West Virginia University - Monticola Yearbook (Morgantown, WV)

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7 HEN Coach Tallman took up the coaching reins at ' West Virginia last fall, he faced a road obstructed by one of the hardest schedules in the country, but he inherited an array of veteran material that would glad- den the heart of any mentor. Despite the fact that a new system was being installed, the players adapted themselves easily, and were only handicapped by the lack of reserves. Co-Captain Herb Stewart heads the list of individual players chiefly because of his con- sistent work at the important center post. He saw more active service than any other member of the squad, covered his position well, and provided a great deal of the needed team spirit. Co-Captain John Vargo, the work- horse of the squad, was the chief util- ity man. He was an integral part of the much-feared Mountaineer line, being particularly dangerous on defense. His graduation leaves no small hole to be filled. George (Eck) Allen stepped mto a Varsity berth as a sophomore quarterback and never relinquish- ed it through years of tough sled- ding. A scoring threat whenever he was in the game, he managed to star in spite of special defenses ' invented by the veritable brain trust of coaches that matched wits with West Virginia. During every one of his Varsity years, Eck played the game with zest that placed him on the list of gridiron greats. Art Swisher ' s competent work at tjuard earned him a captaincy during his junior year., and his fine playing also extended through his last season. Short and heavy set in build, his scant 1 65 pounds weje more than enough to block a path for the ball carriers through a heavier enemy line. iii: 1 H Charles (Tod) Goodwin entered his final year of Collegiate football with an out- standing record as a defensive end. Continuing his fine work — and includ- ing an instructive lesson in punt-blocking — he rocketed into national prominence as All-American timber, but lost his great chance for recognition when an in- jury forced him out of the metropolitan tilt with Fordham. Nevertheless, Tod received considerable recognition, and was conspicious for his ability to back up his ample self-confidence by playing out- standing footbal

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- ' si MOUNTAI N E E R FIELD A S THE football teams of West Virginia ' s Golden Era began to attract — larger crowds, authorities saw that better accommodations than the splinter stadium of the Old Athletic Field were needed for home games. Accordingly in 1924 Mountaineer Field was started in the natural ampi- theater of Falling Run Hollow by the Foundation Company of New York The structure was built at a cost of about $600,000, but during its construction it was necessary to re- locate the Sunnyside Bridge and to build a submerged aquaduct for Falling Run underneath the turf of the playing field. Of interest to note is the fact that the first season of football was play- ed in Mountaineer Field before the stadium was completed. The largest crowd that ever watched a Univer- sity home attraction assembled in 1924 while the curve part of the horseshoe was still under construc- tion. Twenty-five thousand people saw the Mountaineers beat W. J. 40-7. SEASON RESULTS W. Va. Wfsloyan Duquosiip Pitt.sbui-oh 27 Washington Lee Temple 2S Davi.s Elkiris 7 Ohio University 2 Fordham 27 George AVasliington .—10 Wash.-.Tefr 12 v est Virginia ., ...19 ' est Virginia .. ... 7 ' est Virginia .. -. 6 ' est Viiginin .. ..12 w est Virginia ., ...]:! A - est Virginia .. ...12 v est Virginia.. .. 7 ■ ' e.st Virginia .. ..20 ' est Virginia . ... 7 ' est A ' irginia .. ...U

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John (Benny) Thomas was forced to fill a tough assign ment at the fullback post. That he did it with dispatch is evidenced by the fact that he averaged three yards gain every time he carried the ball during the season. His short choppy stride gave him tremendous power, a necessary asset to a team more noted for defense than offense. Lou Fidler, another great utility man who could and did play practically every position, gained most of his renown as a guard. Handicap- ped some during his Varsity career by in- juries, he overcame the difficulties with an unbeatable fighting spirit. Joe Johnston was the final senior mem- ber of the squad. A reserve line- mna, he served but one year on the first squad, graduating from the Junior Varsity where he held the captaincy. Patsy Slate came to West Virginia via Potomac State with a reputation as a punter. A leg injury in his first Varsity g me was quite a drawback, but he managed to shake the trouble off, and his coffin corner kicks pull- ed the team out of many bad holes. In addition, he was better-than-average pass receiver. P red Wilson ' s great asset was his speed — a needed ability for a pass catching end. Edged out of a first string berth, he con- tinued to be the Number One replacement and if necessary could move into the back- field to tote the ball. His peculiar man- ner of running made easy to identify as he streaked down the field for a long pass. i s5M «f Jimmie Stott, the lightest regular on the squad, made up for his lack of size by speed and de- ception. With a little help from his mates in moving some of the bulk opposing linemen, Jimmie could scamper through the re- sulting broken field with deadly results. His ability to kick and pass also made him a capable substitute for every member of the backfield. SCOTT