Swarthmore College - Halcyon Yearbook (Swarthmore, PA)

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KWINK WAA . ' fflis ?s

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4 -. %|l. FALL SPORTS

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The 1951 Football season was eagerly awaited for two reasons : Swarthmore was expected to field a winning grid team and to play its games on the new Clothier field behind the field house. Neither of these expect ations was realized but the season proved to be an anomaly in that it was both dis- appointing and promising. Although the season closed with a two and five log, all indications pointed to success in future years. The squad was augmented by another bright bunch of freshman prospects which included Henry Bode, Tom Simkin, Dick Burtis, Chuck Cooper and Dick Kohls on the line and Bill Bruce and Paul James in the backfield. These boys, although as green as the sod on unused Clothier field at the outset of the season, dis- played their wares in fine fashion at the close of the fall and are to be de- pended upon for creditable performances in the fu- ture. The fine all-round performances of Bill Jones and Bunky Blake and the scintillating running of Nick Cusano proved to be the highlights of the grid year. The 1951 season saw the Garnet gridmen win na- tional acclaim on the basis of their conduct if not their ability. Last year ' s Haverford game saw for the first time in the history of football a game scored on the basis of the conduct of the players and fans FOOTBALL as well as the more usual playing tactics. If a victory over Haverford is the mark of a successful then this season must god down in the record books as a double victory because the ' fords were vanquished 19-7 on the f eld of combat and 45-43 on the field of conduct. Last fall coach Lew Elverson junked his T-forma- tion in favor of a Princeton type single-wing offense which showed to advantage with Bill Jones at tail- back. Dave Hansen and Mike Freilich at fullback, little Nick Cusano at wingback, and Frank Oski un- til injured in the blocking back position. Dana Swan took over the signal calling chores after Oski ' s injury in the Johns Hopkins game. The offensive line had Dave Harvey and Bunkey Blake at end. Hank Bode and Tom Simkin at tackle. Jay Ochroch and Bill Walls at guard, and Captain Bob Asplundh at center. Big Asplundh received the Maxwell Award for his splendid performance in the Haverford game and proved to be a worthy succes- sor to his father, the great Lester Asplundh, by his fine play all year. The Garnet opened its season by losing a heart- breaker in ninety-degree heat to a fine Juniata ball club, 13-7. Swarthmore had a touchdown nullified because of a freak pass interference call, and this tough break proved to be the ball game. Bill Jones