that team excelled in the Prize winners along with Bernie Sanders, Bienstock is Joel Seligman’s grandfather. “I
classroom and went on to distinguished Charles Schumer, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. first met Joel when he was about 11 or 12,”
careers. Leibner was one of them. recalls Leibner. “I even have a picture in my
Leibner’s most prized possession is a 1955 office that Joel took when he was a boy,
A NOTABLE CAREER ring owned by George “Shotgun” Shuba, who showing his grandfather sipping his favorite
After graduating from the University and was famous for his symbolic role in breaking drink—a glass of vodka with plenty of ice. A
getting his MBA at New York University, down color barriers in professional baseball few decades later, in 2005, I remember Bob
Leibner went to work for his father, Sol, an as a player for the Montreal Royals and the Witmer called me. Bob, a longtime University
accountant in New York City. One of his Brooklyn Dodgers. Shuba, Leibner recalls, trustee and close friend of mine, asked if I had
clients was Nathan Bienstock. Nate ran a offered a handshake to teammate Jackie any idea who the next University of Rochester
small personal management and insurance Robinson after his home run during a game in president was going to be. I told him ‘no,’ and
company and worked with some prominent 1946, which was captured in a timeless photo when he said it was going to be Joel, my jaw
writers and journalists, including John that marked the first interracial handshake in just dropped. Joel’s leadership has drawn me
a professional ballgame. even closer to this University.”
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