

The 1954 Green Bay Packers - 4-8 (5TH - Western Conference)
Head Coach: Lisle Blackbourn


1954 PRE-SEASON RESULTS (2-4)
OFF DEF
AUGUST (1-2) RESULT RECORD ATT RSH PSS RSH PSS STARTING QB LEADING RUSHER LEADING PASSER LEADING RECEIVER
14 Chicago Cardinals at Minneapolis L 10-27 0- 1-0 21,000
21 G-CLEVELAND BROWNS L 13-14 0- 2-0 15,747
28 at Pittsburgh Steelers W 36-14 1- 2-0 14,012
SEPTEMBER (1-2)
4 Philadelphia Eagles at Hershey, PA L 13-24 1- 3-0 6,134
11 Washington Redskins at Raleigh, NC W 31- 3 2- 3-0 16,000
18 M-NEW YORK GIANTS L 27-38 2- 4-0 17,000
1954 REGULAR SEASON RESULTS (4-8)
SEPTEMBER (0-1)
26 G-PITTSBURGH STEELERS (0-0) L 20-21 0- 1-0 20,675 161 91 128 316 Tobin Rote Breezy Reid (95) Tobin Rote (101) Billy Howton (3-69)
OCTOBER (3-2)
3 G-CHICAGO BEARS (0-1) L 3-10 0- 2-0 24,414 95 179 81 142 Tobin Rote Breezy Reid (71) Tobin Rote (192) Billy Howton (4-100)
10 M-SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (1-0-1) L 17-23 0- 3-0 15,571 52 94 271 101 Tobin Rote Howie Ferguson (41) Tobin Rote (126) Two tied with 2 each
17 M-LOS ANGELES RAMS (1-1-1) W 35-17 1- 3-0 17,455 175 273 168 277 Tobin Rote Tobin Rote (75) Tobin Rote (284) Howie Ferguson (7-49)
24 at Baltimore Colts (1-3) W 7- 6 2- 3-0 28,680 102 192 131 90 Tobin Rote Breezy Reid (77) Tobin Rote (214) Billy Howton (11-147)
30 at Philadelphia Eagles (4-1) W 37-14 3- 3-0 25,378 66 89 102 101 Tobin Rote Tobin Rote (46) Tobin Rote (148) Billy Howton (4-31)
NOVEMBER (1-3)
7 at Chicago Bears (3-3) L 23-28 3- 4-0 47,038 153 182 104 278 Tobin Rote Veryl Switzer (56) Tobin Rote (204) Max McGee (5-77)
13 M-BALTIMORE COLTS (1-6) W 24-13 4- 4-0 19,786 188 154 240 84 Tobin Rote Howie Ferguson (112) Tobin Rote (164) Howie Ferguson (5-44)
21 G-DETROIT LIONS (6-1) L 17-21 4- 5-0 20,767 74 277 188 230 Tobin Rote Al Carmichael (35) Tobin Rote (294) Billy Howton (7-101)
25 at Detroit Lions (7-1) L 24-28 4- 6-0 55,532 133 217 85 214 Tobin Rote Breezy Reid (61) Tobin Rote (254) Two tied with 4 each
DECEMBER (0-2)
5 at San Francisco 49ers (5-4-1) L 0-35 4- 7-0 32,012 55 216 237 212 Tobin Rote Breezy Reid (27) Tobin Rote (152) Howie Ferguson (7-53)
12 at Los Angeles Rams (5-5-1) L 27-35 4- 8-0 38,839 74 195 136 434 Tobin Rote Howie Ferguson (15) Tobin Rote (178) Max McGee (9-105)
G - Green Bay M - Milwaukee
1954 IN REVIEW
New coach Lisle Blackbourn hardly endeared himselves to the faithful as the Packers lost their first three games, but the team suddenly came around, beating the Rams, Eagles and Colts (twice) for four wins in their next five games. Blackbourn hardly had time to enjoy the renaissance, though, as the Lions (twice), 49ers and Rams handed Green Bay four painful losses to end the season.
PACKER GENERAL MANAGERS
For the first three decades of the Packer franchise, the general manager could be easily identified. He was the head coach - Curly Lambeau and, then, Gene Ronzani. In 1954, the Executive Committee decided it was time to make a change in the management structure. As the NFL became more complex, it was apparent that one person would be hard pressed to put together a team, coach that team, keep on top of the free agent talent, prepare for a college draft, and handle the administrative details. As a result, former Packer legend Verne Lewellen was handed the reins as the first "true" general manager in team history. In 1928, while still playing for Green Bay, he ran successfully for Brown County district attorney, as a Republican, against teammate Lavie Dilweg. Re-elected in 1930, he was swept out of office in the Roosevelt-Democratic landslide of 1932. In 1950, he rejoined the Packers as a member of the executive committee. He was general manager from 1954-58, and remained with the franchise as the business manager from 1961-67. Lewellen's claim to fame may have been moving the Packer training camp to St. Norbert College in 1958. The Packers had practiced in Grand Rapids, Minnesota (1951-53) and at Stevens Point State College (1954-57) prior to the decision to relocate closer to home. Vince Lombardi came to Green Bay in 1959 as head coach and general manager, ending Lewellen's tenure.
PACKER GENERAL MANAGERS SINCE 1959
VINCE LOMBARDI (1959-68) - In all but his final year, Lombardi served as both head coach and general manager. After one uncomfortable year in the front officer, the Hall-of-Famer moved on to Washington, where cancer cut his life short.
PHIL BENGSTON (1969-70) - Bengston picked up the reins as GM from Lombardi, but his draft record during his two-year dual reign was questionable at best.
DAN DEVINE (1971-74) - Devine may have won a division title in 1972, and had a number of productive draft choices, his overall report card as general manager could be summed up in one word: John Hadl, a trade which backfired.
BART STARR (1975-80) - After five years as head coach and GM, Starr had a record of 31-57-2. The Executive Committee stripped him of the GM role following a 5-11 record in 1980, and the position remained open for seven years.
TOM BRAATZ (1987-91) - Other than a productive draft in 1990, Braatz, whose official title was Executive Vice President of football operations , accomplished little in his tenure, and was fired in the middle of a 4-12 season.
RON WOLF (1991-2001) - Wolf acted quickly as the new GM, firing Lindy Infante, hiring Mike Holmgren, and acquiring Brett Favre in his first six months. For most, his tenure was the most successful as a GM in Green Bay.
MIKE SHERMAN (2001-05) - By the end of Sherman's dual tenure, the debate over having one person in both roles was raging again. Team CEO Bob Harlan restructured the team's football operations, and removed Sherman as GM after the 2004 season.
TED THOMPSON (2005-2018) - Thompson has definitely left his fingerprints on the franchise - firing Sherman one year after taking over as GM, ushering in the end of the Brett Favre era, and trying to restore the Packers to Super Bowl contention. While not always popular with the fans, he has become best known as being allegedly adverse to free agency and trades, preferring to build the team through the draft. Thompson has already brought home one Super Bowl trophy, and has the team in position to contend for even more hardware for the trophy case.
BRIAN GUTEKUNST (2018 - Now) - He originally joined the team in 1998 and served as a scout and assistant executive before being promoted in general manager in 2018. He was promoted to director of player personnel in March 2016. In January 2018, Packers general manager Ted Thompson, who had been recently diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disorder, assumed a reduced role and named Gutekunst to the position after interviewing other internal candidates.
NAME NO POS HGT WGT COLLEGE YR PR A G HOW ACQUIRED
Dick Afflis 75 G 6- 0 250 Nevada 4 4 25 12 1951 Draft-16th
Al Barry 63 G 6- 2 225 USC 1 1 23 12 1953 Draft-30th
Buddy Brown 62 G 6- 1 225 Arkansas 2 4 27 12 1953 FA-Wash (52)
Al Carmichael 42 HB 6- 1 190 USC 2 2 25 10 1953 Draft-1st
Fred Cone 31 FB 5-11 200 Clemson 4 4 28 12 1951 Draft-3rd
Bobby Dillon 44 DB 6- 1 180 Texas 3 3 24 12 1952 Draft-3rd
Carlton Elliott 80 E 6- 4 230 Virginia 4 4 26 12 1950 Draft-13th
Howie Ferguson 37 FB 6- 2 210 No College 2 2 24 12 1953 FA
Bill Forrester 69 DT 6- 3 235 SMU 2 2 22 12 1953 Draft-3rd
Bob Garrett 15 QB 6- 1 198 Stanford 1 1 22 9 1954 Trade-Cleve
Dave Hanner 77 DT 6- 2 260 Arkansas 3 3 24 12 1952 Draft-5th
Jerry Helluin 72 DT 6- 2 280 Tulane 1 3 25 12 1954 Trade- Cleve
Billy Howton 86 E 6- 2 190 Rice 3 3 24 12 1952 Draft-2nd
Art Hunter 70 T 6- 4 240 Notre Dame 1 1 21 12 1954 Draft-1st
Joe Johnson 40 HB 6- 0 185 Boston College 1 1 24 12 1953 Draft-11th
Gary Knafelc 84 E 6- 4 205 Colorado 1 1 22 8 1954 FA-Cardinals
Gene Knutson 81 E 6- 2 205 Michigan 1 1 21 12 1954 Draft-10th
Bob Mann 87 E 5-11 175 Michigan 5 7 30 3 1950 FA-Detroit
John Martinkovic 83 DE 6- 3 245 Xavier 4 4 27 12 1951 Trade- Wash
Max McGee 88 E 6- 3 203 Tulane 1 1 22 12 1954 draft-5th
Lou Mihajlovich 41 E 5-11 175 Indiana 1 1 29 3 1954 FA-Detroit
Don Miller 20 DB 6- 2 195 SMU 1 1 22 1 1954 FA
Jim Psaltis 48 HB 6- 1 190 USC 1 2 26 11 1954 FA-Cards (53)
Floyd Reid 24 HB 5-10 190 Georgia 5 5 27 12 1950 FA-Bears
Jim Ringo 51 C 6- 1 230 Syracuse 2 2 24 12 1953 Draft-7th
Tobin Rote 18 QB 6- 3 205 Rice 5 5 26 12 1950 Draft-2nd
Steve Ruzich 61 G 6- 2 230 Ohio State 3 3 25 12 1952 FA
Clarence Self 28 DB 5- 9 185 Wisconsin 2 5 28 12 1954 FA-GB (1952)
Dave Stephenson 53 G 6- 2 225 West Virginia 4 5 28 12 1951 FA-LA (1950)
Veryl Switzer 27 HB 5-11 190 Kansas State 1 1 22 12 1954 Draft-1st
Len Szafaryn 68 G 6- 2 225 North Carolina 3 4 26 12 1950 Trade- Wash
Deral Teteak 66 LB 5-10 210 Wisconsin 3 3 24 6 1952 Draft-9th
Clayton Tonnemaker58 LB 6- 2 240 Minnesota 3 3 26 12 1950 Draft-1st
Val Joe Walker 47 DB 6- 1 179 SMU 2 2 24 10 1953 Trade-NY
Gene White 88 DB 6- 2 205 Georgia 1 1 24 8 1954 FA
Roger Zatkoff 74 T 6- 2 215 Michigan 2 2 23 12 1953 Draft-5th
NO - Jersey Number POS - Position HGT - Height WGT - Weight YR - Years with Packers PR - Years of
Professional Football AGE - Age at Start of Season G - Games Played FA - Free Agent
1954 PACKERS DRAFT (January 28, 1954)
RND-PICK NAME POS COLLEGE
1a - 3 Art Hunter T Notre Dame
1b - 4 Veryl Switzer (A) HB Kansas State
2 - 15 Bob Fleck T Syracuse
3 - 27 George Timberlake G USC
4a - 39 to Washington Redskins for Johnny Papit
4b - 40 Tom Allman (B) FB West Virginia
5 - 51 Max McGee E Tulane
6 - 63 to Detroit Lions for Gus Cifelli
7 - 75 Sam Marshall T Florida A&M
8 - 87 Jimmie Williams T Texas Tech
9 - 99 Dave Davis E Georgia Tech
10 - 111 Gene Knutson E Michigan
11 - 123 Ken Hall E North Texas State
12 - 135 Bill Oliver HB Alabama
13 - 147 Mike Takacs G Ohio State
14 - 159 Dave Johnson HB Rice
15 - 171 to San Francisco 49ers for Ben Aldridge
16 - 183 Desmond Koch HB USC
17 - 195 J.D. Roberts G Oklahoma
18 - 207 Emery Barnes E Oregon
19 - 219 Ken Hall C Springfield
20 - 231 Herbert Lowell G Pacific
21 - 243 Art Liebscher HB Pacific
22 - 255 Bill Buford T Morgan State
23 - 267 Clint Sathrum QB St. Olaf
24 - 279 Marvin Tennefoss E Stanford
25 - 291 Jack Smalley T Alabama
26 - 303 *-Ralph Baierl T Maryland
27 - 315 Hosea Sims E Marquette
28 - 327 Evan Slonac FB Michigan State
29 - 339 Jerry Dufek T St. Norbert
30 - 351 Terry Campbell QB Washington St
A - from New York Giants (1953) B - from Baltimore Colts * - Juniors
BOLD - Played for the Packers
1954 PACKER TRANSACTIONS
JUNE 23 - Traded 1955 4th round pick to CLEVELAND for DL Jerry Helluin
JUNE 27 - Signed E Gene White and E Wayne Hopkins.
AUG 5 - Traded QB Babe Parilli and OT Bob Fleck to CLEVELAND for QB Bob Garrett, OT John Bauer, DB Don Miller and OT Chester Gierula. Signed E Lou Mihajlovic off waivers from DETROIT.
SEPT 20 - Traded OT John Bauer to NEW YORK for 1955 20th round pick. Released QB Elroy Falkenstein, FB Clyde Sanders, HB Bub Roffler, HB Evan Slonac, HB Tom Pagna, LB Nick Adduci, LB Lou Mihajlovich, LB Mike Maccloli, G Dick Doleman, G Mike Takacs, C Charles Grant and E Hosea Sims.
OCT 4 - Released DB Don Miller. Signed E Gary Knafelc off waivers from CHICAGO CARDINALS.
NOV 10 - Placed DB Gene White on injured reserve. Signed LB Lou Mihajlovich.

TWO PACKERS TO NCAA PARLEY
JAN 4 (Green Bay) - Verne Lewellen, new general manager of the Packers, and Jack Vainisi, Packer scout and office assistant, will fly to Cincinnati Tuesday to attend the 48th annual convention of the NCAA. The Packer representatives will get first-hand information from the various coaches on players the Packers intend to select in the annual college player draft, Jan. 28...Vainisi reported today that Bobby Dillon, the Packers' defensive back who injured both knees in the Thanksgiving Day game against Detroit, is recuperating from an operation on one of his knees in Temple, Tex. The cast will be removed Tuesday.
IT'S STILL $64 QUESTION: WHO WILL BE NEW COACH OF PACKERS?
JAN 5 (Green Bay) - Contents of today's Pro Football Book: 1 - Lent is Almost Over, 2 - Lewellen Leaves Oil, 3 - Alumni Get Set, 4 - Iron Mike...CHAPTER I: Come tomorrow, the Packers will have been without a head coach for 40 days and 40 nights - a pretty long "fast". During the period of no sweets, etc., Packer fans have been busy imagining the big day - when they (the Packers) announce the new head coach. If you'll pardon some shop talk, we've had the big type polished off for some time now. As the big day approaches (it should be soon), nobody seems to have anything concrete on which to chew - or rather discuss. Names are a dime a dozen. During the bowl period over the holidays, naturally the names of the bowl coaches were being kicked around. Closest to home among this group is Biggie Munn, coach of the Michigan State Rose Bowl champions. Munn, so the press wires say, will become athletic director at MSC and his line coach will become

head coach. People want to know, "Why?" Could be that Biggie can earn more money as athletic director. He can get away from pressure!! Yet, Munn is at the height of his career! He could reach a new pinnacle as a pro coach! Stuff like that there is what's making the rounds. Then there's Bud Wilkinson. He's set for 10 years at Oklahoma. Yet, we see by the papers that he talked with the Minnesota people. Don't make sense. Why does he even talk with somebody else if he's not interested. Jim Tatum, the big man from Maryland, gets his name mentioned in some of our better joints. So do Ivy Williamson of Wisconsin and Liz Blackbourn of Marquette. There are literally "hundreds" of other guys. Fellers without a big national name, but, who a lot of people think, might have the goods to produce in pro ball. Tom Hearden, the ex-St. Norbert and East High member now freshman coach at Wisconsin, is in this group. Tom has never coached a loser. Some people point to Hugh Devore, the former Notre Damer who worked as an assistant last year, and Ray McLean, a Packer assistant for three seasons. The argument for Devore especially is merely this: "We know what we go, let's give him a try instead of bringing in somebody new." On the other hand, you get this: "Let's start fresh. Get a whole new bunch." At any rate, the entire business is making this a rather hot and interesting offseason...CHAPTER II: Verne Lewellen officially started his duties as Packer general manager today - up in the air. Lewellen and Jack Vainisi, Packer scout and office aide, left by plane this morning for Cincinnati where they'll attend the 48th annual national collegiate convention. Lewellen was given the royal good wish by his former employer, Standard Oil, at a banquet at the Hotel Northland yesterday noon. Nearly 30 officials of the Green Bay branch officer, where Verne worked since 1942, attended and roundly toasted the onetime Packer star. Brief talks were given by Russ Bogda, Packer president, and Standard Oil officials J.J. Hoffmeister, who acted as toastmaster, H.J. Hilliard, S.F. Armstrong, E.I. Boldon and John McCabe. The meeting was highlighted by reading by Boldon of a poem written especially for the occasion by W.W. (Bob) Griese of Green Bay. Lewellen said that his main job will be to "change the thinking of the players and the thinking of the fans; the danger last fall was that fans had become complacent and the players many times did not have the oldtime Green Bay spirit."...CHAPTER III: John Biolo, former Packer guard and presently assistant West High football coach, was named president of the packer Alumni association at its monthly meeting at the Beaumont Hotel last night. He succeeds Al Rose. Other new officers are Bernard Darling, vice president; J.A. (Gus) Rosenow, secretary-treasurer; and Al Petcka, sergeant at arms. The board of directors is composed of Charley Brock, Jug Earp, Biolo, Darling, Rosenow and Rose. The association voted to extend its congratulations to the Packers in their selection of a general manager and decided to study the Quarterback club position...CHAPTER IV: A famed former Packer, Iron Mike Michalske, was mentioned today as a possible successor to Ray George, head football coach at Texas A&M. Mike presently is line coach at that school. He joined George last fall after serving under former Packer George Sauer at Baylor. Another coach mentioned for George's job is Jules V. Sikes, former Kansas coach.
NOT EVEN GOOD RUMOR ON NEW PACKER COACH
JAN 6 (Green Bay) - Up to noon today, there was no official word - not even a good rumor - on the $64 question: Who will be the new head coach of the Packers? Speculation heightened as college coaches from all over the country met in Cincinnati today in the 48th annual convention. There was no pro news out of that center, but most of the clubs in the NFL, including the Packers, had their agents present. Whether the Packers are searching for a coach in Cincinnati, of course, is unknown, but Packer general manager Verne Lewellen and Packer scout Jack Vainisi are in attendance there. The meetings afford them with an opportunity to discuss with the college coaches the talents of players they intend to draft at the pro parley Jan. 28.
HUGH DEVORE NAMED GRID COACH AT DAYTON
JAN 6 (Cincinnati) - Hugh Devore, assistant football coach of the Green Bay Packers the past season, Wednesday night was named head coach at the University of Dayton, succeeding Joe Gavin, who has resigned. Devore, 43, who will begin his 20th year in the coaching field, was appointed by Dayton Athletic Director Harry Raujan here for the NCAA's annual convention. The soft-spoken Devore was co-coach with Ray McLean for the Packers' last two games of the 1953 season following the resignation of Gene Ronzani. It was understood he was among those being considered for the head coaching job with the Packers. Devore, who taught Green Bay ends last year, played at Notre Dame, where he was graduated in 1934. From 1935 to 1937, he was an assistant to Frank Leahy at Fordham. In 1943, Devore returned to Notre Dame was an aide to Leahy and assumed head coaching duties in 1944, when the Irish coach entered military service. His team won seven, lost two and tied one. In 1946, he was named coach at St. Bonaventure College, where his teams won 25, lost nine and tied once in four seasons. He switched to New York University in 1950 and remained until the Violets abandoned big time football. Devore also coached at Fordham, Providence and Holy Cross.
MAY JOIN STEELERS
JAN 6 (Green Bay) - Gene Ronzani, deposed coach of the Green Bay Packers, is weighing an offer to join the staff of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
RONZANI MAY BE CARDINALS AID
JAN 6 (Chicago) - An exclusive story in the Chicago American stated Thursday that Gene Ronzani, deposed coach of the Green Bay Packers, is in line for a job as assistant to Joe Stydahar of the Chicago Cardinals. Stydahar is expected to drop all three of his present aids and will sign Ray Richards and Bob Snyder along with Ronzani, the story added.
LISLE BLACKBOURN NAMED HEAD COACH OF PACKERS
JAN 7 (Green Bay) - Lisle W. (Liz) Blackbourn is the head coach of the Packers! The 54-year-old head football coach at Marquette university agreed to terms today at the NCAA meeting in Cincinnati, where he conferred with Verne Lewellen, the Packers' general manager. Blackbourn signed a three year contract. Thus, the fortunes of the Packers were placed in the hands of a "college man" - a new twist in the 35-year history of one of the oldest clubs in the NFL. Blackbourn is the third coach in the organization's colorful life. Curly Lambeau founded the team and head coached it for 30 years, leaving in February of 1950. Gene Ronzani took over that year and missed four complete seasons by two games, resigning last Nov. 27. Appointment of the new coach was made by the executive committee of Green Bay Packers, Inc., Wednesday night and final arrangements were made in Cincinnati this morning. Blackbourn's selection ends more than 40 days of work by a Packer screening committee, which interviewed coaching prospects all over the nation. Among the highly-considered candidates was Hugh Devore, assistant coach of the Packers last year who along with Ray McLean co-coached the Packers in their last two game last fall. Devore, however, signed a contract last night to coach Dayton university. Blackbourn comes to the Packers highly recommended by contemporaries in the coaching profession as a rigid fundamentalist, a strict disciplinarian and a leader who has the ability to get the most out of his players. His teams have always been noted for their crisp blocking and tackling. The new coach is entirely a native Wisconsin product, as he was born in Lancaster 54 years ago, attended public school there and then starred in football for four years at Lawrence college in Appleton, captaining the team in his senior year. After he graduated from Lawrence in 1925, he became head football coach and athletic director at Washington High in Milwaukee. In 22 years there, his teams won 140, lost 30 and tied six. His squads won 10 championships and tied for another. He retired at Washington in 1946 and became a full time scout and instructor for the University of Wisconsin. In 1948, he was named backfield coach at Wisconsin by Harry Stuhldreher. He was one of the leading candidates for the Wisconsin head coaching position when Stuhldreher left after the 1948 season, but lost out to Ivy Williamson. Blackbourn then became line coach under Frank Murray at Marquette in 1949, and advanced to the head coaching position in 1950, signing a five-year contract. In four seasons at MU, Blackbourn's teams won 18, lost 17 and tied four. Blackbourn gave Marquette a winning team his first year, snaring five, losing three and tying one. The school was in the midst of a drive for material during the next two seasons. The Hilltoppers compiled a 4-6-1 record in 1951, one of the losses being a 20-14 game with Michigan State. The Spartans had to score two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to win it. Material was still thin in 1952 as the freshman squad grew strong. The varsity made off with a 3-5-1 record, the highlight being a 21 to 0 upset victory over Boston College and Harry Agganis. The drive for material started to pay off in 1953, when Marquette won six, lost three against Wisconsin, Michigan State and Indiana by a total of nine points, and tied one. One of the stars of the club was Green Bay’s Dave Donarski, MU’s No. 1 fullback as a sophomore. Blackbourn gave up what might have been one of the best Marquette teams in history. Most of the 1953 players will return next fall – plus a host of promising newcomers, including Green Bay’s Lee Hermsen, who already has been rated as a prospective Marquette all-timer. Blackbourn used the straight T-formation at Marquette in his first three years there and then shifted to the split T last fall. His Marquette teams have always made considerable use of the pass. Blackbourn, a stocky, gray-haired man, is considered a versatile coach, usually installing the system that best first his material. He was one of the few coaches of major schools who applauded the decision to abandon two-platoon football last year. Blackbourn countered the one-platoon play by training two full teams and substituting a full squad instead of one or two players. Blackbourn was active throughout Milwaukee and Wisconsin in his efforts to “outdo” his friendly rival at the University of Wisconsin, Ivy Williamson. And off the performances of 1953, Blackbourn was approaching the period he might battle Wisconsin on even terms. In his drive to build up Marquette football, Blackbourn developed the Marquette Minute Men, an organization of some 200 leading businessmen who backed Marquette's athletics, and also the Marquette Quarterback club. He is well known throughout the state because of the numerous personal appearances he had made since going to Marquette, and as head coach of the state high school coaches association for a number of years he was at Washington High. Blackbourn is married and has two sons. He and his wide, Maryland, and son Charles currently live in Milwaukee. His son, Lisle, Jr., operates the family farm at Beetown. He is expected to move his home to Green Bay in near future.
MU CAMPUS STUNNED
JAN 7 (Milwaukee) - Marquette campus was stunned with the word that the popular football coach Liz Blackbourn was leaving to become head coach of the Packers. "We're terribly sorry to lose 'Liz'," said the Rev. Clarence J. Ryan, S.J., chairman of the Marquette Athletic Board, "but we're glad to see him get the opportunity with the Packers. He is an outstanding coach and we at Marquette wish him the very best in his new venture."

