West Virginia Wesleyan College - Murmurmontis Yearbook (Buckhannon, WV)

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1 i: i I 1 Jgir J l ' )35 ML ' RMURMOXTIS West irgiiiia -sk ' y;in Co1K l;i- lUickliauuon. West ' ir :inia

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DEDICATION We, the editors and staff, respectfully dedicate the 1955 Mur- murmontis to the Physical Education Department of West Virginia Wesleyan College. It is our belief that no other department has been more of an influence for general good in the lives of Wesleyan students than this one. This department has had as its dual task the development of the mind and body, alike. Athletics are a vital segment of education through which a sound mind and a sound body are attained — and through instruction and physical participation in physical education classes, intramural programs and varsity sports, this department has nobly fulfilled its purpose. Athletics were first officially recognized by Wesleyan Septem- ber 11, 1902; although an athletic program was in existence as early as 1898. It was on Thanksgiving Day in this year that Wesleyan ' s first football team took the field. Wesleyan ' s colors were instituted during this game as Colonel Frank M. Thompson, our first full- back, from Pinehurst, N. C, wore an orange and black turtleneck sweater he had had at Princeton. Two of America ' s greatest college football stars won their spurs at Wesleyan in the persons of Greasy Neale and Cliff Battles. Taking the West Virginia Inter-Collegiate Tournament side of basketball, which began in 1935, Wesleyan has taken two cham- pionships and been runner-up team three times. This is the twelfth straight season that the tournament has been held in Buckhannon, and since 1940 Wesleyan has placed thirieen men on the All-Tour- nament Team. Baseball saw such outstanding players as Robert Meyers, Jeriy DeMarco and Mat Kuhn. In tennis, Wesleyan had two fine players in David Grey and Joe Oldaker. Track saw Joe Oldaker again and Ed Sullivan, who was never beaten in the two-mile race. No history of Wesleyan could ever be mentioned, however, without placing Cebe Ross, Mr. Wesleyan himself, at the top of the list of great athletic leaders. Cebe both played and coached at Wesleyan. It was his coaching (1925-41 and 1946-53) which proved his greatness. The rugged schedules he endured will not be forgotten, nor will his never-ending efforts to develop the individual through physical education. Turning now to the present era, it is significant to note the great expansion of the physical education program which has been planned so that it now reaches out to more students than ever before. Within the last three years there has been a great acceleration in the intramural program; football, after a two-year rest, has been re-established; cross-country and spring track teams have re- appeared; we now have a competing tennis team; more and newer facilities have been added in the gymnasium; and basketball and baseball are more popular than ever. Our sincere congratulations and commendations go to the Phys- ical Education Department of West Virginia Wesleyan College.