Summer Nebraskan
Page 3
Rose Bowl Team
Intramural Sports
Tdesday June 20, 1951
NU History
By Leon Nyberg
The University of Nebras
ka has had 15 athletic direc
tors in the last 60 years
the period from 1902-1961.
Of these 15, only the last
two George "Potsy" Clark
and J. William Orwig have
been full-time, permanent
Athletic directors with no
other duties.
Seven of the directors
were also football coaches
for at least one of their
years as director.
The ' first three were
known as "athletic manag
ers" rather than directors,
although they handled most
of the duties now associated
with the director. Dr. E. J.
Stewart was, In 1916, the
first man to be officially
director, even though at
that time he shared the du
ties with manager Guy E.
Beed.
Fred W. Luehring, who
came to the University in
1920, was the first director
who was not also the foot
ball coach.
R. G. Clapp
The first man which the
University yearbook, the
Cornhusker, lists as an ath
letic manager is Professor
it. G. Clapp. Clapp was the
head of the physical educa
tion department from 1902
until his retirement in 1946
or 1947. Clapp was at vari
ous times the wrestling,
track, basketball and gym
nastics coach.
When Clapp was a student
at Yale University in 1898,
he held the world's record
in the pole vault at 11 feet,
10 inches. Gregg McBride
of the Omaha World-Herald
said that he thought Clapp
was the first vaulter ever
to clear 12 feet also.
A vault of 12 feet today
would not win first place in
most large high school track
meets. The pending world's
record is 15 feet, lOVi inch
es, set by George Davies of
Oklahoma State in the 1961
Big Eight outdoor track
meet.
"Dog" Eager
Earl 0. "Dog" Eager took
over as athletic manager in
1905. He was a half-back on
the Cornhusker football
teamduring the years of
1900-1904. Eager held the
managership for nine years,
Which is longer than any
other manager or director
ever held the job.
R. G. Clapp, who was sec
retary of the Athletic Board
of Control in 1907 and for
many years thereafter,
made the following state
ment in the 1907 Cornhusk
er: "For the first time . . .
the (basketball) season has
been a financial success, for
which Manager Eager de
serves especial credit."
In the same yearbook, C
L. Morse, captain of the
baseball team said: "The
baseball season of 1906 . . .
was probably the -most pros
perous season the Univer
sity has experienced, a con
dition of affairs for which
the good management of
Manager Eager was largely
responsible."
Eager himself wrote of a
new philosophy for Nebras
ka athletics In the 1907 year
book: "A decided change
has come over our athletics
in the last few years. Not
many years ago all that
was necessary was that a
man be registered and this
. . . did not make much dif
ference. That is not true to
day: the athlete must be a
student . . . anu a b" ",,v
Golds
OF NEBRASKA
!U MOM O IVIMIKIM
SUN ACCESSORIES
IN THE CRAZIEST
SUMMER STYLES
FROM . . .
Sun "n Fun Shop
COLORFUL CLOCHE . . .
Deep crowned lial of chip
with multi-colored
frine '-9
SHIFTING SANDS SET . . .
Delightful!? different eol
ton terry ennemble from
Vera. White blue, a n d,
. pink.
Terry Top 2.98
Beach Timet 4 98
Beach Bat 2 98
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Jones Lewandowski
Athletic
Directors
Prof . R. G, Clapp ; . (1902-1905)
Earl O. "Dog" Eager '. (1905-1914)
-"Guy E, Reed ..(1914-1918)
ttDr. E. J. Stewart .....4 (1916-1918, 1919)
Prof. R. D. Scott (Acting) ..............(1916-1918, 1919)
Provost James T. Lees (Acting) ...(1919-1920)
1 Fred W. Luehring (1920-1922)
Fred T. Dawson (1922-1925)
Herbert D. Glsh (Acting) (1925-1931)
Dana X. Bible (1931-1937)
1 Col. Lawrence McCeney "Biff" Jones (1937-1942)
Glenn Presnell (Acting) ... (1942)
A. J. Lewandowski (Acting) (1943-1947, 1954)
I George "Potsy" Clark .(1948-1953)
J. William Orwlg ; (1954-1961)
1 Present: No director. Dean Charles Miller and Dr. Joseph'
s Soshnik are handling the duties of the director.
