The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-04-01

ucts to the world fair at Chicago In
1893. His exhibit won q medal, and
he decided to make Chicago his home.
and sent for his family. which al
rived two months later.
The elder Rockne was able to put
Young Knute through grammar
school, but 1t was necessary for the
future wizard of football and psy-
chology to earn his way through high
school and college.
Concentrated on Baseball
While he was a youngster in the
Logan Square district, Rockne was
more interested in athletics than
anything else, but concentrated on
baseball. It was not until he attend
ed Northwest Division high that he
became interested in football and
track. His famous SCARED nose was
caused by q blow from a baseball bat
during q kid game.
He was graduated from high school
In 1907, but did not reach Notre
Dame until 1911 Tor the simple reason
that he didn't have enough money to
20 to college. He was deter mined,
however, that he would attend the
University of Illinois, and 1t was be-
cause two close friends had decided
on Notre Dame, that he changed his
plans.
During the four years following his
graduation from high school he
worked at various jobs, but most Of
the time was spent in the employ OF
the postoffice. He also worked on
lake steamers and did odd jobs, and
after q raise Of so cents a week at the
postoffice failed to satisfy him, he
borrowed $45 and went to Notre
Dame.
Led Irish Against Army
Not much was heard of Knute
Rockne as an athlete until n amaz-
ing afternoon In 1913 on the plains
Of West Point. The Irish had gone
there to tackle one Of Army's strong
est elevenS-and to take q handsome
beating it was expected.
But Rockne tore down the field all
afternoon under forward passes flung
by Charles E. "Gus" Dorais, Notre
Danes quarterback then, and coach
at the University of Detroit now. Tho
result was staggering 80 to 13 triumph
for Notre Dame, and they NJ longer
called it that little college In the
middlewest."
Rockne played under Coach Jess
Harper and after his graduation from
Notre Dame, returned to the univer-
sity as assistant professor Of chem
1Stry, q branch in which he excelled
to the point of almost deciding to
make it his life work, and to assist
Harper.
Harper resigned after the 1917 sea-
son, and urged Notre Dame to make
Rockne his successor. Rock was on
sidered too young, but Harper pre-
vailed and he was given the job. The
war year - 1918 saw Rockne'S team
win three games, lose two and tie
one.
The next year he became the
Rockne who dominated football from
then until his death Tuesday. In
1919 and 1920. with the immortal
George Gipp carrying the bali and
kicking 1t, Notre Dame did not lose q
game. Good seaons followed, but not
until 1924 did he produce his first
8AAAAAOA AA00VCA p4CSCo WAC XO0A
Horsemen" who raced I've ten oppo-
nents behind the charges Of the
Heeven Mules"
Rose to Peak Of Career
Rockne's teams dropped q game or
two q season until 1928 when his
worst season came. Notre Dame
dropped four games. But, one year
later Rockne's raiders were again the
talk Of gridiroudom - and on the
strength Of Rocks personality and
genius.
He became critically i'll early In the
1o1o season, an Infection In the blood
STREAM Of his right leg sending him
to his bed. Tom Lieb took active
charge, but # was Rockne's teaching
thgt sent : great team through q sui
eide schedule Of nine games without |
aaoeSeat
That was' considered the ultimate
e might never again be accomplish
~ - Hoekne came right hack last
Il, improved h health. and brilliant |
- lyoe, to fashion his greatest ma
chtuo:, Z team that slashed through
- toegnsn q majog caliber, closing
~ as~tonishing. one-sided TIL
- oyoy Gouthern CAlifcenia.
ne1ne No. not simply : football
1 ~ NJ N extremely ablc |
y aand hi OEher interests Werc !
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