Carnegie Mellon University - Thistle Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

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Carnegie's 1925 Football Season On September 2, 1924, sixty enthusiastic young huskies gathered at Mellon Annex, the football training quarters; and out of this group, which had given little promise of developing into more than a mediocre squad, our wizard Coach, “Wally” Steffen, very ably assisted by his first lieutenant, Coach Waddell, produced a smooth working, fast gridiron machine, capable of furnishing stiff competition to the best teams the country could produce. The coaches were handicapped by the light weight of the men, and the dirth of competent substitute material. However, when the day of the opening game arrived, they were able to put a typical Tartan team in the field. By insisting on speed, and drilling the men almost to perfection on a scries of clever and deceptive trick plays, they had produced a team fit to be ranked with the Class A teams of the east, as results soon showed—a team that retained the city championship against great odds, and scored more points against the wonder team from Notre Dame than had any other school in the past four years. DAYTON On September 27, the Dayton University team, a fast, heavy aggregation coached by Notre Dame men utilizing the famous Rechne shift, journeyed to Pittsburgh to open the Carnegie 1924 football season. Playing at top speed under a broiling sun, Dayton furnished stiff competition and displayed some excellent football, but finally succumbed to a bunch of fighting Clansmen anxious to show the world that no coach leading his team against Carnegie during the season would leave the field without a few gray hairs. Dayton took the lead in the first quarter with a field goal from the thirty yard line. This was just the right handicap for the Scotch, and after several substantial gains on end-around plays by Mefort, Beede took the ball across on Steffen’s famous spinner play that was to play such an important role during the balance of the season. Another of Carnegie’s greatest assets was uncovered when Bill Manby intercepted a pass, and dashed across the line for l ech’s other touchdown, in the second half. When the final whistle blew, Carnegie was on the optimists’ end of a 14-3 score. No substitutes were used by Steffen, despite the speed of the play; this demonstration of the super-excellent physical condition of the first stringers promised much for the future. W EST ER X M A R V LA X D Pag, 164

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W. W. DONAHUE Donahue, the man with the smile that will not come off in the game. His speedy work this year assures him of a job for next year. His fast end runs thrilled and pleased the fans who witnessed his stellar playing. He is as good on the defense as he is on the offense, thus being an asset to the team that can not be overlooked. Donahue is also a basketball pjaycr that is second to none. He works with his teammates and against his opponents. NVc can not do without Donahue and we will not have to next year. A Word From “Buddy” Athletics at Carnegie Tech, just as ar all other Institutions, are the base-work of student activities and form a big part of College life. They help to build character and strong body, also aid in giving the student the line conception of loyalty which marks the college man, develops keen mind, resourcefulness and courage: they form the strongest of ties that hind the student and alumnus to their institution. Ideals encouraged and fostered in athletics form the basis of the integrity and strength which big men so much need to he successful. As Coach Steffen stated at a recent Football Dinner, in choosing men for his squad his first thoughts were courage and mentality. A man having both of these good qualities is bound to succeed scholastically. We pride ourselves this past year in having an exceptionally good record among our varsity players, very few having been disqualified by low points of quality. Our athletic record speaks for itself. The Athletic Council wish to take this opportunity of again thanking the Trustees Administration, Faculty, Alumni and Students for the loyal support given to them the past year. Clarence Overend. Page 163

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VV. J. THIEL In the second game of the season, Wally Steffen’s so-called “green” team practised straight football at the expense of the Thiel eleven, coached by Carnegie's old friend Tommy l lolleran of Pitt. Wally’s proteges showed decided improvement in this game, playing with more finesse and teamwork than in the opener. T hey carried the hall over for a touchdown in the first eight plays, and at no time were in danger of being scored on. Bastian, and the fleet Rill Donohoe, who substituted for him, skirted the ends time after time in a fashion recalling the days of our beloved Jimmy Robertson. Bastian added a chapter to Tech’s history when he hooted a perfect goal from T hiel’s 35-yard line, with Captain Newman holding the hall. This was the first field goal ever scored hv a Carnegie eleven, and made the score 22-0 in Carnegie’s favor. TOLEDO T oledo, highly touted In Dame Rumor, had the hard luck of striking Carnegie when she was in her prime. No matter how the Ohioans varied their attack; despite numerous substitutions to strengthen their defense, rhev coidd nor deny the Tartans. who were armed with a seemingly inexhaustible assortment of short end runs. TOLEDO Pagt 165