Imperial Valley press., 1941-02-04

sS2O,OOO.
In his seven years as athletic dir
ector and head coach at Notre
Dame, Layden recaptured the foot
ball glory Knute Rockne had achiev-
ed for his little school at South
Bend, Ind.
But like Rock Layden is a family
man-with wife and four children
and their security influenced his
decision to abandon a highly sue
ceSsful coaching career at Its peak.
Il owe everything to Notre Dame,
Layden said. But the future well
fare of my family is my uppermost
thought. The salary and long term
contract naturally figure in my
plans for the future.
AS National league commissioner
Layden will have powers never be-
fore placed in the hands of any
football official His will be the
last word in all league matters and
the eight club owners expect him to
rule their sport with the same
mailed fist Kenesaw Mountain Lam
dis flauntS over baseball.
Majority Agrees
A majority of the leagues club
owners agreed to Layden's selection
Saturday On Monday, Layden con-
ferred with Notre Danes president,
the Rev. j. Hugh O'Donnell to sever
his connection with his alma mater.
During the first week in April, the
club owners officially will confirm
his appointment as commissioner
at their annual spring meeting in
Chicago.
The move was so sudden Notre
Dame officials have had no time
to consider candidates for Layden's
position.
Only three weeks ago league own
ers voted to elect a commissioner.
The job first was offered to Arch
Ward, Chicago sports editor, who
turned down a 10 year contract.
Ward, a great friend of Notre Dame,
at length with the own
ers during the January session and
may have suggested Layden as a
substitute candidate.
Il regret leaving Notre Dame"
Layden said. Everyone here has
been fine to me as student, player
and coach. Father O'Donnell was
very sympathetic when I first told
him about the pro football offer.
don't have a kick in the world
Il believe in the future of pro
football. My contracts with National
league owners revealed lot about
their business I. as college coach,
never before understood. They have
the welfare of the college boys at
heart and I'll do all I can to pro-
mote that interest"
Layden said he will remain at
Notre Dame for some time to
straighten out his personal business.
He said he will make his headquar-
ters in some National league city,
probably Chicago The leagues pub
licity headquarters, with divisions
now in both New York and Chicago,
will be established in Layden's Of
flee.
AS a player, Jayden was much
like Rockne-undersized but fast
and determined He was Rockne's
splinter fullback" in Notre Danes
immortal Four Horsemen backfield
which included Harry Stuhldreher,
Don Miller and Jim Crowley.
He broke into coaching at Loras
college, Dubuque, Ia, in 1925, han
died Duquesne football for seven
years and moved to Notre Dame on
Dec. 9, 1888 when Irish grid for
tunes were at their lowest ebb since
Rockne first had lifted them to
prominence.
In seven seasons under Layden,
Notre Dame won At games, lost 13
and tied three. In 1888 the Irish
won eight and lost one, best record
since Rockne's death. Last season,
the Irish appeared over-rated but
won seven of nine games.
Saturday afternoons" unused
Layden, will be nightly lonely
come next fall haven't had a fall
Saturday off since my prep school
days-way back when"