A Coach They Remember

EDDIE JEREMIAH'S impending retirement as hockey coach has brought forth a flood of reminiscences and tributes from his former players. Following are excerpts from some of the letters received in response to a general call from the editors of the ALUMNI MAGAZINE :

"You show me a man or hockey player, Dartmouth or otherwise, who doesn't admire and respect Eddie Jeremiah's tremendous ability to coach and be a friend in life, and I'll show you the man that never met him." - Hank Britton '39.

"When Jerry came to Hanover to coach at the beginning of the 1937-38 season he took over a losing club and made it a championship team. He did this with almost the identical personnel. During the many years since then he has always exhibited the trait which made this possible - his ability to instill confidence in his men. But at no time was this more clearly and dramatically demonstrated than in his first year at Dartmouth. On this account I've always been grateful to Jerry. Perhaps I benefited more from his belief and confidence than did others because I played goal - and every mistake usually counted one for the other side. Jerry bolstered my confidence and gave me the poise to 'hang in there even when things went wrong." — WesGoding '39.

"Eddie Jeremiah was the principal motivating influence on my entire college career at Dartmouth. This influence was not limited to Davis Rink or to the winter time, but rather extended throughout the twelve months of the year at school and at home. He watched over our grades like a hawk; he made as certain as he could that we took our studies seriously and worked to the limit of our capability. Eddie taught us how to put competition in its proper perspective. Of course we played to win, but he never let us feel it was the end of the world if we lost. He was especially severe on us when we lost our temper or did irrational things, and in the doing hurt the team. He taught us how to discipline ourselves when the action was hot and heavy. These disciplines have certainly served me well over the intervening 25 years. I am forever in Eddie's debt for the lessons learned."- Art Larkin '39.

"I was fortunate to play for Eddie's first team back in the '37-'38 season. I had played hockey under other coaches in prep school and college and I must say I learned more of the tricks of the trade in one year under Eddie than under all the others put together. Also, I was no whiz as a student and Eddie was constantly encouraging me and helping me in every way possible with the books. His help and understanding, both on and off the ice, will always be remembered by me as one of the great contributions to my life." - Roger Conant '40.

"Like anyone who has ever been associated with Jerry, I can recall many wonderful experiences. I have two favorites, however, that show his characteristic wit. The first concerns the remark he habitually made whenever I asked him to review any travel arrangements I had made for the baseball team. Invariably he replied, 'Hank, I'm too big a man to be bothered with that sort of thing. Don't bother me with those details.'

"The second occurred when the baseball team played Randolph-Macon in my home town of Ashland, Va. After the game when Jerry was visiting in my home I jokingly asked him what he knew about baseball and why the College had to use the hockey coach for that sport too. Never at a loss for words, Jerry answered, 'What do I know about baseball? Did you ever hear of Red Rolfe? Why, when Red came to Dartmouth one year behind me, he was a shortstop; but since that was my position, he had to move over to third base in order to make the team!'" - Henry Gunst '41.

"What I remember most when I think of Jerry and my association with him is his motto, 'Heads Up!' This may sound corny but remembering this through the war, when I went through days of never knowing what was in front of me, was a big help. The same is true in my business life."— Fred Nichols '42.

"I served with Ad Winship in a managerial capacity in 'the golden years' of '41 and '42. On our fabulous 21-day trip during Christmas vacation in 1941 we had two games with Colorado College at the famous Broadmoor resort. I recall the panic that Jerry fought off as he watched his stalwarts hanging on the sides of the rink after their first brief warmup. Colorado was touting its twelve new Canadian players - and on billboards yet! Fortunately for us, all twelve tried to impress their followers independently the first night, and our conditionless team rallied as a unit to hand Colorado a humiliating 3-2 defeat. Subsequently their coach took time out to introduce his boys to one another, and the second night they won 3-1 and played like the superb team they were to become.

"The look of sheer rapture on Jerry's face, throughout that amazing trip, as Dick Rondeau would jump between two defense men and deftly pass off to either Jack Riley or Bill Harrison will always be etched in my memory. This had to be the hottest sophomore line of all time!

This was a great era for hockey and for Dartmouth, and the genius at the helm was Eddie Jeremiah whose drive and determination brought out the greatness in a bunch of young men who have subsequently made their impressive marks in their respective careers."- Kelly Coffin '43.

"Playing for Eddie Jeremiah on freshman hockey and baseball teams, plus a glorious year as varsity hockey goalie in 1943 was truly a rewarding and memorable experience. His emphasis on team play and the motto 'Look Up and Keep Fighting' have stayed with me for 25 years.