ja
s These three were know as athletic managers rather
I than directors, but they handled the director's duties. 1
i ttReed and Stewart are both listed for the years 1916- i
1 1918; Reed was the athletic manager and handled many
of the duties, although Stewart was officially the direc-
tor. Stewart was also the football coach. s
tiniiii'iiiiiiiiiitfiiiHiifiiiiiiiiiifiitiitiintitttiiiiiiBiiiiiiifiiiiifniiiiHiitifiiiittiiifitfiitiiimiimiitictittirifiiiiiii
too . . . These rules have
proved to be a great bene
factor to our athletics.- The
old time professional is
barred."
The 1910 Cornhusker ap
parently reflected the atti
tude of the University to
ward Eager in this state
ment: " 'Dog,' our popular
athletic manager, who has
worked so faithfully for a
new athletic field and has
gotten it. He takes all the
cussing and hands out the
old clothes without hurting -h
i s conscience. Neverthe
less, we all love him and.
glory in his work."
Guy Reed
Guy E. Reed, a track star
for the Huskers in his un
dergraduate days, became
the track coach and athletic
manager in 1914. Reed, who
held the position for four
years, was the last of the
athletic managers.
According to the following
comments in the 1914 Corn
husker, Reed was a com
petent coach and manager.
. ' By all he is respected and
honored because of his effi
ciency, both as coach and
manager ... He seems to
have the power of pumping
the fighting spirit into
man, which is, above all,
essential In track athletics."
Reed was the track cap
tain In 1912, when he was
one of the Husker start, ac
cording to the Cornhusker.
"Captain Reed and Ander
son w e - e the Individual
stars of the season. Both
did such superior work that
western critics have accord
ed them a place on the
Olympic team to represent
the United States In Stock
holm during the summer of
1912."
Gregg McBride, however,
said that neither Reed nor
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Anderson competed in the
1912 Olympics, although
they attended the games.
The physical facilities for
athletics were evidently in
poor condition when Reed
became manager. In the
1914 Cornhusker Reed em
phasized these inadequa
cies: "Nebraska, we are
sorry to say, is one of the
poorest equipped universi
ties, athletically, of any in
stitution of her standing in
the country. The athletic
field is about one-fourth the
size that it should be. The
gymnasium is ... a men
ace to the health of the
health-seeking people who
daily inhabit it."
Football Success
It was during this period
that Nebraska football en
joyed its "greatest success.
The famous Stiehm-rollers,
under Coach Ewald O.
Stiehm, compiled a record
of 35 wins, two losses and
three ties in four years. The
Husker gridders racked up
1,115 points while allowing
their opponents o n 1 y 166
points in these four years
1911-1915.
Despite this success, how
ever, Reed apparently was
not satisfied. In the 1915
Cornhusker he expressed
desire for Cornhusker su
premacy for all time," he
said. "Nebraska's climate
breeds the sturdiest of phys
ical manhood . . . Why
should not our state be su
preme in every phase of
athletic competition? Give
us the equipment, the
coaches, the proper spirit,
and success if a foiegone
conclusion."
E. J. Stewart
Dr. E. J Stewart became
the head football coach and
athletic director in 1916.
Stewart and Reed together
handled the athletic duties
for two years. Reed re
signed in 1918, and Stewart
took a leave of absence to
assist with Y.M.C.A. work
during the world war.
Although Stewart is listed
in the Cornhusker as -Dr.
Stewart, he actually had not
earned the title "Doctor."
In fact, it was rumored that
the reason Stewart resigned
in 1919 was related to the
fact that University officials
found that he actually did
not hold a doctor's degree.
Stewart's' football teams
enjoyed two successful sea
sons. His two-year record
was 11 wins and four losses.
