The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-08-17
GREAT BACKS
 AT COLUMBIA Walter KOppisch Again Pivot Of HaughtOn
 Team

NEW YORK. Aug. 16.-Headed again by the brilliant Walter Koppish, Columbia expects to have it's greatest backfield since the re-establishment of the gridiron sport on Morningside Heights in 1915, after ban of ten years. Last seasons backs were the finest the Blue and White had had in years. and, inasmuch as all are slated to return, prospects are roseate. And in addition to the veterans, who have had a season under Percy D. Haughton, there will be host of fine talent from the freshman eleven.
 Besides Koppisch, who was accorded place on Walter Camps third all- American team last season, the exper- fenced men who will return include Ray Kirchmeyer, Gus Jager, Milton Hamon, Hagen Hardy. Walter Krisel, Frank Hogan and ''Chip" Healy.
 Bill Wright and Charlie Kennedy, both of whom started with the cub out fit two years ago, but were ineligible last fall, are ligely to be available. From last years crack freshman team whose only defeat was a 9 to setback by Cornell. there will be Cyril Elm pringham, Hal Roberts, Eddie Robbins, Dan Hanley and Meyer Sensit.
 The attack again will be built around Koppisch. the Lions flashy triple threat. Koppisch is particularly noted for his long dashes, made possible by his remarkable speed, straight-arm, dOdging, side-stepping and football intel. ligence.
 Improves As Punter.
 Although he did not amount to any thing as a punter early last season, the capable instruction of Haughton and Roscoe c. Fitts, resulted in his being a fine kicker by mid-season. Moreover, he unquestionably stood out as one of the greatest defensive backs in the game. As matter of fact, spectators at the Cornell Columbia fracas considered him the equal of Captain Bill Mallory, of Yale, on the defense. Wally also has shown him self adept at tossing and receiving passes.
 With George Pease at quarter and Koppisch at one of the halves, Haugh- tons great task will be to select the other two members of the backfield. Koppisch was without a particularly good running mate last season, but in Cyril Empringham the thriee-elected gridiron leader will have an asso- ciate of more than average ability. The first-year captain last fall prob ably would have been able to win a varsity berth. He is like Koppisch in that he is a remarkably good punter, can be used for power plays or sweeps with equal facility, and is strong on the defense. It is quite possible that he will bear the brunt of the kick ing, as he controls his lifts very we'll and gets both distance and height.
 Freshman Talent Strong.
 Ray Kirchmeyer, the 19O-pound full back, vii lhave to hustle if he expects to retain his job, for in Hal Roberts, Dan Hanley and Eddie Robbins, all of last years freshman team, Haughton will be able to present a group of speedy, hard-running backs, with Rob erts and Hanley, moreover, fine kick CTS. Kirchmeyer's forte is his weight, but he is slow in getting off punts, and although he hits the line hard he does not reach the line of scrimmage at top speed. Nevertheless, with Kop- pisch weighing 165 and Empringham 16O, the chances are in favor of the more experienced and heavier Kirch- meyer over the freshman stars.
 However, there is no doubt that with such a plethora of fine material as Haughton will have at his disposal Co lumbia always will be able to send fresh players into the lineup. Han ley, Robbins and Roberts also would appear to be quite sufficient to under study Koppisch, Empringham and Kirchmeyer, but in addition there are Sesit Jaeger, Krisel, Hamon, Hardy and HeaIy, besides a host of lesser lights.
 Sesit, a sub on the freshman eleven, made great strides forward during last fall, his strong point being end-run- uing despite his weight, while Healy, a brother of the former Columbia cap tain, developed into a fairly good player although practically valueless during the O'Nein regime.