University of Virginia - Corks and Curls Yearbook (Charlottesville, VA)

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November 10 was the first day Widdy Tazewell mentioned Students For America in his editorial column of the Cavalier Daily. Calling SFA a QQkindergau'den Ku Klux Klan, Tazewell initiated a newspaper squabble that was to take up much space and arouse student interest for many months to come. A student who had gone to Reno to seek his fortune in gambling was given space in the next days issue. November 12 the Cavalier Daily ran a full feature page editorial on SFA, entitled Students for America vs. Individual Liberty.n This was occasioned by a rather excited letter from a hrst-year student, and also because of the serious nature of the entire scheme. The SFA controversy continued to rage on the editorial page with students contributing many more letters to the editor than could be printed. In the midst of all this Michael McWhinney produced an original play, written by himself, in Minor Hall. Culture emerged through the political smoke. uOne-platoon system increased injuries, team doctor Charles J. Frankel revealed in an article November 18. The 153 football squad suffered an increase of injuries 30 per cent above average for the previous 19 years. Cavalier Guard John Polzet was named on the United Press first string all-state team the same day. End Fred Moyer made the second string all-state squad.

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AT THE UNIVERSITY The fall semester of the 1953-54 sesston started slowly and did not have much life until King Cole, King of Hobos, visited Darden,s ofhce and Carroll's Tea Room. Around the same time the Serpentine Club became the Alpha of Virginia chapter of the Sigma Phi fraternity, and Student Council cleared the way to allow a concert to be held in the Gym at Openings. October 2 the Cavalier Daily ran a poll asking students if Virginia should join an athletic conference. The poll showed students favored joining the Atlantic Coast Confer- ence. On Monday night, October 5, the Lawn Chowder and Marching Society was re-activated on the Grounds. Bo Moore became The Purple Shadow? Plans for a course evaluation committee were announced early in the Fall and the group began meetings to plan the sample course evaluation that took place at the end of the first semester. Widdy Tazewell after lengthy correspondence with other Universities, headed the committee. Friday, October 9, Virginia joined the Atlantic Coast Conference, terminating 17 years of independence. The next week a series of articles on physical education were initiated in an effort to modify the then existing requirements. Opening Dances were scheduled for November 6, 7 with Louis Prima and Charlie Spivak providing the music. Fall bids netted fraternities 95 pledges Sunday, October 18. These were limited to second-year men and transfers. A shooting took place at 5:21 P.M. at Carrole on October 27. Ritchie Joslin was shot by Teddy Britton after an argument over a girl. Police rushed to the scene, took names, and Britten was hustled off to jail. Joslin was treated at the hospital. Result? A hoax. The Moot Court people over at the Law School needed a case, so they made one up. On November 10 it was announced that Mrs. A. E. Walker, hostess for the Student Union, had resigned. She had served University students for 35 years in this capacity. The same day James T. Gillespie became the champion pipe smoker after puffing for one hour, 39 minutes, and 32 seconds on his briar. He defeated Walter Bossert of Columbia in the first Mason-Dixon Intercollegiate Pipe Smoking contest.

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November 20 it appeared that the hrst year student agitator for SFA had changed his tune. Tazewellis editorial that morning reported the leader of the organization as ready to divorce himself from the national organization. SFA as an issue on the Grounds died then for all intents and purposes. On November 25 it was revealed that Robert Pic Fuller was to resign as varsity line coach and lacrosse coach effective January 1, 1954. On December 4 the Cavalier Daily ran a picture of an authentic uStreetcar Named Desire in honor of the Virginia Players who were scheduled to produce Tennessee Wil- liams, play the next week. The vehicle was located on the estate of a student country squire. Buzzy Wilkinson began a spectacular basketball season when he opened up against Hampden-Sydney scoring 42 points Wednesday night, December 2. He continued break- ing records the rest of the season and won national acclaim. Seal, the canine mascot that some hated, others were indifferent toward, hut whom most students loved as any man loves a dog, was seriously ill December 8. He needed to undergo an operation that his doctor termed as rarely successfulfy The next day Sears death was announced as doctors were forced to administer chloroform to the faithful mascot. Over 2,000 persons turned out for Sealis funeral on Thursday, December 11. It is doubtful if in Charlottesville any other death brought as many mourners to a funeral. The trial course evaluation was begun January 12 and was continued through the rest of the semester. Since results were confidential, the committee was forced to wait until an official evaluation was made in the spring before students could beneht from the findings. University Architects separated from the College to form their own school under the direction of Thomas K. Fitzpatrick. The official action was announced January 15, the same day that Student Council President Armistead Talman issued a report of SC activities for the first semester of 1953-54. Bill Dudley, Virginiak most famous athletic product, accepted a position as assistant football coach January 16. He received a one-year appointment as backfield coach. On January 20 the Academic Faculty voted to reduce the physical education require- ments to one year. This represented a major triumph for Student Council, the Cavalier Daily, and other groups who had lobbied for such action. President Colgate W. Darden was given virtual control of Mary Washington College after the Board of Visitors had removed many of President Combes, major administrative powers. 10