University of Pittsburgh - Owl Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

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A T II L B T I C S Jlrrdirft mi thr any E. present school year of 1916-17 will soon be a thing of the past, but what it has meant for the University in the way of athletics will live on forever. At the opening of the fall term, there went into effect in all departments of intercollegiate sports in Pitt the one year residence rule adopted by the Athletic Council on January 13, 1913. This event marked the placing of Panther athletics on a par with the best universities of our country. The excellent records made by the various athletic teams during the inaugural year of the new ruling have far exceeded the hopes of Pitt followers. With all freshmen and migratory students excluded from varsity competition, it was to be expected that the standards of the teams would be slightly lowered. Such was not the case, however, and the apparent ease with which the coaches turned out powerful teams was the pleasing feature of momentous happenings. Without a doubt the football season was the most glorious one ever enjoyed by a Pitt eleven. Under the coaching of All-American Pop Warner, the Panthers went through another campaign without suffering a defeat. Critics and scribes everywhere were unsparing in their praise of the team, and they hesitated not in awarding Pitt the intercollegiate championship. The elimination of Brown at the hands of Colgate, on the same day that Pitt trounced State, left the title undisputed. Once more were Captain Bob Peck and Pat Herron honored by Walter Camp in his All-American selections, while Hastings. DeHart. McLaren and others were mentioned by many writers. Led by the versatile Andy Hastings, the basketball team took up the work of spreading Pitt’s fame where the gridders left off. Carnegie Tech. W. J.. Lafayette and Rutgers were conquered, but the most notable victory of all was the one over Allegheny College. Previous to this season the Methodists have never been vanquished by the Pittsburgh five. Owing to the inability of several regulars to accompany the team, the eastern trip was not as successful as last year. Syracuse was the only opponent to win a series from the varsity. Individual honors went to Lubic and Hastings, while DeHart on winning his insignia in this branch established himself as the first athlete to earn four letters at the University. Fourteen

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f(idin.6ei treasurer IvEdXwis GiacfualeMoi vof Athletic CfusS'.'liller Director of Lhlolicv ’ DrAFJudd Chairman, MlileticOomcil

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A T II L £ TICS The oldest inhabitant couldn’t remember a season nearly as gratifying to Pitt adherents as the 1916 Track season. Another “first time in history” was chalked up when Coach Kerr’s charges downed Penn State in a dual meet. The W. J. and Tech clashes proved very easy for the Blue and Gold, as did the rest of the field in Pitt’s section of the Penn Relays. With such performers as Captain McMasters. Albright, Livermore, Hugus and Sutherland, it was not at all surprising to sec the records of long standing fall. In a year of wonders, the lone regret was the showing made by the baseball team. Despite an excellent pitching staff and an infield of ability, the nine couldn’t get going, with the result that out of fourteen games played, only five were won. This spring, though, every indication points to a real Panther season. A new coach, in the person of Walter A. Blair, who caught for several years for the New York Americans, will be in charge, and with his ability to develop men. a winner seems to be assured. During the past year at the University, minor sports were given a great deal of attention. Good results have been obtained, not so much in moulding consistent winners, as in carrying out a reconstruction process with bright prospects for the future. Swimming, wrestling and tennis, after a year in the making, are due for worthy accomplishments in this field. As a natural outgrowth of the one year rule, freshmen athletics were put on a higher level than ever before. Since the new ruling went into effect a most powerful football eleven and the fastest plcbe five in this section have been developed. With “Chalky” Williamson in the capacity of coach, the chances for a good baseball team among the yearlings are fine. Activities in Co-ed sports have gone merrily forward with Laura Hammer France at the helm. Like unto Warner’s crew, the girls’ basketball team romped through its second season undefeated to the championship of Western Pennsylvania. There is a first year squad, and they. too. have made an enviable record. Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon the girls and their coach for the able manner in which they have upheld the athletic honor of the University. Fifteen