Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-04
WIN, LOSE OR
ONAV By FRANCIS STANN
The Gentle Coach

LIE 0GHuG OOOCH
HE WAS QUIET person, Frank Dobson, and while the
late Maryland coach part of the football in these
parts for only FIVE he left his mark The boys who
played under him richer it and the sports writer's
on the Maryland beat thought he was the greatest
Dobson, Princeton man, hired in 1885 by DR. H. c.
(Curley Byrd after the former u of M president had
rounded out "a coaching Dobon teams had
the record of Jim Tams powerhouseS for in those
Maryland wasn't geared to bowl standards But whether he
won seven or eight games merely couple-he
did the latter in both 1898 and 1939-Franks philosophy
manned the Football game for boys to enjoy
Dobson enjoyed playing Georgetown, which the big
local game in those times He liked and respected Jack
Hagey and to Dobbie it like sitting down at chess
board with old friend Georgetown usually stronger
but Dobson his share invariably managed to make
close He beat the Hoya 1876 his first year. Hagery
back the next 1885, and won, u.s. In 81 it
Dobsons turn again, 1872 and in 3S it Hagertys 7
Dobson didn't much material 1885, his last season.
and this the only Maryland Georgetown game that
wasn't close. The Hoyas 200.
THE GENTLE DOBSON was not one of those high
coaches who worked around the clock held closed
meetings and burned his eyes watching football films
When he dagrammed plays the blackboard in old Rtche
Gymnasium at College Park he scrubbed them off for
fear of reSpaSser Sports writers welcome
when Dobson outlined strategy for his team before game
1.-THE way figure it," Frank used to say, sis that
papeomen honest persons When they into my
meeting it is if they coming into my home
When try to lay out strategy against Georgetown never
feel that proGeorgetown sports writer going to to
Hagerty and tell him what plan to do"
As far this writer knows nobody did. Dobson
took the trust and in return he got loyalty
For that matter Hagerty operated the at the
Hilltop
day sports writer who has gone to oftier heights
globerottng basis asked Dobson if he would interpret
of those hen-track chakings on his blackboard II
ought to know about football than do he explained
T1l be happy to help" Dobbie replied picking up stick
Of chalk Suddenly he turned and dropped the chalk.
"You know" he said I'm of your avid readers
You write in style that's refreshing Now if you to
become expert at football and employ all of the dry
technical terms it would hurt writing. So if you'll
excuse me
Dobbe did the guy a real favor.
DoBsoNs GREATEST STAR perhaps was Bill Guckey-
World War II casualty Maryland not recruiting
heavily those days and Guckeyson Marylandbred with
only his athletic background to College Park
diamond in the rough far football concerned
almost a Patterson relationship. Dobsons own
boy Jack went to West Point and like his daddy, Who
lettered in four sports at Prncetonfootba basketball
track and basebal-he fast and clever But he
brittle too and consequently did not too much action In
the absence Of his boy Jack who he felt in excellent
hands at West Point Frank turned his attention making
football player out of Guckeyson.
And a beautiful job he did, too In the first place
Guckeyson had the physique He big and he mobile
Like Tuy Leemans at George Washington he could do every
thing-run punt and If necessary pass GuckeySon
Georgetown Gth Stadium in 1885 by returning kick
on 80 yards for touchdown This remains Maryland
record Another time facing Syracuse Guckeyson punted 10
times and averaged 81 yards In that year1936he
averaged better than 90 yards per Kick against Florida but
onicia figures not available then now
Anyway, he kicked long ball. And when he ran it
something like a young elephant with the speed of
rabbit
GUCKEYSON WENT FROM MARYLAND to West Point,
only to learn that he not eligible play football because
of his at Maryland He could and did however play
and AAmerican for Army in that sport But
1t would have been ineresngand undoubtedly disastrous
Armys opponent Guckeyson could have played football
Yet while remembered best football coach Dobsons
first was baseball He pretty good it. as Frank
everything else and Dobbie the major league ball
player athlete apart.
Look at It this way" Dobson used to There
only 400 big league ball players in the entire world II
person to become chooy he might say there only
varsity college football players each in this country
THE qualifications to become big league baseball player
overwhelming think OF somebody like Babe Ruth He
could pitch hit home catch fly balls surprisingly
fast slide and throw.
The average football player well, II he's husky and
willing he'll make But by the token he's not
70 be eaSsed with big league ball player"
It's recalled here that Dobson asked why his
became synonymous with football and not baseball,
TITS a game for growing boys" Dobbe replied Base
ban specialized football It's possible give IS
varsity members chance in what you might call combat.
life they're apt thank the coach for the chance
TO love their mstle'