"I can readily recall my most vivid memory of Jerry; it was the Boston College game in Hanover in late January or early February of 1943, and we were trying to keep alive a winning streak that had reached 26 or 27 games, beginning the previous season. It was a tough game but we finally won 6-5.

"Jerry was ecstatic, to say the least. He was shaking hands with every man as we came into the dressing room. As goalie, I was the last one in, and Jerry was ready for me. I thought I'd played a pretty good game and was waiting for his praise. Instead he shook his head and said, so everyone could hear above the din, 'Well, Barrett, you missed five!' My mouth must have fallen open because with that he whacked me on the back and said, 'You played a helluva game.' I am proud to have shared that thrilling night with Jerry, and I wish him all the best." - Al Barrett '44.

"In 1940, after I had left Hebron Academy and before I entered Dartmouth, 'Harpo' Walsh, one of Jerry's finest players in the late '30s, said to me: 'It will be worthwhile going to Hanover just to be associated with Jerry for four years.' I found this to be an understatement." - Bill Harrison '44.

"When a man has given as Jerry has to so many people, money, trophies, and other 'hard' mementos mean so much less than warm memories and love. Jerry's greatness is the kind you don't fully understand or appreciate as an undergraduate. It is the continued interest and responsiveness he shows that is the full measure of the man." - Gus Pratt '44.

"Without a doubt, Eddie Jeremiah has been, through the years, the Number One college hockey coach in the country. Playing hockey at Dartmouth was a wonderful experience, and being a member of a Jeremiah-coached team meant you were playing for a winner. It has always been my contention that Jerry's presence on the bench was worth at least two goals. The Army-Dartmouth hockey series for the past 16 years convinced me that the estimate I made as a Dartmouth player was indeed correct. Jerry has been more than just a hockey coach, because his guidance and counseling have played a major role in my life since my days in Hanover." - Jack Riley '44.

"Playing Dartmouth hockey under Jerry's coaching was the most rewarding athletic experience I ever had. Jerry not only taught us how the game should be played; he instilled in us a great pride in the team and its accomplishments. While commanding respect at all times, he made the game pure fun. I will never forget those wonderful practice sessions in Davis Rink." - Al Foster '45.

"This guy Jeremiah, more than twenty years later, still crops up in my conversation very frequently. In this age of the cynic and pseudo-sophisticate, I wonder if Jerry's slogan, "Look Up and Keep Fighting," is still in the locker room. It impressed me - I remember it - and I have lived it in business. Perhaps the finest compliment I can pay him is this: if either of my two boys should decide upon competitive sports, I couldn't wish more for them than to have them play under someone as fine as Jerry." - Jack Holmes '45.

"Jerry's finest contribution to hockey is probably in the area of coaching technique. No man has done as much to encourage organization and give direction to the game. Although Jerry is tops in hockey, in a technical sense, his greatness rests in his thoughtfulness and consideration for his players - past and present." - Charlie Holt '45.

"I have seen Jerry almost every year since graduation and I always look forward to these visits. Jerry, despite being a great competitor who truly hated to lose, is a kind and gentle man. If a man was a mediocre athlete in his college days, Jerry always implied in conversation that he was considerably more. And no one can really know what it means to a father to have Jerry indicate, in the shadow of Davis Field House, that the old man was pretty nearly indispensable - something a son had not realized until that moment. Playing under Jerry was fun; no coach could hope to have a greater accolade. - Shipwreck Kelley '46.

"The most lasting memories are a man's own good works. Jerry was understanding in defeat, joyous in victory. What more could a Dartmouth "man ask for?

"To win for Eddie Jeremiah became almost an obsession. I am proud of the small part I played in his golden years of coaching, and the friendly years since have enriched me. The name Jeremiah will always stand for decency, integrity, and devotion to clean sportsmanship. When there is a new Dartmouth rink, it will be only fitting and proper to name it after Dartmouth's most illustrious hockey coach." - Bill Riley '46.

"Jerry was a marvelous teacher who taught you that hustle and fun were all part of winning athletic contests. His human and personal interest in his players gave them a desire to go a little harder." - Art Young '46.

"My brother Fud played for Jerry in 1937-38, Jerry's first year at Dartmouth. Fud thought Jerry was a great coach and a great guy. I was 11 years old then and my consuming desire came to be to play hockey for Dartmouth and for Eddie Jeremiah. Jerry was a legend with me long before I even met him in 1945 at our first practice on Occom Pond.

"For the '46-'47 season we had a fine, well-balanced team, but there were problems. We lost six of our best players at midyears due to graduation and some unfortunate mishaps. Four different goalies were tested that year, yet with all the problems, we went on to be named national champions, and we shared the international crown with Toronto after an overtime 2-2 tie.