'NO TIME TO WASTE' - LIZ BLACKBOURN
JAN 8 (Green Bay) - "There is no time to waste..." "I will be up there Monday and start looking at pictures of all of the Packers' games last fall to ascertain the club's needs..." It was Lisle W. (Liz) Blackbourn, the Packers' new head coach, speaking via telephone from Cincinnati where he's attending the NCAA convention with Packer general manager Verne Lewellen and Packer scout Jack Vainisi. Packer officials figured Blackbourn would need at least a week to clean up affairs at Marquette but Liz said. "I am leaving here Friday afternoon (Cincinnati) and can finish up detail at Marquette Saturday and Sunday. I'll drive up to Green Bay and be ready to go early Monday morning," Blackbourn said. Liz said he wanted to make his observations as to the player needs of the Packers and planned to do it by making a "minute study of the films. After that I can discuss player problems with others who were close to the team last year," he added. Blackbourn expects to have a good line on the material needs when he goes to the NFL draft meeting in Philadelphia Jan. 28. Preliminary arrangements for the draft have been made by Vainisi and discussions between Vainisi, Lewellen and Blackbourn were started shortly after the announcement of Blackbourn's appointment yesterday. Liz said he could not comment on the club's playing personnel "because I'm not familiar with the players." The new mentor said he saw a number of the Packers' games on television last fall and the first halves of the club's games in Milwaukee. "The first halves?" we asked. "Our pictures (Marquette games) always came in about 3:30 on Sunday afternoons and we always started preparing for next week's games as soon as those films arrived." Thus, Blackbourn indicated that he wastes no time whatsoever in preparing for future games. And this comment yesterday from Ted Carpenter,

Marquette publicist, can be added: "Liz is a farm boy to start with and he's used to getting up early and working late. With Liz as head coach, we had the hardest working staff in college football." Blackbourn is overwhelmed by the opportunity to coach professional football. He led off his conversation yesterday, "I've always been tremendously interested in the Packers and I'm flattered to have the opportunity." Blackbourn said he is preparing himself to recognize the different problems encountered in professional football - selection of material, the draft, the style of ball, etc. "But I believer the game is still the same. There must be good blocking and tackling," he pointed, adding with a laugh "and the size of the ball and the field is the same as it is in college ball." One of Blackbourn's first tasks in Cincinnati was the hiring of assistants. "I can't name anyone in particular yet," he explained, "but I've made a few contacts with the prospects at the meetings here." The new head coach has been given a free hand in the selection of assistants." Speculation continued, however, today that one of Blackbourn's top choices as an assistant coach would be Tom Hearden, former East High and St. Norbert college coach and onetime Packer back. Hearden served as freshman coach at the University of Wisconsin last fall and will finish work on his master's degree there in February. It is known that Blackbourn and Hearden has had a number of conferences at the Cincinnati convention. The Packers still have a holdover from the 1952 regime - backfield coach Liz McLean, who is presently scouting the North-South camps at Mobile, Ala., for the Packers. McLean earlier scouted two other bowl games. McLean is due back here over the weekend. Before leaving, Ray agreed to be of assistance to the Packers until the coaching affairs were straightened out. Hugh Devore, who co-coached the Packers along with McLean in their final two games on the west coast, has signed as head coach at Dayton university...Blackbourn said he plans to move his family to Green Bay in June "after my boy graduates." His son, Charles, is an outstanding halfback at Washington High in Milwaukee where Liz coached for 22 years. "That boy is having quite a time trying to decide what college to attend," Liz laughed. The Blackbourn's oldest son, Lisle Jr., is running the family farm in Beetown. Incidentally, Blackbourn said he is undecided what to do about his weekly television show in Milwaukee, "The Coaches Room", over WCAN-TV. "I was supposed to start a series on basketball next Tuesday night," he said...Lewellen, reached in Cincinnati yesterday, said that "Liz will grow on our community and he's the type of man that will bring the Packers out of their present predicament." The new general manager said that the new mentor is "a really hard worker, a good organizer, a disciplinarian and a top public relations man."...Attorney Victor McCormick of Green Bay, long active in Marquette affairs, called the selection of Blackbourn as "an outstanding appointment". McCormick, a member of the Marquette University athletic board when Liz was hired as line coach in 1949 and a year later when he was named head coach, said, "I know the qualifications of Mr. Blackbourn very well and I'm sure he is an excellent choice as Packer coach." McCormick no longer is a member of the athletic board, but is now a member of the Marquette board of governors...Packer public relations chief Jug Earp expressed enthusiasm yesterday following the appointment of Blackbourn. "I used to bang heads against him in some scrimmages in Milwaukee years ago and I've known him ever since. He's just the man we need up here."
CHOICE OF BLACKBOURN CONFIRMS NEW APPROACH
JAN 8 (Milwaukee Sentinel - Lloyd Larson) - Selection of Lisle (Liz) Blackbourn as the new head coach of the Packers is the second and conclusive bit of proof of the new approach in Green Bay to the problem of competing on a basis of equality with the rest of the NFL. The choice, incidentally, was not as unexpected as the sudden announcement Thursday would indicate. Despite the pledge of secrecy on the part of the screening committee appointed to survey the field of possible successors to Gene Ronzani, it was known that Blackbourn was among those approached and seriously considered. First step in the reshuffle was the decision to hire a general manager for the first time in the club's long history. Verne Lewellen, himself a former Packer star and long vitally interested in the Packers' welfare, accepted the assignment to coordinate all activities and take over many of the duties handled previously by the unwieldy executive committee. Lewellen also had headed the screening committee. So he was well equipped to tackle his first big job when he became general manager - that of picking the coach. He had interviewed and checked on the qualifications of Blackbourn, among others, before becoming a full-time employee of the Packer corporation. The second phase of what can be called the modernizing program had to do with the type of background and experience to be considered most desirable. Would the Packer chiefs go for one with professional experience? Or would they move into the university field? Lewellen undoubtedly had a lot to do with it. But whatever the main influence, it soon became apparent that most of the big wheels leaned toward a coach who had been identified successfully only with college football. The history of Paul Brown at Cleveland and Buck Shaw at San Francisco - than whom there are no more respected coaches in pro bowl - surely played an important part in the thinking. Ivy Williamson, Bud Wilkinson, Jim Tatum and Bernie Bierman were among those high on the prospect list along with Blackbourn. In fact, it was significant that the name of coach long connected with pro football never did pop up. Hugh Devore, who was in the running from the state, had his first whirl at the play for pay business last year when he left the college ranks to become Ronzani's assistant. Surely that was a fresh approach for one of the charter members of the pro league - a club which has had only two coaches, Ronzani and Curly Lambeau. With the exception of one springtime assignment at Notre Dame, all of Ronzani's coaching apprenticeship was served in the Chicago Bears' organization. Lambeau, who founded the Packers, has spent his entire coaching life with the pros. Blackbourn, who did an outstanding job for Marquette in his four years on the Hilltop, will do the same for the Packers or break his neck in the attempt. He's that type - the Paul Brown type. Aggressive, thorough, painstaking, great capacity for and willingness to work and work some more. He plays strictly to win and makes no bones about it. All his staff members and players better plan on doing the same or else. Liz's background, in fact, follows the Brown pattern to a considerable degree - a dazzling record in high school, successful in the university field. The main difference is that fate decreed it should take him longer to get into rugged postgraduate competition. Although the actual job is brand new, the Packers and what they mean to this state aren't new to Blackbourn. He is a native of Wisconsin, gained his higher education in this state (Lawrence College), has spent his entire coaching life in this state, and, obviously, has been intensely interested in everything having to do with football in this state. So he moved into his new assignment, his greatest challenge, knowing what it's all about and what it will take to get the Packers' house in order. It's noteworthy that Liz tackles the big one at an age when few men are looking for new worlds to conquer. That denotes a fighting spirit which, in turn, means he and the Packers can go far together. Here's to them!
COLLEGE ALL-STARS TRIM HAWAII 11
JAN 8 (Honolulu) - Stanford's Bobby Garrett passed the College All-Stars to an 18-14 victory over the Hawaii All-Stars Friday night before 20,000 spectators in balmy Hawaiian weather. Garrett's pitching plus yeoman work from UCLA's Paul Cameron punched over three touchdowns in the first half. But the Hawaiians - although aided by six professionals - couldn't catch up. Outstanding player of the game, however, was halfback Skippy Dyer, a former Los Angeles junior college back, now with the Marines in Hawaii. His tricky open field running gave the crowd most of its thrills. The Hawaiian All-Stars made the only touchdown of the second half when Elroy (Crazylegs) Hirsch of the Los Angeles Rams took a sideline pass from Babe Parilli of the Green Bay Packers, shook off Cameron and went 25 yards for a touchdown in the third period.

HEARDEN NAMED PACKER AIDE
JAN 9 (Green Bay) - Green Bay's own Tom Hearden stepped into the Packer picture today. The one-time East High, Notre Dame and Packer halfback, who compiled a fantastic .840 won-lost record in 20 years of high school and college coaching, became the first assistant signed by head coach Lisle W. Blackbourn at the NCAA convention in Cincinnati yesterday. Hearden, 49, thus returns officially to the Packers after an absence of 26 years, though he had been vitally interested in his pro "alma mater" since he finished two Packer playing seasons in 1928. Both Blackbourn and Hearden are heading toward their home base. Blackbourn was to arrive in Milwaukee today, close out his affairs at Marquette Sunday and start to work here Monday morning. Hearden visited his brother, Peter, in Indianapolis Friday night and is expected here tonight. Returning last night from the Cincinnati parley were Verne Lewellen, the Packers' general manager who signed Blackbourn Thursday, and Packer scout Jack Vainisi. The only Packer representative "outstanding" is Ray McLean, the club's backfield coach for the last three seasons who will scout the North-South game in Mobile, Ala., this afternoon and then return here Sunday. McLean scouted two other bowl games during the holidays. McLean will make a complete report on the game in preparation for the club's draft and likely will review the past season with Blackbourn. McLean, who along with Hugh Devore co-coached the Packers in their last two games after the resignation of Gene Ronzani, agreed to assist the Packers in scouting the bowl contests and preparing for the draft. McLean's status with the Packers as to the future is unknown at the moment. Blackbourn has been given full authority to select members of his staff. McLean, onetime Chicago Bear halfback, came to the Packers in 1951, after serving as head coach for three seasons at Lewis college. Blackbourn and Hearden - once rivals as coaches at Milwaukee Washington and Racine St. Catherine, respectively - now combine two of the top coaching records in the country. Blackbourn's all-time head coaching mark is 158 victories, 47 losses and 10 ties in 26 years, while Hearden has compiled 126 wins, 24 losses and ties in 20 seasons. Between then, Blackbourn and Hearden have 284 victories, 71 losses and 18 ties - a percentage of exactly .800. Addition of Hearden adds to the college theme being introduced to the Packers who, especially in the earlier years, were known as "the pro team with the college spirit." Hearden was born in Appleton in 1904, but came to Green Bay as a youngster and attended St. Patrick and SS. Peter and Paul grade schools. He played three seasons of football at East High and captained the team in his senior year, 1922. Hearden enrolled at Notre Dame in 1923 and played with the varsity in 1924-25-26, co-captaining the Irish under Knute Rockne in his senior year. He graduated from Notre Dame in June of 1927 and, oddly enough, decided against coaching after Rockne recommended him as an assistant at Ohio State. Hearden joined the Packers in the fall of 1927 and played in six games, alternating with then head coach Curly Lambeau at right halfback. Incidentally, G.M. Lewellen was at left half that season. Hearden suffered injuries that kept him out of the other games. He returned to the club in 1928 but injuries again plagued him and he played in only two games. In 1929, Tom worked for the Chicago Surface Lines in Chicago and saw some action with the Chicago Bears at the same time. Hearden decided on a coaching career early in 1930 and took the job at Racine St. Catherine High. He remained there six years, compiling 34 victories, eight losses and six ties. Hearden "came home" in 1936 to take over the East High grid fortunes. He led off with three straight unbeaten seasons and had a state-record string of 36 victories going before losing to West 13-0 in the final game of 1939. In seven years at East, Hearden lost only three games - two in his final season (1942), and rolled up 51 wins and two losses. Tom became a lieutenant in the Navy during World War II and was named backfield coach under Don Faurot at Iowa Pre-Flight. After two seasons under Faurot, Hearden was named head coach of Iowa P-F but the war ended and the team was disbanded. Hearden signed as head coach at St. Norbert college in 1946 and posted 41 victories, 13 defeats and no ties. His Knight elevens had three unbeaten seasons, 8-0 in 1946, 7-0 in '50 and 6-0 in '52. Hearden resigned at St. Norbert a year ago and enrolled at the University of Wisconsin to complete work on his master's degree. Last fall, he worked as Wisconsin freshman coach. Tom married the former Miss Marion Moore of Green Bay in January of 1933 and they have three children, Sarah, 20, Tommy, 11, and Jimmy, 10. The Heardens reside at 1008 Doty Street.
NEW PACK COACH ARRIVES
JAN 11 (Green Bay) - Lisle Blackbourn came to Green Bay today for the first time in his new capacity as head coach of the Packers. The former Marquette university mentor, signed last Thursday to a three-year Packer contract, had expected to start "bright and early" this morning but last-minute details in Milwaukee plus tough driving conditions delayed his arrival until 11:55. The Packer office was buzzin' this morning as Blackbourn was awaited. Making his first appearance was Tom Hearden, the former East High and St. Norbert college coach, who was named backfield coach Saturday. Back from the NCAA convention in Cincinnati and launching the "new week" in Packer affairs were Verne Lewellen, the club's new general manager, and scout Jack Vainisi. Rounding out the office staff is the biggest of the lot - hefty Jug Earp, public relations chief. Also on hand to put out the welcome mat were Russ Bogda, club president, and John Torinus, a member of the Packer executive committee. Blackbourn was to be officially introduced at a luncheon meeting of the committee this noon. Also due in today was Ray McLean, the Packers' field goal since 1951 who scouted the North-South game for the Packers in Mobile, Ala., Saturday. McLean will make a report on prospects he observed in the game and likely will discuss the 1953 Packer season with Blackbourn. Interviewed in Milwaukee over the weekend by the press services, Blackbourn said he would probably name soon a new line coach who would help him select an end coach. "I think I'd like to discuss the selection of an end coach with the line coach," he said. Blackbourn said he was looking for a line coach who knew a lot about pass protection - "a man who could give us good instruction on protecting passers as we could get." The new coach revealed that he had interviewed seven or eight candidates for the line position at Cincinnati last week, but "we're going to be a bit slower in the selection for that position." Other immediate problems facing Blackbourn are going over game movies "for the purpose of observing our needs in the player draft" in Philadelphia Jan. 28 and talking over available players with Vainisi. Blackbourn said he would view the movies of Packer games in an effort to see "first hand where the thing broke down." He was referring to the Packers' 2-9-1 record last season...McLean planned to talk with Blackbourn this afternoon. The former Chicago Bear halfback and Lewis College coach said he had a "rough" time flying into Chicago from Mobile yesterday. "The warm front hit the cold front somewhere near Birmingham and it took us about an hour to finally land there; there were a lot of the North players in the same plane," McLean said. McLean arrived by train from Chicago at 9 o'clock this morning.
WELCOME MR. BLACKBOURN
JAN 12 (Green Bay) - The choice of Lisle Blackbourn to coach the Green Bay Packers, and Mr. Blackbourn's acceptance of the challenge offered by the professional football field, puts Green Bay in position to prepare adequately for the coming season. Mr. Blackbourn's record indicates that he has many of the qualifications needed for the leadership of the Packers. While Mr. Ronzani's departure appeared to have been dictated by many important considerations, it should be noted that he left the Packers in sound condition both physically and financially. The team had a good year at the box office and the finances are probably as good as they have ever been. The players, in spit of many reverses on the field, kept their spirit and there is certainly a sound foundation for future success. There are many Packer fans who, while agreeing that Mr. Ronzani's departure was necessary, will nevertheless declare that he came close, perhaps very close, to making a real success of his work here. The reports on Blackbourn are that he is a strong disciplinarian and a stickler for sound, fundamental football practices. There is indication that he gets the most out of the material he has available. Those are qualifications desirable everywhere and are winning qualifications when accomplished by the spirit of competition and the ability to lead.
CONFIDENCE! PRO PROSPECT 'PLAYED WITH KIDS AROUND OUR HOUSE,' LIZ
JAN 12 (Green Bay) - One of the five big, thick, ledger-type, loose leaf notebooks was opening on a table at the Packer office. Scout Jack Vainisi flipped it in the middle as Coach Lisle Blackbourn prepared to have his picture snapped. "Say, I know that young man," Blackbourn pulled back as a vicious-looking back looked up from a picture in the book. "He used to play with the kids around our house in Milwaukee; no, he never went to Washington (where Blackbourn coached for 22 years). He was quite a star at Pulaski High," Liz added. Blackbourn was looking down at a picture of Neil J. (Bull) Worden, the Milwaukee boy who plays fullback at Notre Dame. This coincidence, of course, made it easier for Blackborun to smile for the picture taking. Liz, Tom Hearden and Ray McLean had just spent a couple of hours looking at Packer game pictures of 1953 in the dark room below and the sudden exposure to daylight made it hard to produce smiles. Blackbourn isn't leaping at any draft ideas until he gets a good look at the Packer movies for the purpose of finding out for himself "what our needs are." He'll spend the next three or four days and possibly a week viewing the performance of each player in each game - most of the time in slow motion. It isn't any secret that Worden's picture and history appear in Vainisi's "ledger". The 185-pound piledriver is considered among the pros as the best pro prospect in the Notre Dame backfield, which also included the illustrious Johnny Lattner. Worden's picture and history likely are in every camp in the National league. Worden is 5-11 and appears on the stocky side, since he possesses powerfully-built legs. He was Notre Dame's leading fullback for the last three years. Worden participated in track, football and baseball at Pulaski. He was an all-city and all-state back in his senior year. Vainisi says he is looking forward to the draft and "we'll have all of the names of prospects at our fingertips at all times during the draft." The five big ledgers, classified according to position, contain the "meat" of the country's prospects - approximately 4,000 players. For the draft, the names of the players will be listed on large working cards in the order they are rated by coaches and scouts. Players drafted by other clubs will be scratched immediately from the cards, giving the Packers a quick look at "who's on first." Blackbourn made his first official appearance before the press' radio and television at a luncheon meeting at the Beaumont Hotel this noon. As a result, the new coach's first observations and impressions will emerge from that session. The former Marquette coach hasn't had much time to get his thoughts together for public presentation. He's bent on seeing the Packer films to better familiarize himself with the club and to draw some conclusion as to why the club skidded from a 6-6 record in 1952 to 2-9-1 in 1953...PRO PACKINS': Travis Tidwell, former Auburn star and ex-New York Giants, said at his home in Birmingham, Ala., that he plans to play in Canada next year. He has signed a contract with Carl Voyles, coach of the Hamilton, Ont., team. He played under Voyles at Auburn. Tidwell never did quite cut the buck in the NFL. He was badly treated by the Packers when they downed the Giants in a non-leaguer in Boston in 1950...Among the first to come in to see the new coach yesterday was Jim Coffeen, the Packers' "voice" at all home games. Coffeen, onetime Packer player himself, is feeling fine after a siege of illness that put him in the hospital for a short spell.

