Indianapolis Times, Volume 42, Number 278, Indianapolis, Marion County, 1 April 1931 — Page 12

PAGE 12

‘ROCK’ MOST INTERESTING MAN IN SPORTS, WILLIAMS SAYS

Famous iNotre Dame Grid Chief Aspired to Be Sports Writer; Covered Last Olympic Carnes

Knute Wanted His Writings to Stand on Their Merits, Not to Pass on His Name. BY JOE WILLIAMS World-Telemm Sports Editor NEW YORK, April 1. And now Rock’s gone. What are you going to write about the death of such a character? What can you write that hasn’t been written again and again ? A dramtically vivid man, intensely human and tremendously successful, the capricious fates decreed that Knute Kenneth Rockne should pluck the flowers of fame while he lived. He was at once the most highly appreciated and most popular coach in American football. He had a knack—genius if you will —for football that was a bit beyond any of his contemporaries. And there was something about the man, his directness, his frankness, his humaness, that instinctively substituted respect for envy. Not all of his fellow coaches precisely loved him, but there was none who denied his pre-eminence. To younger coaches, he was what Cobb and Davis were to cub reporters of a by-gone era. Year in and year out his team was scouted more studiously and thoroughly than any other team in the country. The Army game always came late on the Notre Dame schedule. Most of the other teams had finished for the season. And invariably the coaches of the other teams would come to this game, squeeze their way into the press box, and sit there, most of them openly admitting they had come to “learn something about football.'’ It got to be a gag that each year the coaches would hold meetings—one when Rockne played the Army and the other when the coaches gathered for their formal meeting. Most Interesting Man I wasn’t able fully to appreciate Rockne os a football man, not being well enough informed in the technical phases of the game, so as a consequence, we had few discussions about such matters as shifts, double-wing back formations and unbalanced lines. But I got to know him pretty well as a man, and I believe if I had to name the most ineresting man I ever met in sports, at tne moment I would name Rockne. I know I always was disappointed if something happened that I couldn’t get to see him when he was in town or I was out his way in the middle west. The straightforwardness of his nature, his terse epigrammatic manner of speech, his crackling sense of humor, his burning antagonism for athletic sham and academic conceits, all these made him a charming, warming companion. I don’t believe Rockne was ever completely happy—or maybe contented is a better word. He had a restless, nervous mind. The football sphere was too small for him, and sooner or later he would have drifted away from it, notwithstanding his many protestations to the contrary. Rockne had a strange passion for writing. He didn’t want to write books or articles for magazines. He wanted to uTite sports for a newspaper. But he wasn’t quite sure that he would be an outstanding success. It was typical of him that he didn’t want the glamor of his name to carry the stories —he wanted them to stand on their own merit. Covered Olympic Games Two years ago he covered the Olympics for the New York Telegram He asked me if I wouldn't announce that he actually wrote all his own stuff. “I’m no great writer,” he admitted, “but I don’t want the readers to think I’m kidding them.” When he returned he was anxious to see how his stories had been handled. Also he wanted all the clippings. One story seemed to please him above the others. It told of the trumph of four small nations over their larger and more powerful foemen—lreland, Poland, Hayti and Finland. “That was a great Sunday afternoon, you would have enjoyed it,” he said. This was the sentimental, imagina- j tive Rockne, his memories very likely stirred by childhood days when he was bundled up in far away Norway and brought over to these fabulous shores where he was destined to record some of the mightiest triumphs in fotball history. Rockne had his own ideas about overemphasis and commercialism, and to some these ideas were radical and sharply at odds with the true sporting spirit. As to overemphasis Rockne's attitude was that if football was worth playing at all. it was worth playing well. “I’d much rather play on a winning j team than a losing team,” he said. Had Something to Say As to commercialism, Rockne saw ! no reason why a coach should not j write for the newspapers “If he | had something to write” or talk over the radio “if he had something to . say.” Nobody ever can say that Rockne ! didn’t have something to wri/e or I say. At the time of his death when ! he was on his way to Hollywood to ! make a series of educational foot- ! ball shorts. “There must be a demand for these pictures or the film company wouldn’t have signed me to make them,’* he said. “It’s a cinch they didn’t sign me because I look like ; Buddy Rogers." COLLINS SWEEPS SHOOT Collins won every event at Crooked Creek Gun Club shoot Tuesday. In the singles he shattered 46 out of 50 targets and in the doubles 21 out of 24. His score of 24 out of 25 in the handicap gave him s clean sweep of the program.