Stewart outlined a new
football scheduling policy in
the 1917 Cornhusker. "The
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323 N. 13th HE2-52S8
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adoption of the policy of
playing only the bir institu
tions in football in the fu
ture is probably the most
Important step undertaken
y the new athletic admin
istration .The approval of
the Athletic Board, the
Alumni . . . has been very
enthusiastic; everybody
preferring to establish per
manent athletic relations
with the desirable Institu
tions and accepting the pos
sibility of defeats, rather
than adjust schedules with
the smaller institutions,
event hough all of the
games should result in vic
tory." The "N" Club, the letter
men's organization, was or
ganized by Stewart during
the school year 1916-1917.
This club still exists on the
Nebraska campus.
The 1919 Cornhusker made
the following statement
about Stewart: "As coach,
Stewart has won the re
spect of every man who has
come in contact with him
and has received the un
qualified support of the stu
dents and faculty of the Uni
versity of Nebraska."
Robert Scott
When Stewart Jeft to as
sist with the Y.M.C.A. work,
Professor Robert D. Scott
volunteered his services as
temporary athletic director.
Stewart returned for a few
months in 1919 before he re
signed. W. G. Kline filled in
as football coach in the ab
sence of Stewart.
The 1919 Cornhusker com
mended Scott for his work
in the athletic department.
"It was through" the effort
of Scott that the schedule
was reorganized : when the
War 'Department-? issued or
ders prohibiting the long
football trips, and it was
he who secured the teams
to meet Nebraska after the
Spanish influenza ... de
moralized football teams
...
Further evidence of the
student respect for Scott is
found in the 1921 Cornhusk
er. "In appreciation of his
interest and activity in ath
letics . . and other stu
dent affairs . ,. . this, the
1921 Cornhusker, is dedicat
ed (to Scott)."
James Lees
Provost James T. Lees
acted as athletic director
during the 1919-1920 athletic
year. He assumed control of
the athletic program in ad
dition to his other duties
when Stewart resigned.
Fred Luehring
Nebraska's next athletic
director, Fred W. Luehring,
came to the Mid-West from
Princeton University in the
fall-, of ,1920., At ihat time,
Luehring's main claim to
fame was that he, had edit
ed the national ; collegiate
swimming guide.
Luehring had been head
coach and athletic director
at Ripon College, Ripon,
Wis., from 1906-1910. He had
been at Princeton since
1911, where he was director
of the department of hy
giene and physical educa
tion, director of intramur
als and basketball coach.
Luehring, who coached
Nebraska swimmers in 1921,
made the following state
ment in the 1921 Cornhusk
er: "Intercollegiate Athlet
ics should be maintained on
the highest possible stand
ard of honesty, fair treat
ment of opponents, and eli
gibility of members of the
teams. Nebraska is big
enough ... to take the lead
in this matter . . . Nebraska
should be willing to 'go the
limit' in lifting her . . . ath
letic relations to the highest
possible standard."
In 1921 Luehring started
the student season ticket
program for the purpose of
making it possible for more
students to attend athletic
contests at a reduced price.
This plan greatly increased
attendance at University
sports events. It was also in
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EVAPJS.
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-One Day Service-
10 CASH AND CARRY DISCCUNT
I 333 No. 12th
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1921 that Luehring devel
oped the intramural sports
program.
Luehring coached Nebras
ka's first competitive swim
ming team in 1922. After
'wo years in Lincoln, he left
to assume the directorship
at the University of Minne
sota. The 1922 Cornhusker noted
the advancement of the ath
letic program since Lueh
rfng came to Nebraska.
"Athletics at Nebraska have
made very rapid progress
the past few years . . . Ne
braska Is developing the
best teams in all lines of
sport that are to be found
in any part of the country.
Much of this progress can
be traced directly to Direc
tor Fred W. Luehring."
Fred Dawson
Fred T. Dawson, whom
Luehring hired as football
coach in the spring of 1921,
took over the directorship
when Luehring left. Daw
son's football teams had a
four year record of 23 wins,
seven losses, and two ties.