COACH EYES PACKER PASS PROTECTION, PLANS ON 'T', 3 AIDES
JAN 13 (Green Bay) - Babe Parilli and Tobin Rote, the Packers' two air arms - not to mention all of Packer fandom, will be happy to know that protection for the passer is high in the mind of Coach Lisle Blackbourn. Parill and Rote were tossed for losses totaling 280 yards - almost three times the length of the field - in 12 NFL games last year. Only the Chicago Cardinals and Baltimore Colts had their pitchers jarred back more yards. "I'm speaking from a spectator standpoint," Blackbourn reminded, "but I believe was a weakness in that department last fall." Blackbourn, addressing press, radio and television people at a luncheon at the Beaumont Hotel yesterday said, "you can't be too good in pass protection and at times there always seemed to be a weakness in it." And Verne Lewellen, Packer general manager, chimed in "even the Browns had trouble with their pass protection." He was referring to the manner in which the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions rushed Otto Graham in the Browns' last two games. Blackbourn, revealing that he is looking for a line coach, explained that "if he (the line coach) excels in anything I hope it will be the ability to teach protection for the passer." Thus, Blackbourn indicated that he expects to make full use of the Packers' air machine - a unit that won the National League passing championship in 1952 and skidded badly in 1953. In discussing formations, Blackbourn again indicated that he intended to keep the forward pass as his main weapon. "We'll use the T as our basic formation, with some features of the split Y. The splut T, which I used at Marquette last fall, won't be used exclusively because it is hard to develop and effective passing attack off that formation. We'll also use split ends, set flankers, etc.," he pointed out...Blackbourn said he plans to install a player grading system next fall. "We'll use those films and go over each player and find out the reason why this play or that play didn't work; each player will be graded accordingly, and we'll know exactly why some plays don't work," he explained. The coach visualized loss of a day as "a problem that will have to be worked out." He said, "at Marquette, we got films of Saturday's game on Sunday afternoon and we could go to work immediately. I understand that we can't get some of our Packer films until Tuesdays. We'd lost all of Monday and a good chance to have the boys graded for the start of practice Tuesday." Blackbourn and Backfield Coach Tom Hearden are getting a chance to "grade" the Packers in films of their 1953 games. "We're going backwards," Lisle laughed, "and gradually working toward the start of the season; then maybe we can compare some of the boys to their performance in 1952. We're halfway through the first quarter of the Los Angeles game and it's quite a job running that film back and forth and looking over each player on each play." In addition, Blackbourn said, "we've got to find out the club's overall plan for each game from the movies - plus the spirit and morale of the team." He said he was aware of the fact that there were some changes in the last two games which were co-coached by Hugh Devore and Ray McLean following the resignation of Gene Ronzani Nov. 27...On the matter of coaching, Blackbourn announced that he will operate with a fur-man staff - a backfield coach, a line coach, an end coach and himself. Tom Hearden already has been selected as backfield coach. Several prospects have been contacted for the job of line

coach, Lisle revealed, adding, "I want the line coach to have a hand in picking an end coach because their work is so closely coordinated." Hearden couldn't be at the luncheon. He is attending classes two days a week at the University of Wisconsin, Tuesdays and Thursday, working on his master's degree. Tom will finish his course at the end of the first semester late this month, after which he will devote full rime to his new work. "I got Tom as backfield coach as soon I possibly could. He's closely connected in this area, I've always admired him, he has one of the finest coaching records in the country, and he's a good, sound coach," Blackbourn told the group. Reviewing his brief period at the Packer office since reporting Monday, Blackbourn said that "Jack (Vainisi, Packer scout) has done on outstanding job and I'll be leaning on him plenty for information on all of the college prospects." Referring to GM Verne Lewellen, Blackbourn said, "I can't tell you how good it feels to work with Verne. Without him, it would have been a super human task - cold as I am - to come in here at this time."...The matter of a training site was discussed by members of the group and Lewellen said that "we're considering the matter carefully - training at home or away." The Packers trained at Grand Rapids, Minn., the last three seasons. Lewellen said he would be "happy if a training season at home could be worked out." However, he added quickly, "there are advantages and disadvantages to both training at home and away; we've had preliminary letters from schools and communities asking us about having the Packers train at their places next fall." Lewellen said that the Rockwood Lodge property, formerly owned and operated as a training site by the Packers, had been sold. The main building on the site burned down in January of 1950 and never was rebuilt.
GET JORGENSON IN BOWL? WEST CHOICE SUNDAY
JAN 14 (Green Bay) - If these first few paragraphs sound like a plug for Bud Jorgenson, it is! Several weeks ago, the Packers' Jug Earp - in the process of pounding the drums for the Packer-Ram game in Los Angeles, suggested this to Paul Schissler, promoter of the All-Pro Bowl game Sunday: "We have in Green Bay, Wisconsin a gentleman named Carl W. (Bud) Jorgenson, who happens to be the trainer for the Packers. Mr. Jorgenson also is dean of trainers in the NFL. He had been connected with the Packers for 30 years - practically since he was knee-high to a grasshopper. In the early years, he was assistant to trainer Dave Woodward, and when Dave passed on Jorgenson became the trainer. Now, Mr. Schissler, I think it would be a fitting idea for Bud to be a member of the Western division team." To make a long story short, Bud won't be in Los Angeles Sunday. The muscle work on the athletes, including Packers Dave Hanner, John Martinkovic and Clayton Tonnemaker, will be done by the trainers at the schools the teams are using as training headquarters. Schissler thought highly of bringing out Jorgenson but the promotor, working through the National League, has a limited budget which already had been set up the time Bud's name was suggested. It might be opined that Bowl officials also missed a bet by not selecting the Packers' find pass catching end, Bill Howton. As a rookie, Howton had a terrific season and he was a sure bet for last January's pro bowler. He thrilled the audience by catching an 87-yard touchdown pass, playing as a right halfback flanker. Howton came nowhere near matching his '52 play in '53, although an injury knocked him out of the first four games and put him at a handicap once he returned. However, we'll bet the presence of Howton Sunday would boost the ticket sales. The Eastern division, coached by Cleveland's Paul Brown, has 30 players and the Western division, in charge of Buddy Parker of Detroit, will have 31. The West was allowed an extra player when Commissioner Bert Bell decreed it would be an injustice if the Rams' Norm Van Brocklin or Y.A. Tittle of the 49ers was left off the team. All pros are compelled to show for the game unless disqualified for injuries. Kyle Rote of the New York Giants has been dropped because of hurts and Brown selected his young star halfback, Ray Renfro, to take Kyle's place. Each member of the winning team will receive $700 and each loser $500 - both plus expenses. The inaugural game in January of 1951 was won by the East 28-27 but West took the next two games, 30-13 and 27-7. West is favored to win its third straight Sunday. The game will be telecast over WBAY-TV, starting at 3 o'clock.
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS AT PACKER WELCOME
JAN 15 (Green Bay) - The program was completed today for the Public Packer Welcome at the Hotel Northland Saturday night. And prospects are good for a sellout crowd, according to Jerry Atkinson, chairman of the event. Only 65 of the 500 tickets, at $2.25 each, available were left this morning. The Association of Commerce, handling the sale, said that any remaining tickets will be placed on sale at the door Saturday night. At present, they may be purchased at the A-C. The big night has been planned as an official welcome for three new faces in the Packer picture - Head Coach Lisle W. (Liz) Blackbourn, General Manager Verne Lewellen and Backfield Coach Tom Hearden. For Blackbourn, it will be his first official introduction to Green Bay. A native of Lancaster, Wis., Blackbourn spent the past 26 years coaching in Milwaukee - 22 at Washington High and four at Marquette. He will be accompanied by Mrs. Blackbourn and one of his two sons, Charles, a senior at Washington High. Many distinguished guests will be present. Among them are the Rev. Max G. Barnett, vice president of Marquette university, Mayor Frank Ziedler of Milwaukee and the Rt. Rev. S.M. Killeen, Abbot, Premonatratensian Order. There is a possibility that Gene Autry, the nationally-famous radio, television and movie cowboy, will be present. Autry will be in town for a personal appearance at the Columbus club Saturday. He has been invited to attend the Packer welcome. The evening will open with a reception for press, radio and television people and other invited guests in the main dining room at 5:30. The main program will open with serving of dinner at 6:30 in the Crystal ballroom. From 7:30 to 8, there will be entertainment by Norm Dygon on the piano. The program, starting at 8, will be opened with remarks by Reynolds Challoner, president of the Association of Commerce. Atkinson, chairman of the AC's sports committee, then will take over as master of ceremonies. After community singing led by Hal O'Halloran, the following guests will be introduced: Father Barnett, Abbott Killeen, John Biolo, president of the Packer Alumni Assn,; Mrs. Mary McMillin Jacobs, president of the Womens's Quarterback club; Mayor Ziedler; Autry; newspaper, radio and TV people; and Mayor Dominic Olejniczak. As a climax, Packer president Russ Bogda will present Blackbourn, Lewellen and Hearden. A smoker in the main dining room will follow.
500 TO WELCOME NEW PACK REGIME
JAN 16 (Green Bay) - Nearly 500 fans will herald the start of the new Packer regime at a dinner meeting at the Northland Hotel at 6:30 this evening. A few tickets likely will be available at the door. It will be an official welcome for Lisle W. (Liz) Blackbourn, the Packers' new head coach, Verne Lewellen, new general manager of the club, and Tom Hearden, new backfield coach. Since Lewellen and Hearden are familiar faces in these parts, the program also will serve as the official introduction of Blackbourn, the former Milwaukee Washington High and Marquette university mentor who was named Jan. 7 to succeed Gene Ronzani. Also to be presented to the community will be Mrs. Blackbourn and one of their two sons, Charles - senior at Washington High. Their other, Lisle, Jr., is at the family farm in Beetown, Wis., and will be unable to attend. Talks by the three men will climax the after-dinner program. They will be introduced by Packer President Russell W. Bogda. A number of distinguished guests will be on the program. Among them are the Rev. Max G. Barnett, vice-president of Marquette, and the Rt. Rev. S.M. Killeen, Abbott, Premonstratensian Order, and Mayor Frank Ziedler of Milwaukee. There's an outside chance that Gene Autry, the famous movie, radio and television cowboy, may make an appearance. He's in town today for a performance at the Columbus Club, and has been invited. Among others to be presented by Master of Ceremonies Jerry Atkinson, will be John Biolo, president of the Packer Alumni Assn., Mrs. Mary McMillin Jacobs, president of the Women's Quarterback Club, and newspaper, radio and television people. The opening remarks will be made by Reynolds Challoner, president of the Association of Commerce. There will be community singing led by Hal O'Halloran and entertainment by Norm Dygon at the piano.
PROS IN BOWL GO SUNDAY
JAN 16 (Los Angeles) - The 1953 football wars, lopping over just a bit into 1954, finally come to an end Sunday when the finest professionals of the NFL engage in the fourth annual Pro Bowl game in Memorial Coliseum. The contest, expected to attract upward of 35,000 fans, pits 31 selected players of the Western conference against a like squad of the Eastern conference. It will be televised nationally over the Dumont system. The kickoff is slated for 3 p.m., Green Bay time. The game will be carried over WBAY-TV. The Westerners, with a three-decker passing staff of Bobby Layne, Norm Van Brocklin and Y.A. Tittle, and a brilliant array of receivers, plus a seemingly superior ground attack, is favored to win by at least a touchdown. Hoping to upset such calculations, however, are such equally excellent stars of the Eastern team as passers Otto Graham and Bobby Thomason, and such receivers as Pete Pihos, Dante Lavelli and Elbie Nickel. Leading ground gainers for the West include Joe Perry, Dan Towler, Tank Younger, Hugh McElhenny and Doak Walker. The East can field such runners as Ray Renfro, Harry Jagade, Lynn Chandnois, Johnny Olszewski and Frank Gifford. The West, handled by Buddy Parker, coach of the champion Detroit Lions, will be seeking its third straight victories. Packers with the West team are Clayton Tonnemaker, tackle Dave Hanner and end John Martinkovic.

COLD OUTSIDE? PACKER SPIRIT STARTS TO BOIL
JAN 18 (Green Bay) - Packer spirit continued to boil today as the "hard corps" of Packer fandom spread the word about Saturday night's heart-gripping welcome for the new regime. And it seemed quite coincidental, in response, that the Packers' hottest preseason pep party was held on the coldest night of the year. Packer spirit had been very cold last season, but there was every indication today that things were warming up. The mercury was plunging to 19 degrees below zero outside the Northland Hotel when 500 fans, who paid $2.25 per plate for the opportunity to be present in the Crystal ballroom, unleashed a standing three-minute ovation as the new head coach of the Packers, Lisle W. (Liz) Blackbourn, was presented. It appeared evident that this nucleus of Packer Backers was certain that the Packers were on the right track - on the way back. Verne Lewellen, the cub's new general manager, had just given a stirring address, tracing the start of the real Green Bay spirit, professional football, the needs of the club and plans for the future, when he suddenly introduced Blackbourn. The new head coach, a veteran of literally thousands of speeches, tributes, tense moments and games, seemed to stand in shocked, choked pleasure as the big gathering applauded him. Blackbourn immediately expressed his thanks, saying, in a clear, sharp voice, "It was tremendous to have been so warmly greeted." He added, "You are a fine, bolstering influence on me - and certainly the hard corps of Packer fans." Since Lewellen already had outlined the aims of the club, Blackbourn cited the "tremendous thing this Packer football is to Green Bay." For instance, he said, "we have a group (the Packers) of football players who represent the highest standards in the game; one of the greatest things resulting from this association is the example that these players set for the youth of the city." The mentor said that "the conduct of the Packers is the responsibility of the coaches in our community." Blackbourn told the audience that "I am going to have some good men to lean on, and I'm happy that Verne is on my side." He added, "I am certainly glad that Tom Hearden is on our staff." Mention of Hearden's name brought an immediate handclap from the fans. And Blackbourn added, "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em." He was referring to their rivalry as high school coaches. Hearden said he had known Liz for 20 years, "I know his methods and I know they are sound. He deserves the cooperation of all of the coaches, the players and the fans. You will hear little from me; I believe the head coach should do the talking." Touching on his high school rivalry with Blackbourn, Hearden recalled his first game (as coach at Racine St. Catherine) against Blackbourn (as coach at Milwaukee Washington), "I don't recall the score but I still remember Wally Cruice (who was in the audience) going for his sixth touchdown." Lewellen asked the fans: "Can we revive the old Packer spirit? What happened to this spirit from the standpoint of the loyalty of the fans and the player, himself?" The Bay GM answered his questions this way: "No one can tell me that the Packer spirit is dead. I believe it is merely lying dormant, waiting for someone to revive it. It can be revived to proportions we had never known in the past. We have gone beyond the horse and buggy stage. Today, pro football is big business. Spirit is not enough. There must be other things to keep us alive, such as keeping the Packer corporation in good financial condition, operating every department with efficiency which means letting the left hand knowing what the right hand is doing, and having a better team." Lewellen said he thought a better team could be obtained through "purchase and trade of players, the draft and increasing the abilities of the players." He pointed out that the present personnel of the Packers is being studies by the coaches as to the weaknesses and strength of the players. "Possibly some of the latent abilities of some of the players can be developed through proper instruction," he said. Lewellen declared that "we intend to get back to the teaching of fundamentals - blocking and tackling, condition and strict enforcement of training rules." In closing, Lewellen urged the fans "to revive that never-say-die spirit and let's have positive thinking - not negative." Other talks were made by Rev. Max G. Barnett, vice-president of Marquette university, Mayor Dominic Olejniczak, Packer publicity director Jug Earp, Alderman Charles Quirk of Milwaukee, Reynolds Challoner, president of the Association of Commerce; and Packer president Russ Bogda. Jerry Atkinson served as master of ceremonies. Many other people were introduced, including members of the press, television and radio, former Packers, Packer officials and Backers. Father Barnett spoke highly of Blackbourn and pointed out that "this is an occasion for rejoicing; we have come to know Liz as a man of honest intelligence and we at Marquette highly respect him in his dealings with the students, the faculty and the public." Olejniczak asked the fans to "get behind the new coach 100 percent; he deserves our every support." Challoner outlines the Packer changes that "were necessary" and pledged the support of the Association of Commerce. Packer officials received a score of congratulating messages. Abbott S.M. Killeen, unable to be present, wrote in part, "With these two men (Blackbourn and Hearden) I am sure that the highest hopes of the community will be attained." Other messages came from Ivy Williamson, head football coach at the University of Wisconsin; Con Jennings, Marquette athletic director; Charley Johnson, sports editor of the Minneapolis Star Tribune; Tex Reynolds, Racine columnist; Russ Winnie, manager of Milwaukee radio station WTMJ who handled the early Packer broadcasts, and many others. Stopping in early for few words was Gene Autry, the famous radio, movie and TV cowboy who was in town for two shows.
BROWNS TO WIN BONUS CHOICE?
JAN 20 (Green Bay) - The Cleveland Browns will win the bonus choice at the annual meeting of the NFL in Philadelphia next week. Without revealing our mystic powers, let's just explain that Paragraph 2 resulted from a combination of two theories: (1) That the rich get richer and (2) The Trend. Both reasons got hand in hand, so to speak, since it has been the trend for the rich to get richer, and, we might add, luckier. A year ago, for instance, the well-heeled San Francisco Forty Niners needed the bonus kick like they needed a hole in the head. But they won it from Green Bay, Chicago Cardinals, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and (ahem) Cleveland. The Forty Niners picked end Harry Babcock, umpteenth in a long line guys "just like Hutson." Harry wound up on defense. The year before, the Los Angeles Rams had just won the championship, and, you guessed it, they also won the bonus choice. They picked quarterback Bill Wade despite the fact that they already had Norm Van Brocklin and Bob Waterfield. Ditto hole in the head! In 1951, the New York Giants won the great Kyle Rote when their strongest suit was just fine. The year before, Detroit grabbed Leon Hart when the Lion muscles were starting to bulge. In 1949, the Philadelphia Eagles were still fingering their playoff pennants when Santa dropped in with Chuck Bednarik. Washington had the greatest, Sammy Baugh, in 1948 when Harry Gilmer came up as a bonus. Away back in 1947 when Commissioner Bert Bell thought up this pre-draft thrill, you'll never guess who won the first bonus choice. None other than the lucky Bears! George Halas' Monsters had just won the flag. But George's luck must have run out because the guy he picked, back Bob Fennimore, never did live up to expectations. All of the picks, except Fennimore and Wade, who likely will make his debut next fall after two years in service, turned out to be stars. Now, friends, you can see why rich Cleveland is a lead pipe cinch to win the bonus choice from Green Bay, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and the Cardinals. Unfortunately, we are unable to reveal - for sure, that is - the Browns' bonus pick. Offhand, we don't see any glaring weaknesses on that outfit. Best guess, though, is Bobby Garrett, the great Stanford quarterback who has been rated as "everybody's bonus pick". The Browns don't need a quarterback, what with Otto Graham and George Ratterman, but Bobby Boy would assure the Browns of "half a team" via the trade route. What are the Packers' chances of winning the bonus pick? That, to put it mildly, is most unpredictable - unless the trend changes or unless our luck changes. Maybe the Packers' new head, Liz Blackbourn, can change that luck. Liz is keeping his fingers crossed, too. Who would the Packers pick as a bonus if they won? There's no official word on that, but Blackbourn said the other day that he expected most clubs to pick Garrett. Bobby would be excellent insurance if Babe Parilli was called into service. If The Babe stays around, Garrett could mean half of somebody's line. Anyhow, keep the knuckles crossed!
'HINTERLAND' PLEASED WITH PACK REGIME, TOO
JAN 21 (Neenah) - The folks out in the hinterlands apparently are pleased with the new Packer regime - too! There was no doubt how the Green Bayites felt about the selection of Lisle W. (Liz) Blackbourn as head coach of the Packers at the big welcome banquet in Green Bay Saturday night. The reaction was the same at the Neenah Quarterback Club's seventh annual pork and beef festival for the Neenah High School football team. This was a big event. More than 500 people crowded the basement of St. Patrick's school and, as a climax, the great Red Grange delivered an address. The magic six-letter word - Packer - spiced the talks throughout the program. And to make it official, Packer publicist Jug Earp introduced "the new head coach of the Packers, a fella I'm positive will do a terrific job - Liz Blackbourn." The new Packer mentor paid tribute to the "greatest All-American present tonight - Mark Catlin, Sr," who was Lisle's coach at Lawrence college. "Somebody was saying something about desire here tonight," Blackbourn said, "and when that Catlin looked at you under those bushy eyebrows and those cold, gray eyes, you had desire." The other All-American present was Allan Ameche, Wisconsin's great fullback - not to mention Jimmy Miller, the sophomore who did such a fine job of directing the Badgers from quarterback last fall. "If you can't beat 'em, we'll join 'em," Blackbourn said, referring to Marquette's loss to Wisconsin last fall, "and I hope to see Allan in one year and Miller in two - in Green Bay." Tribute to Blackbourn and "best wishes" to him were made throughout the evening. Grange, undoubtedly reflecting the feeling in Chicago, where he's affiliated with the Bears in spirit, said, "I', sure you're going to have a fine team up there with Mr. Blackbourn as coach. We all wish him all the luck in the world." Mentioned Ameche, Grange said, "I hope that when Allan finishes his career at Wisconsin, he goes right up there - at Green Bay." Ameche said earlier in the evening that he planned to play professional football in 1955. "Ole No. 77" talked briefly about the intense rivalry between George Halas, coach of the Bears, and Curly Lambeau, founder and head coach of the Packers for 30 years. "Those two fellows never shook hands after a game. They just didn't believe in it, because they wanted to beat each other so badly." He spoke highly of the famous Packer-Bear feud and added that "Coach Blackbourn will certainly add fuel to the rivalry." Larry Clark, former Packer game sportscaster, served as master of ceremonies and introduced a number of guests. Among them was Jug Girard, the former Packer who moved to Detroit in time to get in on two world's championships. The Jugger wished the Packers and Blackbourn "the best of luck except on two Sundays every year." Asked by Clark what he did with his championship playoff check, Girard said that he bought a new car in Detroit, drove it home to Kaukauna and then "my wife smashed it up." Just to put a happy ending to the Girard story, the Jugger reported after the banquet that "we're starting to build a house in Kaukauna tomorrow; yeh, starting the basement." The Packers were well represented. Besides Blackbourn and Earp, there were scout Jack Vainisi and directors Max Murphy and Mickey McCormick. Blackbourn, incidentally, put in a rather trying day yesterday. He delivered an address in Stevens Point Tuesday night and developed motor trouble going home late in the evening. He was forced to stay in Appleton that night and remained there while his car was being repaired on Wednesday.

