Chicago Activities
My last communication covered the activities of the association up to the luncheon for Earl Blaik. This luncheon shattered all attendance records in that 150 men were present for the occasion. We, out here, think that this showing was indicative of the keen interest the alumni of Dartmouth have in all affairs connected with the College, and especially in the athletic situation in Hanover.
Among those present was Bill Knight 'OB from Rockford, recently elected to the Alumni Council from the Middle West. Jess Hawiey '09, who was perhaps the most successful coach Dartmouth has yet known, sat at the head table, as did Wally McCornack '97. Wally,' as you know, was the second Dartmouth man to coach the Dartmouth team. Red Loudon '14, the newly elected member of the Athletic Council, came down from Minneapolis to introduce our new head coach. After a very straightforward talk by Blaik, the above mentioned McCornack jumped to his feet and claimed Blaik as one of his pupils, inasmuch as McCornack had coached Jim Donnelly and Amos Foster while at Dartmouth. These two men in turn coached Blaik at Miami University before he went on to West Point.
Early in March we had the pleasure of hearing Father Owen A. McGrath '05, who was conducting a mission at the Paulist Church in Chicago. Mugsy, as he was more familiarly known, played baseball and football under Wally McCornack. While in college he was a classmate of the late Joe Gilman. These men played on the first Dartmouth team to beat Harvard.
Most of our luncheons have been devoted to the problem of increasing interest in Dartmouth among the members of the undergraduate schools in and about Chicago. It seems that there has been a noticeable drop in the interest shown by members of the secondary schools, especially during the past year and a half. We hope that the sincere efforts of our president, George Traver '24, will result in a flood of worth while applications next year.
A new idea in luncheons was established two months ago when the executive committee decided to try one Saturday luncheon a month. This plan was introduced to make possible the attendance of many men who work in the suburbs or who do not have time to make our luncheons on Wednesdays. These luncheons have been so well attended that it is our plan to continue them this fall during the football season. Wednesday, May 23, was the date of the annual luncheon to Which wives and sweethearts of members are invited.
We wish to invite all alumni and undergraduates who may be in the city to participate in our weekly luncheons, which are held at 12:00 noon Wednesdays on the 9th floor of Mandel Brothers Dept. Store.
At Chicago Luncheon Father McGrath '05 and President George Traver '24
Secretary.
