The Washington times., 1938-01-27
Sutherland May Lose Job
Bv Notre Danes Action
Irish Schedule
Georgia TeCh
On Pitt S Date
BY DAVIS ]. WALSH

/ International News Service Sports Editor
NEW YORK. Jan. 27.-Two
months ago, the University of
Notre Dame calmly and dispas-
sionately announced that it was
dropping Pittsburgh from its list
of opponents in football.
Two days ago, Notre Dame an
nounced that it was dropping Pitt
in basketball thus wlping out the
relationship-in toto and intact.
Today, 1 have what purports to
be the answers, and I'm pleased to
doubt whether it is definitely
known, up to now, even to DR.
Jock Sutherland, the Pitt football
coach.
The answer, they say, is "misun-
derstanding," or series Of misun-
derstandings-dating back some
years-between the dour doctor
and Elmer Layden, football coacn
and athletic director at NotTe
Dame. They also say that it could
have been squared by a hand.
shake, or either of series of two
handshakeS.
But the doctor was absent
mindedly looking down at his shirt
studs. or something. So much for
the supposed cause.
The immediate effect is that |
Pitt loses the Notre Dame football
receipts, which are not inconsider-
able. Southern Methodist, the re- |
placement on the schedule, will
hardly make up the difference,
whereas Notre Dame resumes with |
Georgia Tech. an old entente, and |
will do bit better than all right.
SEEw. FRESHER FIELDS
The delayed effect is that the
doctor may, indeed, seek greener
and fresher fields when his con-
tract expires at the end Of next
season.
It is no secret, in fact, that he
hasn't been wholly happy in his
association there. A year ago, he
engaged in controversy with Ath-
letic Director Don Harrison, with
the result that the latter resigned.
There is no evidence that his re-
lationship with the present ath-
letic office is any more cordial.
If this is true, the break with
or rather by-Notre Danes hasn't |
helped. and since it's barely pos
sible that this phase of the situa-
ton may have the doctor some
what baffled, I shall proceed to
enlighten him.
There was football game some
years back between the rabid,
neighborhood rivals, Pitt and >Du-
quesne. Layden was the young,
eager Duquesne coach at the time
and, after Pitt had won by more
than 80 points, he bethought him
self to go over and offer to shake
hands on it. But there seemed
to be lot of confusion around
there right then and the doctor
wasn't looking. with the result
that Elmer was left in the position
OF somebody who reaches for a
door knob which isn't there.
ELMER RIGHT IRKED
1t is said that he was right
irked about it, but mutual friends
persuaded him that it was all an
unfortunate oversight and, in
time, the matter was forgotten.
The next year Elmer was a little
older and his team was a little
better, with the result that it lost
this one by only single touch.
down. Again he braced himself,
put on the brave smile Of one who
manfully hides a broken heart,
again he set out for the other
side and
Again he reached for the door
knob that wasn't there.
That's the story, or at least
that's the way they tell it. Prob
ably it wasn't that bad, but, what
ever did happen or didn't, Elmer
Layden is said to have solemnly
sworn that if he ever got a job
where he could do the doctor no
great good by inches he would
see what could be done about it.
P. S.: He got the job.
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