La Salle University - Explorer Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

Page 107 text:

RIFLE TEilll THEYSCOy Left to right: George Margroff, Jack Harrell, Tom Lucia. The youngest of La Salle ' s varsity teams, the Rifle squad first established three years ago by Major B. A. Finkle of the Military Science Department, has continued to develop steadily under the able direction of Captain John A. Maurer. Playing one of the most color tul schedules e ' er arranged for an Explorer team, the marksmen have made such interesting trips as: Cornell, VMI, Maryland, Georgetown, University of Virginia and Yale. Junior Jack Harrell has been the most consistent performer for the squad in both varsity and ROTC matches. Seniors on the team were: Carl Wrightman, Tom Lucia and George Margraff. The La Salle Rifle Squad had the distinction of having in their fold, one Al Avallon, a graduate of last year ' s class who distinguished himself as well as the Rifle Squad by winning highest honors in the contest held at Fort Sill, Oklahoma last summer. TBEnUll ' MAJOR FINKLE CAPTAIN MAURER 103

Page 106 text:

R S S u If T R COilCHFRlMWETZLER Frank Wetzler, former Villanova football star, has handled the Explorer track and cross country squads with remarkable success for the past several years. His patient coaching has developed a long line of standout cinder stars. Plagued by numerous service calls over the last two seasons, the Haniers have had to carry on the best they could with limited manpower. Despite all their woes, the Wetzlermen still boasted the best individual performer in the area— Joe Merkins. Merkins came in first against Penn, Temple, and St. Joseph ' s. Junior George Harkins was not too far behind, scoring against La- fayette and Penn. Seniors Bob (Bean) Smith, Bill Dransfield, and Merkins finished four good campaigns. A bow in appreciation for excellent coaching to— Frank Wetzler. Team picture (left to right): Manager Mita, Dransfield, Manager Harmon, Gallagher, Joseph, Merkins, Hughes, Adimonis and Harkins. 102

Page 108 text:

MR.BI6 IN THE MM OF BMKETeUL Ken Loeffler Ken Loeffler came to La Salle two years be- fore the class of 1955. To attempt to acclaim the brilliance of this mastermind of basketball would be impossible, but such an attempt must be made. When the versatile Mr. Loeffler agreed to come to tutor the Explorers he had behind him many years of sound, coaching. He worked successfully with teams like Yale among the colleges and the St. Louis Bombers among the pros. The first thing Ken did at La Salle was to install a new system— one which stressed team balance. The success he has had is demon- strated in two ways— (I) His flawless use of an All-American as a member of a team, a team composed not of one star, but five capable ball- players; (2) His remarkable 141-29 record com- piled in the past six years at La Salle. Looking at his record, it is easy to see that Ken Loeffler has established himself as one of the truly great coaches in the basketball game. We salute you, Ken . . . the Knute Rockne of Collegiate Basketball. COilCH KEliUOGFFLEK