Pittsburg State University - Kanza Yearbook (Pittsburg, KS)

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r A GUEST SPEAKER is part of the Apple Day tradition. Dr. Mariano Fiallos, professor at the School of Law and Department of Social Sciences in Nicaragua, speaks on the importance of higher education at the annual event. THE DISTRIBUTION OF apples on Apple Day has been a tradition at Pittsburg State University that began in 1908. Dr. Tom Bryant, professor of physical education and recreation, hands out apples to eager students and faculty during the Apple Day activities. David Barton Apple Day Tradition Steven Hausler

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Gorillas fall 42-34 to Missouri Griffons M issouri Western claimed a 42-34 victory over the Gorillas during the Pittsburg State University Homecoming game. In spite of rain and chilly weather, a large crowd turned out for the game. With only 18 seconds left in the game, it still looked as though Pitt State had a chance. A touchdown and a two point conversion would have tied the game, but a deflected pass on the fourth down ended the game for the Gorillas and left the Griffons the victors. The Griffons drew first blood less than three minutes into the game to take a 7—0 lead. PSU quarterback Gene Stegman, Overland Park freshman, was unable to generate any big offensive plays in his first varsity start, and Pitt State was shut down by a strong Griffon defense. The Gorillas seemed to have stopped the Griffon offensive attack until a third down incomplete pass was ruled as roughing the passer against PSU. The Griffons were then given a first down at the 30. The Griffons completed a pass which took them to the PSU 18, and five plays later scored for the second time in the first quarter. An 83-yard drive capped by a one- yard carry into the endzone by Bruce Stancell, Anderson, Mo., freshman, resulted in PSU's first points of the day with 42 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Pitt State scored again in the second quarter to tie the score, the closest they would ever be to Missouri Western. Minutes later Western retaliated to once again gain the lead during second quarter action. Neither team was able to generate any scoring offense the remainder of the first half, and the Griffons went into the locker room with the halftime lead. In second half action, PSU fumbled on its first two possessions, the second one being recovered by the Griffons on the PSU 21 yard line. Taking advantage of the turnover, Missouri Western quickly scored on a 21—yard touchdown play. Trying to close the Griffon 14 point advantage, PSU hurriedly scored again. The PAT failed, leaving the Gorillas trailing, 28—20. The Gorilla defense held the Griffons for the remainder of the third quarter, but another Gorilla fumble with 30 seconds left on the clock in the third period dashed their hopes of scoring. During the first play of the final quarter the Griffons extended their lead to 15 with a 30-yard touchdown run. Western capitalized on another PSU turnover, a deflected pass at the PSU 37, and widened the lead to 42—20 with only 10:17 left to play. PSU refused to give up the game though, and with about six minutes left scored a one—yard touchdown and a two point conversion to narrow the Griffon lead to 42—28. With about a minute left to play, the Gorillas narrowed the gap even more with a 58—yard touchdown pass. The Gorillas held the Griffons to three plays and regained possession at the Western 37 with 18 seconds left to go. Stegeman's first three pass attempts failed. On his fourth and final chance he aimed for the end zone and it ap- peared the pass was on target until a last second deflection interfered and Missouri Western claimed the win. The game was the eighth time the two schools have met. PSU won the first six meetings and Missouri Western the last two.—by Ron Ausemus David Barton SCRAMBLING FOR THE first down is Cehe Stegeman, Overland Park freshman. Stegeman rushed for thirty-one yards, but Pitt was still not able to pull out a win against the Missouri Western Griffons. AS THE FOOTBALL competition began, the Pittsburg Stale crowd of fans were attempting to do the wave to cheer the Gorillas on. Homecoming Game Tradition

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Apple Day loses impact Faculty fined a barrel of apples The entire student body attended Apple Day in 1908 and 1909, now only about 150 people attend, and most of them are faculty ' said Gene DeGruson, Special Collec- tions Librarian. The first scheduled Apple Day occurred in 1908 to celebrate the Legislature's decision to establish this campus. In March of 1907, the Legislature appropriated monies to establish a State Manual Training Normal at Pittsburg. According to letters written by superintendent Russell Station Russ in the early history of the school, the 'apples' concept came from a barrel of apples Mr. Russ was fined. Most of the members of the Legislature would go home for the weekend. So this time accordingly all of our lobby had gone home, except for me. In the House, the members were waiting for a committee report, and, as they had run out of any business, they passed a resolution to the effect that the first one to occupy a seat of one of the legislators, should be fined a barrel of apples. It was my lot to be the victim. As there had been nothing doing earlier, I had gone over to the Senate. On returning to the House, I sat down in a vacant seat, and to the general laughter af the assemblage was fined a barrel of apples, Mr. Russ' letter said. Upon returning home he was met by students yelling the building passed, and they knew of his fine of a barrel of apples. A letter states that, in order to throw a little pep into the celebration many voted to fine the faculty a barrel of apples — and thus, Apple Day came into being. It became a tradition for many years during World War II that the Governor would speak, usually on the topic of higher education in the state of Kansas. In 1916, Governor Capper was greeted in 30 different languages to signify the different nationalities at State Training Manual Normal, now called Pitt- sburg State University, DeGruson said. DeGruson said beginning in the year 1919, Apple Day evening was celebrated in Senator E. F. Porter's home. He invited the entire student body to his house in celebration through World War I, DeGruson said. Senator Porter was in- strumental in helping push the legislation to get the ruling for the school. Student Senate was in charge of Apple Day this year, and has been for several years. Kathy Scott- Dawdy, Overland Park, senior and Academic Affairs Commissioner said, The people who don't go to Apple Day possibly don't know what Apple Day is about. She said, as organizer of the celebration, that she didn't receive the encouragement or funds to put on a celebration similar to those in the early years of the University. Apple Day falls at a real in- convenient time, in March. We didn't even have a speaker until two weeks before. Dr. Mariano Fiallos was the speaker and his topic wasn't directly related to PSU, but he is nationally known and his speech was in- teresting, Scott-Dawdy said. She said one problem with the lack of interest in Apple Day recently has been lack of support from faculty. I sent letters to each faculty member and asked them to encourage their students to attend and few did. In order for the celebration to be a full success, more people need to get involved. I think Apple Day would go over better if it was celebrated once every five years instead of every year, and make a real celebration out of it, like it used to be. The administration needs to pitch in too — more University sponsored, not just Student Senate. Right now, all promotion is left up to the Student Senate, Scott-Dawdy said.—by Millie Myers APPLE DAY, NOW sponsored by the Student Senate, is not as celebrated on campus as it used to be. Rob Herron, Student Senate vice president and Columbus senior, is caught sleeping during the address at the Apple Day festivities March 7 in the John Lance Arena. Apple Day Tradition