Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-22

needs it or not.
The passing of John Macklin removes
from football one of the most conspicuous
figures. For seven years-ever since ne
took irm hold on his diploma and LETT
Penn-he has occupied the centre OF the
stage with the spotlight constantly playing
around him He turned out wonderful
teams and had chance to continue lot
years to come had not the call to business
interefered. Several big colleges In the
West made tempting offers, but he refused
them with firm, strong voice Duty called
him, and It was up to him to prevent the
citizens of these United States from freez'
ing to death.
Played on Penn
Mackln played on the University of
Pennsylvania football team under Dr. BOD
Torrey and Carl Williams, but did not set
the world on fire by his wonderful work
He started out as halfback, but enormous
stature was needed in the line, so he was
shifted to tackle and guard, HIS name ap-
peared in the lineup each week. and occa-
sionally, when news was dull somebody
would run his picture in the paper He
played a steady, consistent game, however
and did all of the heavy work while the
others pulled the brilliant performances
But it was after he left Penn that John
made his reputation. He coached Pawling
School in 1909 and 1910, and his work at
tracted the big guys at Michigan Agricul-
tural College, in Lansing, Macklin was
offered the job and he grabbed It, reporting
for duty in September, 1911. Up to this
time the Aggies had the same social stand
ing as Hiram College. Ohio, and were used
rs doormats by the University OF Michigan
and other colleges in that section in prac-
tlce games. No one gave the team any
serious thought, and 1t was humping along
in the same old rut made years before.
New Spirit Instilled
A new spirit was instilled when the big
coach arrived, He called his football
squad together and told the eleven men
that small college teams occasionally win
games and he was going to prove it, Then
he assigned the men to their positions and
began the season with one full team and no
substitutes. Macklin was successful in the |
early games, but Michigan trimmed him
by the score Of 15 to g. Lack of substi- |
tutes caused this defeat, but il revived the |
spirit at the Agricultural College and the |
next year a larger squad reported.
The team made a better showing in 1912 |
but again lost to Michigan, but by a |
5orb the old Pennsylvania system, however, |
and went through the remainder of the |
season with flying colors.
We all remember the fall of 1918 when |
team surprised the entire football |
world and gained recognition by wallopinE |
by huge score. 1t was one OF /
the biggest upsets In years and the wise |
dopesters vainly tried to discover how the /
nuke victory was put across, But the team /
went on, scoring victory after victory, and |
they gave 1t up as a hopeless task.
Defeats Wisconsin
That year the University OF Wisconsin
won the Western Conference champIon-
ship and the team was considered the best
n the country. Elated by the victories
Il their own college, alumni of the Michigan
Aggies disputed the claim. ana q game was
arranged The Badgers were the heavy
efrible struggle. The next year, Aflehiean
rlamDhsd over ths ASSES b the slender