Springfield College - Massasoit Yearbook (Springfield, MA)

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DEDICATION Ossie Solem — a man, a coach dedicated — dedicated to football and its ideals of good sportsmanship, clean living, honesty, and high morals. It is to this man that we take pride in dedicating the 1958 MASSASOIT. Coach Solem has served as an inspiration to students for almost a half century. In his chosen field he is a master among masters. At the University of Minnesota where he did his undergraduate work in law, he was also con- sidered to be a great football player. This was to be the stepping stone for a spectacular career filled with success, awards and rewards, more than enough to last a lifetime. Upon graduation he took a coaching assignment with the Minneapolis Marines which lasted from 1915 to 1917. A two year tour with Uncle Sam in World War I temporarily interrupted his new-found coaching career. Upon discharge from the Army, Coach Solem resumed his chosen profession at Luther College in 1920. Two years later Ossie was found instilling his high ideals among the students and faculty at Drake University. While at Drake he gathered further prestige, respect, and admiration from those with whom he came in contact. Ten years after joining the staff at Drake, he was asked to take the helm of Athletic Director, Physical Education Director, and football coach at the University of Iowa. After filling the key slot at Iowa from 1932 to 1936, Ossie then ventured to Syracuse University. Syracuse today is proud to have had the privilege of association with Ossie Solem, a man among men. In 1946 Coach Ossie Solem walked onto the Springfield College Cam- pus. At this time, Springfield College did not realize the influence that Ossie was to have on its campus community. Today we know that a man of his caliber can not pass us by without some of his personality rubbing off. Not only are we proud of his feats as evident on the football field, but we are all proud of Ossie because of what he represents. We can read in books about the high ideals of honesty, integrity, loyalty, and good sportsmanship, but for a living example we turn to Coach Ossie Solem. Springfield College is not the only one to recognize these ideals which he represents. This was proven in 1956 by a testimonial dinner given in his honor. Many of his former colleagues, players, and friends attended this momentous occasion to pay tribute to a wonderful man. Recently another tribute was paid to Ossie, one which could be called the apex of a brilliant career, that of being selected as a prominent member of the Football Hall of Fame. Words are but poor vehicles of expression when referring to a man who has given so much and requested so little in return. How is it possible to explain the influence he has had on so many people throughout the world? Can we do justice in so limited a space to such a man? No, we can not. All we can say is that the Class of 1959 is honored to have the oppor- tunity to dedicate this book to our own Head Football Coach and Professor of Physical Education, Ossie Solem. 6

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J. HENDERSON and D. GILPIN Photography Editors J. McCORKLE and J. MAYER Copy Editors M. SHELDON and C. NICOLL Typing Editors C. McELWAIN and B. JORDAN Lay-Out Editors B. O ' NEILL and R. LIBBY (missing) Sports Editors S. BLOOD and S. HOLMES Senior Personalities E D I T O R S 1 9 5 8 B. ELLIOT Art Editor C. SMITH Business Manager

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OSSIE SOLEM 7