LINEMEN TOP PACK NEED IN DRAFT, LIZ DISCOVER
JAN 22 (Green Bay) - Packer coach Lisle Blackbourn has come to the conclusion that "our No. 1 need our of the draft is linemen." Starting his 15th day in the Packer chair today, Blackbourn pointed out: "Maybe that isn't news to you people who have followed your team so closely, but from the pictures we've looked over, I'd say that we've got to bolster that line. Of course, we'll take that top-notch back if we get the chance early - we can use some of those, too, but a stronger line would help us considerably. Just recall some of the contending clubs in the league; they've got, No. 1, good, big lines." Blackbourn has completed a preliminary look at Packer game pictures of 1953 - "enough to size up the situation as to our needs." Presently, he's going over names of prospective draft choices with Scout Jack Vainisi, talking via long distance telephone with Packer players, and working out draft strategy. Blackbourn isn't announcing his draft intention - as to names, for the simple reason

that it would be giving comfort to the enemy. Since the Packers are sitting in a good position in the first round, several of the opposing clubs would be anxious to know what Blackbourn has in mind...FIRST PICK FROM GIANTS: The Packers, for instance, could possibly win three players in the first round - two for sure. They're in the running for the bonus pick with Cleveland, Chicago Cardinals, Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Their own first round pick will be made after the Cardinals lead off (after the bonus ceremony). Since the New York Giants owe Green Bay their first round pick in the Arnie Galiffa deal, the Packers will get another shot in the third or fourth slot. Whether it's No. 3 or No. 4 will depend on the flip of a coin between the Giants and Baltimore, who finished in a deadlock last fall. Thus, if the Packers win the bonus and New York wins the flip, they can claim three of the first four picks in the country. That's the best they can do! In his preparation for the draft, Blackbourn came across several more problems. "That fast boy, Barton, won't be back; he's in the Army," Lisle said, recalling his speed in the Los Angeles game. Don Barton, an unheralded back from Texas, broke his ankle in the first non-league game last year and was forced to sit out until the last three league games. Blackbourn said that Steve Dowden, the offensive tackle from Baylor, has decided to give up professional football. Dowden came to the Packers in 1952 in the trade with Detroit for Jug Girard. He did exceptionally well in his first year, but remained home in '53 following a death in his family. On the brighter side, an effort is being made to return Ab Wimberly, the clever defensive end, to Packerland. Wimberly, who worked beautifully with giant John Martinkovic in 1952, coached at his alma mater, Louisiana State, last fall. During the course of a conversation at lunch yesterday, Blackbourn said that the name of the Packers' line coach would be announced sometime after the draft meeting. As he said earlier, "I'm still interested in getting someone who is familiar with the pro style of line play and someone who knows pass protection." The gentlemanly coach, asked about training sites, said he liked the idea of training at home. The Packers trained at Grand Rapids, Minn. in 1951-52-53. As to training itself, Blackbourn pointed out that "I'm not a great believer in secret practices all the time; they (the other teams) know what you've got. It's different, though, when you want to sew up defenses."
PACKERS TO GET 29 PLAYERS IN DRAFT - UNLESS
JAN 25 (Green Bay) - The Packers will get 29 instead of the standard 30 players out of the 1954 college player draft in Philadelphia Thursday. Unless they win the bonus choice! As a result of five deals during the past two seasons, the Packers will gain two choices – a first and a fourth – and lose three, a fourth, sixth and 15th. In other words, the Packers will give three for two. The only way they can come out even is by snaring the bonus in the pre-draft competition with Cleveland, Chicago Cardinals, Pittsburgh and Baltimore. While the Packers will come off with one less players (unless, of course) Coach Lisle Blackbourn has the advantage of an extra selection in the first round – well worth the loss of the 15th pick, the sixth or even both. That extra No. 1 pick resulted from deal with the New York Giants for quarterback Arnie Galiffa. With the first choice, the Packers also obtained defensive halfback Val Joe Walker. The Packers “gained” the fourth pick will be at the expense of Baltimore on the switch that sent rookie quarterback Bob Flowers to the Colts. Ironically, Flowers played under Fred Enke and was injured in the Packer-Colt game in Green Bay, going out for the rest of the season. The four lost choices are: No. 4 to Washington for halfback Johnny Papit, No. 6 to Detroit for tackle Gus Cifelli, and No. 15 to San Francisco for defensive halfback Bennie Aldridge. Papit stayed around long enough to score a touchdown against Los Angeles before being released. Oddly enough, Papit went back to Washington as a free agent when injuries wrecked the Redskin backfield. Cifelli, a regular at offensive right tackle on Detroit’s championship team of 1952, was obtained to fill the hole left by the retirement of right tackle Steve Dowden. Incidentally, Steve also came from Detroit – the previous year – in a trade for halfback Jug Girard. Aldridge went to camp with the Packers last fall and remained following the release of defensive halfback Clarence Self and Dan Sandifer after the fourth non-conference game. There will be considerable switching of draft choices Thursday as the “details” of various players deals are revealed – some for the first time. In one of the major trades, the Redskins obtained Don Doll from Detroit for second round draft choices this year and in 1955. One of the better defensive halfbacks in the league, Doll led the Lions’ defensive platoon in ’52 and with Washington last fall was named to the Eastern All-Star team for the Pro Bowl. What’s more, as a member of the Western All Stars in the 1953 Pro Bowl game, Doll was named the most valuable player…The Packer contingent is busy today with last minute details prior to leaving for the annual convention. Representing the Packers will be President Russ Bogda, General Manager Verne Lewellen, Head Coach Lisle Blackbourn, Assistant Coach Ray McLean, Scout Jack Vainisi and Attorney F.N. Trowbridge, a member of the executive committee. The group will fly out of Green Bay Tuesday morning and leave Chicago by plane at 1:30 in the afternoon. The parley will open Wednesday with preliminary meetings, including a rules session for the coaches and a discussion among club executives on television and radio. Trowbridge will represent the Packers in legal matters. The draft is scheduled to start at 9 o’clock Thursday morning, Green Bay time, although there is generally a delay of about a half hour. It will continue throughout the day and likely finish up about 2 or 3 o’clock Friday morning. For the first time in the history of the league, the draft meeting will be open to the press, radio and television. The scribes and ‘casters will be seated in a special section in the draft room.
NFL READY FOR 'FINEST' MEETING IN PHILADELPHIA
JAN 26 (Green Bay) - The Draft…Rules Changes…Television…College Worries…Player Limits…Franchise Changes…Canadian War…High uprights. Those items of official and unofficial business – to mention a few – will highlight the “finest” annual meeting of the NFL in Philadelphia, starting Wednesday and closing Saturday or Sunday. Commissioner Bert Bell feels this way about the offseason firing in the Bellevue Stratford Hotel: “We ought to have our finest meeting in several years. No one is mad at anyone else, everyone is happy – and the league’s attendance has increased 30 percent since 1949.” All of the opening day will be spent mulling over television before rewriting the league’s bylaws to conform with the federal court’s recent decision on TV and radio policies. Sitting in on this conference from Green Bay will be Packer President Russ Bogda, Attorney F.N. Trowbridge, a member of the Packer executive committee, and General Manager Verne Lewellen. During this interlude, the remaining three members of the Packer delegation, Head Coach Liz Blackbourn, Scout Jack Vainisi and Assistant Coach Ray McLean, will be making last-minute preparations for the college player draft, opening first thing Thursday morning. Television actually isn’t a problem anymore for the pros. In fact, it’s a pleasure what with the success the league had in ’53 with its Westinghouse contract providing benefits to every club in the league. The league’s lawyers will explain to the clubs the fine print in the federal court’s decision on TV and radio. The league feels that it won the suit, although the ruling sets forth that the league can no longer control radio broadcasts, nor can it control television in a club’s home territory while that team is on the road. Similar to the league’s policy, the ruling allows the league to blackout areas where a game is being played…The pros may get a complaint from college representatives, who are worried about the impact of pro television of Saturday night games – some of the just a few hours after college games. The colleges have learned that many out-of-town fans in some sections of the country will pass up a 75-mile day trip to see a college play in the afternoon when they can remain at home and watch a pro game over TV at night. The colleges are claiming that the pros are violating their unwritten rights by playing Saturday nights. This gripe likely will get little consideration from the NFL…Another item of resulting-from-television business, mostly unofficial, is the transfer of the Chicago Cardinals franchise to Buffalo, which held a berth in the old All-America conference. Since it take a unanimous vote to shift a franchise and since the Cardinals definitely aren’t interested in moving, this item of business likely will be relegated to the hotel corridors. Walter Wolfner, business manager of the Cards, said the other day, “We think Chicago is big enough, sportsminded enough, and its fans like pro football enough to support two teams. We are never going to move.” Television, of course, helped to increase the sentiment for moving the Cardinals. Road games of the Cardinals or Bears can’t be televised back to Chicago when one team is on the road and the other is home on the same day. Paul Brown of Cleveland and George Marshall of Washington already expressed themselves in favor of one-team cities. Buffalo officials, headed by attorney Abe Saperston, already have approached Bell on the possibility of receiving the Cards. But they won’t attend the meeting…The annual player limit fight – between the rich and the poor – probably will come up for discussion. There is considerable sentiment for increasing the limit from its present 33 plus the injured reserve list to a flat 35 and no injured reserve list. Under the present plan, clubs carried a couple of players as injured – some of them not serious, and managed to hide two or three others. Under the new program, players hurt would remain as part of the 35. If a new player was to be added to replace the injured one, the injuree would have to be placed on waivers and thus undoubtedly be lost to some other club. The well-heeled clubs all are in favor of a higher limit…The league probably won’t get too excited – at least not openly – about the Canadian league’s love for United States college stars. Bell stated that the league’s position recently when he pointed out: “All I have to say is that if Canada wants a war, they’ll get it. Canadian football is okay as long as the owners respect each other’s contracts and our contracts.” Canadian clubs have singed a number of American college and pro hot shots in the last few years, many of them already have returned. Bell is ready to announce several “requests” by stars to return to American football…At least four rule changes will up before the coaches in their meetings Wednesday. The changes, if favored, could come up for a vote later in the meeting. Bell’s pet – abolition of the extra point and use of a sudden death period to decide tie games – will be brought forth. Blackbourn is against the plan because he feels that it gives the clubs with great field goal kickers an advantage – the Browns, with Lou (The Toe) Groza, for one. Other changes would (1) partially return the pros to the college rule which makes the ball dead when any part of the carrier’s body touches the ground and (2) order an automatic loss of 15 seconds in the last two minutes of either half if an offensive man is hurt with the offensive man behind or the score tied. On Point 1, the proposed pro rule – unlike the college rule – would permit a ball carrier who slips in the open to get up and resume his advance. Only if actually knocked down by a tackler, although no longer in his grasp, would be a ball carrier henceforth be kept from advancing the ball. The purpose is to reduce injuries which piling so often produces. The Packers lost both of their offensive ends – Bill Howton and Bob Mann – for a total of six league games as the result of injuries receiving in piling after the advance had been stopped. No penalties were called in either case. Point 2 is proposed to do away with faking in order to prolong the playing time as Notre Dame did against Iowa last fall. The fake injury is a common practice among the pros but no games were decided by a false hurt last fall...The goal post change will be suggested by Ronald Gibbs, veteran National League referee, who feels that higher uprights will take the heat off officials on placekicks and tries for extra points that sailed high over goal. Occasionally a kick passing over an upright is too high to make an accurate call, he pointed out recently. In addition, observed from the angle of a grandstand seat, such kicks frequently look different than they do from the referee’s vantage point behind the kicker. Gibbs suggested raining the uprights “several feet”…A total of 361 players will be selected in the annual player draft. The odd “one” is the bonus choice, which will be fought for by Green Bay, Cleveland, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Chicago Cardinals. These five clubs will draw numbers out of a hat until the lucky one pops up. The winner will get his choice of any player in the country. Incidentally, the league likely will vote later on an amendment to kill the bonus choice after each team has won once. Drafting will start Thursday morning about 9:30, Green Bay time, and will continue far into the night until each club has made 30 selections. And to give fans a better picture of the draft, press, radio and television representatives have been invited to sit on the picking – first time in history!
PACK EYES LINEMEN, TOP BACK IN DRAFT THURSDAY
JAN 27 (Philadelphia-Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Like Packer Coach Liz Blackbourn said the other day: “Our main concern is linemen, but we won’t pass up a chance to grab a good back.” That, in part, reveals some of the Packer strategy to be used in the NFL’s annual draft opening in the Bellevue-Stratford hotel Thursday morning. Blackbourn also had stated earlier that everybody’s bonus choice would be Bobby Garrett, Stanford’s great quarterback. Thus, if the Packers win the BC in the kickoff against Cleveland, Baltimore, Chicago Cardinals and Pittsburgh, it can be assumed that Garrett would become a Packer. If the bonus choice (Garrett) goes elsewhere, it’s just about anybody’s guess as to the Packers’ next choice in the first round. The Packers will draw in the No. 2 slot behind the Cardinals and will receive the New York Giants’ No. 1 pick (made at the request of the Packers) to complete the Arnie Galiffa deal. The Giants will draft third or fourth, depending on the flip of a coin, with Baltimore. Since winning the bonus is strictly luck, Blackbourn isn’t making any great plans for Garrett. However, it’s a good bet the Packers will go for a top lineman and a top back in that first round – or possibly two forwards, if they don’t snare the bonus. This brings to mind several names – tackle Art Hunter of Notre Dame, end-back Steve Meilinger of Kentucky, tackle Bob Fleck of Syracuse, back Veryl Swtizer of Kansas State, back Johnny Lattner of Notre Dame, tackle Dick Chapman of Rice, guard J.D. Roberts of Oklahoma, end Tom Nickeloff of Southern Cal, tackle Ed Meadows of Duke, back Paul Cameron of UCLA, to mention a few. In working out their strategy, the Packer representatives are busy evaluating the needs of other clubs in the league – particularly the Cardinals. For instance, if the quarterback-lacking Cardinals don’t win the bonus, they’ll likely go for a QB as their No. 1 pick – possibly Bernie Faloney of Maryland. Which could leave Meilinger or Hunter or Switzer to the Packers. However, should the Cardinals win the bonus, they would pick Garrett and then follow with maybe Hunter or Meilinger. Meilinger, Hunter and Switzer, it might be guessed, are rated high by the Packer contingent. Meilinger, a six-foot-three, 220-pound specimen, is something of a horse. He already has played every position but guard and center. The onetime teammate of the Packers’ Babe Parilli was a junior offensive end when the Babe played as a rookie for the Pack – in 1952. After two games and two losses, Coach Bear Bryant switched him to quarterback and the Kentuckians won five of their next six games. Meilinger, in the single platoon last fall, played defensive end, offensive end and halfback and defensive halfback – not to mention linebacker in a pinch. He never stayed at one position long enough to gain All-America but ranks high in professional football notebooks. Hunter is a 5-4, 240-pounder with speed, who specializes in a position where the Packers need help – offensive tackle. This giant is only the third player in Notre Dame history to play three positions in three years; he performed at an offensive center as a sophomore, offensive end as a junior, and offensive tackle as a senior. Bernie Crimmis, the former Packers, played right half, fullback and guard, in that order, from 1939-41, and Marty Wendell was a fullback in ’44, center in ’46 and guard in ’47-48. Switzer stands 5-11 and packs 190 pounds and is considered one of the top two-way prospects in the country. ND’s Lattner isn’t rated exactly as the best pro prospect – especially on offense. The clutch runner, however, is being boomed as a great defensive halfback for the pros. Another Notre Dame player, fullback Neil Worden of Milwaukee, probably won’t last through the first round. Worden, who played with the kids around Blackbourn’s house as a youngster, is believed to be the best in a thin fullback crop. Worden, despite his light 192 pounds, has plenty of heart, power and savvy. Cameron, who packs about 200 pounds, also probably will go early. Besides being a strong runner, Cameron can throw the ‘skin – short and long. He runs a lot like the Packers’ Cecil Isbell – especially inside the tackles, reminded Packer publicist Jug Earp. While some of these names sound juicy, observers here figure that pickings will be slim this year because of the return of the one-platoon system in college football. Some of the boys who would have been defensive standouts couldn’t make the grade because they were lacking in offensive ability. And the same was true for good offensive prospects who were too weak on defense. Packer scout Jack Vainisi said that preparation for the 1954 draft has been more difficult “because a number of boys who were double platoon stars in 1952 were lost in the one-platoon shift and harder for the pros to find.” In the draft a year ago, the 12 clubs picked 78 juniors and sophomores who became eligible for pro ball because their classes would have graduated in 1953. “In other words,” Vainisi pointed out, “78 good boys are already lost for the draft tomorrow.” Most of the clubs are likely to grab off juniors in the later rounds Thursday for delivery in 1955. The Packers drafted six juniors a year ago, but one of them, tackle Bill Lucky of Baylor, had to be forfeited when the Packers were unable to prove his eligibility. Lucky will be eligible, however, for the draft tomorrow and the Packers may re-pick him. The other five are halfback Joe Johnson of Boston College, halfback Dick Curran of Arizona State, center Bob Orders of West Virginia, tackle Charles Wrenn of Texas Christian and blocking quarterback George Bozanic of Southern California. Wrenn, a 250-pounder, already is in service and won’t be around next fall. Johnson and Curran each stand six feet tall and pack 185 pounds, and are noted for their speed. Orders, former West Point star dropped from the Army in the cribbing scandal, weighs 220 pounds. Bozanic stands 6-2 and goes 210 pounds. Working out final details on the draft are Blackbourn, Vainisi and assistant coaches Tom Hearden and Ray McLean. Hearden was a last minute passenger yesterday after he was able to get away from his studies at the University of Wisconsin. Tom will receive his master’s degree next month. Participating in the discussions on television today were Packer president Russ Bogda, general manager Verne Lewellen and attorney F.N. Trowbridge, a member of the Packer executive committee.
DRAFT IMPORTANT? TEXANS MAY HAVE HAD ‘NIP ‘N TUCK’
JAN 27 (Philadelphia-Green Bay Press-Gazette) – How important is the college player draft? Maybe this story, something of a second guess by still amusing, can answer the question: Back in January of 1952, at the draft meeting in New York, the New York Yanks, who a few days later became the Dallas Texans, drew first in the draft due to its last place finish in 1951. Despite the fact that the Texans were desperately in need of a quarterback, they selected Les Richter, the linebacker from Southern California. In the second round, they picked up Gino Marchetti, a tackle-linebacker from San Francisco. In selecting Richter, the Yanks passed up the heralded Vito (Babe) Parilli of Kentucky, who was promptly chosen by the Packers. Then, in the second round, the Yanks overlooked Bill Howton of Rice, who was just as promptly nailed by the Packers. This passing combination, known as “Nip and Tuck” by the Packers, certainly would have given the Texans power they never were able to generate all season. And, come to think of it, had the Texans selected Parilli and Howton, it isn’t too far-fetched to believe the NFL still might have pro ball in Dallas. While the failure of pro ball in Texas was attributed to more than playing personnel, it’s for sure Parilli and Howton might have helped the Texans to a few more victories – possibly enough to heighten interest and keep the pay sport there. But, me well. The Packers got Parilli and Howton and defeated the Texans twice in ’52 and the Baltimore Colts (their successors) twice last fall, with Howton scoring six touchdowns in the four games. The draft is important!...Realizing the importance of the draft for the first time as head coaches will be Liz Blackbourn of the Packers, Weeb Ewbank of Baltimore and Jim Lee Howell of the New York Giants. Blackbourn, as explained in today’s draft story, has a definite plan based on reports on the 1953 club and close observation of the 1953 Packer film. Ewbank’s No. 1 need is a quarterback, while Howell must find some breakaway backs and offensive ends. And speaking of coaches, eight of the dozen head coaches in the NFL are “college men”, having had experience as head coaches or assistants at college and universities. The C-men are Hamp Pool of the Rams, Paul Brown of the Browns, Jim Trimble of the Eagles, Joe Bach of the Steelers, Buck Shaw of the Forty Niners and Blackbourn, Ewbank and Howell. The remaining four who came up through the pro ranks are headed by the veteran pro football fathers – Curly Lambeau and George Halas, and followed by Joe Stydahar and Buddy Parker…All this talk about drafting juniors has made a lot of people to wonder why some club doesn’t draft Al Ameche, the University of Wisconsin’s famed fullback. Ameche isn’t eligible for the draft tomorrow because his class doesn’t graduate until June of 1955. Al will play as a senior next fall. Juniors who are eligible to be picked in the draft stayed out of school for a year or two – in most cases for Uncle Sam’s service. Bob (Toughy) Young, the former East High star at Wisconsin, furnishes an example. Bob came to Wisconsin the same year Ameche enrolled; thus Young’s class will be graduated in ’55. However, Young will play as a junior in ’55 if he competes next fall. Bob remained out of school for a year due to illness. Incidentally, Ameche is interested in playing pro ball.
STEVENS POINT POSSIBLE TRAINING SITE
JAN 28 (Stevens Point) - Stevens Point remains a possibility as training site for the Green Bay Packers this summer. An informal committee will meet Friday and from that number representatives may be chosen to go to Green Bay and confer with the professional football team's officials. The city can offer the Packers an attractive setup at Central State college which has convenient facilities for living quarters and eating as well as practicing. An intrasquad game such as concludes the August drills could be viewed by more than 5,000 fans with the addition of bleachers in the end zones of Goerke Park. Wausau, Eagle River and Ripon have all taken steps to lure the Packers to their communities. Green Bay, itself, where for many years the Bays did their pre-season work at Rockwood Lodge, could turn out to be training headquarters again. And, though Grand Rapids seemed out of the question, it is possible the Packers may even choose that Minnesota camp once more. Right now the main concern of the Packers is this week's draft taking place in Philadelphia. Vern Lewellen, the new business manager, says no camp will be picked until after the meeting. Both he and Blackbourn are reportedly leaning toward Green Bay but naturally could be swayed by tempting offers such as one that could originate out of Stevens Point.

