Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-30
BY WALTER TRUMBULL.


the country who does not regret
the serious illness of Knute
Il Rockne. Rock is one Of the
best liked men connected with
the game. When he accompanied the
Notre Dame squad to Pittsburgh, for
the Carnegie contest he did something
he would not have permitted a boy in
his charge to do. He was in severe and
constant pain and when he spoke to
his team in the dressing room, he did
so stretched on a rubbing table, sick
and drawn.
When Joseph NJ. Byrne. jr., and his
other close friends reproached him for
II know I have taken a foolish
chance, but there Is something in every
mans life that he longs to do. I
wanted to win this game. The boys
have won, but know I'm licked. I
promise you that I will 90 back to
South Bend and lie in bed as long as
the doctor says must"
Rockne was born in Norway, about
43 years ago. He came to the United
States when he was S, his family set
ting in Chicago. His first job was
selling newspapers. He went to public
school and high school in Chicago and
worked Tor flVe years in the post Office
Enters College Late.
AS Rockne was graduated in 1914. he
must have been at least "a years old
when he entered college. He not only
played foot ball, but was a fine track
man, holding the pole vault record at
one time and also the broad jumping
ana the 440 running records. Knute
played IN the college band and also was
a member of the dramatic club.
In college, Rockne waited on table.
winch did not affect his amateur stand
ing, as many boys helped to earn their
way through in the same manner.
Rockne specialized in chemistry and,
slter graduation, became professor of
chemistry at Notre Dame. He also was
assistant foot ball coach to Jesse
Harper. The" say it was harder to get
past knute as professor than as an
END. The story goes that, when Har-
per left, in 1917, Rockne was made
mead coach and relieved of his profess
sional job so that some of the bows
could pass chemistry exam.
Many say that Knute is a better
chemist than he is a foot ball coach.
which is the ultimate in praise Sew
eraI national manufacturing concerns
have offered Rockne high positions in
the research departments. Several uni
versities have offered him Jobs as a foot
ball coach. Sometimes the offers have
been combined, but he has stuck to
Notre Dame.
Stresses Speed, Timing.
Rockne always has stressed speed and
timing. His good teams have been
composed of IL halfbacks. He has
proved the value Of the speedy 18O-
pound guard who can run interference
as against the 240-pounder who is an
chored in one spot. Sometimes during
an afternoon he usually manages to run
one perfect play with fast back at the
| start of it and a touchdown at the fin
ish. Rockne's teams always play clean
foot ball. His men don't hurt or bruise
you. They lure you out of position,
/ push you off balance and generally
make you look silly.
| Just what effect Rockne's absence will
! have on the boys is problematical
| They will miss his brilliant mind but
they also will have a terrific desire to
win for an absent leader whom they
! love.
| I think they'll be tough to beat.
| Copyright, 1929. by North American News
| paper Aliance)