New Britain herald., 1923-09-24
MURTHA SAYS CASSIDY
ASKED HIM TO FUNK
Former H. S. Football Star
Makes Charge Against
Coach

George t"Battler") Murtha, captain
of the New Britain High school foot
ball team in 1921 and for two years
% llback on the Red and Gold eleven.
g. the Herald" today that Coach
g 2 NJ. Cassidy OF the High school
|, [a.ggested to him last year that.
:. his studies so that he
-aduate in June. and
nie.. (. to school this year to
play foos1all; that he assured the
former captain that he would have no
need to worry for spending money;
that he Cassidy would arrange
matters so that Murtha would receive
the Burns Memorial award in 1924,
that Cassidy tried to control the elec-
tion of a captain; that when he re-
fused to deny statements made to the
Herald" by present and former play
ers he was summarily dropped from
his position as assistant coach but
was later asked to return.
Murtha said from his observations
of Bill McCues playing both as a
member of the team OH which Nc
Cue displayed his abilities and as an
assistant coach of this years squad,
he was convinced that Cassidy did not
give the elected leader of this years
squad who has now resigned because
of difficulties with Cassidy, fair
opportunity to represent the school
on the gridiron. The former Red and
Gold leader said Johnny Grip and
Henry Zehrer are good men In the
backfeld and he feels they have
earned places; but that McCue is
equally as good. if not better than
either Gerokowski or Walker.
Murtha told the story of Cassidy's |
alleged proposition to several alumni
of the High school today and indig-
nation was expressed at the reported I
action. The former player claims he
was approached about Christmas time
last year by the coach and the sug
gestion was made that he fail in
English for the remainder of the year.
Failure to pass this subject would
have made it impossible for the school
to graduate Murtha. He was presi-
dent of his class and had he followed
the suggestion which he says was
made, it would have been necessary
for someone else to act in that ca
pacity. Under the rules of the tri-
angular league Murtha was eligible
to play one more season with the
High school team. When Murtha
spurned the suggestion, the coach, he
says, offered to so to Mrs. Murtha.
and explain the benefits that would
accrue through such an action, ex-
pressing belief that Murtha had not
'eached the heights in football that 1t
was possible for him to attain ac
,ording to the young man,
The Burns Memorial award which
,Ilrtha SAYS was assured him If he
would funk" and return, was estab-
ished in memory of the late William
!, Burns, considered by many the
,est all-around athlete that ever wore
he High school colors. Each year
he athlete who is considered by the
as having done the
most for the school on the athletic
elds and who has maintained good
marks in studies has his name in
cribed on the mem orial shield.
Relative to the case of McCue,
,hich resulted in his resignation as
aptain on the ground that he was
against. and which was
ollowed by the resignation of Ed
ard Pat OBrien, speedy half
aek, and that of Donald Mcguire, a
end who cast aside a n
hance to break into last Saturdays W
anne by quitting the squad Thursday
! protest against Cassidy, Murtha w
aims that Cassidy took an active
art in the campaign to defeat his
eetion, Murtha claims that Cassidy ~
llIed him into his office and tried to d,
rye upon him to vote for Walker. Ell
ho was McCues rival for the cap "
incy, He also claims that other N
embers of the team were similarly
ds
CONTINUED on Third Page)