PACKERS LAND HUNTER, SWITZER, FLECK IN NFL DRAFT
JAN 28 (Philadelphia-Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Strengthening themselves where they were weakest in 1953, the Green Bay Packers today grabbed off last season’s two most prized college tackles and a swift halfback in the first two round of the NFL’s annual draft meeting in the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel here. After the talent-laden Cleveland Browns had won the bonus choice and snapped up quarterback Bob Garrett of Stanford, the Packers selected Art Hunter, Notre Dame giant rated as the No. 1 collegian tackle in the nation, as their first pick. Then, collecting a fat dividend on a trade with the New York Giants last fall, they acquired the Giants’ first choice, halfback Veryl Switzer of Kansas State. New York earlier had dealt defensive halfback Val Joe Walker to the Packers under terms of the Galiffa deal. In the second round, head coach Lisle (Liz) Blackbourn made off with an unexpected prize, Bob Fleck, huge Syracuse tackle. He and Hunter were rated the finest in the country at their positions and Blackbourn hadn’t expected Fleck to last out the first round. Continuing their search for talent to bolster the line, the Packers picked George Timberlake, University of South California guard, in the third round. Green Bay’s fourth selection was fullback Tom Allman of West Virginia’s 1954 Sugar Bowl eleven and the fifth was Max McGee, Tulane’s halfback. Allman, 6 feet and 210 pounds, reportedly is an excellent blocker and good pass receiver. McGee, a rangy 6-3, 200-pounder, is considered an outstanding pass receiver and Blackbourn says he will be converted to offensive end to fill the hole left by the departure of Clive Rush, who today signed as an assistant coach at Dayton university. The Packers acquired Allman for the Baltimore Colts in payment for quarterback Dick Flowers, traded to the Colts last fall. The Packers’ own fourth pick went to Washington for halfback Johnny Papit. They also will lose their sixth choice to the Detroit Lions in exchange for tackle Gus Cifelli, who came to Green Bay during the 1953 season…Hunter, only the third player in Notre Dame history to play three positions in three years, and the mountainous Fleck are figured to give the Packers help where they need it most – at offensive tackle. Another prime requisite, in Blackbourn’s estimation, was a speedy halfback and he feels that he had him in Switzer, tabbed a 190-pound “Buddy Young”. The 5-11 Kansas State Negro was far and away the outstanding running back in the East-West Shrine game at San Francisco New Year’s Day. Timberlake, a 6-1, 220-pound specimen, starred for Southern California against Wisconsin in the 1953 Rose Bowl game. He is a veteran of three seasons on the Trojan varsity. In Hunter and Fleck, Blackbourn acquired 500 pounds of tackle. Hunter, who was once employed at end by Notre Dame coach Frank Leahy because of his speed, stands 6-2 and scales 240 pounds. Fleck, who plays middle guard on defense and will be the biggest the Packers have had at that position since Ed Neal, also is 6-2 but carries 260 pounds. Explaining why he had passed over Kentucky’s highly regarded Steve Meilinger, Blackbourn said, “I feel that Switzer will do us more good. Judging by the films of last year’s games, the Packers were hurt because they lacked a really fast back, Meilinger is a fine football player, but he couldn’t help us in that respect.” The Packers were able to land both Hunter and Fleck because only one other tackle was chosen in the first two rounds. He was Dick Chapman of Rice Institute, drafted by the World Champion Detroit Lions. The Packers bypassed Chapman after they learned he is independently wealthy and an atomic physicist – and thus probably would not be interested in playing pro football…Cleveland’s success in the bonus draw came as no surprise here. It merely followed the pattern of previous years in which the “halves” invariably have come up with the plum, much to the dismay of the “have nots”. A year ago, the San Francisco Forty Niners hit the jackpot and took Harry Babcock, Georgia end. In 1952, the then champion Los Angeles Rams came up with Bill Wade. The year before, the New York Giants, at that time battling the Browns for the Eastern Conference championship annually, landed Kyle Rote, and in 1950, the Lions picked Leon Hart. The already-quarterback rich Cleveland team took Garrett apparently either as insurance for the aging Otto Graham or as trade bait to strengthen other positions. Speculation already is ripe here that Coach Paul Brown will deal away either Graham’s understudy, George Ratterman, or Garrett before the start of the 1954 season. Oddly enough, three of the other four teams (Pittsburgh, Chicago Cardinals and Baltimore) engaging in the bonus grab needed quarterbacks to strengthen their clubs. All were on record as seeking a passer and all were far below Cleveland in the standings last season…Working with Blackbourn at the Packer tackle were Scout Jack Vainisi, Assistant Coaches Tom Hearden and Ray McLean, General Manager Verne Lewellen and President Russ Bogda. Press, radio and TV representatives also sat in on the session for the first time in NFL history.
PACK DEALT BLOW BY SIGNING OF RUSH AS DAYTON U. AIDE
JAN 28 (Philadelphia-Green Bay Press-Gazette) – Packer Coach Lisle Blackbourn received an unexpected blow last night when the news broke that end Clive Rush had been signed as an assistant coach under Hugh Devore at Dayton University. “We had planned on him to play plenty of end next fall, and maybe some defensive halfbacking,” Liz said, adding “looks like we’ll have to go for an end now fairly early in the draft – that’s one position we weren’t worrying about.” As if the news from Dayton wasn’t bad enough, Blackbourn had just heard a talk by Bob Snyder, the National league’s Man-Against-Canada, at Wednesday night’s meeting. Snyder told the delegates that Canadian clubs had contacted and made offers to just about every top football player in the country. This pointed up to Blackbourn that the Packers might possibly have to bid against Canadian teams for the players they want, which reminds of the war against the All-American conference. This Canadian thing is on a minor scale, of course, but there’s no question but what the northerners could possibly hurt the Packers. In the last four years of Canadian war, the Packers have lost only one top-drawer draft choice – Bob Gain, the Kentucky tackle who was the Bays’ No. 1 pick in 1950. Gain never should have been allowed to get away. Reportedly, the difference between Green Bay and the Canadian club was only $500. Blackbourn, in giving considerable thought to the problem of signing these players, “Once we draft ‘em.”…The winner of the bonus choice is another story but it is interesting to note how the Browns felt about Bobby Garrett, the great Stanford quarterback, last night – 12 hours before the draft started. Coach Paul Brown had arranged specific meetings with the other four bonus-eligible clubs (Green Bay, Baltimore, Chicago Cardinals and Pittsburgh) for the purpose of talking trade. That would indicate what Mr. Brown thinks of Mr. Garrett…The Packers have seven representatives at the 1954 parley. Besides Packer Coach Blackbourn, there are President Russ Bogda, General Manager Verne Lewellen, Assistant Coaches Tom Hearden and Ray McLean, Scout Jack Vainisi and Attorney F.N. Trowbridge. Gene Ronzani, former Packer head coach, is here, presumably looking for a job. Commissioner Bert Bell gave out some lovable attendance figures last night. In 72 league games last fall, the league drew a record 2,164,585 fans – an increase of 112,489 over 1952. The increase boiled down to 5.2 percent or 1,500 per game. The ’53 mark represents an increase of 45 percent since 1945. Pro football is here to stay!
RYMKUS, MCLEAN NAMED PACK AIDES
JAN 29 (Philadelphia-Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Green Bay Packers’ coaching staff today was complete with the announcement by Head Coach Lisle Blackbourn that Lou Rymkus, former Notre Dame and Cleveland Brown tackle, has been named line coach and Ray (Scooter) McLean as his third aide. Tom Hearden, former St. Norbert college strategist, had been appointed backfield coach Jan. 9. Indicating his pleasure over securing the services of Rymkus and McLean, Blackbourn said, “This arrangement will give us a more flexible staff since McLean will be able to perform more duties than an end coach.” He originally had planned to complete the staff with line and end coaches. Like Hearden, Rymkus and McLean will be employed the year-around in Green Bay and Rymkus will take up permanent residence in the home of the Packers. McLean has been a Green Bay resident since joining the Packer staff. Rymkus, who comes to the Packers with glowing recommendations, played seven years of professional football, six with Cleveland and one with the Washington Redskins, and enjoys the distinction of having played in the championship game each of those seven seasons. A graduate of Chicago’s Tilden Tech High School, where he was a member of the varsity for three seasons, Rymkus later starred at Notre Dame for three years, 1940-41-42, and was named the team’s most valuable player as a senior. After spending the 1943 season with Washington and playing against the Chicago Bears in that year’s title game, Rymkus entered the Navy in 1944 and played for Bainbridge, Md. In 1945, he was transferred to Pearl Harbor and in the fall of that tear was stationed at Notre Dame, where he was tackle coach under Hugh Devore, a Packer aide in 1953. Rymkus joined the Browns in 1946 and played six seasons in Cleveland, retiring after the 1951 season. In the spring of 1952, he was an assistant to Bernie Crimmins at Indiana University, but remained out of football in the fall of that year. Last season, he served as line coach under Bob Snyder with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian league. Born Nov. 6, 1919, Rymkus presently makes his home in Cleveland, but he said he will sell his home there and move to Green Bay. He is married and the father of nine-year-old sons, Pat and Mike. McLean, who came to Green Bay in 1951, will be returning for his fourth season. Backfield coach the last three years, it is expected he will be assigned other duties for 1954. Scooter, who scouted the North-South, Orange and Senior Bowl games for the Packers, played college football at St. Anselm’s in Manchester, N.H., where he was a standout. He also competed in track, hockey and baseball there. One of football’s fastest halfbacks, he later played eight years with the Chicago Bears, during which time he was a member of four championship teams. Upon retiring from the gridiron, McLean became head coach at Lewis College in Lockport, Ill., serving from 1948 to 1950, before joining the Packer staff in ’51. McLean, born in Lowell, Mass., on December 6, 1915, is married and the father of a year-old son.
DRAFT GIVES 'STRONG LINE'
JAN 29 ((Philadelphia-Green Bay Press-Gazette) – The Packers had the makings of powerful line today – one that Coach Lisle Blackbourn hopes will restore Green Bay as a passing power in the NFL. “We came here looking for a strong line and we believe we have made a step toward that end,” Blackbourn commented early this morning after the league completed its 19th annual college player draft in the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel. Out of a possible 29, the Packers selected 19 linemen – or two-thirds of the entire list – in an effort to give Babe Parilli, Tobin Rote and company the protection they need to make the club’s passing and running game click. Actually, the bulk of the protection is concentrated from tackle to tackles – the men who keep the inner sanctum clear. The Bays landed eight tackles, four guards and one center – 13 men who average better than 230 pounds…The tackle crop is headed by Art Hunter, the club’s No. 1 choice from Notre dame. Hunter, a 240-pounder with speed, specializes in offense and he can go at center or guard. In the No. 3 slot, Bob Fleck, the 260-pound offenser from Syracuse and also an experienced middle guard. Those two add up to 500 pounds alone. The seventh and eighth choices contained 460 pounds of tackle – Sam Marshall, the Negro All-American from Florida A. and M. and 220-pound Jim Williams, also a kickoff man, from Texas Tech. The country’s other Negro All-America tackle, 235-pound Bill Buford of Morgan State, was nailed on the 22nd round. To round out the tackle picnic, Blackbourn grabbed Jack Smalley, 225 pounds, of Alabama; Ralph Baierl, a 220-pound junior from Maryland; and darkhorse Jerry Dufek, the highly recommended 215-pounder from St. Norbert College. The Packers went high for their first guard – the No. 3 pick – to get George Timberlake, 220, from Southern California, who likely will replace Army-bound Dick Logan. On the No. 13 round, Mike Takacs of Ohio State, the best pro line prospect there, came to Green Bay…The Packers gambled on their third guard, highly publicized J.D. Roberts of Oklahoma, on the 17th round. Roberts obviously at 210 pounds is too light for the pros, but Blackbourn is hoping he’ll regain the extra weight that made him a 220-pounder as a junior. The fourth guard was Lowell Herbert, at 215, who impressed Blackbourn when his Marquetters played College of Pacific last fall. The 13th man in the tackle-to-tackle corps was the second Ken Hall the Packers drafted, a center from Springfield, Mass., College, who packs 220 pounds on a six-foot frame. He was the only center selected – in the 19th round. The other Ken Hall, by the way, is an end from North Texas State, who packs 200. The Bays picked up six ends – not counting halfback Max McGee of Tulane, who will be switched to offensive end. McGee is a long distance receiver and has a quick takeoff. Three of the ends specialize in defense – Hosea Sims, Blackbourn’s former grid pupil at MU, who was chosen in the 27th round; 24th choice Marv Tenefoss, a 210-pounder from Stanford; and big Gene Knutson, the 225-pounder from Michigan who hails from Beloit. To help fill the shoes of departed-to-coach Clive Rush and give Bob Mann and Bill Howton a run, besides McGee, are Dave Davis, a 210-pounder from Georgia Teach; Oregon’s Henry Barnes, who soars 6-5 and packs 215 pounds; and the Texas Hall…Besides a line, Blackbourn said before the draft, “We’ll go for that one top back and a fullback with some weight.” He was able to accomplish the backfield phase of that mission – to some extent at least – in the first four picks. The top back turned out to be Veryl Switzer, the 190-pound Negro flash from Kansas State. Like most of the other picks, Switzer is a strong two-way player. He was an All-American as a defensive back as a sophomore and junior and last year, because of the one-platoon system, developed easily into an all-Big Seven offensive back, too. He scored two TDs in the East-West game and outplayed all of the more publicized stars. The Giants picked Switzer – at the Packers’ request – in the first round to complete payment for Arnie Galiffa. For a fullback with some weight, the Packers latched onto Tom Allman of West Virginia, a 210-pounder highly recommended by Dave Stephenson. Allman is a powerful blocker for the passer, a strong runner and good pass receiver. For FB-weight variety, Michigan State’s barrel-legged Evan Slonac was chosen in the 28th round. He packs 175 pounds on a 5-8 frame and carries powerful legs. The Bays grabbed two good-sized halfbacks in Bill Oliver, 190, of Alabama on the 12th round, and Desmond Koch, the nation’s leading punter from Southern California. Koch, who packs 205 pounds, averaged 44.7 on 22 punts. The other halfback named was Art Liebscher of College of the Pacific, who carries 180 pounds on a lightning-fast pair of legs…The Packers came up with a good darkhorse in a quarterback – one Clint Sathrum of St. Olaf’s national small-college phenoms. Clint is a cross between at 6-1, 195. He’s a good passer and quick with the handoff. He led St. Olaf to an unbeaten season, most yards and most points in the nation. Sathrum, selected on the 23rd round, was recommended by Bernie Heselton, Lawrence college coach whose team played against St. Olaf’s. To round out the QB competition, the Packer pickers – Blackbourn, Jack Vainisi, Ray McLean and Tom Hearden – grabbed Terry Campbell of Washington State on the 30th round. Campbell is a lanky sort at 6-2, 172. The consensus around the draft room was that Green Bay had made an excellent draft for the simple reason that the Packers had been able to fill the positions where they needed strength – especially by doing so in the first eight rounds when the really top-notch boys were still available. Blackbourn said that each boy selected will be officially informed by telegram today. Contacting the athletes already has started in some cases. No time will be lost in going after Hunter, who is being haunted by Canadian representatives.
OTHER CLUBS THOUGHT LIZ HAD SLIP WITH 'X' ON BONUS PICK
JAN 29 (Philadelphia-Green Bay Press-Gazette) - For one fleeting fraction of a second, the delegations from the 12 precincts in the NFL thought Green Bay had won the bonus choice here Thursday. And the gentlemen from Packerland suffered a missed heartbeat. After picking numbers for drawing positions, Pittsburgh and Baltimore drew blank slips (the slip marked with an X is the winner) out of a hat suspended by Dennis Shea, league treasurer. Coach Liz Blackbourn, drawing ion the No. 3 slot for the Packers, was confronted with three slips in the hat, the others being for Cleveland and the Chicago Cardinals. Blackbourn pulled out a slip, turned to face Commissioner Bert Bell as he opened it, looked down at the slip and then hesitated for a fleeting moment. You got the impression that Blackbourn couldn’t believe his eyes at the sight of an X. He handed the slip to Bell, who coldly called forth Cleveland to draw. All of which meant that the Packers didn’t win. Harold Sauerbrei, new publicity director for the Browns, did the picking for the Browns. As expected and predicted in your favorite newspaper two weeks ago, the rich Browns got richer. Tim Mara, owner of the New York Giants, quipped a moment later, “That’s one time the Browns didn’t need Groza to win something.” The Packers’ draft room luck didn’t stay bad however because the Giants won the flipoff with Baltimore, which meant the Packers got two consecutive first round picks, second and third; otherwise they would have drawn second and fourth. Before the draft opened, Bell recited the draft rules, and then urged the clubs to cooperate with each other on eligibility. “Everybody will benefit if you speak up when a club picks an ineligible player,” he said. Five of the players drafted a year ago were ineligible, and thus thrown into this year’s draft. One was Baylor’s Bill Lucky, who was picked by Green Bay. Lucky was picked in the fifth round yesterday by the Browns. The press, admitted to the draft for the first time in history, sweated along with their respective clubs – in a separate section of the room. The early rounds “drug” on something fierce. Finally about 3:15 in the afternoon, after only eight rounds had been completed, Bell said, “Look, boys, we’ll be here until 4 or 5 o’clock Friday morning; let’s speed it up.” In the earlier rounds, some of the clubs deliberated as long as 20 minutes on a single pick…Packer Capt. Bob Forte watched the draft with the Miller Brewing Company delegation and said he was pleased with the Bay picks. Bob may play after all next fall. He had told friends earlier that he “might retire.”…Weeb Ewbank, new head coach of the Baltimore Colts, found himself in an unusual position during the draft – at the Cleveland Browns’ table. When Coach Paul Brown “permitted” the Colts to hire Ewbank, one of the contract stipulations was that Ewbank work with the Browns on the draft. Brown was afraid Ewbank would take some of his secrets to Baltimore. The Colts’ draft was handled by former Coach Keith Molesworth, who, of course, got his instructions from Ewbank…The first University of Wisconsin player chosen was halfback Roger Dornburg – in the 13th round by Washington. Badger Coach Ivy Williamson said in Green Bay last fall that “the pro crop was extremely thin last fall.” Several of the nation’s top All-America players went way down the line. Pittsburgh drafted Paul Cameron, the great UCLA runner-passer, in the eighth round. Paul Geil, the Minnesota whiz who told everybody he plans to play baseball, was nailed by the Bears in the ninth round. Washington got Menominee’s Billy Wells in the 15th round. The Packers drew a few “ohs” when they selected J.D. Roberts, the Oklahoma lad who made just about every All-America, in the 17th round. The Packers took him in hopes that he might gain some weight. J.D. played at 220 and 225 as a junior…There is plenty of trade talk here. The Browns, with Bobby Garrett, may barter George Ratterman – possibly to the Cardinals. Detroit wants Tank Younger in a bad way from Los Angeles. Washington owner George Marshall has been handing around the Detroit table, with trade in his eye. The Redskins have fullbacks to burn and the Lions could use any one of them…Writers here are assuming that Ray McLean will remain as a member of the Packer coaching staff. That’s a good assumption. Ray and Scout Jack Vainisi worked closely with Coach Blackbourn during the draft. The others, Blackbourn, Verne Lewellen, Russ Bogda and Tom Hearden, were in on their first draft. You can rest assured that the four “newcomers” became “veterans” in a hurry and conducted themselves in excellent fashion.
SELECTION BY PACKERS CHEERS DUFEK, UNDERGOING OPERATION
JAN 29 (Green Bay) - Dufek’s selection comes at a time when the 23-year old Milwaukee native would be facing an otherwise bleak day. He was admitted to St. Vincent Hospital at 7:45 last night and was to undergo an operation today. The 6 foot 2 1/2-inch tackle was sidelined with a knee injury in the 1953 Great Lakes-St. Norbert game. The minor operation is to correct a defect in the knee cartilage. Dufek’s prowess became known early to his past and future coach, Tom Hearden. Coming to St. Norbert from Milwaukee Boys’ Tech, he starred on two undefeated Knight teams, 1950 and ’52. He left college at the completion of the 1950 season for a hitch with the Marines, serving one year in Korea. The 220 pounds lineman at one time had participated in 16 consecutive winning games with the Knights.
NFL REWARDS BELL WITH 12-YEAR PACT
JAN 29 (Philadelphia) - The NFL rewarded commissioner Bert Bell with a new 12-year contract Friday. But Bell turned down a raise in pay. The commissioner receives the comfortable salary of $30,000 a year, plus a $10,000 annual payment into a pension fund for him. And he pointed to the unusual costs to the league in the last few years as the reason for turning down the increase. Bell said the league had spent $200,000 in the past two years to settle its affairs in connection with defunct Dallas club, payments on a lease on Yankee Stadium by the equally defunct New York Yankees, settling the Baltimore tangle, where one club was moved out and a new franchise later was issued, and on the costs so far of defending the government's anti-trust television suit. All that was done without an assessment against the clubs. With more still to be paid in connection with the TV suit, Bell figured that even the television-inspired prosperity of the clubs might not stand a further drain on the league's treasury. Eventually, the club owners voted down by a 7-5 margin a proposal designed to prevent piling up on a downed ball carrier and let a couple of other suggested changes die. The reading of the league's financial report showed attendance increased 45 percent from 1945 to 1953 and 35 percent between 1949 and 1953. In a night session, the club owners narrowly rejected a proposal to increase the player limit to 35 men for each club, instead of the present 33, and to abolish the "injured reserve" list.
PACKERS LAUNCH 'SIGNING DRIVE'
JAN 30 (Philadelphia-Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers have been moving right along since the new regime stepped in. We got that impression last night in reviewing the Packer meat of the 1954 NFL convention at the Bellevue Stratford Hotel. Actually, Coach Lisle Blackbourn has been behind the Packer wheel only since Monday, Jan. 11 - the day he fought snow and wind in a drive up from Milwaukee to officially take over in place of Gene Ronzani. He was appointed head coach Jan. 7. Only 18 days have passed since he took active command, but in that short space he has (1) evaluated the needs of the Packers through a thorough study of the 1953 Packer films, (2) decided that the club's No. 1 need is a big, strong line, (3) drafted 29 players to help correct that deficiency, (4) rounded out his coaching staff with the appointment of Lou Rymkus as line coach and Ray McLean as assistant, and (5) already launched the huge task of contacting the draftees and free agents. Blackbourn, Backfield Coach Tom Hearden and Scout Jack Vainisi left here early today for Green Bay and a short breather Sunday before plunging into their player-signing hunt. McLean went east to contact a number of prospects. The 29 players the Packers drafted were officially informed by telegram today. The wire, sent to each player, follows: "Welcome to the Green Bay Packers and the NFL. Everyone is happy you are to be with us. We have been world champions six times. Having you with us is a step toward another championship era. Will contact you soon."...ARRANGE FOR TALKS: The No. 1 task is signing the No. 1 draft pick - tackle Art Hunter of Notre Dame - one of 19 linemen whose main job is to bolster the Packers' front wall. Arrangements for contract talks with Hunter were started yesterday afternoon. Blackbourn and his aides went into a huddle yesterday noon and spent the entire afternoon and part of the evening in his room, calling players they had drafted as well as free agents. Meanwhile, President Russ Bogda and General Manager Verne Lewellen sat in on the league seasons. This procedure points up the Packers' new program - the coaches handling the coaching and player details and Lewellen and Packer officials working into the various business phases of the club. Thus, Liz can put all of his thoughts into the coaching and player phase without getting tangled into such things as television, radio, etc. Blackbourn wasn't revealing the progress made with talks with players yesterday but it can be reported that he was in a happy frame of mind, along with Hearden, Vainisi and McLean, last night. Blackbourn kept receiving glowing reports about Max McGee, the six-foot-three-inch, 203-pound halfback from Tulane, drafted No. 5. The Packers' coach said during the draft that he intended to make an offensive end out of McGee and "from what I've been hearing about him, he might be just the kind of big, offensive end we're looking for." The Bay coach talked with, among others, his No. 3 draft choice - guard George Timberlake, the 220-pounder from Southern California. Timberlake was told that he was needed at a certain position and "he told me, 'I can take care of that situation for you'," Blackbourn said...Plenty of work is being done on the Packer non-conference schedule by Lewellen and Bogda. Dates, opponents and places aren't ready to be announced yet, but it was indicated that the Packers will play six non-loop games next fall. All games will be played against Eastern Conference teams. Bell swears the league schedule won't come up for discussion in closing sessions today. Club representatives are quite happy to let their commissioner handle the entire card. The schedule setup won't change. Each club will play home and home with each club in its own division to furnish 10 contests. The other two games will be against two different opponents in the opposite division...Football is threatening to replace tennis as the sport of gentlemen. The NFL Friday joined its amateur brethren, the NCAA, in appealing to the better nature of its mayhem-minded behemoths. The appeal was in conjunction with players faking injuries in the late minutes of the first or second half in order to stop the clock and save valuable time for possible scoring maneuvers. Commissioner Bert Bell introduced a measure aimed at regulating such histrionics. Portly Mr. Bell would have his officials run off 15 seconds on the clock in the last two minutes of a half or of the game whenever a player injury or disqualification crops up. The officials would act only when the game is tied or the offensive team is behind. But despite their vote of confidence in the commissioner - a new 12 year contract - the owners disagreed with Bell. They voted to "remind coaches to remind their players of the gentlemen's agreement pertaining to no faking of injuries in the last two minutes of the half or of the game." The NCAA, in convention at Cincinnati recently, did the same thing. The NFL executives in the third day of their annual meeting also agreed to retain one of the pro league's bread and butter rules despite its contribution to the injury list. A few owners would eliminate the rule under which pro ball carriers can get up and run even after they are tackled. The reason, of course, is to limit piling on and resulting injury to highly paid chattels. The suggested revision would have made the ball dead after the defense makes contact with the runner and any part of the latter's body, except his hands or feet touch the ground. The crowd loves to see a man hit and then have him get up and run again, the owners agreed, adding that it's one of the features that distinguishes the pro game from the college game. Other rule changes which failed to see the light of day included elimination of the extra point and a sudden death period in the event of a tie.
RYMKUS, NEW PACK ASSISTANT, CARRIES NICKNAME OF 'BATTLER'
JAN 30 (Philadelphia-Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Lou Rymkus, the Packers' new line coach, carries the nickname, "Battler". Notre Dame Coach Frank Leahy pinned it on him when Rymkus came out of a game back in '42. Lou had played 58 minutes and when Leahy grabbed his hand on the sidelines he said: "Lou, you're a battler." That's the way he was with the Browns, too, Cleveland newspapermen and club representatives said here yesterday. "Both of his knees were patched up; they looked like mummies, but he went full speed in every game and during practice," the Brownies said. This may sound like a recommendation for a player, but it represents the sort of spirit Coach Liz Blackbourn hopes Rymkus will instill in the Packer line. As a player, Rymkus has experienced just about the limit in success. He was a two-way regular as a rookie with Washington in 1943, and fought in the playoff against the Bears that year. In six seasons with the Browns, he never missed getting into the playoff. He averaged 50 minutes in his first three Brownie campaigns, 1946-47-48, and served as offensive captain in 1950-51. His experience at Calgary under Bob Snyder was tough. "We had Frankie Albert (former Frisco quarterback) early in the season, but he was hurt and we had nothing left," Rymkus said yesterday. But his experience in the Canadian League makes Rymkus sort of an official Packer campaigner against the Canadian setup. He can give the Packers prospects the exact picture of playing in Canada and, judging by the way Lou talked, we can't see how a United Stater can prefer playing up there over a team in our land. Rymkus was sought by former Packer aide Hugh Devore at Dayton University and there was considerable speculation that Weeb Ewbank wanted him in Baltimore. Weeb was Rymkus' coach at Cleveland. Lou coached the tackles under Devore when the Bay line coach was stationed in the Navy at Notre Dame in 1945. Lou had called Cleveland his home, but "I'm going to sell my home and move up to Green Bay; it's a year-round job, you know." He's married and has twin 9-year old sons, Pat and Mike...Commissioner Bert Bell drew some laughs from the pressmen when he said, "The extra point was humiliated for no second and my sudden death period was humiliated for no motion." Bell, for years, has been trying to sell the clubs doing away with the extra point and installing a sudden death system of deciding tie games. "It might take ten years, but I'll keep bringing up that extra point and sudden death."...Two of the former head coaches, who resigned since the 1953 season, are in the market for work. Steve Owen, who left the New York post early in December, has cut himself loose from the NY front office. Gene Ronzani, the former Packer, could possibly get a backfield job with Pittsburgh or Chicago Cardinals. Baltimore is also looking for assistants. Keith Molesworth, former Colt head coach, now has a white collar job with the same club. Also here in a hunt for jobs are Paul Bixler, former backfield coach at Penn; Otis Douglas, the combination trainer-line coach from Baltimore; and Bob Snyder, one time head coach of the Los Angeles Rams and assistant with the Packers. Snyder, who had been on the payroll of the league as an anti-Canada agent, says he expects to "land something with a league team."
PLAYING THE GAME (WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL)
FEB 1 (Madison) - One of the mysteries of the NFL draft remains the case of Oklahoma's J.D. Roberts. Here was a guard who was practically a unanimous All-American choice, was named as "Lineman of the Year" by both Associated Press and United Press, was the outstanding lineman in the Orange Bowl game. The Green Bay Packers got him as their 17th choice. A total of 194 players had been drafted by league clubs before Green Bay picked up the 5-10, 210-pound Oklahoma star. The only explanation that makes sense is that Roberts let it be known that he might play professional football.

