Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-09
Tuelre Members of Promi.
nent Philadelphia Fam.
lily Haze Represented
Red and Blue in athletics
SIX IN SERVICE NOV
By EDWIN ].

by EDWIN j.
INTERwOvEN with the history of
i athletics at the University of Penn
sylvanla from the time that fifteen men
played on u football team until the
spector Of war dlmmed the luster of
sports is the history of the Thayers.
ono of the oldest of Philadelphia's fam
lilies.
From the tim that John Boland
Thayer took an active part In the man
agemont of athletics back in 1854 until
Sidney Thayer, Jr., heard and heark-
oned to the call that echoed from France.
a member of the family has had some.
thing to do with or has taken part in
sports at the Quaker University.
Through tho stretch OF sixty-odd years
twelve Thayers have occupied prominent
places on the athletic stage. They have
made sporting history at Penn they
fought for and upheld athletic tradi-
ton and prestige in the olden days just
as the younger generation of the same
family has fought for and upheld ma
tional tradition and prestige in the
world war.
Six Have Commissions
Virtually all Of the younger Thaycrs
~ IL vi lilll y "t' ~ ~" -
service. Six of them are IN uniform and
all of the six have commissions, rank
ing from captain to second lieutenant.
Here is "A short history of the Thayers
in Penn sports:
John Boland Thayer. grandfather OF
the boys now in the service, was gradu-
ated with the class Of 1851 and for a
number of years was president of the
Pennsylvania Barge club. lie died III
1904.
g. G. Thayer. class of 1881, was vice
president OF the Athletic Association
and was captain of the first football
eleven. lie also played, cricket and was
on the track team.
J. L. Thaycr, Jr.. class of 1883, played
on the football team and was captain of
the cricket team for three years. lie
also played baseball. He was a mem
Der of the board of directors of the
Athletic Association for several years.
He lost his life when the Titanic was
sunk.
On Board Of Directors
Sidney Thayer. class of 1856. played
football and cricket. lie has been on
the board Of directors of the 4. \. for
many years and Is chairman of the
grounds and allied sports committees.
II. e. Thayer. class Of 1892, was one
Of PENIS famous football and cricket
players in his undergraduate days. lie,
too, has served on the board of directors
for ten years or more.
Walter Thayer, class of 1897, played
baseball, football and cricket.
Russell Thayer, class of 1906, was a
track athlete and n football player.
lie is now captain in the 3llth Infantry
in France.
Alex Thayer. class of 1910, played
football and tennis. lie is a lieutenant
in the aviation corps.
Edmund Thayer, class Of 1912, played
football. tennis and baseball. lie is
a captain in field artillery.
Joseph Thayer. class of 1911, played
football. baseball and tennis lie is a
.liekenant in infantry
Jack Thayer a Captain
J., b. Thayer, Cd, class Of 1916, vas
one of the best soccer players in coll
iegiate ranks. lie also managed the
crew, He is a captain in field artillery.
Sidney Thayer, Jr.. class of 1919.
played football and baseball, lie Is a
lieutenant in the marine corps in France.
All the Thaycrs have been noted for
their courage and ganlencss on the ath.
letic field and the reputation of the
family has reached even a higher stand
ard during the wa.
Sidney Thaytr, Jr, II member of
penn's fighting five" and of the famous
Sevcnty-siXth Marines, who helped stem
the It'd at chateau Thicrry, enlisted
as IA private as soon as war was de-
clared. Young sidney went into action
with the rank Of sergeant and col-
Quoted himself so well under fire that
81 " f.