The Washington times., 1929-11-06
PU 7 s YALE.
NEAR TOP
|NEASF
By Tom Thorp

"Mal" Stevens is the miracle
man Of Eastern football. This
quiet, unassuming Yale coach
has proved beyond all question
Of doubt his right to hold a
place among the great mentors
Of the gridiron sport. ~
Splendid triumphs over Brown,
Army and Dartmouth fortified
him at the very pinnacle Of the
game along the Atlantic Sea-
board. No mentor of the present
day has shown a finer knowledge
Of the game or a more expert
way of imparting that knowledge
to his pupils, than the Blue
chieftain. Stevens is the talk Of
the football community. He is
the toast of Yale men wherever
they gather. So. .s..
No coach has ever faced more
trying circumstances than the
ones this gentlemanly mentor
had to surmount. Being the
youngest instructor among the
Big Three was not his greatest
obstacle in the path to fame and
glory. Unjust criticism of his
system of play and methods Of
instruction by a few Self-appointed
gridiron authorities placed him
at decided disadvantage almost
from the very start Of his career.
Most coaches would have
been discouraged by this un-
Just and uncalled for criti-
cism. But not this quiet, de-
termined sportsman. He knew
the quality of his football
was of the best.
Further, he had confidence in
himself to teach it intelligently
to his pupils. Lastly, he appre-
ciated nothing worth while in
life is ever accomplished without
true, unadulterated courage. OF
the latter attribute he has an
abundant supply. It took a sur
plus amount to gain him sue
cess. However, those who know
"Steyie" never feared for a
moment but he would make good.
No coach has ever kept himself
so far in the background. Most
gridiron mentors are exploited be-
cause of their achievements. Not
so with Nal Stevens. He is salts
fled to remain in the background
and have others reap the glory of
his success. He is the hardest
man to find before and after prac-
tice of a game. The football
world is appreciative of the fine,
gentlemanly SportSmanShip of this
young coach.
Some are inclined to consider
the Ellis a "one-man" team. Such
is not the case. The Blue team is
made up of eleven cogs. True, it
is the Booth cog plays an impor-
tant part in keeping the Blue ma
chine hitting on all eight cylin-
derS.
Booth is given able assistance
every time he carries the ball.
The young New Haven star has a
great personality. It infused the
confidence into his mates that if
they will assist no one can stop
Yale from winning.
During a game he can be
heard telling each player what
"Stevie" expects of him. Such
talk is enough to convince -
anyone close to the situation
that Booth and each and
every player is out there on
the checkered field fighting
for "Stevie," their coach.
The football they play is Sec
o1dary to the quality of their
fighting spirit" Only real
coach could have inspired his
team as has Nal Stevens. tIis
pupils know and love him. That
is why they fight winning bat
lies for him.
Stevens gained his football
knowledge in the Tad Jones
school of gridiron strategy. The
former Yale mentor is without
question of doubt one of the
greatest strategists of all time.
Stevens has had the benefit of
his friendly advice. Tad has
spent much time since the
Georgia defeat in offering sug-
gestions to his former pupil.
The latter has been man
enough to accept these helpful
suggestions in the most friendly
spirit. The result has been per.
feet harmony in the develop
ment of the present Blue team.
A situation which is absolutely
necessary to success at football. 1t
no doubt helps to make the pres.
ent Yale outfit a united squad.
Stevens was a great half.
back during his playing days.
He broke into varsity foot
ball at Kansas University.
However, it was not until he
played back at Yale that
he attracted attention as a
nall carrier.
Those who saw this clean cut
sportsman sla~h his way through
opponents in the Yale Bowl can.
not help but compare his style
Of game to that Of Albie Booth
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