The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-02-21
reg. u. S. Pat. OFF,
Nv lack GUIENTHER

UNITED Press Staff Correspondent
New York, Feb. 2l.-UP)-De-
Ormond McLaughry, who for OBJ
vious reasons prefers the nickname
Tuss, has released the first long
range Interpretation Of the effect
of war on the 1912 football season.
What the Dartmouth coach sees in
his crystal ball may be regarded
as lugubrious news for the clients
who rely on the form charts for
guidance
Football, says the head man of
the Big Green, is due for consider
have accelerated their academic
programs and agreed to induct
freshmen into the rigors of varsity
competition without the customary
year of grace. All sorts will be
affected, but particularly the grid
iron pastime.
No polish"
Specifically, the coaches won't
have time to polish their squads
into brightly shining units; mex
perienced boys In many cases will
be moved into positions entailing
great responsibility; and the per-
sonnet of the teams no longer will
be the concern of only the faculty
The various draft boards will have
the final word on eligibility.
These changes won't effect the
standard Of competition, because all
the colleges will be confronted with
the same handicaps. But the nee
eSSary adjustments will affect the
sport writer's mediums and opera
tors OF handicap systems who spend
most Of the day before the big
games figuring whether state will
beat Whatziz, or vice versa.
The reason Is obvious. If team
isn't given the benefit of the intense
coaching which is taken for granted
in the high-poWer college circles,
it can't unyeil too many trick plays.
The game Is certain to loosen up
more passes, more desperation
plays, more runs from punt for
nations and more quick kicks.
These things lead TO upsets.
III freshmen are fitted into the
tackle slots before they have been
nodded TO the intricate maneuvers
OF the individual systems, they are
certain to make mistakes. Nc
Laughry, for instance, estimates
that more than half Of his squad
of 80-85 players will be first year
men. Baby Sandy won't play full
back, but you get the idea.
And II key player enlists In
the navy or is drafted by the army,
team can slump tremendously.
Already 10 of the 1941 Dartmouth
squad-over and above those who
would have been graduated normal
ly-have been or will soon be in
Quoted into military service. Thus,
spring training Is merely a gesture
and any long range plans are ln-
availing.
McLaughry emphasizes that the
transformation won't be radical. For
the most part the changes will be
subtle. The coach will be burdened
with additional worries, but who
cares about the cosch? Every
alumnus of every college in Amer
lea believes that a coach has only
one duty-to win all his games
every year. It's as simple as that.
There won't be many coaches
winning even two thirds Of their
games In 1912 and all the fine,
feathered exporting of your favor
tie sport writer or football statist-
ical bureau won't help boost alma
nanny into a bowl game. 1t will
take three weeks or month to
determine merely whether alma
mammy's team is made up of sheep
or goats.
Easy for Writers
The situation doesn't alarm me.
I'm the sort that can find a silver
lining even in cyclone and I think
these changes will simplify foot
ball for sport writer's. No longer
need they apologize, explain or alibi
the losers they insist on picking
week after week, month after
month. No longer need they blame
the weather, secret practices or
sneak plays.
No longer need they go into hid
ing from Sept. Is to Jan. 2. They
can come right out in the sunlight
IKE other men. And when their
clients wave fists in their faces and
demand to know why they picked
state by three touchdowns and yet
state lost by two ouchdoWns. They
can Just smile and say:
"War Is I.lI tcn't ~ nb,v,o,,