1940
Here are some special comments and memories of 1940 athletes and teams. More next month...Basketball: Bob Castle, manager. Bob McLeod was a great competitor. In one game the opponent guarding him was dogging him closer than Bob wanted. So, dribbling down the sideline, Bob somehow threw a hip at the offender, sending him about four rows up in the seats.
Football: Jack Cowan, manager. Earl Blaik was most instrumental in bringing Dartmouth football back from the pits. Equally responsible was our beloved Prexy Ernest Martin Hopkins. In our day more of our time was spent in classrooms than weight rooms. For example, Whit Miller was football captain and class president. An outstanding player from the class of 1940 was Bill Hutchinson. Following the Harvard game on October 23, 1937, a headline in the Boston Herald read, "Hutchinson 20-Harvard 2." Coach Blaik was quick to point out: "Don't take things you see in the newspapers too seriously."
Track: Cliff Holmes. One of the biggest events in my career in Dartmouth athletics was the March 1938 visit of Glenn Cunningham trying to break the world record in the mile run. A bunch of '40s ran in the race to push him Chief Wonson,Dick Hawkes Roy Merchant, JimMaloney, and Cliff Holmes. Glenn did break the record by two seconds a big night for these sophomores.
Soccer: Bill Pellington Captain. Playing soccer for Dartmouth with Tommy Dent as my mentor was probably the most important learning experience of my college career. Learning the importance of teamwork, importance of an aggressive attitude (Tommy used to say that it was important to get the ball from your opponent, but was better to "get" your opponent at the same time), and the importance of never saying "die," i.e. it's never over till it's over.
Tennis: Jay Weinberg. What a wonderful sport to continue with for the rest of your life. Playing two or three times a week mostly doubles.
Fencing: Dartmouth Sword Club organized by Bill Pellington Grafton Burke, and Walter Bernstein during their freshman year.
Crew: Jack Faunce, president, Dartmouth Rowing Club. During our four years in Hanover, crew moved from a bus trip to row on Lake Mascoma to a new boathouse on the Connecticut River and the return to intercollegiate racing.
Three-Letter Men white "D" sweaters. We know of Cliff Holmes, Bill Hutchinson, Roy Merchant, and Chief Wonson Are there any others?
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