Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1916-02-17
A Story About cIeon Scott osbOurn.

ing endeavor, all done without hope OF
recognition or reward-a story that has
served as an inspiration TO many Yale un-
dergraduateS, who know the particulars
and one that demands the respect OF every
college man or follower OF collegiate ath-
letics-a story which will have happy
end, ifFrank Hinkey's efforts in Osbourn's
behalf are 10 bear fruit
II was from Frank Hinkey'S lips that
heStory was learned by Charles E. Parker.
Yes, Frank Hinkey, formerly known as
the Silent Captain, later as the Silent
Coach and the man 10 whom Yale's foot
ball failure has been unjustly charged.
Hinkey is not always silent; neither is he
noisy Heoccasionally becomes reminis-
cent, however, and he was in such mood
when he told the story Of {. S. Osbourn.
"There is one thing would like TO do
before say goodbye TO Yale, and that
is TO secure some suitable reward for this
fellow Osbourn, began the Yale football
coach.
"You don't know him, eh? Well, |
didn't know him for while, but I've
made his acquaintance, and he's stood for
my sometimes ungentle remarks, and has
accepted my apologies times without
number for the rather strong language
every coach sometimes uses, and he's
one OF the really big fellows now taking
Yale courses.
al was when | was helping Howard
Jones with the Yale team three years ago
that first noticed him.
"At Yale the ineligibles wear gray
sweaters, which are known among The
football candidates as Scarlet letters
the name typifying the wearers as foot
ball outcasts for the season.
"Well, when the varsity and ineligible
teams OF that year opposed each other on
my first practice saw this rangy chap in
the scarlet letter busting up my plays
and making things generally bad for the
regulars, both on the offense and defense,
and began wondering why he wasn't on
the varsity side of the line helping them.
When the Scrimmage finished ] went to
him and asked him the whyfor OF the
Scarlet letter. He told me he was a
graduate OF Southern college and was
ineligible for the varsity, but that he loved
Yale and wanted to help in any possible
way.
81 made further inquiries from fellows
who knew him. 'Cleon Scott OSbourn,
they said was his name, and informed me
he was ofan old family hailing from Shen-
andoah Junction, w. Va. II seems he
entered Washington and Lee University
several years ago, taking an arts course
and playing a whirlwind game on that
leading Southern college eleven for four
seasons. Following his graduation he
entered the Yale Theological School from
which he will 90 10 India as a student
missionary.
"Here he was reporting every afternoon
for the second and third ineligible teams
day after day taking the gatherings that
the men OF all such elevens must take, all
for the love OF Yale and the love tor the
sport, and without the remotest chance
ofplaying TO the applause the thousands
or winning any reward. can tell you
warmed TO him right away.
"The year went along, and every day
found Osboun on the job. Sometimes
coaching, other time playing and always
working with might and main for Yale's;
good.
"The next year found him at il again.
He was a wonder, and being head coach,
wished more than ever that I could
place him on the varsity. He was not
terribly heavy chap, weighing but lSO
pounds, despite his height Of six feet and
over, but he knew how TO play, and his
long. stringy muscles were like steel.
You could pretty near tell whether your
varsity linesman was good or not by giv-
ing him a session or two opposite Os-
bourn, and that was the dose that most
often was given 10 men had any doubtof.
by the close OF that season his case
was known 10 every man on the squad,
and Bud Talbot, who was captain, went
to the boys after the final game. and to-
geiher they contributed TOR and purchased
loving cup, which they presented to
Osbourn.
Somehow or other, loving cups seem
pretty hollow gifts in more ways than one,
and although |, had been in his position,
would have appreciated the spirit that
prompted the gift and would have cher
ished the cup because OF that spirit, /
could never associate a loving cup with
reward for football merit.
The opening Of the recent season
found OsbourH again on the Job. Out
upon the field he trotted with his old
Washington and Lee uniform, and into
the lice OF the ineligibles he went, after
asking lie what thought would be the
best thing for him to do.
"You probably know OF some OF The
conditions encountered at Yale this fall.
Too much already has been said ofthem.
You can realize, however, what help it
has been to have chap like Osbourn
backing you up and trying in every pos
sibIe way 10 help you. wanted to give
him some sort OF reward, so at my sug-
gestion he was made coach OF The second