FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1948
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN. LAWRENCE. KANSAS
PAGE SEVEN
Blaik Denies 'Item' Report Army Fears Notre Dame'
New Orleans, Dec. 3—(UP)—Lloyd Glaudi, sports editor of the New Orleans Item, reported today that Secretary of the Army Kenneth Royall agreed to let Army play in the Sugar bowl on New Year's day but that Army Coach Earl (Red) Blalk "considered, hesitated, then refused."
The reason, Glaudi said, was that Blaik didn't like the possibility of having to play Notre Dame.
"Permission for Army's Sugar bowl participation had actually been granted by Royall," Gaudi wrote. "Secretary Royall, a North Carolina alumnus, is a Sugar bowl admirer. He also assisted in securing a chain of approval of all academy officials until the invitation finally reached Coach Blaik.
"Why did Blaik refuse? Well, he is aware of the close tie between the Sugar bowl and Frank Leahy of Notre Dame and figured, perhaps correctly, that with the Army as a lure the Sugar bowl would have offered the other invitation to Notre Dame.
"And there is little doubt that Leahy and the Irish would have waived preliminaries to make the acceptance. It is common knowledge that Blaik, for reasons of his own, desires no part of Notre Dame. And, certain that the Sugar bowl would not permit him to select his
ey. Blaik was careful not to be taught in a moment of bowl weakness."
At West Point, Blaik vehemently denied that he, had "anything" to do with refusing a bowl bid—of which Army had three—because he feared a possible meeting with powerful Notre Dame.
Blaik, who has turned out three undefeated teams at Army within four years, insisted that he "never was much of a bowl man." And he disclosed that when he coached at Dartmouth he personally had turned thumbs down on a Rose bowl bid.
The Army coach was tight-lipped and grim-eyed as he refused the New Orleans report that he had turned down the Sugar bowl bid after Mr. Royall and top Academy officials had okayed the trip.
"On Nov. 9, Gen. Maxwell D. Taylar announced that we were not interested in post-season games," Blaik said. "Later Secretary Royall called and asked Taylor what was our stand. Gen. Taylor told him we were against such games and it was Taylor's decision—not Blaik's."
Three of the top bowls, excluding the Rose bowl, had invited Army "several times" during the past couple of years and also this season. Blain explained.
"We are different than any other institution," the coach added. "Our guys don't get to go home often. Christmas week is about the only time. Then, too, they have their written mid-year examinations in December—and it doesn't matter whether you play football or not if you fail them."
"Football still is incidental at West Point," he said. "And it should be. These games extend the season but, more important, they might cause some Cadet to flunk out of the Academy. It wouldn't be worth it if one boy failed."
Blaik made these statements as he appeared to accept the Lambert Award for Army as the outstanding team in the East this season.
"But I don't think we'll be back to claim it next year," he grinned. "Remember, we start with Penn State and Michigan."
Blakit without hesitation said that this year's undefeated team, tied only by Navy, did not compare with the 1944, -45, '46 teams spearheaded by Glenn Davis and Felix Blanchard.
Expert Watch REPAIR Electronically Timed Guaranteed Satisfacton 1 week or less service. WOLFSON'S 743 Mass.
Doak Walker Player Of Year
New York, Dec. 3-(UP)--Doak Walker, the Southern Methodist backfield ace, today was named the Football Player of the Year in a United Press poll of football writers and sports broadcasters from every section of the nation.
The all-around star of the Southwest conference champions received the votes of 101 of the 280 persons participating in the poll. At the same time he was named back of the year, receiving 139 out of 294 votes cast in that poll.
They were the third and fourth major honors accorded Walker this week. On Tuesday, he was chosen for the Heisman trophy, awarded annually to the nation's outstanding collegiate football player, and on Wednesday he was named for the second successive season on the 1948 United Press All-America football team.
Walker, a junior who still has another year of college eligibility, ran away with both the player of the year and the back of the year honors. Second to him in both polls came Charles (Choo Choo) Justice of North Carolina. Justice received 50 votes as back of the year, 37 as player of 1948.
