Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-02
BY CHARLES e. DORAIs.
Athletic Director University of Detroit
Written for the Associated Press.

NETRo1T, April al want to say
word about my Rock" my
friend, my roommate, in the
hope that may, in way,
give thousands as good a picture as !
can of Rock as I knew him init
mately. I would like to show the hui
manness, the kindness, the sympathy,
the loveableness that was his. To me
he was not the great international
figure that thousands mourn today, but
my best remembrance is as an anbi-
tious poor boy who dreamed dreams and
made them come true.
It was in 1910 that I came to Notre
Dame from Chippewa Falls, Wis. ]
registered and was assigned my room.
I found 1t In Sorin Hall little later
and found another already there, max
ing himself at home, a chunky tow
headed fellow with keen blue eyes and
ready smile.
He locked me over. and I looked him
over. He said, MY name is K. K.
Rockne, Chicago" I told him mine.
We shook hands, and that was the be-
ginning of one of the finest friendships
of my life. We roomed together dur
ing the rest of our school careers and
spent tie Summers together working at
Cedar Point.
When we were getting located, Rock
said, where will We put your trunk"
replied, Never mind about my trunk,
I didn't bring one"
Shake on that" said Rock" II
guess we're about even on this worlds
| goods"
Boxed at Club Smokers.
We played around together good
deal, and many was the time we walked
the two miles to South Bend and back
to save the precious nickels that were so
scarce for him and for me.
Those walks were always interesting,
because Rock" was one Of the most
entertaining takers ever have listened
to. I can recall a remark of his that
shows well his thirst for knowledge even
back in those days.
Folks wanting to learn something
should talk about things, not people. "
That statement has always stayed
with me.
Rock" was always doping out new
ways to fatten our slim treasury. Every
once in q while we would sneak away
from the campus and take part in club
smokers in the near vicinity, Rock"
as the fighter and I as his second. It
is good to remember that on no occa-
sion of this kind was he ever returned
anything but winner Of both the neager
purse and the bout.
Another time during our first year
Rock" heard that the players in the
band and the orchestra received small
/ stipend for their services, 50 he sent
home for his flute. And for while
after the arrival Of the famous instru-
ment the days and evenings were made
hideous in our room by serious Nor
wegian preparing to make the orchestra
and the band.
Won Out With Flute.
Soon thereafter his efforts were re-
| warded and he was accepted by both
the band and the orchestra. At times.
in desperation, used to take that terri
BILE flute apart and hide the various
pieces in different places, but his In
genuity was enough for the test. and the
du1cet notes Of the flute went on and on.
| Our condition was well expressed by
Rock" one day when we met after we
had both gone our way.
/ Gus" said he, II came to Notre
Dame with a collar button. I built
around it and can see the time coming
when I'll have the whole wardrobe as
| sembled."
AS his close friend of college days I
| listened often to Rocks ambitions and