The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-09-27
FORMER COACH
 SACRIFICED BY CAREER SEEKERS
Alumni Up in Arms" as Bowman Purity" Code
 Is 'Liberalized"
BY JOE WILLIAMS

Pittsburgh, Sept. 27 - Pittsburgh
 football was up in the air today.
 Which is not unusual. Pittsburgh
 football has been up in the air for
 some time. Except in this instance the position was literal rather than
 metaphoric. The squad was flying across the country to open the sea- son against Washington Saturday. This was the first time full- sized squad ever took to the air lanes to keep a gridiron appoint ment hundreds of miles away, and as such, is an item historical inter- est It was also the first time in six teen years that the famous Jock Sutherland didn't accompany the squad as its head coach.
 The mystery of what happened to the coach, whether he resigned be- cause he wanted to, or was virtually forced to resign by mounting har- rassments, has never been cleared up officially, but the popular opinion in this city is that he was given the works" by the educators.
 Since we have been here we have talked with alumni leaders, mem- bers of the influential letter club, student editors and others who pro- fess to be familiar with the situa- tion, and we were amazed to find they are all firmly convinced the coach was deliberately put on the spot.
 In your amazement you ask, "why would the educators want to rid themselves of one of the most com- petent, respected and popular coach- es?
 Bad Deal
 To a neutral observer this seems incredible but the men we talked with were not crack pots, football fanatics, or professional ax-grinders. All of them were men who had a deep interest in the university as whole and they made it plain they considered the treatment of the coach grossly unfair.
 Here is an excerpt from a Letter club news release signed by Norman Ochenhirt, the club president. .I "All Pitt alumni, and especially former letter men, look at the ap- preaching season with misgiving. Respect for Dr. Sutherland and the dignity of his conduct since his res- ignation, when he might have told so much, has grown by leaps and bounds, and great is the bitterness felt by the alumni toward those responsible fo rhis resignation. How ever, as the team takes the field i this bitterness must be forgotten In spite of the saboteurs to whom nothing mattered but personal ven- geance."
 This is typical of the attitude around here and tacit boycott is said to be in progress with many ola followers of the team refusing to re- subscribe for season tickets. They feel the coach was sacrificed for selfish purposes and they openly scoff at the administrations spec tacular gestures of athletic refor- nation with its brutal implication that now that the coach is out is possible.
 Pittsburgh sports now operate under what is known as the Bow man code. This supposedly elimi- mates scholarships, subsidies, re- cruiting, etc. Strictly interpreted, 1t would make Pittsburgh the purest college in the country. The afore- letter club appointed a committee to confer with Chancel- Tor John Bowman, author of the code.
 No Help Wanted
 Another excerpt from the news release Several plans in keep ing with the code were laid before the chancellor but the committee was up against a stone wall. It was its assistance in regard to the university's athletic policies was not wanted. It was also apparent the administration had no plan for guaranteeing material.
 If they did, it was kept dark secret from the committee, as well IS from Dr. Sutherland. Only since 1is resignation have there been en- ightening developments, indicating , ! broad liberalization of the code. These suggest, first, well-conceived plan of some duration to compel 0r. Sutherland's resignation; second, . ! loosening thereafter of the code . in the hope that the fall ] would not be too great" Those who are familiar with the ] setup, especially its fi- lancial obligations seem to have mall fear that the fall will be co great" On the contrary, they ook forward enthusiastically to ' continuance of big league football n the heavily mortgaged stadium.