The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1936-11-20

Steve Sullivan, grid player and coach
in the 1920's, now an official, ian ana
football oracle, was selected on all
state in~terscholastic teams for several
seasons; also made all-State collegiate
elevens for three years: also was picked
on all-northwest collegiate mythical
lineups. Besides, the Late Walter Camp,
who selected all-American teams for
80 wears, gave Sullivan honorable men
ton. Sullivan, in his senior year, cap,
tured the attention of Camp who said
the Butte kid had class. Camp was
right. Sullivan showed class IN every
game, but one-I mean part OF one
though he came through In a big way
before the last gun was fired. That was
the game where he looked none TOO
good in the first quarter but emerged
as one of several ~conquering heroes;
that was the game that prompted
Walter Camp to recognize Stephen, n
likewise is the excuse or reason LOT
this article.
The year was 1920. Montana was on
the Washington Huskies schedule. The
game was played in Seattle. 1t was con-
sidered a practice game for the Huskles:
AS a matter of fact, the stadium was
decorated with a large banner an
nouncing that the contest was the last
practice game of the season. The ban
ner intimated that the regular playing
season would get under way after Mon
tana was put out of the way.
Bierman Was Coach at U
You recall that Bernie Bierman, now
head-man of the Minnesota team, was
coaching the Montana Grlzzlles tnat
season. And Mr.. Sullivan was IN the
backfield, surrounded by Harry Adams,
now assistant grid coach and track
mentor at the alma mater; by Larry
Higbee, now a big tire and rubber goods
man: and by lads who answered to the
name of Berry, Barry and Walter.
skirchen. Other players on the M
SQUAD were Kershner. Spencer. Farm
er, Fitzgerald, Dayliss, McGoverb, Ram
sey, Dorsey, DeMers, Carver, Freeman,
Elliott, Porter, Madsen, Beard and
Harry Dahlberg, team captain, Tor IL
wears athletic coach at Butte high
school.
Montana Won, Is to IA
The 1920 outfit is the only team IN
Grizzly athletic history that defeated
a Washington football team. Montana
rocked the football world that day
when the final score was posted and
Nuw-to. concentrate on Sullivan, spic-
ing the tale With mention Of several OF
his cohorts. ,
In the first quarter, Sullivan dropped
a punt, missed a tackle and d1dnt TOTE
the bail for gains. So he was benched
for the first time that season and it
made Steve mad. The benching OF Sui
Ivan proved a tonic later. When Bier
man gave Steve the finger to get back
into the game, the Grizzlies started
clicking. The team just couldn't be
stopped.
game until the last half, when the
Grizzlies moved out in front. and re-
NAMED there. MI. Mad Sullivan was
responsible. He was in every play. He
piled up yardage; he blocked, tackled,
ran interference and acted as a spark
plug. When Harry Adams raced gu
yards to a touchdo Noa,,s sulli wn1;,d was
tacklers galley west. When Berry
sprinted down the field for a like gain
and touchdown, his interference man
was Sullivan. When Adams hustled over
the goal line for his second touch
down, he wa aided and abetted by Sui
Ivan in his march Of progress.
Bernie Bierman told me a rev years
ago that if Sullivan was on any team
Of his, he would make it a point to
pull Steve out of a game in an early
quarter. Sitting on the bench would so
enrage the Butte lad, that when ne was
sent back in the lineup, a mad Suil1-
van was enough inspiration for a team
to go to town, accOrdlng 10 6lerEildu.
Central Coach
In 1922, Sullivan began his coaching
duties at Butte Central high school.
If one of his star players wasn't click
ing, Steve would follow Bierman's psy-
chology, and yank the player, sending
him back in the game later. This
strategy wasn't so hot, because all play
ers did not react like Steve Sullivan.
In 1923 Harry Dahlberg was appoint
ed coach at Butte high. Sullivan and
Dahlberg were team buddies at Butte
high and at the university. AS coaches,
these pals would growl at each other
on the gridiron; scowl at n another
on a basketball court, but on Sundays,
they would team again to officiate in
independent football games. Frequent
~ they would get together and talk
about that Montana Washington game
of 1920. "Swede" always recites how
Sullivan tells how Dahlberg made the
holes in the line, so he could run in
reference for Adams.
The Sullivan & Co. victory over
Washington in 1920 still holds the dis
tinction as the major grid accomplish
ment by a Montana eleven, though the
tie game with Syracuse in 1916 rates
close up.
BUTTE TO ANACONDA RACE
Bicycle riding, had its inning in days