"Jerry has seen a lot of men come and go during his years at Dartmouth. I hope he realizes the important part he has played in their lives." - Bruce Mather '47.

"Playing for Jerry was a wonderful experience, and as far as I am concerned, there is no one who knows more about hockey than he does. I have used his books and his information constantly, trying to coach my own teams under the same system Jerry taught me. Jerry was always a perfect gentleman to play for and to play against. I know how much he has meant to hundreds of Dartmouth men." - BobMerriam '48.

"I played baseball for Jerry in 1948, 1949 and 1950. The years I spent in Hanover were fruitful and fun, and knowing Jerry helped to make them that way. The memory of playing for him gets more enjoyable as the years roll on. At the risk of sounding corny, it was a period of pure pleasure and excitement to have Jerry as a coach. His attitude toward sports and life in general rubbed off on all of us." - EmilHudak '50.

"In 1948 in lieu of the international championship (which was abandoned) Dartmouth played in the first NCAA championships at Colorado Springs and met Michigan in the finals. We led 4-2, and then ensued an amazing series of incidents. Michigan received three penalties in less than two minutes, but the time keeper was inexperienced and at one point Michigan had five men on the ice and two in the penalty box, whereupon the timekeeper blew his whistle to get the referee's attention. Both sides stopped, but a Michigan player in possession of the puck fired into the goal and Dick Desmond made no effort to stop him. Between periods the NCAA officials allowed the goal.

"Visualize the Dartmouth locker room. Captain Bill Riley was in no mood to lead the Indians back on the ice. Neither was Jerry, who went out to argue our cause, to no avail. Recognizing the importance of the first NCAA tournament, Jerry put the cause of the tournament over that of his team and we returned to the ice. Michigan went on to win 8-4, I believe. The important thing was that Jerry wanted to preserve the tournament for college hockey even at the expense of his own team. That lesson has stayed with many of us." - Spif Kerivan '50.

"Much is owed Jerry for being an inspiring and imaginative coach, but he was also a great help to his players in getting them summer or full-time jobs. I am directly obliged to him for my first fine teaching job. All things considered, Jerry had those qualities that make up the eminently successful man - spirit, drive, intelligence, above all a disarming wit - channeled into a career which used those qualities in abundance. We were lucky to have been a part of his life and career." - Jim Malone '50.

"Eddie Jeremiah was a legend to me long before I met him. Playing hockey under him meant everything to me. I might not have finished Dartmouth but for the motivation he furnished - I know I wouldn't have been up to some of the hurdles I've had to cross without the pride that comes from such an experience. In my book he's still a legend." - Whitey Dunlap '52.

"I will always thank Jerry for his competitive drive. To me he seemed to typify the character who, although the underdog, was able to better himself and others, especially others, by hard work and intelligent application of sound methods. I must say that Jerry was the dominant individual in my college experience." - John Grocott '52.

"The rewarding experience of Dartmouth I owe to Jerry. Moreover, my four years at Dartmouth were greatly enhanced by the privilege of playing hockey under him. He took the pains to know intimately the moods and abilities of his players, and perhaps this more than anything else was the reason for his fine success." - Fred Hitt '53.

"The lessons Jerry gave me in assuming responsibility and getting along with people have remained with me ever since. I frequently think of his dedication to Dartmouth hockey, boys, and back-checking. Hanover is not going to be the same without his active leadership in Davis Rink." - Dave Dyche '54.

"When we were playing for Jerry there was never any doubt that we were working with a knowledgeable man who was at the top of his profession. His was a success, I believe, born out of a complete dedication to the game and to the boys working with him." - Dave Thielscher '54.

"Dartmouth and hockey have played an important part in my life. Because of them I've had an opportunity to associate with many fine people. I owe Jerry a debt of gratitude for making this possible." - DanaHennigar '55.

"If it were not for Jerry I would certainly not have gone to Dartmouth, and that alone has to be one of the singularly most important things in my life. He gave me the chance to play the game I love. His patience with me was without limit and oftentimes difficult to believe." - Gordie Russell '55.

"To me Eddie Jeremiah is a great person - a gentleman, one sincerely concerned for other people, a successful coach, and a man who, incidentally, led me to self-confidence and an athletic career of some satisfaction. The most notable thing about him is his great spirit, still strong after years of competition with varying degrees of success." - Ryan Ostebo '60.

Of the display on his mantel at home Jerry says, "There is my life." These tangibletributes are from his players, the alumni, and coaching groups. The tray came fromhis players last season when he won his 300th victory. The inscription on the bowlfrom the 1959 team says: "A remembrance for Jerry, who himself brought us the Ivychampionship. For instilling in his players his courage, confidence and desire to win,our continuing affection and gratitude."