St Xavier College - Xaverian Yearbook (Cincinnati, OH)

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WM. KNECHT Capt. 1924-25 GEO. REYNOLDS Capt. Elect 1925-26 Page One Hundred Fifty-one

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Bill Kneelit, Captain of 1924 Football Team HEN the graduates 111' '25 receive their sheepskins, there will be one 11111111112: them who deserves a ward 011 this page, Bill Knecht, star lineman fur three years anti captain of the varsity football squad in 1924. It is hard for us to say of Bill, in way of athletics, anything: that is not 111- ready known. But as we feel he Will always cherish this book, the esteem of his fellow students, demands a place of pe1manence. Them is 110 athlete wealing the monogiammed sweate1 Who played steadier, cleane1 football than Captain Bill Knecht. He was always a dangeious man to the hostile backfield and a powerful wedge when his own team was carrying the ball. His ability was recognized by every team in the Ohio Conference; he never entered battle an unknown quantity. His reputation was won playing against men who watched him closely, who were waiting for him, but who failed to stop him. We know how Bill felt Thanksgiving! Day when he slipped from his uniform and hung it up to wait for the man who could fill it as ably as himself. He loved the game and gave it all that was in him. And so we bid a hearty farewell to Bill Knecht, an athlete. and gentleman. We wish him the success in life that was his 011 the gridiron. and when that suc- cess is assured he can return to his Alma Mater and find the same pride that she felt in him when he honored her name 011 the battlefield. George Reynolds, Captain-Elect EORGE YATZ REYNOLDS backfield star and last year's quarter-back will lead the St Xavier College Football Team of 1925 upon the field next fall. His team-mates decided this when they elected him captain, and they certainly choose a man worthy of the job. For two years George has rendered invaluable assistance to the team. He has been a good runner, an expert quarter- back, but best of all was his wonderful forward passing ability. In this last 111entim1ed capability a better man has not been developed around Cincinnati. Accuracy, distance, speed, he had all and each one in a high degree. Without stretching a point and in justice to him, it may safely be said that Georgels passes saved many a game. The captain-elect is a true example of the modern player. A clear thinker, quick to act, earnest in effort, great in spirit, possessed of all around ability. If the members of the squad imitate their captain, the team cannot help but be a winning Icombination during the season of 1925. Paste One Hundred Fifty

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The Varsity F00tball Squad HE question is often asked by people outside of scholastic circles just why football is the national college game How is it that neither baseball nor basket ball rival it in popularity? We shall not try to answer a question that would probably bring to light a hundred different reasons from as many authorities. But it is certaih that football is a big factor in American college and university life, that it reflects credit on these institutions; for they have developed it into the splendid game that it is today. In our own team of the year past we have a typical exponent of fast, clever football. St. Xavier unfurled her colors above a truly representative varsity squad in 1924. It was composed of men who went the limit and beyond the limit to win their games; men who played clean football and played it well. It is true that they lost the majority of their battles; but they lost in a style that merited admir- ation in enemy ranks and strengthened the reputation that has always belonged to old Xaviereher sons are gentlemen as well as athletes. In early fall a group of gridiron performers gathered on Cnrcuran Field They were not inexperienced, but they had never played together in the same combination. Yet, from this number, Coach Meyer built up a machine that work- ed in efficient style through the last half of its schedule, And the final curtain dropped on as neat and brainy a crew as has ever defended the blue and white. When the 1925 season makes its debut, we can hope to see a team in action that has been strengthened by spring practice and confidence in its own ability, ea vital element that was missing in the early games last year. And whether or not this is the time and place to pledge our faith, we want our football men to know that we believe in them heart and soul, that we shall give them our un- stinted support as an appreciation of their efforts to increase the glory of our school. Page One Hundred Fifty-twn