Roger S. Penske/Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame
Cahn, Edward
Edward Cahn
- Induction:
- 2003
- Class:
- 1955
An unquestioned leader known for his intelligence and knowledge of the game, Judge Ed Cahn made an immediate impact on the hardwood at Lehigh, en route to becoming the first basketball player in Lehigh history to score 1,000 career points.
“I am very excited for him on this exceptional occasion,” said classmate and lifelong friend Lee Butts '55. “This night is a tremendous thrill for me, as I know it is for him, his entire family and all his friends. He is certainly deserving of this honor and I know he will appreciate it deeply.”
In four years of varsity action, Cahn scored 1,054 points to become what was then Lehigh's all-time leading scorer. His career point total was tops at Lehigh for seven years and remained among Lehigh's all-time top 30 until the 2016-17 season. In his first season, Cahn earned Second-Team All-Pennsylvania honors and he became Lehigh's all-time leading scorer in just his junior season.
Cahn’s leadership abilities were apparent when he was named a team captain as a junior. A fan favorite, Cahn was often referred to as the “garbage man” because of his relentless pursuit of loose balls and uncanny ability to rebound the basketball.
In addition to his superb play on the basketball court, Cahn was just as hard a worker in the classroom. He graduated Magna Cum Laude as a government major with a 3.72 grade-point average from Lehigh in 1955, earning Dean's List accolades on six occasions.
“I want to acknowledge my teammates, especially Dick Witzig, Dick Slaff, Jim Gleckner, Clyde Royster, and Bruce Thompson, without whom the fortunes of Lehigh basketball would have been dismal indeed,” said Cahn. “They gave me a lot of assists.”
Cahn was offered over 30 athletic scholarships play basketball elsewhere. However, head coach Tony Packer convinced him to come to Lehigh on an academic scholarship.
Following his success at Lehigh, it comes as no surprise that Cahn’s professional career has been noteworthy as well. He went on to serve as counsel at Blank Rome, LLP. A native of Allentown, Pennsylvania, Cahn was a chief judge in Philadelphia, responsible for overseeing 35 federal district judges. In 2001, the federal courthouse in Allentown was named in his honor.
Cahn and his wife Alice have two children, Melissa and Jessica ‘90.
“I am very excited for him on this exceptional occasion,” said classmate and lifelong friend Lee Butts '55. “This night is a tremendous thrill for me, as I know it is for him, his entire family and all his friends. He is certainly deserving of this honor and I know he will appreciate it deeply.”
In four years of varsity action, Cahn scored 1,054 points to become what was then Lehigh's all-time leading scorer. His career point total was tops at Lehigh for seven years and remained among Lehigh's all-time top 30 until the 2016-17 season. In his first season, Cahn earned Second-Team All-Pennsylvania honors and he became Lehigh's all-time leading scorer in just his junior season.
Cahn’s leadership abilities were apparent when he was named a team captain as a junior. A fan favorite, Cahn was often referred to as the “garbage man” because of his relentless pursuit of loose balls and uncanny ability to rebound the basketball.
In addition to his superb play on the basketball court, Cahn was just as hard a worker in the classroom. He graduated Magna Cum Laude as a government major with a 3.72 grade-point average from Lehigh in 1955, earning Dean's List accolades on six occasions.
“I want to acknowledge my teammates, especially Dick Witzig, Dick Slaff, Jim Gleckner, Clyde Royster, and Bruce Thompson, without whom the fortunes of Lehigh basketball would have been dismal indeed,” said Cahn. “They gave me a lot of assists.”
Cahn was offered over 30 athletic scholarships play basketball elsewhere. However, head coach Tony Packer convinced him to come to Lehigh on an academic scholarship.
Following his success at Lehigh, it comes as no surprise that Cahn’s professional career has been noteworthy as well. He went on to serve as counsel at Blank Rome, LLP. A native of Allentown, Pennsylvania, Cahn was a chief judge in Philadelphia, responsible for overseeing 35 federal district judges. In 2001, the federal courthouse in Allentown was named in his honor.
Cahn and his wife Alice have two children, Melissa and Jessica ‘90.
Field Hockey vs. LIU
Sunday, September 28
Mountain Hawk Talk - S2 EP2 - Volleyball
Friday, September 26
Lehigh Sports Central: Field Hockey
Wednesday, September 24
2025 Brown & Flight - Episode 1
Thursday, September 18
