University of Santa Clara - Redwood Yearbook (Santa Clara, CA)

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20 THE REDWOOD figure kneeling in devout prayer. Bill looked up as he prepared to leave and at the same time the beam of the gent- ly swaying sanctuary lamp for an in- stant played on the numbered cards and they again caught his eye. 28- 29-50, he Isoftly repeated. That must be a good omen , he thought as he turned and left the chapel. Outside the sky was livid. In front of the building on the campus a huge bonfire was burning and the students, imbued with all the spirit that the thoughts of the morrow could conjure up, were massed about it. Bill walked toward the crowd. Soon he was recog- nized and a great cheer arose. He did not remain long, however, as the team had been ordered to retire early and soon he was climbing the old stone steps of Senior Hall. Saturday dawned chill and clear and gave promise of being an ideal football day. The sun arose in a burst of splendor and gave a welcome warmth to the morning air. The little town of Saint Claire had put on her gala attire for the game. The first sun- beams creeping in over the roofs re- vealed the buildings draped in bunting, while flags and pennants floated lazi- ly in the light breeze. Everywhere was to be seen the Red and White mingled with patches of Cardinal. Already the town was awake. Here and there stood little groups of fans, who had come the night before, talking and arguing over the merits of their respective teams. The eastern sky was still a mass of silver and the dew was sparkling in the fields when the vanguard of fans ar- rived in town, and a fleet of autos overloaded with Cardinal rooters first traced the frosty pavements. This proved to be the beginning of streams that continued to pour in, and by ten o ' clock the streets were congested and the sidewalks had become surging, shouting masses of humanity. At the university all was excitement. The campus was crowded with students and alumni. Everywhere could be seen the men who had helped to make Saint Claire ' s athletic history a glori- ous pageant. They came from far and near to see their Alma Mater play and now they were heroes once more. The sight of the old buildings, the old field and the old haunts, had put new life into their veins and they told of the things Saint Claire had done in the past. The team had eaten breakfast and was now resting as the coach had ordered. In front of the building near the ashes of the bonfire more wood was being piled up in anticipation of a big victory rally after the game. Down at the field the groundkeeper was giv- ing a few last touches to the gridiron. Noon came and the students went to dinner. After partaking of a light lunch the players went to the dressing- room, where the coach gave them a final talk. He then took Bill Stevens aside and spoke: If you are close to the Cardinal goal and unable to gain, let Fat drop the ball over. You are practically sure of three points every time he kicks and I don ' t think we will need any more than that to win. So play it safe, he cautioned, as he gave the little quarter a pat on the shoulder and walked away. Well, Fat, you win, called Bill. I win? questioned the rotund one. Yes, you win the thirteen inning football game, yelled Bill, and he dodged just in time to have a headgear whiz by him and hit the wall with a smack.

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Numbers Donald J. Pierr. HOO-HOO-HOO— ] 00M! Captain Hill! Speech! Speech ! came from all parts of the dining room which, during the evening meal was the scene of the giant rally. On the next day was to be held the football classic of the season. The Cardinal hordes of Standish were coming down the penin- sula to meet their ancient rivals in their annual game. The wearers of the Red and White of Saint Claire had not been conceded a chance at the begin- ing of the season, but they had proved their mettle and now they were out to stop the mad rush of the Cardinal co- horts toward the title. It was truly to be the game of the century as the head- lines had told. The captain reluctantly arose. A deafening applause, which lasted for several minutes, ensued. Fellows, I ' m not much at this speech making stuff and all I can say is that if you have the same pep out there in the stands tomorrow that you have here tonight, we can ' t help but win. Again the old adobe building shook with a roar which lasted until the team had filed out. All then retired to the chapel for benediction and evening prayers. It was a crisp evening in late fall. The stars gleamed mistily through a slight haze and there was a tinge of smoke in the air. The college chapel loomed up like some great shadow and the stained windows shone like gems in their somber setting. A murmur of rising and falling voices floated from its doors and out into the night. All the riotous enthusiasm of a few mo- ments before was now transformed into ardent fervor and devotion. The chapel was brilliantly lighted. Myriads of candles flickered in the sanctuary. The organ was softly playing. Near the side altar were hung numbered cards signifying the hymns to be sung. Bill Stevens, the stocky little quarter-back, Avith flaming hair, took his hymn book and glanced at the cards. Immediately a smile played about his ilps. What a coincidence, he thought, that the same signal he had been calling that after- noon in secret practice should be there staring him in the face. Almost imme- diately the distraction was put aside and his voice was raised in the stirring strains of the O Salutaris . Soon benediction was over and the students filed out. Here and there, how- ever, scattered throughout the chapel a few kneeling figures remained. It was now dark save for the flickering glow of the sanctuary lamp, and all was silent. In the dim light one could discern that most of the kneelers were men. who Avere to play in tomorrow ' s game. It truly was inspiring to see those men, heroes of the gridiron, all praying there like children. One by one they left and soon there remained but a lone 19

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THE REDWOOD 21 Wait a minute, you old tub, 1 mean it, he cried, and he explained by tell- ing what the coach had said. Alright, said Fat, I ' ll do it. He was a fellow who had always had a note of confidence in his voice and he seemed to impart t hat spirit to the team. Even now as he said the words, all those who heard him, in their minds could see the ball go sailing over the goal-post for three points. It seemed to them that it was already done and that the victory was a realization. Such was the morale of the men as they donned their moleskins for the game. At one o ' clock the gates of the field were opened and the crowd began to pour in. On and on they came in an ever increasing stream. Soon the stands, which had been erected at both ends of the field were filled and the gates were closed as the other stands had been reserved for the rival student bodies. The sound of music was heard in the distance. The sound grew loud- er and louder until suddenly the main gate opened and with a crash of cym- bals the Saint Claire band followed by the rooters and the entire student body marched in. A great roar filled the air as the crowd caught sight of them. They filed into their stands and the rooter king dressed in a half red and half white suit jumped out in front and called for a yell. As it was given he jumped back and forth in cadence and ended with a hand spring. The crowd cheered its approval and anoth- er was given. The band then played the Saint Claire Anthem. It was not five minutes before an- other roar was heard as the Standish rooters marched in behind their band and took their stands across the field. The Saint Clairites greeted them with a cheer which they immediately re- turned. After that a battle of yells took place, each side trying to out-lung the other. The whole formed a picture to be remembered; the fresh green field, the gleaming lines, the goal-posts decorated in the hues of the two col- leges, the grandstands, masses of shim- mering color and the cloudless Autumn sky. It all formed a perfect setting for a royal event such as it was destined to be. An aeroplane flying high above the field, looping the loop and doing other stunts, fluttered down as an au- tumn leaf. The crowd gasped and then laughed to conceal its emotion as the bird gracefully straightened out. Grad- ually it came lower and lower and the crowd let out a howl of applause as it discovered that the plane was decorat- ed in the red and white of Saint Claire. Suddenly the stands throbbed with cheers as eleven Cardinal sweatered warriors came from their quarters and trotted down the field in formation, while scores of substitutes went to their places on the side-lines. A team of giants it was; well fitted for the smashing tactics that were traditional of Standish teams. The roar of voices was just beginning to die down when it began with renewed vigor as the Saint Claire team, led by Captain Hill, dashed upon the gridiron. The ovation ceased as both teams gathered around their respective coaches. The Saint Claire team, although composed of good-sized men, was dwarfed beside its rival and the knowing ones looked at each other and smiled. Jack Miller took the ball and tried a few punts and soon was followed by his cardinal rival. Both booted the ball to perfec- tion, most of the kicks being around the fifty-yard mark. The referee called