PACKERS EYE HUNTER: SO DOES CANADA! HARRAWOOD IN 'RAID?'
FEB 1 (Green Bay) - With one eye on Canada and the other on their draft lists, the Packers and the 11 other clubs in the NFL today jumped into the enormous task of signing 361 players - not to mention scores of free agents who eluded the draft in Philadelphia last week. Packer Coach Liz Blackbourn was back at his desk today - but probably not for long. There's a player he wants to see in South Bend, Ind., by the name of Art Hunter, the Bays' No. 1 choice. The Packers already have been in telephone touch with Hunter. Canada is hot after Hunter, an agile, 240-pound tackle, and one of that country's clubs has offered him a sort of combined contract - for his services as a player and as an assistant coach of the pro team. To opine a bit, it can be pointed out that Hunter would be stepping into a ticklish situation. Merely this: He, as a rookie, would be asked to teach and coach pro veterans of many years - not to mention Canadian boys. That might not set so well. At any rate, the Packers' effort to sign Hunter and other members of their 29-player draft list brings the National League's war against the Canadian loop close to home. At the NFL convention, club representatives were informed by Bob Snyder, Calgary head coach in '53 and now a National League "agent" against the Canadians, that Canada has "at least 16 free agents who might be worthwhile to sign by American teams." That was in line with Commissioner Bert Bell's plan to "raid" Canadian clubs. One of the players not on the reserve list of U.S. clubs was Floyd Harrawood, the big tackle drafted by the Packers a year ago and then released after tryouts last fall. Harrawood, a 245-pounder from Tulsa University, played the last nine games for Snyder at Calgary. Owner Art Rooney of Pittsburgh expressed an interest in going after Harrawood so that "Floyd can join our other Tulsa boys," including quarterback Jim Finks. The Packers will get a good view of Harrawood's Canadian progress from their new assistant coach, Lou Rymkus, who was line coach at Calgary last year. Actually, the league took no specific action on the so-called Canadian war. Club representatives merely heard a report by Snyder on conditions there. Snyder's report had no bearing on the manner if which the various clubs drafted, although his words did serve to hammer home the fact that some of their stars would be given strong talking points by the Canadians. Wednesday night before the draft, Blackbourn decided definitely that "threats by the Canadians to the boys we intend to draft must not interfere with our plans." But Liz admitted that the report, coming as it did the night before the draft, did "give me

something to think about." The Packers' first six picks (at least) - each one designed to bolster a particular weakness - are wanted by these Canadians. After Hunter, Blackbourn nailed Veryl Switzer, the 190-pound halfback from Kansas; Bob Fleck, 260-pound tackle from Syracuse; George Timberlake, 220-pound guard and linebacker from Southern California; Tom Allman, 210-pound fullback from West Virginia; and Max McGee, 203-pound pass catching halfback from Tulane. Blackbourn plans to make an offensive end out of McGee. Probably the two most productive switch personalities in pro football are Elroy Hirsch, the great Los Angeles end, and Cloyce Box, the Detroit Lions wing. Both started pro ball as halfbacks and were converted into dangerous ends.
THERE'S SOME WEIGHT IN PACKER 'D' ROSTER
FEB 2 (Green Bay) - Overlooked in the rush last week was all over the "heft" of the Packer draft list. The Packers received rights to 6,082 pound of football beef, which averages out to 209.7 for each of the 29 athletes. Two hundred and nine pounds isn't much for some pro positions, but a breakdown reveals that the backs average an even 190 pounds; the line from end to end averages 220; and the middle line from tackle to tackle averages 225. Still not convinced? Let's break it down by position: The tackles, a key spot to be strengthened, average out to 231 pounds - a good balance between the "lighter" offensive mover and the heavier defensive performer. Eight tackles were chosen. The four guards measure out to 215 pounds and the one center, Ken Hall of Springfield College, packs 220. The most unusual weight is concentrated at end. The six wings average 208.6 pounds as Coach Liz Blackbourn went after big offensive ends who carry enough weight to block and large defensive ends. The six halfbacks average 191 pounds. One of the heaviest, 203-pound Max McGee of Tulane, will be switched to offensive end. The heaviest halfback is Desmond Koch of Southern California, who led the nation in punting last year. Blackbourn selected a large and small fullback - 210-pound Tom Allman of West Virginia and 175-pound Evan Slonac of Michigan State. They average out to 192 pounds...The two quarterbacks, who will fight with Babe Parilli and Tobin Rote, carry enough weight, averaging 183. Clint Sathrum, the signal caller who pitched St,. Olaf's to all sorts of small college records, has an ideal build for a QB - 195 pounds, 6-1. The other QB, Terry Campbell of Washington State, is on the slender side, 6-2, 172. To further emphasize weight, the Packers selected only four players under 190 pounds and only eight under 200 pounds. The heaviest player in the entire lot is Bob Fleck, 260-pound tackle from Syracuse; the lightest is Campbell, 172. The tallest athlete is 6-5 Henry Barnes, the Negro end from Oregon; shortest is Slonac, who stands 5-3. The six ends average out to 6-3. Dave Davis of Georgia Tech and Gene Knutson of Michigan each soar 6-4, an inch under Barnes. Ken Hall, wing from North Texas State, goes 6-1. Marv Tennfoss of Stanford is 6-2 and Hosea Sims of Marquette is an even six feet...And speaking about weight, the Packers still have a "heavy" problem left - signing the players. No time is being lost in contacting the draftees - not to mention a number of free agents. The Packer office started to lose occupants today. Assistant Coach Tom Hearden is heading for the southwest; General Manager Verne Lewllen moved west, and coaching aide Ray McLean already is in the east. Blackbourn is expected to take off shortly for an unannounced destination. Coordinating the various movements back home is Scout Jack Vainisi, who contacts the various players and arranges meetings with them.
ASKS ALUMNI TO REVIVE 'OLD SPIRIT'
FEB 2 (Green Bay) - Packer Coach Liz Blackbourn asked members of the Packer Alumni association to "help revive the old Packer spirit" at their monthly meeting at the Beaumont hotel last night. Meeting with the unique group for the first time, Blackbourn said, "it would be a big help to all of us, and the fans, if you former players could get acquainted with the active Packers and imbue them with the spirit that has made Green Bay famous." Nearly 30 ex-Packers - one of the largest turnouts for a monthly session - applauded Blackbourn as he sought the cooperation of the onetime Bay stars. Alumni president John Biolo pledged "full assistant from our group", and Packer president Russ Bogda said that "the Packers will cooperate with your group in every way possible." Blackbourn ran down the Packer work that had been accomplished thus far. He told about the draft and his review of the pictures of the previous games. He explained that "our main problem is to strengthen our line." The association voted an honorary membership to Ed Crim, veteran Packer travel agent who handled Packer travel affairs for nearly 30 years. E.A. (Spike) Spachmann, former Packer ticket director, was voted a lifetime membership. The association also drafted a letter of congratulations for Frosty Ferzacca, former West High coach who was named last week as head football coach at Marquette, succeeding Blackbourn.

