Alma College - Scotsman Yearbook (Alma, MI)

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IT.: .:' J . v . Q- . u r.-1, 1938 SCHEDULE Miami University Michigan State Normal ..... Albion College .. Olivet College . . . Hope College .... Hillsdale College Adrian College .. Kalamazoo College Oppo- Almanents O 51 U 20 6 6 ...34 6 13 7 O 20 ...34 O .. O 6 VARSITY FOOTBALL COACH Gordon, Macdonald began his third year at Alma College with fine prospects and a squad expected to make a strong big for the MIAA conference title . . . He had a big, veteran line . . . small but fast backfield . . . better reserve strength than in 1937 when the Scots placed second in the conference standings. lust when the outlook was the brightest, that most dread- ed of a coach's headaches, injuries, took a hand . . . Reg- ulars were kept out . . . linemen shifted to the backfield . . . the lineup was revamped again and again until a starting eleven was not known until game time . . . In spite of these numerous difficulties and an exceptionally hard schedule, the Scots came through with three wins, four losses and one tie . . . a notable achievement. The Scots opened on September 24 against Miami Uni- versity at Oxford, Ohio, being crushed, 51-O, by a combined airtight defense and a powerful running attack , . . Alma was outweighed by more than ten pounds per man, and superior weight told . . . Alma threatened once when they got the ball to Miami's six yard line . . . Captain Bob De- vaney in the line and Don Smith in the backfield were Alma's best. ln another non-conference contest on September 30, the Scots dropped their second game, 20-U to Michigan Normal 60

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ORCI-HDS TO . COACH Gordon Macdonald who stuck to his post until the last . . . who stayed out coaching our teams until retiring became a matter of the most serious importance . . . Then, and only then did he step out of character to become the tough luck champion of the year. . . . Out of coaching togs into the white garments of hos- pitals . . . out of campus activity into the world of anxiety, antiseptics and hope . . . Permanence of a leg injury gained while making a name for Alma Col- lege hack in his college days left Mac without circula- tion in his right leg . . . early this fall a minor infection set in the load leg and gangrene developed . . . Two operations followed after which recovery proved slow and tedious . . . To facilitate his return to office he left Alma for the sunnier and healthier days of Florida . . . Here he had nothing to do but get well and plan for fellows and teams back at the alma mater. . . . Thus, we offer literary orchids to one of the Qiamest fighters of them all. 59

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at Ypsilanti . . . Alma gained more yardage and made more first clowns . . . the loss of four regulars by injuries could not be offset when the scoring punch was needed . . . In its first MIAA game of the season, Alma tied Albion 6-6 in a night game on October 7 at Albion . . . The game was principally a battle between the lines with Angus Mac- Garvah as the chief bulwark for the Scots . . . Although the Alma attack didn't get going, the defense was tops . . . Main feature of the game was a stonewall stand by the Alma line in the second quarter. The Scots opened their home schedule with a fine per- formance against Olivet on October 14, winning 34-6 under Bahlke Fie1c1's new floodlights . . . Alma showed great im- provement in all departments, playing before a crowd of 1,200 fans . . . Smith had three touchdowns. Dick Ginther and Wally Wrege also scored Alma touchdowns . . . The Comets touchdown came in the final minutes when Morvilius broke away for 58 yards to score. Displaying power and alertness on both offensive and defensive play, the Scots next won over Hope 13-7 on October 22 at Holland . . . Dick Ginther and Bob Devaney looked best for Alma . . . Olson and Mathews made the Scots' touchdowns . . . I-Iope's score came as the result of an 18 yard sprint by Lee Brannoclc . . . Mainly because of the Top Row, left to right: W. Erd- man, business manager, F, Kcxin S. Moran, B. Richardson, I True, A, Mc1cGarvah, B. Frier, E Ziem, A. Iuhola, B. Carr, I Mead. Middle Row: Henry Howe, as sistant cocxchg G. Barnett, D Smith, W. Cutler, G. Olson, C Carter, D. Ginther, C. LeClaire W. Wrege, F. Hill, F. McMi1len T. Purdy, Gordon A. Macdonald head coach. Bottom Row: I. Howe, trainer, I. Mathews, K. Otis, M. Hult mcm, P. Seavitte, B. Adams, B. Devaney, C. Elder, R. Bendall G. Purdy, W. roms, H. Nunn: B. Moody, trainer. 1939 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Sept. 23-there OHIO WESLEYAN Sept. 29-here ALBION tnightl Oct. 7-there OLIVET Oct. 13-here HOPE fniqhtl HOMECOMING Oct. 21-there HILLSDALE Oct. 27-here ADRIAN fnightl Nov. 3-there KALAMAZOO Nov. IO-here MICH. STATE NORMAL tnightl 2 . ' Z?