1954

Dave McLaughlin: "The 1953 football season represented the best and worst. Captain BayardJohnson was sidelined for the season due to injuries. Coach Tuss McLaughry was Nearing the end of his career. The schedule included back to back games with Army and Navy before the Ivy schedule began. Army Coach Blake, a friend of Tuss's, frequently visited Hanover and I had the opportunity to meet with him. He spoke frequently about the value of spirit in collegiate athletics and when the chips were down. Army and Navy beat Dartmouth decisively. We entered the Ivy season with numerous injuries, the team was dispirited, and the alumni were in revolt. Dartmouth was not given a chance against Yale with the best defensive record in the U.S. and Princeton the co-contender for the title. However, the chips were down and the spirit was there and Dartmouth beat both Yale and Princeton, demonstrating how two great coaches could instill the value of spirit into the liberal arts experience."

Bill Rex: "In the fall of 1950 SkipWeymouth, Bill Rex, Dick Grassey, RussBenjamin, Paul Stumpf, and J.T. Nixon qualified for freshman golf. We traveled to such exotic spots as Nichols' Jr. College and Exeter Academy, winning all but one of our matches. Rex and Weymouth plus TomSayles continued on and played varsity golf for three years, winning approximately 90 percent of our matches."

Seaver Peters: "Vivid memories include: Freshman hockey, a wonderful experience with teammates and Coach Jeremiah; Davis Rink artificial dedicatory came in December 1953. Center ice face off with John Dickey dropping the first puck, the sell-out crowd causing condensation to come down the wires to the lights, causing the bulbs to pop; freshman hockey players scraping the ice when Davis was a natural surface; memories of great coaches: Eddie Jeremiah, Doggie Julian, Tuss McLaughry, Tommie Dent, and Red Hoehn."

Steve Mullins: "1952 vs. Yale: Swimming against Jimmy McLain, Wayne Moore and John Marshall, who went on to win a halfdozen gold medals in the 1952 Olympics (I took two thirds that day); 1952 vs. Navy: Bill McAndrew '52 could not miss Saturday classes. He flew to Annapolis after class and arrived for the last two events. We trailed and needed the last two events. Without a warm-up McAndrew won the 440 and then anchored the relay to a win, giving us the meet; 1954: At the Easterns the free relay team took first, beating Yale for the first time ever; at the Nationals, the relay team took a fourth and Dartmouth placed fifth, Dartmouth swimming's finest hour before and since."

Dick Page: "During winter of freshman year Ev Rattray and I walked down to the boathouse and discovered that the roof of the boathouse collapsed under the weight of snow and all the rowing shells were crushed beyond repair. Within days, offers of assistance came from other schools throughout the East. We were given shells and oars. Cash donations came as well. A commitment came from the Fuller family to rebuild the boathouse. As a result, we were able to row that season and build the base for the unique organization that is the Dartmouth Rowing Club." (Jon Moore remembers the above which he said happened sophomore year and comments that thereafter, without being formally supported by the College, the Rowing Club put eight shells on three different waters with one of them winning the Dad Vail Regatta).

Don Berlin: Holy Cross came to Hanover as an undefeated and nationally ranked basketball team. As usual, Alumni Gym was half empty. At half time, Dartmouth led. As if by magic, students came from all over campus during the second half to create a capacity, standing room, noisy crowd that cheered the Green to one of its biggest basketball upsets. (What year?)

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