Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-05
FLEET TEAM PILOT
WAS JEERED IN 70
Labeled "Peacock Bill" for
Kidding Antics in Game
With California U.
BY FRANCIS J. POWERS.

I'm YAVY BILL" INGRAM re-
turns as coach to a
1 y field where he once was
jeered. Eleven Autumns
ago Bill aroused University of
California rooters as few other
foot ball players ever have been
able to do, and for years he was
known on the Berkeley campus
as Peacock Bill"
Back in 1920, when Ingram was
coach and quarterback CT the Pacific
Fleet eleven, the sailors tangled with
CALIFORNIA; wonder team, the eleven
that included Brick Muller, Brodier
Stevens and Charlie Erb. The Tars
gave California terrific battle and
the Bears were pushed to win, 81 to 10.
Ingram was the big gun of the Fleet
attack and the late Andy Smith, then
coach at California, had the Bears
shift with every move made by the
sailor leader. Every time Ingram took
a step the entire California line would
shift and ultimately the situation be-
came humorous to Navy Bill
They'll Cheer Him Now.
Bill would call a signal and then
walk across his line of scrimmage with
the Bears crow-hopping to stay with
him. "Six-hfteen-flfty-f1ve," Ingram
would bark, and then, changing his
mind, would walk to the other side Of
the line and call new signal.
Finally the spectators climbed on
him with such remarks as Peacock
Bill" "Strutting Bill' and other names
that Ingram did not mind in the least.
The following Monday the Daily Cali
fornian printed an editorial rebuking
its rooters and apologizing to Ingram
and the Navy. Next Fall some of the
same crowd will be cheering as loud
for Peacock Bill" as they once jeered.
The selection of Jack Chevigny as
one of his assistant backfleld coaches
likely means that Ingram will intro
duce the Notre Dame system of foot ball
with variations-at California. Che
vigny not only was great halfback at
Notre Dame, but after several seasons
spent as Knute Rockne's assistant is
said to know more CT the old masters
guile than any other man.
Ingram used the double wing back
formation at Navy, but that would not
do at California. For right across the
bay at CALIFORNIA; greatest
rivals Pop Warner, creator and de-
NCAOPCA VI LlC NIIlS DdCh SbNlt u Cl=
tense, and to meet the master with his
own devices would not be logical. As
a matter of fact, several very success
full and desirable coaches we're elm
mated from CALIFORNIA; consideration
because they were disciples Of Warner.
Rivals Are Formidable.
Ingram should have California back
near the top of the Coast Conference
within few seasons, for there always
is excellent material on the Bear
campus However, he will find the
competition growing increasingly strong
each season. Jimmy Phelan expects to
have Washington battling for the cham
pionship within another season and at
oregon DR.. Clarence Spears is building
rapidly. Babe Hollingberry will have
other good teams at Washington State,
while Southern California and STAN
ford always are powerful. Within a
few years competition in the Pacific
Coast Conference should be faster than
almost any place in the country.
Within five years, University of Call
ifornia at Los Angeles also should be
a factor in coast foSt ball. A brand
new school, its enrolment is growing
rapidly and the Woodworking, sincere
Bill Spaulding already can see daylight
ahead. Spaulding's teams have been
doormats for the big fellows of the
coast for several seasons, but next Fail
Bill believes he can turn out a team
that will put up good fight against
any rival. The two California univer-
sites do not meet in foot ball, but
Spaulding Is hoping the time will come
when his Little Bears may tangle with
the big Golden Bears of Berkeley.