The 1924 Cornhusker com
mended Dawson for his
leadership in athletics with
these words: "Athletics at
Nebraska have grown
steadily since he has been
at the head ... Under Fred
T. Dawson . . . was a force
of football experts who de
veloped a great football
machine."
In 19r3 the yearbook also
saluted Dawson: "Never
discouraged by adverse con
ditions, he always finds a
way of getting what he
wants ... His fairness . . .
and conduct of players . . .
is often commented. on by
other coaches . . . Dawson
is a natural leader and one
Nebraska can be proud of
having . . .'"
However, Dawson held the
role of director for only
three years. Ill health
forced him to resign in
March, 1925.
Herbert Glsh
A former Nebraska track
star, Herbert D. Gish, was
appointed acting athletic di
rector in 1925. Gish had
been assistant director for
two years under Dawson.
James Lewis assisted Gish
. for several years.
Gish continued as athletic
director until he resigned in
1931. During this time the
Big Six conference was
formed. The original mem
bers were Missouri, Kansas,
Oklahoma, Kansas Aggies,
Iowa Aggies and Nebraska.
Cornhusker football teams
etic Jjirecwrs
won nine Big Six titles, the
first in 1928 and the last in
1940.
Dana Bible
The immortal Dana X. Bi
ble, who had been football
coach for two years, was
named athletic director in
1931. Bible turned out six
Big Six champions in eight
years as Cornhusker coach.
He" coached the West team
three times in the annual
East -West shrine football
game in San Francisco. Bi
ble was president of the
American Football Coaches
Association in 1934, and he
served on the rules commit
tee of the Coaches Associa
tion for many years.
The 1934 Cornhusker list
ed the duties of Bible as
athletic director: ". . . his
duties cover a wide scope
in the field of sport. He is
the general supervisor of
the entire department. Ar
ranging schedules and
places for athletic contests
are but two of his many
tasks ... It is not entirely
for his ability as a coach,
however, that Coach Bible
is noted. His personality has
won for him a place in the
hearts of Nebraska students
and faculty which few oth
ers have ever attained."
In his. eight years as foot
ball coach, Bible's teams
recorded 50 victories, 15
losses, and seven ties. He
resigned January 23, 1937,
to go to the University of
Texas as football coach and
athletic director.
"Biff" Jones
Before he left, though,
Bible assisted the athletic
board in the search for a
new director. Just five days
after Bible submitted his
resignation, Lawrence Mc
Ceney "Biff" Jones was
named director. Jones was
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Background Music
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Offering quiet, friendly
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i
also the football and golf
coach.
According to the 1938
Cornhusker, it did not take
Jones long to become a fa
vorite with the Nebraska
fans. ". . . 'Biff Jones
came here with the hard
task of trying to make all
Nebraskans forget . . . Dana
X. Bible. However, 'Biff
soon won over all with
whom he came in contact.
His popularity reached un
foreseen heights last fall
. . . due to the greatest vic
tory ... in many years,
the defeat of the great Min
nesota team ... .It was not
until the opening game of
the season that everyone
recognized the fact that Ne
braska had a truly great
football coach, for . . . that
day a . . . band of red shirts
defeated the . . . Minnesota
team."
Biff's popularity was even
greater a few years later
when his 1940 team played
in the 1941 Rose Bowl game.
According to the 1941 Corn
husker, "The 1940 aggrega
tion . . . rose to unparal
leled heights in Nebraska
history . . . in three short
years the Cornhuskers hav
come from the depths to
scale the football heights
. . ." However, Stanford
University defeated Nebras
ka 21-13 In the Rose Bowl
game.
Jones was the athletic di
rector for five years. In
January, 1942, he was called
into active service because
of World War II. His five
year coaching record shows
28 wins, 14 losses, and four
ties. !
Glen Presnell
Glenn Presnell assumed
the coaching and director
ship duties in 1942. He was
only the acting director,
(Continued on Page 4)
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