Bethany College - Bethanian Yearbook (Bethany, WV)

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OCTOBER. 1940 Ajlcrnidth: Prfsiilci: Crumhlft ami Grvcil anil While hailj lead tittor ttarailc along Main strctt. When the 1939 season rolled around, and the team started out by beating Westminster, a few students — freshmen — blinked their eyes and almost became excited. At the homecoming game against W. and J., the players showed plenty of pep, and were rewarded by a good turnout at the gate. But the Bison was not quite ready. W. and J. was outfought, but in two momentary Bison lapses the Presidents scored to win, 12-0. Worst effect of this game was that it tucked in the already sleeping student body. When the Bison finished the season with a .500 aver- age, public opinion felt that this was pretty good — for a Bethany team. This year there is a new spirit on the cam- pus. It is as admirable as it is surprising. And a new team of Knightmen has hit its stride. Currently, the Bethany squad is a veteran one. On the ends of the line are two seniors, Walter Bud Kuhns and Chet Gordon. Newcomers George Brady and Jack Cicco are waiting to jump into the regular end shoes. At the tackle positions, which caused Coach John Knight considerable worry last year, are two big men, John Tiny Morrill, and Walter Dode Myers. Both weigh 230 pounds, as does reserve tackle Dick Roberts. Freshman Clayton Pletz is developing into a workmanlike tackle. Little need be said about Alan Dowler and Bill Wells, senior guards. Both are experienced battlers. Center, supposedly the weakest spot in pre-season analyses, has developed into a stronghold manned by Jim Duif and Frank Donics, with Martin Reiter and Don Kramer awaiting the call. Returned for their last season with the Green and White are Tom CuUison and Dick Jackson. Cullison, one of the smartest players in the conference will be sporting his fourth grid letter this year. Other veterans are Archie Conn, steady blocker, tough Ed Har- ris, and knee action Stan Stitt. Best of the new backs is Chuck Hart, burly triple threat who has blasted student apathy with an ox- Hanging in the troj ' hy room in hi ' in Gynrnasinni is this pic- tnrr of the only of ny Bison JurJ to heat W ■ . The player who kicked the fndd goal that gate Bethany the 3-0 lietory three decades ago was Bishop ' sixth from the left in t te second row- This early team, coached by one ■ M- Tounsend , is remembered for two other things: the niinihcr ■ f loll score games played, and the accidental death of a West Virginia player in -Bethany ' s second game with W-VV- thai year- Scores that year included Gen.-ia 8. Bethany 0; W- Si. ]■ 0. Bethany 3; W- ' -U- 0. Betli- imy 0; West Virginia Wesleyan II. Bethany 0: W V U ■ 8. Beth- any 0. Mccby Wens ShuFHlewsrkh Riws Umfcenhower 2 lGsrJTOb ' Rudy Bowers Henley . Bishop Saundermdn E.Harmon t Ei-retfc SmJtA Bradfbrd Rltte Merryman J. chapman Wdtson Konp T Stanley r. GE SIX

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OCTOBER. 1940 The Bison Grows New Horns By Saiifonl Sti ' iuwan In the early ' 20 ' s Bethany College boasted a football team capable of standing up to the best in the country. The Bisons of that day had a hard fighting, enthusiastic bunch of athletes who played--and mayhap were paid-- to win. With a spirited student body behind them, the Bison trampled such teams as Ohio U., Detroit U., Rutgers, and Carnegie Tech. Even Army, Navy, and Georgetown clashed with the Bison. The gridders had everything required for a smooth, well-oiled machine. Yet year after year, no matter how spotless the record might be, one flaw blotted it. Bethany College football teams were unable to take the measure of Washington and Jeff- erson. Not since 1910 had the Bisons gored the Presidents. It was then that Bud Bishop, from Wellsburg, drop kicked a field goal at Washington to give Bethany a slim 3-0 vic- tory. In the following years, the Bisons were tough, for in 1921 W. and J. went on to the Rose Bowl, after defeating Bethany only 14-0. But the Bisons were not tough enough. By 1924 the lean years set in, and along (vith the perennial failure to beat W. and J. the Bisons began to slip into gridiron oblivion. Large enrollment colleges began to put out the topnotch teams, and with the decline of the Bison record, the bottom fell from beneath student moral support. Attendance at games slumped drastically, any attempt at a rally was a fiasco, and the average student was in- different to Bethany ' s gridiron efforts. Apa- thy shriveled up the teams, and where only larger schools once beat Bethany, the Bison became a pushover for Marshall, Grove City, Thiel, and West Virginia Wesleyan. A de- horned Bison, like its Wild West prototype, seemed on the way out. Top: hi the Gletnille opener Hart drives through hole made by Myers, on ground, and Kuhns, at right- Middle: Left to right, Hesser, Gordon, White, Donics, and Cicco ready to battle W- . Bottom: Stitt auay for a long run against Salem- TS . PAGE FIVE

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OCTOBER. 1940 back; Sifgt ' lhaitnif giiartl; Jackson, back; Gorilon, ciiJ; A- Dowley, giuinl; Hart, back; Wells, guard; Donics, center; Cicco, end; Hcrrick. tackle- Second row. Sinieral, back; Knbns, end; Harris, back; Albrecht, guard; Shrlner, back; Stitt, back; CullisoN, back; Duff, center; W. Dou ' ler. guard; White, guard; K:..,;:,.. .. - - , , . t. .. c ■■ v,;.,s ' -- . i row; As- sistant Coach Stunijil); Re ter, center; Brady, end; Myers, tackle; Hesser, hack; Roberts, tackle; Pletz, tackle; Morrill, tackle; Barnes, tackle; Conn, back; Erbc, tackle; Ponierance, back; Wilson, manager. like drive and an educated toe. Slightly less of a powerhouse is Freshman Jack Hesser. Now half finished, the Bison season started off happily, with a 14-7 win over Glenville State, who humiliated us 30-7 last year. Then came the sweet 14-0 victory over W. and J., after 30 years of yearning. Then the Bison trampled Salem, 3 3-0 and beat Westminster. The spirit, not the one of Bibical times, but the spirit that people always ask for at pep meetings, has descended on the Bethany cam- pus. The rally and torchlight parade follow- ing the W. and J. game was without preced- ent in modern Bethany history. Zest may even overflow and invade the classrooms. But win, lose, or draw from now on, the team knows that the students are behind them. As yet there has not been a slackening of spirit. Why should there be? For has not the Bison regained his horns? Part of the W- : ■ strife uas a kicking duel. This l anarain shous a Bison buck boutuig one Joun the fuld- PAGE SEVEN