Tesreau Memorial

In a ceremony before the Holy Cross game, a memorial was dedicated to the late Jeff Tesreau, who coached the Dartmouth team for so many years (28) that he became virtually Mr. Baseball for all Dartmouth men of the past three decades. A bronze bas-relief plaque is set in a granite boulder near the field and is similar in construction to that established earlier for Harry Hillman, Jeff's dearest crony and recipient of his many practical jokes. The presentation ceremony was conducted by John Parker '29, who was captain of his team and whose son Everett '52 is currently the first baseman and cleanup hitter on the Dartmouth nine. Mrs. Helen Tesreau, the wife of the late coach, and his son Charlie '38 were present at the dedication ceremonies.

The memorial plaque bears a profile likeness of Jeff, the dates 1889-1946, and the inscription: "In Memory of Charles Monroe Tesreau, Coach of Baseball, 1919-1946. All He Ever Asked Was His Share of the Close Ones." In his dedication remarks, John Parker recalled the success of Jeff's own baseball career and of his Big Green teams, and paid tribute to his sportmanship and aggressive enthusiasm. "But endearing him even more to those who knew him," he added, "were the human qualities he brought to his work. His simple friendliness, modest generosity, interest in his family, fondness of practical jest, understanding of young men, and willingness to help and advise, combined to give him a genuineness that added luster to his success. As we survey the scene today which meant so much to him, may we, as well as those who use these playing fields, be inspired by his sincerity of purpose, accomplishment, and devotion to Dartmouth."

The memorial was the result of the generous response of the men who had played baseball under Jeff Tesreau during his long tenure at Dartmouth. Coming to Hanover after a highly successful career with the New York Giants, Jeff developed three Ivy League championship teams and his aggregations were runners-up seven other times. Some thirteen of his proteges played professional baseball, the most notable of whom is probably Red Rolfe '31, formerly with the New York Yankees, who is now manager of the Detroit Tigers. Coach Eddie Jeremiah 'go is another one of Jeff's prize pupils and is carrying on in the Tesreau tradition.