Kingswood Oxford High School - Retrospect Yearbook (West Hartford, CT)

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Daniel Francis Lawler “Deacon” During pre-season football practice in the fall of our Sixth Form year, Deacon” Dan Lawler made his first appearance at Kingswood. Dan had already graduated from William Hall High School, in West Hartford, and had decided to continue his studies at Kingswood for a year before going on to college. While at Hall, Dan (one of the few boys in Hall’s history to receive three letters in his sophomore year) made a name for himself as an outstanding athlete. He was a three-year varsity letterman in football, basketball, and baseball, and was elected to the Hartford Courant All District Football Team. In his Senior year Dan was captain of baseball. Upon his arrival at Kingswood, Dan worked hard as quarterback on the football team, only to receive a head injury a few days before our first game. Since Dan could not play football for quite a few weeks, he became a coach on the J. V. team. Many a day we saw Dan’s boys running around the track because they weren’t popping. After Dan’s injury healed, he rejoined the Varsity squad and helped Kingswood win their 4th and 5th games with timely touchdowns. Dan quickly joined the business Board of the News and spent many an afternoon getting ads. As the winter months rolled around. Dan joined Mr. Francis’ basketball team and soon became one of the best hoop players that Kingswood had seen in years. He set up most of the score with his fine floor game. When he wasn’t playing basketball, we again saw Dan leaving school to get some more ads. During the baseball season Dan held down the hot corner for Mr. Barrows’ fighting Wyverns. Though Dan was only here a year, his fine personality and good sportsmanship will always be remembered. Best of luck in whatever you do, Dan. 25

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In his Third Form year Kip became better known among the entire student body. He played J. V, football and baseball and was a spark plug on both teams often endangering the reputation of the Varsity squad in scrim- mages. The following year he had an unusually active football season. He played all but one J. V. game, and on Kingswood Day played half the varsity game as well as the J. V. game, when he unexpectedly had to substitute tor the injured Cy McCormick. Christopher Chester Korper “Kip” Kip” entered Kingswood in the fall of 1949. He soon became well-known among his class- mates for his leadership and good spirit. For two years he took part in intramural club com- petition, and, although he was a notoriously slow runner, he had no trouble gaining recog- ntion as a hustler. In the spring, Kip nailed down his first real Varsity position as catcher on Fd Knapp’s baseball team. He was extremely essential to the team, a definite factor in winning several games. He repeated his success in the Fifth Form year plus starring on rookie coach Barrows’ football team as center. But his consistent success was not confined to the athletic field. A relatively good student in most courses, he always ranked near or at the top of his class in mathematics and sciences. In spite of KipV leadership and sense of responsibility, he managed somehow to avoid being elected a class officer. In the Spring, however, he was justly elected a prefect, vice- president of the Senior class, and captain of the baseball team. Kip’s Senior year was his best in every respect. During his last year he again starred in football and baseball and developed into a fine wrestler. In his six years at Kingswood, Kip has con- tributed profoundly to the life and spirit of the school. 24

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Shaun Mari nan “Dad” One thing that the class of ’55 will never forget is the smile that has been '‘Dad’s” trade- mark ever since he came to Kingswood from St. Thomas’ School in 1951. “Dad” began to show his athletic abilities as soon as he arrived. He played football, basket- ball, and baseball, helping the Lancaster club win the shield that year. Graduation to the upper school meant quite a few changes lor Shaun. He switched from football to soccer and became a very shifty goalie for Mr. Jones’ undefeated team. During the winter “Dad” lent his talents to the J. V. basketball team. Due to his superior baseball skill, Shaun was made a member of the Varsity team. Dad’s” blistering speed enabled him to lead the team in stolen bases. Dad’s” fiery competitive spirit was evident to his coaches, who saw Shaun as a valuable varsity prospect. As early as the beginning of his third year at Kingswood, Shaun became interested in football once more. Although still a soccer man, Shaun became affiliated with a number of injured football players who made long automobile trips to watch the football team play. “Dad was one of the inventors of that potent substance, “R. gas”, which accompanied us on our football trips and has since been used by many of us as a combination thirst quencher and fuel oil. It was on one of these trips that “Dad showed his dislike for cocoa by pouring it all over that nice thick rug. As winter rolled around once more, Shaun took up J. V. basketball again. This is where Shaun got his nickname. Shaun was so much older than the other players that it was only fitting to call him “Dad”. He finished the year by playing with the Varsity baseball team. At the beginning of his Senior year, Shaun made his first appearance on the football field in three years. He filled in the defensive end posi- tion and also did well on offense. Shaun, with his good-natured disposition and quick wit is admired and respected by everyone. Our best wishes to a fine classmate and friend. 26