Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-07-17

THIS town, namely Tuny LeemanS,
If the full story related in the
public prints, it a long time ago and, it
seems here is worthy of repetition because '''' "'
great many people considered Tuy Leemans the best foot
ball player to play for District college team Later
when he joined the professional Giants they had
than to think
Washington and, although CIV often overmatched
against the likes of Alabama and and power
houses LeemanS invariably up player
the field He kicked blocked and played defense
and fellow overlooked for AnAmerca honors
1t was Tuhy.
WHEN JUDGE WALSH . Z. Len that is . was a
football STAR Tury grade school Superior Wis,
which also happened to be Lens home town. They lived
only few blocks apart and T close friend Joe Walsh
kid brother OF the new chief Judge When Tuy and Joe
old enough for college they took o-not in the drec
ton OF George Washington but Of Oregon.
Why Oregon, when Len the opposite coast? II
had hankerng to play Doc Spears coach
at Oregon LeemanS explains Joe and there in
49, Seems like arrived than Doc Spears either
got fired quit Anyway he moved to wisconsin football
coach.
Il played freshman football Oregon. I filled
haback spot and Joe Gordon who later became the Yankees
second baseman the other hafback We also roomed
together but when Doc Spears left felt had go,
So Joe and hit the road and then heard from Len who
asked to to CIV. I'd never heard of GW."
1T GOT TO BE PRETTY complicated Leemans couldn't
follow Spears to Wisconsin, where homegrown he truly
belonged because the Big Ten rule that players following
coach to job lost year OF athletic neigbity There
also matter of laundry bill"
"At Oregon" Tuny by of explanation, I'VE had
to join the ROTC. We issued uniforms Joe Walsh
and left the school, but my uniform needed cleaning and
gave it to another roommate and asked him to take
of the matter and turn back to the quarermaster
Somehow, things got fouled up. No uniform When I
arrived at CIV and wrote to oregon for transfer of credits
they refused them unless this laundry bill paid
think about SIS. didn't have the money and,
although Oregon people told all would be forgiven If
returned, I wanted to stay here in Washington
Len paid the BILL received my credits, and stayed
don't this day charge but then didn't
nj of T
hrs signing until rered-Len handled all the legal details
Lots Of people have told me unlucky to play for small
school and miss out Al-America honors think
lucky-I had Len Walsh going for me-"
JUDGE WALSH WAS, at least in the opinion of Walter
Eckersa, Al-America. The respected Eckersall
quarterback himself picked Walsh as tackle 1925
but later in his at Minnesota the versatile Len moved
to end and therein lies story, too.
In 1927 the Spears coaching at Minnesota
and that the only time the Gophers weren't licked by
Nore Dame Spears star tackle Bronko Nagurs later
to become legendary fulback and Walsh at right end
Earlier the 20s the Ku Klux Khan been very
the Middle West and while its influence waning Spears
nevertheless received several warning from the xxx
In effect they said:
"Nagursk and Walsh Catholics and they viii throw
the game to the Irish"
the 27 Notre Dame-Minnesota game at South Bend
did his best to chew the Notre Dame line and almost
succeeded As for Walsh he latched 2oyard touch
down pass in the final minute to get TT tie
***
ON THE EVE OF THE Touchdown Clubs sendoh for a
favore Judge Walsh reminded Of that fateful
touchdown Funny thing about It," he recalls "a made
guard acted like end and fuback who threw
long pass acted like Sammy Baugh.
Herb Joesting, A-America fullback OF 1867,
threw the ball. He'd passed few times during the
to the left end about or yards But he'd
thrown to the right end going all the This time he
did and got behind the defensive back Chevigny think
and managed to hold it for But those things
happen only in a lifetime"
Once in lifetime? Even a chief Judge this
former president of the District Bar Association apt
overlook something embarraSs him in later years. Like
end Of summer when Len, still serving CIV coach
proposed motor trip to Washington to the Leeans
Walter Sard, another valuable Colonial property
spell each other Walsh told the boys land in that
nobody will be tired and I'll have somebody to talk to-"
From Superior to Washington it's approximately 1900
miles, at least it is If stops at Duluth to pick up
his home Anyway, Len wheeled his heap
kds-Leemans and Saird-pled into It, After miles,
Len stopped and said:
Now Of you youngsters take the wheel. I'm tired"
"Darndest thing" Tufy recalls. Il couldn't drive and
neither could Saird but Len asked could
result that Walt and slept all the to Washington
the coach had to drive the whole distance What's more
he didn't have anybody to talk to-"