Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-11-24
WILSON COACHED ELEVEN
PRESIDENT WORKED OUT
OFFENSIVE FOR WESLEYAN
Chief Magistrate OF United States Re
Stscd Attack That Caused
Pcnn's Defeat In 1850.
Especial to The Times-Dispatch.1

\
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 23.-Few peo-
pie can picture Woodrow Wilson, the
President Of the United States. as a
football coach or az college professor
leaving his classes to act as cheer
leader for the students.
But there are some Wesleyan men
of the late eighties and early nineties
who will probably always vividly re-
member him in this capacity.
AS professor at Wesleyan from 1883
to $50, he made his mark in Wesleyan
football. and, with the aid OF Seward
": Colin, SO. and Frank D. Beattys,
SO, n New York publisher. worked out
new system of offensive tactics which
placed Wesleyan on tho football map.
Football tactics underwent a great
mapped out scheme whereby the rush
line was constructed so that the men
stood side by side, about as today
while the backs were brought nearer
The quick line plunge and the double
and criss-cross passes were also
worked out Football, OF course, was
In Its infancy In those days, and, while
considered innovations at that time.
Defeated Penn Eleven.
So we'll did Professor Wilson and his
assistants succeed in their work that
Wesleyan walloped the University of
pennsylvania. while William Henry
Senator, brought further renown to
Wesleyan, by sending drop-kick over
the Yale goal posts, thus making five
points Tor Wesleyan, field goal count
ing five points in those days. Amherst
was trimmed by the 1889 team, 80 to O.
while Trinity was taken into camp
to 0. John w. Edgerton, now secre-
tary OF the faculty at the Yale law
school. was a member of the Trinity
eleven.
On October so. 1889. the Wesleyan
team won q notable victory over Will
liams. Hampden Park, in Springfield.
was dedicated on that day. and these
two teams were selected to play the
opening contest. Irving Garfield, son
Of President Garfield. was in tho Will
down to defeat, 90 to II.
The good news was telegraphcd back
10 Mlddietown. and when the team ar
rived late that night the whole coll
lege., as well as many of the towns
people, We're at the railroad station to
meet the boys. Governor Coffin, at
that time n State Senator. whose son
with the coaching, bought fireworks
for the crowd. and there are some old
timers in the city who remember the
celebration that night. even to the
forgotten in the midst of all the cele-
oration. and he was sercnaded at his
home on High Street.
Late In the season a game was ar
ranged between Lehigh and WESLEYAN
for Thanksgiving Day at Hampden
Park. To sharpen the encounter, a
rumor became rife that IL Lehigri won,
It's representatives would ask for Wes-
Intercollegiate Football Association and
Harvard. Pennsylvania, Princeton and
Yale.
Cheer Team to victory.
Thanksgiving Day arrived and with
4 r. regular noreaster of a storm.
Lehigh began to rip Wesleyan to-
pieces. the Lehigh backs and the line
naving great advantage on the
mud muddy field. Twice Lehigh crossed
the outlook only was for a rout.
In this crisis figure left the side
lines and walked over in front OF the,
stanos where Wesleyan followers were
boots. long black rubber coat and
carried an umbrella. Closing his UNI
brella and using IL as a baton with
winch to emphasize his remarks, he
cheer with every ounce OF vim and
power that was In them.
Concerted cheering was not the art
ever the !n WesI II Is to oSay Soon how
ing across the field. Again the nm
breila swung and again a cheer rat
tied out on the side lines. The effect
n was m mag Wesleyan,s players at
Sether and away went her backs.
Peck, Mcdonald, Staying and Hall
crashing and smashing into that
brown and White line. Soon a touch
o"n was scored. Still the umbrella
swung and, responsive to the chcerinp
wesleyan rolled across the Eridiron
and still maintained the gait. A sec
ond touchdown was scored, the game
tied up and forced to terminate in a
draw. AZ
The cheer leader was Woodrow Will
son: now President of the United