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University Daily Kansan
Friday, Nov. 18, 1955
Spit-fire Debates, Croquet Marked Homecomings
Seventy-five years ago the only extra-curricular activities on the University campus were numerous spit-fire debates and hard-charging oratory contests which drew large crowds. For the more athletic students lawn tennis or croquet games kept them in trim, and baseball soon replaced the out-door games.
The increased interest in football during the 1880's at Yale, Princeton, and Harvard, aroused interest at KU, Baker University, and Washburn University. The college in Kansas which pioneered football is not known, but Washburn had a team as early as 1885. They did not adopt the blue and white colors of the Eastern schools, but wore white uniforms with red stockings and caps.
Introduction of Football
With blazing headlines the Topeka Capital announced the introduction of football to Western Colleges Nov. 22, 1890, when Baker defeated KU 22 to 9. A ball carrier could make only four points with each touchdown, but could make two points for every extra goal or touchback. No padding was worn.
It was during these early days of football that the Kansas yell, from which the "Rock Chalk" was later taken, was originated. In 1885 Dr. E.H.S. Bailey, professor of chemistry, originated the yell for the Science Club, which was "Rah, Rah, Jayhawk, KU!" The next year
"Rock Chalk," was substituted for "Rah, Rah." The "Rock Chalk" is considered one of the best known in the world, and has been heard on the battle fields of World Wars I and II.
In those days bleacher seats cost 25 cents and grandstand seats sold for 50 cents. The flying wedge, which has since been out-lawed, was very popular quarterback strategy. All games were officiated by only two men, a referee and an umpire. Their primary task was to see that the ball was kicked off from the 40-yard line and that no player crossed the line before the ball was in the air.
School Spirit Highest
By the 1900's, school spirit was at its highest. The list of K-Men was growing rapidly, with letters awarded to outstanding participants in gym, rowing, golf, swimming, football, baseball, track, basketball, tennis, wrestling, cross-country runners, and cheer-leading. In 1920 Dr. F. C. "Phog" Allen was coaching KU teams through successful attacks on opponents.
Conflict With Haskell
Sasnak Promotes High Standards
1905 was a year of conflict between KU and the Haskell Indians. Frequent fights in Lawrence streets among the students caused school executives to dissolve athletic relationships for 26 years. The two schools met again in 1930 and KU won 33 to 7.
Sasnak, oddly enough, is Kansas spelled backwards, and it is the name of the departmental club for physical education maps and minors.
The purpose of this club is to foster and promote a strong professional spirit, high education standards, and good fellowship on the part of the education students.
Sasnak, which was named in the late twenties by Dr. Forrest C. "Phog" Allen, has 52 members and meets at least once a month.
The club has many functions during the year which include square dances, social get-togethers, picnics, skating parties, swimming parties, and business meetings.
At present the officers are Ralph Moody, president; Wayne Myers, vice-president; Marianne Tinkler, secretary, and Dick Lapat-tad, treasurer. Faculty co-sponsors are Mr. Don Henry and Mrs. Joan Hendrick.
Although one might think membership in this club is rather expensive, the cost is only one dollar per school year.
One of the most recent affairs that Sasnak has sponsored was a banquet for Dr. John Scott, Columbia University teacher, who has done much to promote a strong professional spirit among physical education students.
Exhibits Vary At Museum
Once you have visited it, you have seen everything—that is the common belief of many persons concerning art museums. However, here at the University, the Museum of Art is striving to change that idea.
It is the hope of Edward A. Maser, director of the museum, that if it continually changes exhibits, the museum will be a place to revisit many times.
Alumni returning for Homecoming may remember the days when such a system was not in effect. Until five years ago, the policy of the museum had been to acquire an article, exhibit it, and leave it there permanently. Now new displays are presented at least once a month.
Exhibits Varied
Exhibits are varied by renting circulating exhibits, and acquiring items from other museums and private collectors.
According to Maser, returning alumni during the past few years have been amazed not to find the same articles on exhibit as when they were in school.
Another service of the museum was added last year. Anyone wishing to see a certain collection not on display at the time may view it if they give advance notice.
On view during Homecoming and for the remainder of November is 18th century sculpture from Germany and Austria. It is a part of the all-University program for 1955-
56. which will celebrate the bi-centenary of the birth of Mozart.
Canvass Museums
Canvass Museums After an intense canvass last year of museums and private collections by Mr. Maser, the showing of 18th century work here is the first of its kind to be held.
"Our collection of German sculpture is one of the finest in the country," said Mr. Maser. "Two of the most famous pieces are the monumental figures of the Saints, Cosmas and Damian, patron saints of medicine. The elegant white and gold figures are the work of Joseph Gotsch. Outside of Germany, the University's museum is the only one which has two such pieces of work."
One item of sculpture on exhibit was made during the same year Mozart was born. The small gem-like piece, "Christ at the Column," was done by Johann Baptist Hagenauer.
Also being shown during Home-
coming time is a large array of Indonesian Art circulated by the Carlebach Gallery of New York. Hundreds of pieces of jewelry, ceramics, metal work, and masks are included. All of these items are available for purchase.
A painting by Albert Bloch, professor emeritus, has been acquired for the permanent collection of the museum. The painting will be placed in the Kansas Room of the Union where all Kansas painters' works will be exhibited. Professor Bloch was formerly head of the drawing and painting department of the University.