Grid World Mourns Loss

By Cnlt-a l'rras Passing of Knute Rockne, football’s greatest coach, brought hundreds of tributes to his genius today from the men who had matched their teams against his and from the many famous gridiron stars whom he had developed on the field at Notre Dame. Expressions of grief and high praise from these and from others closely associated with Rockne during his career follow: HARRY STUHLDREHER (quarter back of the famous “Four Horsemen” team in 1924 and now coach at Villanova uinversity)—This is the most severe shock I have had in a long time. In this unfortunate accident, football in particular and athletics in general have lost one of the greatest educators and men builders ever known.

■■IF /^VH < 1

Knute Rockne

COACH DICK HANLEY (Northwestern university)—The death of Knute Rockne is the greatest loss athletics ever has suffered. (Hanley had been invited to accompany Rockne on the fatal trip, but was unable to go because his wife was ill.) ALONZO A. STAGG (Chicago university) Rockne welded his teams together mechanically and spiritually. His death was a great shock to me. Death at 43 seems cruel. MAJOR JOHN L. GRIFFITH (Big Tn conference commissioner)—This country, which appreciates the things Knute Rockne stood for. paid him. during his lifetime, some of the tribute he deserved, but his loss to society is greater than to footbaU and his true worth to society will be recognized more and more as time goes on. GEORGE HUFF (Athletic director at Illinois university)—Few men who have been active in sports will leave such an impress for the generations to follow. It is small wonder that the public loved Rockne. He would have been a success in any endeavor. The world has lost one of its greatest grid coaches and leaders. JUDGE WILLIAM M. (WILLIE) HESTON (University of Michigan and called the greatest half back of all time) —With no exception, I believe him to have been the greatest coach of his time. C. L. BREWER (Director of athletics at the University of Missouri and for twenty years a personal friend of Rockne)—The loss of Knute Rockne to college athletic life of America will be bevond measure, and no man. can take his place. CHARLES F. WALSH (St. Louis university footbaU coach and former Notre Dame star) —FootbaU has lost its greatest figure, and every man that played under Coach Rockne has lost a true and staunch friend. COACH HOWARD JONES (University of Southern California)—l am too overwhelmed to say much. I can hardly realize that he has gone. I can feel the great grief of the sports world in losing Rockne, and one of its outstanding figures, but then, too, I feel a personal loss, for he was my friend. * COACH GLENN S. WARNER (Stanford university) and COACH BILL INGRAM (University of California)—We feel that in the passing of Rockne we have lost one of our best friends, if not our best friend, and we know that thousands of others will feel that they have suffered the same loss. He was a wonderful man, a wonderful friend and a great football coach, and probably the greatest figure in college athletics, if not in all amateur athletic sport.

