Bob Blackman On the Team

Coaches' Corner

In the pre-season prognostications the "experts" relegated Dartmouth to seventh place in the Ivy League. This fact was stressed in our weekly letters to the team during the summer and we also reminded them that Dartmouth had lost only three Ivy League games since 1956 and that the "Big Green" had the top win-loss record since the official inception of the Ivy League. We hoped their sense of pride would make them resent being relegated to the lower division and that they would strive that much harder for a successful season.

Although we hoped for a miracle. I must admit that our coaching staff wondered where we were going to gain a victory. The loss of nine of last year's starting eleven by graduation, the loss of a few key players through academic difficulties, and the fact that we have not had strong freshman personnel in the past three years all combined to make the outlook rather dismal. From the very first day of practice, however, this team had a little something extra in spirit and effort. In this game of football the importance of the right mental attitude can never be underestimated. I have never seen a team with a greater desire and determination to win than was shown by the Dartmouth team on the day of our opening Ivy League game against Penn. This is being written after our third game and it is still far to early to become optimistic as we still have six tough games ahead. We know we are still not a solid team in some positions and we have little overall depth, but we also know we have a group of players with a great team spirit so it should be a very interesting season.

One reason for the success of the team to date has been the fine "come through" performance of the few experienced players we have on the squad. Captain Ken DeHaven has done a tremendous job of backing up the line, and halfback Al Rozycki has been invaluable because of the constant example he sets in practice with his hustle and spirit, as well as for his outstanding ball-carrying in our first three games. Senior guards Henry Gerfen and Chuck Chapman and senior fullback Dick Marrone have also been playing steady ball. Although senior quarterback Jack Kinderdine had little prior experience, he has gained the respect and confidence of the entire team. Dick Beattie, who replaces Kinderdine on defense, has also done an excellent job in directing our defensive secondary.

Another thing that has helped has been the remarkable improvement of a few individuals. Last year Carl Funke was a mediocre player on the junior varsity, but this year he has suddenly found himself and has done a fine job as our starting left end. Jim McElhinney, who had never played tackle before in his life until this senior year, is learning more about his new position each week and should continue to improve. Greg Cooke, a substitute back on a mediocre freshman team last year, is now beginning to come into his own and has taken over the starting left half berth on the varsity.

Mike Mooney, our best tackle, and Connie Persels, our most experienced end, have each played in only one quarter so far this season because of knee injuries. It is still indefinite how long they will be out, but in the tough games to come it will be a big help if Persels and Mooney can return in good shape.

I am still not sure if we have the strength to be a real contender for the Ivy title, but I know we have a team with a great spirit. As I said before, I think it will be a most interesting season.

Coach Blackmail at the Holy Cross game