PACKERS INK ART HUNTER, ASSIST NFL LEAGUE IN 'WAR'
FEB 4 (Green Bay) - With a 240-pound assist from the Packers, the NFL held a resounding first-round victory over Canadian forces today in the two circuits' so-called player war. The Americans invaded the campus of Notre Dame, our country's top football power, and came off with contracts of three players selected in the first round of the draft just a week ago today. Packer Coach Liz Blackbourn signed art Hunter, Notre Dame's All-American tackle. Pittsburgh Coach Joe Bach inked Johnny Lattner, the All-America halfback and Philadelphia Coach Jim Trimble signed Neil Worden, the Milwaukeean who fullbacked the Irish for three seasons. The Eagles also added Notre Dame guard Menil Mavraides, their fourth round selection. All three coaches saw their No. 1 choices in person yesterday afternoon. Blackbourn was accompanied by Lou Rymkus, the Packers' new line coach - himself a former Notre Dame tackle star. Blackbourn, to put it mildly, was delighted. It was his first hand-to-hand attempt to sign a Packer prospect and since it was the Packers' No. 1 choice he had particular reason to be happy. Liz, who left the South Bend, Ind., for Michigan today, said that Hunter "represents the first step in strengthening our line." Hunter likely will play offensive tackle - a position at which he starred last fall. Blackbourn aimed his draft at toughening the Bay wall, selecting eight tackles, four guards and one center. Hunter expressed great interest in joining the Packers. He already had several offers from Canadian clubs - one of which included an assistant coach's job. After the signing, Hunter said he was "glad to be with Green Bay." On the N.D. campus, presently buzzing with excitement resulting from the resignation of Coach Frank Leahy and the appointment of Terry Brennan as his successor, Hunter is known as "another George Connor - only better." The new Packer tackle - who will be 21 years of age in April - is considered a tremendous blocker. The native of Akron, Ohio, is gifted with amazing speed for his size - six-feet-four inches and 242 pounds. The sure-fire pro bet played tackle both ways, 60 minutes in tough games, under the one-platoon system last fall. In three seasons at ND, he has been shifted around to strengthen three spots. As a sophomore, Hunter worked at center; he was a defensive end as a junior. But last fall Notre Dame needed strength at tackle, so Hunter was switched again. Just a youngster, Hunter has played only five seasons of varsity ball. At St. Vincent High in Akron, the big athlete won his first letter as a junior, repeating in his senior year. Also at St. Vincent, Hunter won two letter in baseball and three in basketball. Hunter is of English and Hungarian descent. Signing of Hunter gives Blackbourn


and other Packers "signers" a good talking point in their conversation with the other draft picks - not to mention the scores of free agents. General Manager Verne Lewellen is presently on a player-signing trip out west; assistant coach Tom Hearden is in the southwest; and aide Ray McLean is in the east. Rymkus returned to his home in Cleveland after the signing and may come to Green Bay next week. No salary terms were announced on the four Notre Dame players, but all expressed happiness in continuing their football careers in the United States. The signings at Notre Dame yesterday represent the largest one-day harvest by the pros on the Irish campus in history. The league went to Notre Dame this year, so to speak. One dozen players - more than from any one school - were chosen in the draft.
GRANDPAPPY STATUS, 2 LINEMEN BRING LIZ JOY
FEB 5 (Green Bay) - Packer Coach Liz Blackbourn, somewhere on a player-hunting tour of the midwest, undoubtedly is chuckling today over his new status as a grandfather - not to mention the signing of two big boys. Blackbourn inked Art Hunter, the Packers' No. 1 draft choice, Wednesday afternoon. Yesterday, as he headed into Michigan territory, Liz learned (1) that guard Bob Kennedy of Wisconsin had announced his own signing and (2) that the Junior Lisle Blackbourns became parents of a daughter - their first child. Mrs. Blackbourn, Sr., broke the news to "grand-pappy" on the telephone last night. Mrs. Blackbourn and son, Charles, a student at East High were to leave late this afternoon for the Junior Blackbourn's farm near Lancaster, Wis., to see the new heir. The tot will be named later. What about Liz? He'll continue on his signing trip over the weekend and likely will get back to Green Bay Sunday or Monday. Kennedy, the 225-pound guard who skipped Packer camp along with center Jim Ringo last fall, revealed his signing among student friends in Madison yesterday and the news spread quickly. Kennedy, incidentally, returned to Wisconsin after his unannounced departure last fall for the purpose of continuing his schooling. He will receive his degree in chemical engineering next June. Ringo, as you'll recall, returned to camp a few days later and made the club, though injuries knocked him out of the last five games...PLAYED AT WAUSAU: Kennedy, an all-state guard at Rhinelander High, looked impressive at the Grand Rapids, Minn., training camp but left before getting a good test in the non-league opener against the New York Giants. The Wisconsin ace, who stands 5-11, had the inside track on the middle guard job on defense. Oddly enough, some of his most vicious battles were fought with Ringo - the boy he buddied up with on the "getaway". Kennedy was the entire middle of the Badger line and specialized in jamming up the center. Before he left, the Packers had high hopes that Kennedy would develop into another Ray Bray, the former Chicago Bear who played the middle guard slot for the Packers in 1952. Kennedy had shown some of Bray's meanness and aggressiveness. To remain in condition, Kennedy was given permission by the Packers to play with the semi-pro Wausau Muskies last fall. Kennedy was the Packers' sixth choice in the draft a year ago. Signing of Hunter and Kennedy gives Blackbourn a good start toward bolstering the Packers' line, which, he said, "had to be strengthened first."
SWITZER AND FLECK STILL PONDERING PACK OFFERS
FEB 9 (Green Bay) - Now that No. 1 draft choice Art Hunter is in the fold, how about the other No. 1 pick and maybe even No. 2? Packer Coach Liz Blackbourn was back in the friendly confines of his office yesterday along with Aides Ray McLean and Tom Hearden. And they had reason to smile over several other signatures, but Blackbourn said that Switzer and Fleck aren't on the line yet. Veryl Switzer is the great halfback from Kansas State and Bob Fleck is a star tackle from Syracuse. Hearden spoke with Switzer on his trip into the midwest and McLean hashed over the situation with Fleck in his tour of the east. Switzer, the Packers' second No. 1 selection which was final payment from the New York Giants in the Arnie Galiffa deal, has several offers from Canadian clubs. "But," Tom recalled, "he said he would much rather play in the United States - in Green Bay." Switzer, incidentally, is competing in track and likely wouldn't sign for pro football until after the season. A story got out yesterday afternoon that the 260-pound Fleck had already signed with Canada, but it never appeared on the Associated Press or United Press wires. The Packer coaches wouldn't believe it. McLean said, "Bob said he'd do nothing about Canada until he talked with us again." Blackbourn is anxiously awaiting word from General Manager Verne Lewellen who is out on the west coast contacting players. In the south is coaching aide Lou Rymkus, who is expected to make his first appearance in Green Bay over the weekend...AVERAGED 5.99 YARDS: Blackbourn met up with Rymkus when Liz signed Hunter on the Notre Dame campus last week after which Lou took off for the south. Liz continued his trip by car into Michigan and then down into Ohio, seeing other prospects. The Packer coaches found Switzer and Fleck in the pink of condition and discovered both definitely want to play professional football. Switzer, who packs a swift 190 pounds on a 5-11 frame, averaged 5.99 yards in 95 carries last fall, gaining 569 yards. He averaged an amazing 31 yards on seven punt returns, including a 70-yard scamper for a TD. Veryl is one of the more versatile stars on the Packer draft list. He was an All-America defensive back as a junior and last year, what with the one-platoon system, came into his own on an offensive back. Switzer, incidentally, was to be the Bears' No. 1 draft choice, and members of their party showed disappointment when the KS star was lost. The Bears thus were forced to grab Stan Wallace, Illinois defensive back. Switzer had been wined and dined by the Bears several weeks before the draft.
CANADA, LOSER IN TALENT WAR, BREAKS SILENCE
FEB 10 (Green Bay) - The Canadians finally broke their silence. After a NFL draft, it had been customary for the boys north of the border to come out and announce to the world the number of hot shot draft specials they had swiped from the NFL. A year ago, they grabbed off Billy Vessels, Tom Stolhhanske, Bernie Flowers, Bobby Marlow, Ed Crowder - to mention a few right quick. The shoe, thus far, is on the other foot. National league clubs signed half of the dozen first round draft choices, including Art Hunter of Notre Dame by the Packers. This wave of offense apparently stunned the Canadian forces and it wasn't until yesterday - two weeks after the '54 draft, that two Canadian coaches said about the same thing - that the NFL is threatening United States college players with permanent expulsion if they sign with Canadian teams. Packer Coach Liz Blackbourn, asked for his reaction today, stated: "We're not threatening anybody - just telling them the facts in the case." Blackbourn thus reflected the feeling of the other clubs in the league which, incidentally, has not asked its clubs to threaten expulsion. The league has a rule, installed at the 1953 meeting, which prohibits a league club from signing a player in the same season he plays or signs with a Canadian team. The league club, however, can sign the "erring" player the following season - as Baltimore has in the case of Flowers. Packer coaches presently are giving their draft choices the "facts" about play in the Canadian circuit. They were briefed on the style of play, conditions there, etc., at the recent league meeting by Bob Snyder, former head coach at Calgary. Blackbourn has in his midst one who also is well acquainted with the Canadian setup - one Lou Rymkus, recently signed as line coach, who was line coach under Snyder at Calgary last fall...HERE'S WHAT THEY SAID: Anyhow, in the interests of good journalism, here is what Toronto coach Frank Clair and Hamilton coach Carl Voyles said. Clair: "It wouldn't surprise me a bit (threat of expulsion). I know they're really putting pressure on the kids and most of them are scared to death of Canada." Voyles: "I don't know whether they threaten to bar the boys now, but I know they have threatened them like that in the past."
KNUTSON, TWO FREE AGENTS JOIN PACK
FEB 11 (Green Bay) - Gene Knutson and Jim Balog, two University of Michigan stars who found the one-platoon system no mystery last fall, went back to the two-platoon plan today - as professionals with the Packers. And to round out a big day for Coach Liz Blackbourn, word came from Bloomington, Ill., that Milt Kadlec of Illinois Normal signed a Packer contract mailed to him recently. Signing of the three players boosts to the total of announced signed customers to five. End Knutson was the Packers' 10th draft selection, while tackle Balog and halfback Kadlec are free agents. Knutson and Balog played side by side in the right section of Michigan's strong front line for the last two years. The lanky Beloit wing, who packs 215 pounds on a six-four frame, made his name at Michigan as a defensive end in the double platoon program in 1951-52. Good speed plus a sure pair of huge hands enabled him to make the switch to offense with no trouble. He'll get a shot at both phases in the early weeks of Packer training. Knutson, one of Beloit High's all-time football stars and an all-state selection, caught 11 passes for 201 yards in his debut as a two-way wing - an average of nearly 20 yards per. He scored two touchdowns - one on a pass. Knutson was ranked as one of the most gifted freshman to report at Michigan in 1950. He won the Meyer Morton trophy in 1952 for showing the most hustle and drive in spring practice. He suffered a broken leg in spring practice in '51 but played enough the following fall to earn a letter as a sophomore. Sleeper Balog was Michigan's No. 1 tackle last fall. The 220-pound specimen from Wheaton, Ill., plays right tackle on offense and right tackles on defense. Balog is best known for his speed - a big asset in pro ball. He stands 6-3. Kadlec returned to Illinois Normal last fall after playing two seasons with the San Diego Marines. A good blocker with speed, Kadlec, 26, stands six feet tall and carries 185 pounds. He was named the most valuable player at school last fall. Kadlec gained valuable experience with the Marine eleven, playing against a number of pro stars...Veryl Switzer, the Packers' second No. 1 draft choice, which represents the final payment from the New York Giants in the Arnie Galiffa deal, stopped in Green Bay today en route from his home school, Kansas State, to Michigan State where he'll compete in a track meet Saturday. The all-around, 190-pound halfback conferred with Coach Blackbourn concerning his professional football future before going on to the meet. Assistant Coach Tom Hearden talked with Switzer on his recent tour of the southwest. Also coming in today was general manager Verne Lewellen, who had been contacting players in the west...Knutson was one of six ends drafted by Blackbourn at the recent selection party. Blackbourn is determined to find a suitable defensive end mate for big John Martinkovic and an offensive wing or two to push the veteran pass catchers. The Bay mentor also is planning to switch halfback Max McGee, the 6-2, 203-pounder from Tulane, to offensive end. McGee has a good pass catching reputation. Other ends drafted were Dave Davis of Georgia Tech, Ken Hall of North Texas State, Henry Barnes of Oregon, Marv Tenfoss of Stanford, and Hosea Sims of Marquette.
SWITZER, TOP PACK PICK, 'IMAGE' OF BUDDY YOUNG
FEB 12 (Green Bay) - Veryl (Joe) Switzer should have a lot of hot afternoons in City stadium - if likenesses mean anything. The Kansas State Jet, visiting here while en route to a track meet at Michigan State, is almost a dead ringer for Buddy Young, the New York, Dallas and Baltimore Scat Kid who every fall gives the Packers a hit in our snug stadium. There are some very important differences in the skilled Negro backs. Switzer towers a half foot taller than Young and, better yet, he plays defense - something Buddy never played in college or pro - as well as offense. Switzer packs 5-11 and stands 190 pounds. Young carries 180 on a 5-5 frame. Judging by advance notices and Switzer's confident outlook on professional football, the native Kansan should have some interesting afternoons all around the powerful National league next fall. Switzer came out of the 1953 season with a ball carrying of average of 5.99 from scrimmage and a 31-yard average on punt returns - a good 15 yards above the normal mark for punt returns. Veryl actually made his reputation at Kansas State as a defensive back - a position at which he starred as a sophomore and junior. He was named an All-America defensive back in 1952. When the colleges went into the single platoon last fall, Switzer became equally effective. Veryl, who came in yesterday and left late this afternoon by plane for East Lansing, said he "sure likes this town" after trips around the area yesterday afternoon. He has been in conference with Packer coach Liz Blackbourn. Switzer said he plans to finish out his track career this spring. Switzer said he has been contacted by Canadian teams. The young speed demon was the Packers' second No. 1 draft choice. The other No. 1 pick, tackle Art Hunter of Notre Dame, already has signed by the N.D. athlete is not in track. Switzer represents the New York Giants' final payment to the Packers in the deal that sent quarterback Arnie Galiffa to the Giants for their No. 1 draft pick and defensive halfback Val Joe Walker. A likeable, easy-talking boy, Switzer made a lot of friends here in his brief look at Green Bay. He said that "I was impressed by the kindness shown by everyone I met." The bowlers out at the North Side alleys last night sort of "ate him up" - a good example of how Green Bay fans treat their Packer players.
RONZANI GOING TO CARDINALS?
FEB 12 (Green Bay) - Gene Ronzani, former coach of the Packers, was rumored today as a possible successor to J. Neil (Skippy) Stahley, backfield coach for the Chicago Cardinals, who was picked Thursday as head football coach at the University of Idaho. Ronzani, who resigned as Packer mentor last Nov. 27, may go to the Cardinals in a "good turn" move by head coach Joe Stydahar. Ronzani hired Stydahar when Jumbo Joe was out of work late in the 1952 season. Stydahar, an administrative assistant here, helped with the draft due to the illness of Scout Jack Vainisi. At the recent National League meeting, Stydahar refused to talk about the possibility of hiring Ronzani, onetime backfield coach of the Chicago Bears. Other backfield coaching jobs open in the league are at Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Ronzani, who is living in Green Bay, presently is visiting in Iron Mountain, and could not be reached for comment.
PACKER COACHING STAFF TOGETHER - FOR SHORT TIME
FEB 13 (Green Bay) - The Packer coaching staff was intact for the first time for a few hours yesterday afternoon, with the arrival of line coach Lou Rymkus. Rymkus flew in from his home in Cleveland after spending the past week with Packer prospects in the south. The new coach, former Notre Dame and Cleveland Brown tackle, arrived in hand to meet Veryl Switzer, the Kansas State halfback who was here for a look at the town en route to a track meet in Michigan State. Rymkus was a little shaky when he arrived; he had just recovered from a bout with the flu. Lou plans to make his home here. His family is composed of his wife and two sons, Pat and Mike. The coaching foursome, including head coach Liz Blackbourn and aides Tom Hearden, Ray McLean and Rymkus, was not together long yesterday afternoon. McLean left for an unannounced destination - undoubtedly to see some players. Switzer flew out of Green Bay yesterday afternoon - in time to meet his trackmates in East Lansing last night.
PACK PROBLEM? FLECK PLAYS 2 POSITIONS WELL
FEB 15 (Green Bay) - Packer coach Liz Blackbourn dismissed a pleasant problem today until next August. "Until we can see what the boy does best," Blackbourn pointed out in referring to big Bob Fleck, the 260-pound lineman from Syracuse who was signed by Assistant Coach Ray McLean over the weekend. Actually, Blackbourn isn't confronted with a problem at all. But the happy fact is that Fleck plays two positions - middle guard on defense and tackle on offense - with almost equal ability. Thus, Fleck can be considered a candidate for both. Blackbourn must decide next fall the position to which he is best suited, "although we have him tentatively set as a tackle." Blackbourn has two excellent, pleasantly-conflicting reports on the Syracuse giant. Phil Handler, line coach of the Chicago Bears, coached one of the teams in the North-South game. "Fleck was playing offensive tackle and pushed my 280-pound defensive tackle all over the lot," Liz quoted Handler as saying. Bert Ingwersen, line coach at Illinois, saw Fleck play middle guard against the Illini last fall and saw the new Packer do a damaging job against the middle of the Illinois offensive wall. Co-captain at Syracuse and a teammate of the Packers' Jim Ringo there in 1951-52. Fleck made the Tribune All-Players' All-America in 1952-53. He was also on the Collier's and INS All-Americas. Fleck will carry about 256 pounds on his 6-2 frame into battle. He is considered fast for a big man - a must for offensive linemen. Just a youngster at 22, Fleck was a star basketball and football player in hometown Coatesville, Pa., and later at Manlius Military Academy in Manlius, N.Y. The Syracuse ace is "well mended" from head injuries suffered in an auto accident the day after the National League draft last month. Signing of Fleck gives the Packers two of the most highly regarded tackles in the draft, the other being No. 1 pick Art Hunter of Notre Dame. And the precious contracts give Blackbourn a wonderful start on his announced program to rebuild the Packer line. Three other linemen have already been signed. Next big line objectives in the draft are guard George Timberlake of Southern California, the third draft pick; 240-tackle Sam Marshall of Florida A. and M., No. 7; and 220-pound Jim Williams of Texas Tech, No. 8, an experienced kickoff and extra point and field goal kicker. Fleck, incidentally, was one of two tackles selected in the second round. The other was Buddy Gillioz of Houston, chosen by Los Angeles. Hunter was one of two chosen in the first round, the other being Dick Chapman, the atomic expert from Rice, chosen by Detroit.
LT. KAPRAL WANTS ANOTHER TRY; GAY SALVUCCI WAITING
FEB 16 (Green Bay) - The mail is always heavy at the Packer office. Coach Liz Blackbourn sets a special period aside every morning to go over correspondence from well-wishing fans, athletes, other coaches and scores of people in the football trade. Scout Jack Vainisi, starting his fifth year in the Packer office, is tangled up in the letter business a good part of the day. A couple of years ago, Vainisi started a "correspondence" course with athletes all over the country. The result is what Jack calls a "running file" of information on athletes - as well as information on the Packers for the athletes. Vainisi got three interesting notes today - from Gayton Salvucci, Bob Kennedy and Frank Kapral, to mention a few. Salvucci was signed as a free agent a year ago and then went into the Army. The former American International college star halfback, who runs, punts and throws from the single wing, writes "almost every week," Vainisi said. Salvucci, who receives copies of the "Packer News", wrote that he is anxious to try out for the team in 1955. "I'll be out of the Army July 25, 1955," he penned. Salvucci, a six-foot, 185-pounder, presently is stationed at Fort Dix, N.J., but will move to Fort Monmouth, N.J., shortly. Kennedy, the former Wisconsin guard who signed a contract for '54 recently, wrote that he is "grateful to the club after the stuff I pulled last year - this time I'll be with you all the way." Kennedy was referring to last fall when he and center Jim Ringo of Syracuse jumped camp without advance words. Kennedy went back to school and next June will receive his degree in engineering; Ringo returned a week later. Kapral, the Michigan State guard who was the Packers' 22nd draft choice two years ago, is now a second lieutenant in the Army at Fort Sam Houston, Tex. Frank said he'd like to try out for the club next fall. Kapral, who will be separated from service in spring, signed a contract and took part in a brief training in Grand Rapids, Minn., in 1952. He was called him when his wife was injured in an accident and never returned. Vainisi's letter service has been invaluable to Blackbourn in building up the Packer reserve list. One of the chief results likely will be the return of many familiar names to Packer training, such as Kapral and Salvucci...Verne Lewellen, Packer general manager, and public relations chief Jug Earp are in Milwaukee for a few days. Lewellen was one of the speakers at the Santa Monica school sports night program last night. Among the other speakers were Frosty Ferzacca, Marquette coach, and Fred Miller, the sports-minded brewery king...Blackbourn and members of his staff, Tom Hearden, Ray McLean and Lou Rymkus, have plunged once again into the "cellar" under the Packer office for more views of Packer pictures. It's the first step for Blackbourn in arranging the Packers' 1954 attack!
PACKERS 'BUILD' SCOUT REPORTS; MARSHALL LOST
FEB 18 (Green Bay) - The Packer coaches were red-eyed and sober today. The glimmers were starting to get on the bloodshot side as Head Coach Liz Blackbourn and aides Tom Hearden, Ray McLean and Lou Rymkus continued a long and eye-smarting movie job - making scout reports on every Packer game played last fall, 17, including five non-league and 12 league. Why sober on this 18th day of February, 1954? It developed that Sam Marshall, the 240-pound Negro tackle from Florida A. and M., had signed a contract to play with Toronto of the Canadian Big Four Football Union. Marshall, whose signed was announced by Toronto last night, was the Packers' seventh draft choice and one of eight tackles selected by the Bays in the draft last month. Big Sam was the first member of the Bay pick list to step out of the NFL - at least for '54. Blackbourn said today that "we'll get in touch with the boy to verify the report of his signing there." The Negro All-American had been contacted immediately after the draft...FIVE NEGROES CHOSEN: Marshall was the No. 3 tackle chosen by the Bays. The top two - No. 1 choice Art Hunter of Notre Dame and No. 2 pick Bob Fleck of Syracuse - already have been signed by the Packers but both had been wooed by the Canadians. Marshall was one of five Negro players chosen in the draft. The others are halfback Veryl (Joe) Switzer of Kansas State, the second No. 1 pick; end Henry Barnes of Oregon, No. 18; tackle Bill Buford of Morgan State, No. 22; and end Hosea Sims of Marquette. Getting back to the red-eye department, the huge task of composing complete scouting reports will take nearly 35 days - more than a month of work days for the four coaches. Two motion picture projectors are being used to complete the job. One is in the coaches' room in the basement of the club offices at 349 S. Washington and the other is in a long, dimly-lit hall in the same building. "It takes us about two days to make a complete report on each game. The plays of each opponent are charted on both offense and defense. This takes about a day and a half. The other half day is used in compiling the information," Blackbourn pointed out. The finished scouting reports will show which plays gained the most yards for the various Green Bay opponents, their defensive strong points, etc., and form a basis for the Packers' strategy against the different clubs next fall. The fact that the Packers played some of the clubs twice last fall makes no difference. Pictures of both games are viewed, and, incidentally, afford the coaches a double look. The Bays played "doubleheaders" with the Western conference clubs - Bear, Lions, Rams, Forty Niners and Colts. In addition, the Bays played double bills (non-league and league) with the Eastern conference Steelers and Browns.
PACKER STOCKHOLDER PARLEY MARKS START OF NEW REGIME
FEB 19 (Green Bay) - The annual stockholders' meeting of Green Bay Packers, Inc., at the courthouse March 1 will mark the "official opening" of the Packers' new regime. Making reports for the first time will be Verne Lewellen, new general manager of the corporation, and Lisle Blackbourn, the club's new head coach. Appointment of Lewellen and Blackbourn in January launched the Packers on a new era which ended with the resignation of Gene Ronzani as head coach late last November. Lewellen will reveal the progress made thus far for the 1954 season. Blackbourn will outline his rebuilding program, the draft and plans for the '54 playing campaign. The stockholders will elect 12 directors, each for three year terms. The nominating committee has placed the names of Richard Falk of Milwaukee up for election to succeed Milwaukee's Joe Krueger. President of Falk Corporation, Falk has been active in backing sports affairs for years. He is considered the No. 2 sports backer in Milwaukee behind Fred Miller, also a member of the Packer board. Holdover directors nominated by a committee composed of John Torinus, chairman, Arthur Mongin and Charles P. Mathys are Ervin Bushman of Sturgeon Bay; Don Hutson of Racine; and H.J. Bero, R.W. Bogda, L.J. Levitas, Dominic Olejniczak, August Reimer, C.J. Renard, Walter Scherf, Edward Schuster and W.J. Servotte of Green Bay. Nominations for new directors also likely will be made from the floor. A highlight of the meeting will be the annual financial report by Secretary-Treasurer Servotte. The corporation made nearly $12,000 and the profit is expected to exceed that amount for the 1953 campaign. Immediately after the stockholders' meeting, the directors will meet to name officers and an executive committee. Officers are R.W. Bogda, president; L.H. Joannes, vice president; W.J. Servotte, secretary-treasurer; and Emil R. Fischer, chairman of the board. The executive committee has 10 members. It was reduced by two following the resignations of Lewellen to become general manager and Ronzani. Remaining members are Bogda, Joannes, Servotte, Max D. Murphy, Fred Leicht, Fischer, Olejniczak, F.N. Trowbridge, Bero and Torinus. The meeting will also act on a change in Article I of the bylaws to provide for holding the annual meeting on the first Monday in March of each year. instead of the first Monday in February as presently provided. The current session was postponed from Feb. 1 because of the late National League meeting which might have prevented the appearance of the new coaches and general manager. Also to be introduced will be assistant coaches Tom Hearden, Ray McLean and Lou Rymkus.