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LOU LITTLE (Football coach of Columbia university)—There’s no doubt about Rockne being the greatest football coach who ever lived. It will be many years before football will find another man like him. JOHN F. (CHICK) MEEHAN (Football coach of New York university)—Knute Rockne was the finest character and greatest coach football ever has known. The boys he taught and the generation he should have been soared to teach, have lost the ereatest influence that could have come Into their lives. MAJOR RALPH I. SASSE (FootbaU coach of the army)—The most colorful figure of aU football history has made his last touchdown. Football loses its most brilliant personality. Notre Dame loses its greatest teacher of high character. West Point loses an ardent supporter, and I lose a staunch friend. T. A. D. JONES (Member of the all-America football board with Rockne and former Yale coach) —I had known “Rock” intimately and had been associated with him for several years. There is no one in the world of sport for whom I have greater admiration. I am shocked by his death and conscious of a deep personal loss. FRANK W. CAVANAUGH (Fordham coach)—The news of Rockne’s death came to me as a tremendous shock. It will impress itself more and more as the days go bv on thinking men and women. Let us never forset him and especially his sorrowinz wife and children. EDWARD L. CASEY (Harvard football coach)—What a pity that the ereatest coach in the came should lose his life at the height of his career. The wonderful records of his teams and the steadfast loyalty of his players will be recalled as lone as footbaU is played. DR. MARVIN A. (MAIA STEVENS (Yale football coach) —The Yale footbaU souad and coaches loin in extolling Knute Rockne and mourninE his loss. Unquestionably the Ereatest of football teachers, his deHfihtful sense of humor, his quick sympathy for a fallen adversary and his indomitable spirit are more than a legend and he will carry on as an inspiration to all who love the game of football. CLEM F. CROWE (St. Vincent coach and former Notre Dame player)—Rochne’s death is the greatest blow football could suffer. I talked with him on the telephone just last Wednesday. I can lieve he is dead. JUDGE WALTER P. STEFFEN (Carnegie Tech advisory coach) —I hardly know how to express my sorrow over the most unfortunate accident that brought to a close the life of the most colorful figure in American athletic life, my boyhood friend, Knute Rockne. His fine character and sportsmanship conduct won him the admiration of football followers from New England to California. Asa coach and leader of men, he had no superior. DR. JOHN B. SUTHERLAND (football coach of University of Pittsburgh)—ln Rockne’s death football loses one of its greatest leaders and finest sportsmen and his loss will leave a void that will be hard to fill. He was the kind of man that every one admired not only for his ability to turn out championship grid machines, but for moulding his boys into the kind of men that America looks up to with pride. COACH HARRY MEHRE (University of Georgia)—A great football coach has died, the greatest in the history of the game and perhaps the greatest there will ever be. Menre played center at Notre Dame under Rockne). ALBERT O. WITTMER (Princeton footbali coach)—l am very sorry to hear of Knu>.e Rockne’s death. He will not only be remembered for his instruction in football. but also for his instruction in clean sportsmanship. CHARLES E. DORAIS (University of Detroit coach and roommate of Rockne at Notre Dame) — Rockne’s loss to football will always be felt. He made the game w r hat it is. Proof of this is shown in the fact that all of the recent legislation by the rules committee was aimed at Rockne in an attempt to curb his style. FIELDING H. YOST (University of Michigan)—He was one of the most colorful characters in athletics. He developed teams which played hard, fast and versatile fotball and which were never beaten until the last formation was completed. “BUD” BOERINGER (University of Detroit all-American under Rockne) —He died just as he lived— going at top speed. GEORGE LITTLE (Athletic director at Wisconsin university)—ln his field he was the outstanding man of his day and his great genius for footbaU brought him world renown. ELMER LAYDEN (one of the Four Horsemen, and Duquesne university coach)—l like to remember that I played under Rockne just recently in the New York charity game. To me and all the boys who

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THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

Indiana Nine to Open

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Gatti or Lefty Veller, another veteran, will be on the mound when Coach Dean’s Crimson nine opens a three-game series with Xavier uni v e rsity at Cincinnati, on Thursday.

State College Sport Heads Pay Tribute to Knute Rockne

By United Press Members of sport and coaching staffs in neighboring Indiana universities today joined in high tribute to Knute Rockne of Notre Dame. Dr. Edward C. Elliott, Purdue university president, ordered the campus flag displayed at half mast. Noble Kiser, head football coach at Purdue, and a former star under Rockne, postponed spring practice which was to begin today “He was a leader of genuine men and his influence has been widespread,” President Elliott said.

Pickerd, Doran to Clash in Armory Ring; Fontaine Wins

Walter Pickerd, big blonde local heavyweight, will return to the Armory ring next Tuesday night after an extended abser.ee to take on Bud Doran, young Chicago battler. Del Fontaine, Canadian middleweight, easily outpointed Charley Arthurs, veteran New Yorker, in the ten-round feature Tuesday night. Fontaine won all the way and hit Arthurs at will. Top honors on the card went to the semi-windup and six-rounder. In the eight-round event, Charley Baxter, Columbus, 0., lightweight, and Lou Vine, Chicago, staged their second thrilling slugfest, Vine winning by a shade. Baxter went down in the first and second rounds, and although he rallied to finish strong, he lost by a shade. It was a battle from start to finish, Baxter’s uphill battle winning him many admirers. Howard Anderson, Flint (Mich.) light heavyweight, made an impressive local debut by knocking out Willard Chappell, Indianapolis, in the sixth round. It was another heated argument, with Chappell on the canvas in the second, third and fourth rounds. Red Yeager was no match for Ray Drake, the latter winning all the way in four rounds, and Jackie Coogan shaded Young Leach in a slow four. Tuffy Mitchell opened ever played fobtball for him, he was more than a coach. We talked with “Rock” about our most intimate affairs. Family troubles, football troubles, classroom troubles, all were taken to “Rock.” Somehow, all became a little lighter after he sized up the situation and gave us his There never will be another Rockne.

Ralph Gatti, (above), husky right han and er , and Ernest Kea, local pastimer, form one of India n a university’s most powerful diamond batteries.

