Boston College - Sub Turri Yearbook (Boston, MA)

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FF %i m FKESM TVaBRAMLey ' 5o The class of 1920, nearly 300 strong, the largest entering class in Boston College ' s history, was assembled in the middle of September, and after the few days required to assign its members to divisions, settled down to collegiate life. Under the guidance and leadership of the Reverend Fathers McGarvey, Murphy, O ' Brien, and Messrs. Beglan, O ' Connell and Dougherty, we imbibed copious draughts of Greek, English and Latin. Mr. McNally paid frequent visits to elevate us in the science of Mathematics, while Father DeButler and Mr. Luis Zabaleta, A. B.. attempted to instill our lives with invigorating elements of French and Spanish. Thus we were divided, but our desire for eon;;ord, gradually evolving into a class spirit of sterling qualitj ' , soon asserted itself and indeed we have often attributed to such pent-up ardor the reason for the glorious reunions in the class of Historv presided over by Mr. Daniel F. Creeden, S. J. Immediately seeking a leader, our choice resulted in the placing of Charlie Tierney in the van, tlanked by Joe White as vice president and Tom McNamara as treasurer. We were then ready for activity and Ave soon learned that all preparations had been wisely made because our initial j-ear proved to be a series of extraordinary and remarkable events. With the first mention of Charlie Brickley as football coach great interest was manifested, and the matriculation of such renowned stars as Tierney, Con O ' Brien, Trowbridge, White, Lyons, Urban, Seanlan and our incomparable Fitzie warranted the assurance that we were destined for a marvelous revival on the gridiron. A rigorous schedule provided strenuous toil for the team ; progress was steady and each opponent retired with defeat or gloried in a hard-earned victory. However, all was but a stitS training in preparation for the contest with the fiercest adversary on our list and every ounce of strength was redoubled and exerted in an effort to humble the spirit of Holy Cross. That conflict, on November thirtieth, was one never to be

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CO s H l 1 e

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19 20 SUB TURK I 192 erased from the annals of ovir institution; when Smacker Lowney rushed past the Purple and White ' s goal line for the first B. C. touchdown in seventeen years. But the spirit of the Worcester College was firm; her team fought courageously, bringing the score up to 14 all, ' at which it remained until the fourth period was well under way, when Jim Fitzpatrick, thinking it proper to introduce himself, dropped the pigskin from the thirty-six yard line, thereby terminating Holy Cross ' list of victories and placing us on a path of glory from which we have yet to be diverted. With such an example of determination inspiring us, a spirit of confiden ce backed our every act and was plainly evident in our repulsion of the haughty Sophomores, who unsuccessfully tried to capture our banner and to check the progress of our memorable Social. That happy evening was brought to a close when we all hit the trail at the exhortation of Billy Sunday, alias Joe White. We noAv realized that Boston College was coming, but the advance was not confined to sports alone and the dail.y progress in the construction of the second monument on the Heights soon culminated in the completion of St. Mary ' s Hall. With the coming of the New Year the building; was ready for occupancy, and on January fifth the community transferred their books and personal effects from James Street to take up their residence in the new home. On the folloAving morning the Rector, Very Reverend Charles W. Lyons, S. J., celebrated the first Mass, attended by the entire body of priests, scholastics and brothers, thus quietly yet gloriously dedicating another step in Catholic education and training. The approach of Lent bore us the glad tidings that the Passion Play of Santa Barbara was to be presented again, the reception accorded it during the previous season having demanded its repetition. At each of its twelve per- formances the public Avas given opportunity to witness a play, every act and scene of which tended to stimulate the pious spirit of the Holy Season. The annual Retreat was conducted in St. Valentine ' s Chapel by the Rev- erend Father Hart, S. J., and the increased assiduity with which books were perused upon our return after the holidays seemed to indicate that many a prayer for light had been answered. The varsity baseball team, under the guidance of Coach Bill Sweeney, enjoyed a prosperous season. Our class was represented by the peerless Billy Bond at shortstop and the hard-hitting pitcher, Eddie Boyce. As one of the final and most brilliant acts of our year, we recollect the part taken by our members in the annual Prize Debate of the Marcjuette Society, The exhibition of each member of the class was a pleasing and praiseworthy one, but our pride rose to its highest peak when it was announced that the award had been made to Dick McShane. With the end in sight, all attention was riveted on repetition, climaxed by the finals. The exams over, we separated for three months until we should convene again as Sophomores.