Evening star., 1932-10-14
CHICAGO j. COACH
BOWS TO AGE LAW
Ousted Because He Is 70,
Athletic Tutor ''Frankly
Not Content to Co."
BY WILLIAM WEEKES,
Associated Press Sports Writer.

~ HICAGO, october 14.-One
of the most ergrossing
~ chapters in American foot
ball today was in its clos
ing pages, for Amos Alonzo Stagg
will retire as director of athletics
and head foot ball coach at the
University of Chicago at the end
of the college year next June.
The grand old man of the Midway,
Chicago's only athletic director and
head gridiron teacher, having reached
threescore and ten years, must step aside
under university rule providing that 70
shall be the age limit for members OF
the faculty. And Stagg will make way
for Thomas Nelson Metcalf, now di-
rector of athletics at Iowa State Col
lege, Ames, Iowa, only because Of the
rule. He became 70 years old last
August 16.
In yielding, Stagg, clear-eyed and
locking not mere than SO of his 10
years, said he was frankly, not con-
tent to do it,; that he felt he is good
for Is or 20 more years of active serv-
ice. His success as foot ball coach
no indication of his choice.
In announcing the retirement of
Stagg, the board of trustees of the uni
versity said new post, chairman of
the Committee on intercollegiate Ath-
letics had been created for him. Stagg,
however, has not accepted the place.
Grows Up With University.
CTAGG has become almost as much
- a part of the University of Chicago
as its beautiful Gothic buildings
He came in with its founding Al years
ago, becoming its first athletic director
and later became the first athletic man
to attain the rank of faculty member
His contributions to the advancement
of foot ball have been many. and he
developed legion of the greatest stars
of the game. The late Knute Rockne
often said that Stages technique fur
nished the basis of the Notre Dame
system.
Stagg was heartbroken over the in
voking of the rule forcing his retire
ment. He was outspoken in his desire
to continue in active coaching.
According to my present feeling"
he said, Il expect to be good for IS
or 20 years more of active service. 1
went into athletic work because it Of
fered the largest opportunity for serv-
ice through contact with young men,
No scheme of life. which removes that
contact, would meet my ambition
Whether I remain ct Chicago or GO
elsewhere, I wish to be ecti:e in the
field of coaches.
The old mans notice of retirement
comes just when foot ball revival
seems certain at Chicago. This years
team won its opening game and tied
Yale, to 7, last week, and with in-
proved material appears set for the best
season the Maroons have had since
1924. The present freshman squad
promises that Chicago will be right near
the top next year.
Has Great Sports Record.
OvER his long span Of service, Stage
~ has set up q great record. In 40
seasons his teams have won 243
games, lost 104 and tied %, good
share of the defeats coming during the
material existed In Western Confer
ence competition, his elevens won 124
games lost 78 and tied Is.
Stagg was one of Yale's early foot
ball heroes and in 1888 was named as
lend rush" on Casper Whitney's all
America team. and later was accorded
the same honor by the late Walter
Camp. Although great as foot call
player. he was even more famous as a
base ball player He pitched the Yale
team to many victories and was Of
fered a major league contract which
he declined.
In the early days. at Chicago, he wa:
a better foot ball player than many OF
his boys. and on occasions played WITH
the Maroons, the rules at that time per-
mitting the coach to play. For many
years he taught his men by personal
example on the practice field, and only
in recent years ceased participating In
scrimmage.
He is the senior member Of the Ma
tional Rules Committee, of which ne
has been a member since l9O6-the
Rhole span Of modern INTERCOLLEGIATE