Following Walker and Justice in the player of the year-poll came Charles Bednarik, the Pennsylvania center, with 30 votes and Stan Heath, Nevada's passing wizard, with 22. Others who received votes in that poll included Jack Mitchell, Oklahoma back, 11; Paul Burris, Oklahoma guard; Al Dimarco, Iowa back, and Clyde Scott, Arkansas back, one each.
Following Walker and Justice in the back of the year category were Heath with 28 votes, and Jack Jensen of California and Mitchell with 14 each. The other back who received votes included Scott, Eddie Price of Tulane, and Jim Finks of Tulsa, one each.
Durham, N.H.—(UP)—The Old Farmer's Almanac, which has forecast the weather for 157 years, predicted today that this winter won't be as cold as last. But it "will last longer into March and there will be frequent storms of rain and sleet as well as snow which will create unusually icy conditions."
This Winter Will Be Long
Steak Dinner For Football Team
Members of the football team and coaching staff will be guests of Mr. Murphy, proprietor of Brick's cafe, for a steak dinner at 5 p.m. Sunday.
EVERYTIME you dine out treat yourself to our tasty varied menus, Attractively served, Attractively priced. We specialize in fresh SEA FOODS
The dinner will be held at Brick's cafe and has come to be an annual affair.
DUCK'S
Mr. Murphy started this idea during the war after he had promised one member of the team a steak for every touchdown he made during a game. However he felt he would be slighting other members of the team who did not have a chance to score, so he invited all the boys in for a dinner.
824 Vermont
Last year Mr. Hurwitz of the Lawrence Sanitary Milk and Ice Cream Co., became interested and since has helped Mr. Murphy sponsor the annual dinner.
Sooner Fans Will Sit On The Ends
Norman, Okla., Dec. 3- (UP)—The loudest cheering for the University of Oklahoma in the Sugar bowl Jan. 1 apparently will come from the end zones. Bond holders who financed enlarging of the Sugar bowl hold the choice seats along the sidelines.
This was indicated by O.U. officials today as they announced a priority system for distributing tickets to the New Year's day game with North Carolina. The big majority of the Sooners 13,000 ducats, they said, are at the far ends of the field. Price $5.15 each.
Here's your CHANCE
- Find out all about the Aviation Cadets.
- Take your preliminary qualifying exams.
- Sign up now. Join up when you finish your schooling.
Get all the facts from the USAF Interviewing Team.
Dec. 13-16 Student
8 to 5 Daily Union Lounge
...a Very Special Waterman's
Gridsters Try Dribbling
● The Waterman's Corinth at $8.75 is indeed something special . . . a luxury pen with no luxury tax. 4 sparkling colors to choose from . . . a choice also of 14 kt. hand-guard points to fit his writing style . . . a real beauty from hooded point to gleaming Astralite Cap. Set $13.00. Come in to see it. Other Waterman's from $4.00. Pen and Pencil sets $5.75 to $19.25.
Lawrence Typewriter
Exchange
735 Mass. Phone 548
NON-RELIABLE
735 Mass. Phone 548
John Amberg, Darell Norris and Lynwood Smith, who were on the University's football squad have reported for basketball.
The world's horse population dropped from 95,000,000 to 75,000,000 during World War II, the U.S. Agriculture Department reports.
Merry Xmas To Ft. Benning
Fort Benning, Ga—(UF)—This army post will have a merry Christmas soon but it doesn't know just when.
Army records show that Ple. Merry L. Christmas is scheduled to arrive here within a few days from the Canal zone to begin paratroop training.
College Students MOST WELCOME!
Make This Your Week-End RENDEZVOUS Come and Meet Your Classmates and Enjoy Yourselves
MARTIN'S HIGHWAY CLOVERLEAF —TAVERN—
1 Mile west of Mission, Kans. $ \frac{1}{2} $ North of Cloverleaf U.S. 50 Kansas
Original styling for the tried and true moccasin. Canoe-like shape, trim from bow to stern . . . it's altogether a very well bred casual . . . sure fitting,
with handsewn vamp and boot strap loop at back. New details? . . . never anything like them before in the moccasin.
*original design U. S. Pat. Off.*
Sales Dept. - Second Floor