AN EXCELLENT CHOICE Editorial Comment

ALL THAT WE could say wouldn't be enough to tell Earl Blaik how enthusiastically the news of his appointment to the football coaching job, and his willing acceptance of this, has been received by Dartmouth men. Something has been wrong. The teams of recent seasons haven't quite filled the bill. Never licked and often glorious in defeat, Big Green teams have nevertheless developed a variety of complex all their own. And this waning interest has been all too evident in the ranks of alumni and undergraduates. At last comes the heralded savior! His accomplishments are many, his professional record and talents make exhilarating reading. He is a man of high ideals and exemplary character. Personally charming and giving every evidence of the gentleman that he is, we joyfully welcome "Red" Blaik, and his equally able assistants, Messrs. Ellinger and Gustafson, to Dartmouth.

Something has been wrong. But it isn't any longer! Ex-captains, managers, alumni unite in expressing satisfaction in the new coach. Undergraduates are whooping it up in anticipation of rejuvenated football fortunes. Jack Cannell is, we know, wishing his successor luck in the good beginning already made toward building a new football spirit and success that had been lacking in spite of his best efforts. To Chairman C. G. McDavitt 'oo, P. W. Loudon 'l4, and E. B. Dooley '26 go the congratulations of the alumni for their excellent work in directing the Athletic Council's search for the right man. Considerate of the opinion of every Dartmouth man, wading through heavy correspondence, and submerged by constant interviewing, they have earned the gratitude of the College during the past six weeks. The mounting tension has broken. The Council's work has been well done.

And we welcome Mrs. Blaik and the two little Blaiks who, we know, are going to enjoy their yearround residence in Hanover. One of the most pleasant items of the Athletic Council's news was that of the Blaik family's coming residence in the midst of our New Hampshire hills. Mr. Blaik is our first non Dartmouth coach. But what difference does that make so long as he is in Hanover to see the first soft snow change the hills from fall to winter, to join the frenzied cheering at basketball and hockey games, to thrill to the beauty and carefree joy of Winter Carnival, to watch the quick, warm spring drive away the last bleak March storms, to revel in warm sun and green grass after the long Northern winter. These are the things that lie in the hearts of Dartmouth men and make them "alumni," perhaps more surely than the august sheepskin.