E. C. Hayes, Indiana university coach, said, “Knute Rockne was our greatest all-American football coach. His contacts with all men were lasting. College athletics loses one of its greatest friends and champions.” At Crawfordsville, Robert Vaughn, coach at Wabash and former Notre Dame player, and Justin Molony, Notre Dame graduate and western conference basketball official, mourned Rockne’s death. “The world loses a great sportsman,” Vaughn said.

the show with an easy win over Earl Orr.

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Two Cities Seek Bout N. Y. Promoters Withdraw; Chicago, Cleveland in Title Race, By United Press CHICAGO, April I.—Negotiations for the proposed heavyweight championship fight between Max Schmeling of Germany and W. L.. (Young) Stribling, were further entangled today as new difficulties beset promoters of the affair. The bout, originally planned for New York to aid the milk fund, was shelved temporarily when the boxing commission of that state barred Schmeling after his refusal to meet Jack Sharkey of Boston in a return match. Efforts to move the bout to Chicago were met by further objections. Civic leaders here protested holding the bout in Chicago to benefit a New York charity, and Edward J. Kelly, president of the South Park Board demurred against renting Soldier Field stadium for the same reason. The New York milk fund comnqittee, through President William F. Carey of Madison Square Garden corporation, announced Tuesday it has withdrawn its promotion of the fight, which again encouraged Chicago fight fans to believe that the bout might be held here. While George F. Getz, millionaire sportsman who promoted the Demp-sey-Tunney championship fight in Chicago, was appearing before the Illinois state legislature at Springfield, pleading for consideration of a pending bill allowing fifteen-round fights, Carey was en route to Cleveland, the other city bidding for the contest.

Many Attend Johnson Rites By United Press SPENCER, Ind., April I.—Leaders and followers of the sport world paid final tribute today to the second of three great leaders who have passed on into death within a week. More than forty baseball notables and officials attended funeral services here for Ban Johnson, former American League president whose death occurred sixteen hours after that of his succesor, E S. Barnard. The diamond officials came here from Cleveland, where they attended rites for Mr. Barnard Tuesday.

Covey the Silent Spins Yarns for Hoosier Kids

By SEA Service SOUTH BEND, Ind., April I.—Stanley Coveleskie, the Silent Pole who once was known as the “king of spitball pitchers,” has a job in which he does nothing but talk. This may be quite a shock to his old teammates, but Covey the Silent actually has lost his distate for speech. He is now engaged in a series of ten weekly lectures at the local chapter of Falcons, telling South Bend youngsters how to play the various baseball positions and giving them helpful hints on the proper batting procedure. He delights in bringing in a yam of the 1920 world series, the series in which the former Cleveland hurler beat the Brooklyn Robins three times to help the Indians win the title. Covey again plans to play semi-pro baseball this summer with a South Bend team. He is now operating a filling station here.

Kirkwood Is Open Victor By Times Special AUGUSTA, Ga., April 1. Joe Kirkwood, Australian professional, shot a 70, one under par, on the final eighteen holes of the Southeastern open tourney to cop the SI,OOO first prize with a total score of 290 Tuesday. Kirkwood played the last eighteen holes in a driving rain. Paul Runyan of White Plains, N. Y., finished second with 292, followed by Willie MacFarlane with 293. TWO CAPTAINS NAMED Indiana Central Names Grid, Cage Pilots. Harold Smith of Marshall, HI., a junior and tackle, was named captain of the 1931 Indiana Central college football team Tuesday. Smith will have charge of spring football practice, which is to start soon. Thirty candidates are expected. Harold Emig of Greenwood, a junior and forward, was elected captain of the basketball team for the 1931-32 campaign.

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.APRIL 1, 1931

Stan Coveleski

Jesse Harper Denies He’ll Succeed ‘Rock’ By United. Press WICHITA, Kan., April I.—Jess Harper, the Chicago coach who preceded Knute Rockne at Notre Dame, and who recommended Rockne for his position, will lsave Wichita Thursday for South Bend to confer with school authorities there, he announced today. It is expected that he will be offered the athletic directorship of the school, according to reports current here. “I’ll never take the job,” Harper said. “Rockne will never be replaced in football, either by Notre Dame or any one else. I will go to South Bend, and will belt) all I can for the time being,” Hwper told the United Press, “but I think the present coaching staff of the school, tutored by Rockne, will be able to carry on successfully.” SAMMY MANDELL WINS By Times Special DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., April I.—Sammy Mandell, former lightweight title holder, outpointed Jose Estrada of Mexico in ten rounds here Tuesday.