Illinois State Normal University - Index Yearbook (Normal, IL)

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Head Coach Ed Struck assumes a characteristic pose as he outlines strategy to his co-captains. Bill Booker (32) and Bob Riggenbach (50). Bill went on to win Most Valuable Plaver honors. Varsity (f didders Coach Ed Shuck ' s 1955 edition of gridiron gladi- ators opened the season against Bradley University. For Normal partisans the highlight of the game came in the first period when Darrell Spang exploded through the line for 55 yards and the only Normal touchdown. The point after touchdown, scored by Lee Handley, put the Redbirds out in front by one point. Bradley then surged ahead to the final score of 18-7. ISNU opened their conference play against North- ern. For the first three quarters, Normal depended on their defense, able as a result to hold Northern to a touchdown and an extra point. In the fourth period, the defense forced the Huskies to punt, and Darrell Spang stepped off a classy 42 yard punt return. With five minutes left to play, Jerry Goodrich converted after Spang had crashed the last two yards for the TD. Normal gained possession of the ball with less than two minutes to play, and Lee Handley ' s at- tempted field goal was wide of the goal posts. North- ern ran out the time and settled for a 7-7 tie. In the third game of the season, Normal broke into the win column by a slim three points over Eastern. Early in the first quarter, Bob Riggenbach broke for the side lines and did a tight rope act that was good for a touchdown. The point-after-touchdown was First Row: Guy Neibuhr, Don Magee, Blair Sanders, Dick Beecham, Ray Adams, Co-captains Bob Riggenbach and Bill Booker, Harold Henson, Stan Hoselton. Second Row: Marvin Lucas, Jerry Davidson, Paul Brush, Bob Denny, Ron Slack, Kent Durbin, Don Wachter, John Thomas, Jerrv Dusek. Third Row: Coach Ed Struck, Wally Keller, Bob Zanello, Bill Penelton, Don Watson, Vernon Lock, Chuck O Dell, Martin Rademacher, Ass ' t Coach Harold Frve. Fourth Row: Ass ' t Coach Carl Heldt, Jack Mitchell, Bob Jones, Andy Matoesian, Ed Kiesewetter, Dick Helmenchs, Lee Spears, Mgr. Gene Snell. Fifth Row: Ed Powell, Ollie Schultz, Darrell Spang, Adolph Jerdee, John Ortwerth, Harold Anderson, Rick Miller. ia 5 431 fe ff 32 S f 5 x n-( r- T HI

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First Row: Bill Benner, Frank Dalla-Riva, Ron Besemer Second Row: John Snyder, Lynn Viseur, Jim Tyree, Coach Joe Cogdal, Joe Wanner, Jim Bryant Harriers The ISNU Cross Country team for 1955 was prob- ably better than the team of 1954. A look at the rec- ord book will not substantiate this statement, but a close look at the times turned in by individuals and the team as a whole will prove this to be the case. This was the comment of Coach Joe Cogdal in answer to a query as to his opinion of the team. To explain further, Coach Cogdal said that though the team had improved (thanks to men like Lynn Viseur, Frank Dalla-Riva, and Captain Bill Benner) and ran better meets; the opposition had also improved enough to drop ISNU from 1954 ' s third place to the 1955 fourth place. The Birdies were consistent in that they placed fourth in the IIAC and die IICCA. There is no award that corresponds to Most Valuable Player, but Coach Cogdal referred to Lynn Viseur as placing highest most often. The oVi milers named Frank Dalla-Riva as their captain for 1956. Gathered for a final word and die traditional handclasp that symbolizes a concentrated effort are Jim Bryant, Joe Wan- ner, Coach Joe Cogdal, Jim Tyree, Lynn Viseur, Bill Benner, and Frank Dalla-Riva. And they ' re off! That ' s the familiar cry at horse races, but it is used here only to point out the fact that these are the work horses of Coach Joe Cogdal. Breaking in a group are Lynn Viseur, Jim Twee, Bill Benner. Joe Wanner, Frank ' Dalla-Riva, and Jim Bryant.

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e of an Eastern defender. Blockers Ed Kiesewetter (62) Darrell Spang stumbles after being jolted by the desperation and Jerry Goodrich (40) watch helplessly. wide. Eastern fumbled on the first play after the kick-off and ISNU moved to the nine yard fine where Jerry Goodrich kicked a field goal. Three plays later Jerry Goodrich scored over tackle; then Bob Riggen- bach converted for Normal and the score read 16-0. In the second half, Eastern came back via the air lanes and scored two touchdowns and one extra point. The final score read 16-13. A well-balanced and powerful team from Michigan Normal came to McCormick Field and handed the ISNU Redbirds their first conference loss. Riddled with injuries from the first fray and throughout the Stan Hoselton (58) charges up to make the block that gives Bob Riggenbach (50) an extra five yards against a fired-up Salukis team. entire season, the Redbirds began to show effects of their injuries in losing to the Hurons, 25-6. Normal ' s lone touchdown came on a 14 yard pass from quarter- back Marv Lucas to end Lee Handley. Central Michigan ' s Chippewas spoiled the ISNU Homecoming by dumping the Redbirds 35-7. Early in the first quarter, Bob Riggenbach twisted and tugged his way tlirough the Chips ' secondary for 74 yards and a TD. After a time out, Bob regained his breath, stepped back, and kicked the point after touchdown. This was the extent of Normal ' s scoring for the afternoon. 1 '