The Washington herald., 1911-10-22

Bernie" Wefers, who coach at Columbia and
the New York Athletic Club probably is brought
into contact with more young than any other
coach In the country, developed by Murphy.
In 1895 raw boned youth from Lawrence, Mass,
with letter Of introduction to Mike" Murphy,
joined the American athletes at Travers Island 1t
was Wefers, and he greeted with "rube" talk by
his team mates. Murphy knew in days observa-
tion that Wefers had the stuff in him" and despite
criticism kept at work on him. On the day of
the meet 1t was Wefers victories in the dashes that
saved the day for the American team. Wefers was
the most consistent one hundred and hundred
and twenty yard sprnter the world has ever known.
He never had "of days" More than thirty times
he covered hundred yards in 9 4-5s. On the
solicitation of his fellow townsman Patsy" DonO
van, then manager of the ST. Louis National League
baseball team, Wefers tried, almost his speed
alone to be big Lacquer. But Wefers quicker
than his manager to recognize the difference between
running a diamond and a track.
On the theory that ''it takes great sprinter to
make one" Wefers' output should be a large
There are two features that hamper the carrying
out of this. In the New York Athletic Club
jority Of the athletes have been in other coaches
hands and practically matured in athletics. At
Columbia, where he has more than seven thousand
students to draw upon, conditions not conducive
to best results Going to the college is big event
in mans life, and visiting New York for the first
time is another neither Of which makes for best
athletic effort. This may not apply TO natives who
students, but the white lights are burning every
night for all
.Pooch" Donovan brother of Piper" Donovan,
who credited with one hundred yards in 93-5s.
as a professional, was himself a sprinter of money
earning powers Before being drawn to Harvard
Donovan coached many minor organizations and
military teams. At Worcester Academy he had in
charge Arthur f. Duffey boy Of short stature, but
"cut high" as coaches say in referring to the length
of athletes legs. Dufey's style was changed
completely by Donovan, and upon advice that Dono-
van hammered into him daily Dufey became the
fastest amateur sprinter in the world Donovan
is of the keenest men in athletics. His own
temperament suggests action.
In conditioning athletes Donovan has advantage
over coaches whose personal experience has been in
track and field events only. "Pooch" played football
and still don togs and speed around the ends in
way that makes of the younger fellows enviOuS
He played baseball professionally as New England
Lacquer. AS professional sprinter Donovan did not
possess the wonderful speed of his brother Piper"
but many old time followers OF sprint racing often
said, You can't beat that Donovan combination in
race Piper's' legs and 'Pooch's head"
From DOnovan's home, Natick, Keene Fitzpatrick
migrated into the field of professional coaches. He
was another protege Of Mike" Murphy, and when
Murphy left the Detroit Athletic Club to take up
duties at Yale it Fitzpatrick, another Sprinter
who took charge of the Michigan athletes. On Muir
phys move from New Haven Fitzpatrick again fol-
lowed in the path OF the veteran coach and became
Yales man behind the athletes. Later at Michigan
Fitzpatrick put that university on the athletic map
athletes and careful conditioning of football teams
that Hurry Up" YOst coached.
lack" Moakley, of Cornell.
Fitzpatrick is very discreet in speech and in train
ing He never overworks athletes but when he gives
orders there. Is no to doubt whether he really
means what he says. In taking up the responsibilities
attendant upon coaching Princeton, Fitzpatrick did
so with the full confidence of the alumni. He may
not do wonders in year or two, but eventually
there will be system at Old Nassau that viii count
for something in the intercollegiate meets declared
a prominent alumnus. He had In mind Fitzpatrick's
record at Michigan, item in that list of achieve
mon helm he
of John Garres of the greatest all around ath
letes and football players of recent years
At Cornell there have been many student debates