The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-11-30
PRES. WILSON WAS
COACH At WESLEYAN

Few people can picture Woodrow
Wilson, the president of the United
States. as a football coach, or as n
college professor leaving his classes to
act as a cheer leader for the students.
But there are some Wesleyan men
of the late Sos and early sos who will
probably always wildly remember him
in this capacity.
AS professor al Wesleyan from 1885
TO 1890, he made his mark in Wesleyan
football and with the aid of Seward
V. Coffin. SO, and Frank n, Beattys,
1885, New York publisher. worked
out new system of offensive tactics
which placed Wesleyan on the football
map. Football tactics underwent a
great change about that time and
these three men 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 TO tho rush line.
The quick line plunge and the
double and crisscross passes were also
worked out. Football, of course. was
in its infancy in those days. and while
these plays seem old now. they were
considered innovations ~ that time.
Defeated Penn Eleven
So well did Professor Wilson and
his assistants succeed in their work
that Wesleyan walloped the Univer-
sty of PENNSYLVANIA, while William
Henry Hall OF South wilmington, later
a State sanator brought further re-
rown- to Wesleyan by sending a drop
kick over the Yale goal posts, thus
making five points for Wesleyan, a
field goal counting five points in those
days Amherst was trimmed by the
1889 team. 80 to 0. while Trinity was
taken into camp, s To o. John ".
Edgerton, now secretary of the facul-
ty at the Yale Law school. was n
member of the Trinity eleven.
On October so. 1889, the Wesleyan
team won a notable victory over Will
liams. Hampton park in Springfield
was dedicated on that day and these
two teams We're selected to play the
opening contest. Irving Garfield. son
OF President Garfield. was in the Will
liams lineup. but the Purple went
down to defeat. 90 70 II,
The good news was teieCraphed back
to Middleton and when the team ar
rived late that night the whole coll
lege, as we'll as many OF the towns
people. were at the railroad station to
meet the boys. Governor Comm, at
that time a state senator whose son
had been assisting Professor Wilson
Will tIlt y. Ht HEtW OL Ms
for the crowd. and there are some old
timers in the city who remember the
celebration that night. even to the
present day. Professor Wilson was not
forgotten in the midst of all the ceie-
bration and he was serenaded at his
home on High street
~ '4st sfsfx' eAffie WftMTchigf ' =
Late in the season a game was ar
ranged between Lehigh and Wesleyan
for THANKSGIVING day at Hampden
park. To sharpen the encounter
rumor became rife that. If Lehigh won,
it's representatives would ask for Wes-
Intercollegiate Football association
with Harvard. Pennsylvania, Prince
ton and Yale.
Thanksgiving day arrived and with
It a regular nor'easter OF a storm.
Hampton park was a slough OF mud
Lehigh began to rip Wesleyan to
pieces. the Lehigh backs and the line
having a great advantage on the mud
dy field. Twice Lehigh crossed wes-
leyan's line for a touchdown and the
outlook only was for rout.
In this crisis a figure left the side
line and walked over in front of the
sta nds where Wesleyan's followers
were sitting. The figure was clad in
rubber boots, long black rubber coat
and carried an umbrella. Closing his
umbrella and using 1t as baton with
which 10 emphasize his remarks, he
called upon those Wesleyan men to
cheer with every ounce of vim and
power that was in them.
Wesieyan's Cheer Boom
Concerted cheering was not the art
in 1889 that it is today Soon, how
ever, the Wesleyan cheer went boom
Ing across the field, Again the I'M,
brella swung and again cheer rat
tied out on the side lines The effect
was magical. Wesleyan's players at
once took heart, pulled themselves to-
gether and away went her backs.
Peck. Mcdonald. Staying and Hall.
crashing and smashing into that
Brown and white line Soon touch
down was scored. Still the umbrella
swung and still responsive to its lead
cheers voluminous rolled across the
gridiron, and still responsive to the
cheering Wesleyan maintained the
gait A second touchdown was scored.
the game tied up. and forced to termi-
uate in q draw.
As the I.ehigh players left the field
some of them curiously asked who the
man was that had organized the cheer
ing rally. "Oh.'' said the Wesleyan
man, that is our professor of his
tory, who has helped to coach us"
Well" returned the Lehigh man.
The is all right, for he saved you fell
lows a licking today. and don't you
forget It,"