PACKERS SIGN HB VERYL SWITZER; 'BIG THREE' SET FOR '54
FEB 24 (Green Bay) - Veryl Swtitzer, the "middleman" in the Packers' Big Three, is in the fold. Signing of Kansas State's great two-way halfback was announced today by Packer Coach Liz Blackbourn after Switzer decided to end his track career due to a bruised heel. Blackbourn now has his top three draft choices set for 1954. Signed first was the No. 1 pick - tackle Art Hunter of Notre Dame and next to fall in line was No. 2 selection, tackle Bob Fleck of Syracuse, both All-Americans. Switzer, 21, actually was the Packers' second No. 1 grab. The New York Giants owed the Packers their first draft choice in the deal that sent quarterback Arnie Gailiffa to NY and also included defensive halfback Val Joe Walker, who broke in with the Pack last fall. Switzer, 190 pounds of speed on a 5-11 frame, is a right halfback on offense and a safety on defense. Where'll he play in pro football's two-platoon system won't be known until late in September but you can bet Blackbourn will give him a thorough test on both offense and defense. Switzer turned out to be what Blackbourn predicted before the draft. "We've got to strengthen the line but we'll go early, too, for that one good back," he said before the selection. Switzer was eyed by at least eight other clubs and especially the Bears who feted him during a trip to Chicago before the draft. All three of the Packers' ace draftees were oogled by Canadian teams. Switzer in particular had a tough decision to make because, reportedly, his college coach was headed for Canada. But Switzer was invited to Green Bay three weeks ago and the Negro took a liking to the city as well as the people he met. Switzer leaves a raft of accomplishments at Kansas State. He gained midwest recognition as a passer, runner and punter for his six-man Bogue, Kan., High school team in the late 1940s. His tryout as a freshman at KS in 1950 was his first brush with the standard 11-man football. In three varsity seasons, Switzer always represented a "problem" to his coaches because he was equally adept at both offense and defense. His tremendous coordination - not to mention his weight and speed - made him invaluable on defense. He specialized in defense in 1951 as a sophomore and was named to the All-America defensive team selected by the Associated Press. He added some offensive work in '52 but he regained his A-A honors for defense. The switch to the one-platoon system was made to order for Switzer last fall. He led the team in scoring with eight touchdowns and rolled up 618 yards in 95 carries for a six-plus average. In addition, he returned seven punts for 217 yards - an average of 31, and brought back 11 kickoffs for 245 yards - an average of over 20. Almost overlooked in earlier publicity but not by Packer scouts is the fact that Switzer ranks as one of the finest pass catchers in the midwest. The glue-fingered back snagged only eight passes but his speed helped build up a total of 211 yards - an average of over 26 per catch. Switzer made Big Seven years on offense and defense in '53 and won defensive honors in that loop in the previous two seasons. Powerful Oklahoma tabbed him as the strongest defensive back it had encountered in the last two years. And here's an award that Blackbourn is especially happy to hear about: Switzer was named the most inspirational player at KS in '53. Switzer, who bears a striking resemblance to Buddy Young, has been nicknamed Joe by his teammates because of his easy-going and friendly nature.
TRADESMEN URGE DEDUCTIONS FOR PACK TICKETS
FEB 24 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Federated Trades Council Tuesday night unanimously adopted a resolution requesting local labor unions and employers to urge volunteer payroll deductions for the purpose of purchasing season tickets to 1954 Packer games. Designed to reduce the financial burden that many might feel through buying the tickets at one time, the resolution was introduced by Jack O'Malley of the Trades Council. It asks that representatives of all union locals contact employees to make arrangements to put the plan into operation. The resolution: "BE IT RESOLVED, That the Green Bay Federated Trades Council requests all of the labor unions in the city of Green Bay, together with industry and business in the City of Green Bay, that voluntary deductions be authorized by the individual employees, as well as the employer, for the purpose of purchasing season tickets for the Green Bay Packer football games in 1954, and that this be on a purely volunteer basis. That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to all of the trade unions in the City of Green Bay and also to the Green Bay Packers, and also to the Green Bay Association of Commerce."
PACKERS 'EYE' ELIGIBILITY OF COLLEGE STARS
FEB 25 (Green Bay) - The Packers are making every effort to preserve the eligibility of college players they sign to professional football contracts. At the same time, the Packers are being careful not to incur the wrath of the colleges. Packer head coach Liz Blackbourn – himself less than two months out of the college picture – pointed out the above “facts” today in reviewing the signings of Veryl (Joe) Switzer, the Kansas State football and track star. Blackbourn said that Switzer was signed after it was established that the 21-year old Negro was “definitely through with track.” Switzer decided to quit track after he injured his heel in the recent Michigan State indoor meet, in which he placed fourth in the broad jump. Joe is defending Big Seven broad jump champion. Despite the injury, Switzer may have quit track anyway because of a heavy load of school work. “I did not feel that I could devote the necessary time to track since I am carrying a heavy schedule,” Switzer said in Manhattan, Kan., yesterday. “After learning that Joe had decided to quit track,” Blackbourn said, “we wrote school officials to verify the boy’s move. Later, we talked with Lawrence (Moon) Mullins, the athletic director, by telephone to make doubly sure and to sound out the school’s reaction.” Thus, the Packers – through careful checking – maintained a healthy relationship with Kansas State University. More important, the manner in which the “problem” was handled automatically removed some of the fear colleges have towards the pros – the Packers in particular – for future dealings. Switzer undoubtedly made up his mind about playing pro football in Green Bay, rather than in Canada, after a visit here recently. The young athletes was impressed by the treatment he received from Packer coaches and officials and the large number of fans he met. While the Packer-Switzer-Kansas State “transactions” radiated sweetness and light, all was not peaches and cream between some of the other schools and pro clubs. The tennis coach at Northwestern University is unhappy at the Washington Redskins; the Southern California football people will have nothing to do with the Detroit Lions; the basketball coach at College of the Pacific undoubtedly would like to “hang” the New York Giants – to mention a few cases. Green Bay’s own Don Rondou, the West High quarterback immortal, is in the middle of the Northwestern-Washington dispute. At the moment, Redskin assistant coach Herman Ball is attempting to regain Rondou’s tennis eligibility. Don is the defending Big Ten net champion. When he signed the Redskin contract, Rondou was under the impression that the pact wouldn’t take effect until after the tennis season. The matter will have to be straightened out with Tug Williams, Big Ten commissioner, and the other Big Ten schools. The irony of Don’s case is that the former Wildcat turned down a bid to play in the North-South game over the holidays in order to preserve his eligibility for tennis. Announcement of Rondou’s signing was made out of Washington. The New York Giants pulled an “unfortunate” with their No. 2 draft choice, Ken Buck, the pass catching end and basketball star from COP. The story of Buck’s signing somehow leaked out – just before the start of a big basketball game. Which ended Buck’s basketball career right then and there! Southern Cal is still burned up about the Detroit Lions signing Charles Ane, center-tackle, a year ago. Ane was drafted in January of 1953 as a junior which meant that he had a year of eligibility left. His status as a draft subject was clear because his class was graduated in ’53. Ane was within his rights to turn pro, stating that he needed money to support his family, but Southern California didn’t like it.
KENNEDY SORRY
FEB 26 (Green Bay) - Bob Kennedy, former Wisconsin football star, is sorry about leaving the Green Bay Packers' training camp last fall without advance warning. Art Daley of the Press-Gazette reports that Kennedy, who has signed a 1954 Packer contract, wrote recently to scour Jack Vainisi that he is "grateful to the club after the stuff I pulled last year - this time I'll be with you all the way."

S.O.L.B.A.F.! CLUB BACKING PACKER COACH
FEB 26 (Green Bay) - The popularity of Packers head coach Liz Blackbourn reached the card-carrying stage today. Green Bay’s newest citizen is smack in the “middle” of an organization which has been initialed S.O.L.B.A.F. Broken down, those letters stand for the following: “Society of Liz Blackbourn Admirers Forever.” The six words were composed by Wally Cruice, one time football star under Blackbourn at Milwaukee Washington, who announced in Milwaukee yesterday that “the club was organized by a group of Liz Blackbourn admirers.” Membership cards have been printed and nearly 2,000 of them have been sold in Milwaukee alone at $1 each. Cruice reported fifty cards have been sent to the Packer office and publicist Jug Earp said “they’re going fast.” Cruice is chairman of the club and project and Hap Leiser of Milwaukee is co-chairman. The nucleus of the club is made up of hundreds of Blackbourn “alumni” – boys he coached at Milwaukee Washington, the University of Wisconsin and Marquette university in the last 26 years…PAY TRIBUTE TO COACH: The purpose of the club hasn’t been put down in black and white yet. But, as Earp puts it, “the club helps support the Packers, our head coach, and keeps up interest in professional football.” Some of the money will be used for the purchase of a gift card for Blackbourn. And Cruice suggested, “the membership might be able to finance a Packer newsletter – or some other worthwhile program the Packers might like to accomplish.” The new group will play tribute to Blackbourn at the Milwaukee Association of Commerce’s big luncheon for Liz, Frosty Ferzacca and Terry Brennan in Milwaukee March 4. Anyone in Green Bay or area interested in joining S.O.L.B.A.F. can call or write Earp at the Packer office or write to the new organization at 110 E. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee…On the more serious side of the ledger, Blackbourn learned the other day that Bob Orders, the 220-pound center from West Virginia, expects to go into the service in June. Orders was drafted in ’53 for possible use in ’54. The All-American pivot may serve a three-year hitch. He left West Point following the cribbing scandal three years ago. One center was selected in the draft last month – Ken Hall, a six-foot, 220-pounder from Springfield college. Orders is the third loss to the armed forces. Due to go before the grid season is halfback Don Barton, the Texas whiz who did well late in 1953 after suffering an ankle fracture in the non-league opener. Already in service is Dick Logan, veteran offensive guard…The Packers have announced the signing of seven player thus far, including their first three draft choices…Birth of their fifth son has been announced by Irv and Bernadette Comp of Milwaukee. Irv, backfield star of the Packers in the 40s, says it gives him “the first five-man backfield among Packer alumni.” The new Comp, named Tommy, was preceded by brothers Jimmy, Billy, Mike and Gary.
PACKER OFFICIALS "IMPRESSED" BY STEVENS POINT
FEB 27 (Stevens Point) - Coach Lisle Blackbourn and general manager Vern Lewellen of the Green Bay Packers left Stevens Point Friday afternoon "impressed with what the city has to offer" in connection with the invitation to have the professional team train here this summer. The important figures in the organization of the NFL's member from Wisconsin looked over facilities at Central State college and P.J. Jacobs High School in the morning. They discussed aspects of the possible move during a noon luncheon at Hotel Whiting with a local committee which has been working toward bringing the pro gridders here for their summer practice. It was expected that the Packers will make an announcement within 30 to 60 days and in the meantime will be investigating other invitations from Eagle River, Ripon and Two Rivers. Green Bay worked out at Grand Rapids, MN last year but desires to make its training site in the future a little closer to the home city. If the club picked Stevens Point as its preseason headquarters, the team would be here beginning probably July 25 and continuing for from three to five weeks. The highlight of the summer preparation session is an intra-squad game, which is open to the public.
PACKER YARDS OR $$, FIGURES ARE 'THING'
MAR 1 (Green Bay) - Bert Bell’s annual March gift to the sporting writers – NFL statistics – has arrived in a special package from Philadelphia, the commissioner’s headquarters. During the next two weeks, the public – thanks to Bell and his aide, Joseph Labrum – will be flooded with final figures on the various phases of individual and team competition as compiled in 72 league games last fall. You might get the idea that there was a slight delay in the mail since this is March and the last NFL game was played three months ago. Well, it takes time to figure out the yards, get ‘em printed, etc. Besides, there’s usually a lull in pro football news about this time of the year. So why let baseball and basketball hog the whole show? While player and team yardage figures make for interesting reading, the figure fans in Packerland are wondering about has a dollar sign in front of it. That famous figure – more specifically, the Packers’ profit or loss – will be revealed tonight at the annual stockholders’ meeting in the courthouse. It will be announced by Bill Servotte, the Packers’ secretary-treasurer, who will make his annual report at the call of President Russ Bogda. Servotte will give a rundown on the 1953 season. A year ago, the Packers announced a profit of nearly $12,000 on the 1952 season, a campaign that produced a 6-6 record on the field. By comparison to the 2-9-1 record of 1953, a financial loss would be in order. However, good crowds in key games and a share of the league’s television profits are expected to produce a few smiles tonight. Other shades of optimism will be presented to talks by Verne Lewellen, the Packers’ new general manager, and Liz Blackbourn, the team’s new head coach. Blackbourn’s aides, Tom Hearden, Ray McLean and Lou Rymkus, will be introduced. Twelve directors will be elected by the stockholders. Immediately after the meeting, the meeting of the board of directors will elect officers….Final figures on interceptions are set to be released Tuesday. The barrage started with the announcement of ball carrying statistics Sunday. The BC figures showed that the Packers finished sixth in the league with 1,665 yards in 424 attempts for an average of 3.9. San Francisco won it with 2,230 yards in 443 attempts for 5.03. Individually, Frisco Joe Perry won the title with 1,018 yards in 192 trips for an average of 5.3. The Packers’ Floyd Reid had his greatest year and finished seventh with 492 yards in 95 rides for 5.2. Fullback Fred Cone was 25th with 301, and Al Carmichael was 34th with 199.
THE PACK! THE PACK!
MAR 1 (Green Bay) – The resolution of the Federated Trades Council urging locals, as well as business and other elements, to get in the swing with the Packer management on season ticket sales, is another of those warm evidences of good fellowship to which the public has responded with enthusiasm in the past. The Pack has a lot of things to do. And the FTC pointed its finger at one of the very important items on the list. There are few things more encouraging to any organization than to find early support “clear across the board.” And the methods suggested by the Council are practical and helpful ones. The Packer management will certainly reconsider any plans it has in order to work in conjunction with the suggestion.
PACKERS 3RD IN PASS THEFTS, ANNOUNCE EXHIBITION SLATE
MAR 2 (Philadelphia) - The Green Bay Packers placed third in team standings in the official NFL statistics on pass interceptions released today. The Detroit Lions headed the list with 38 interceptions for a total of 663 yards returned, or an average return of 17.4 yards. Green Bay had 28 interceptions for 351 yards and an average return of 12.5 yards. Baltimore was second. In individual ratings only two Packers placed in the first 25 on the list. Bobby Dillon placed sixth with nine interceptions with a total of 112 yards returned and an average of 12.4 yards. Ben Aldridge of the Bays was 19th with 5 interceptions for a total return of 85 yards and a 17.0 average return. Meanwhile in Green Bay, at a stockholders' meeting Monday night the Packers announced a tentative six-game exhibition schedule and a profit of $29,267 for last season. Officials said receipts for 1953 were $786,841, among the highest in the Packers' history. But expenses totaled $757,574, also an increase over 1952. General Manager Vern Lewellen announced this schedule: Chicago Cardinals at Minneapolis, August 14; Cleveland Browns at Green Bay, August 21; Pittsburgh Steelers at Pittsburgh, August 27; Philadelphia at Atlantic City, September 5; Washington at Raleigh, NC, September 11, and New York at Milwaukee, September 18. Russell Bodga of Green Bay was re-elected president of the Packers at the meeting.

PACKERS POST GAIN OF $29,267 IN '53
MAR 2 (Green Bay) - A profit of $29,267.48 on 1953 Packer operations. A tentative six-game non-league schedule. Election of officers, including a new vice-president and one new director. A request for new blood on the board. These were some of the developments at a lively meeting of stockholders of Green Bay Packers, Inc., at the courthouse last night – a kickoff session introducing the new regime or, more specifically, General Manager Verne Lewellen and Head Coach Liz Blackbourn and members of his staff. Bill Servotte, secretary-treasurer, revealed that the profit was the largest since 1946 – just before the dollar war against the defunct All-America conference started – and that receipts of $786,841 in 1953 were among the largest in Packer history. Emphasizing that the figures are still subject to audit, Servotte said that ‘expenses of the club went up last year – just like everything else, but fortunately the revenue also was up.” The profit of $29,267 was due entirely to the club’s share of the National league’s television revenue. The Packers realized $12,000 from the Thanksgiving Day TV of the Packer-Detroit game and $20,000 as their share of the league’s TV contract. Thus, the Packers’ gain from TV amounted to approximately $32,000. Without it, the club might have lost close to $3,000. Against receipts of $786,841.67, the Packers had expenses of $757.574.19 in 1953. The 1953 profit represented an increase of approximately $18,000 over 1952 when the club realized $11,967.54. A glance at revenue and expenses for the two seasons quickly explains some of the increase, Bill said. Revenue in 1952 was $673,489.20 – or around $111,000 under the 1953 figure. Expenses in ’52 totaled $661,521.66 – or over $90,000 under the ’53 expenses. The big increase in revenue in 1953 over ’52, Servotte pointed out, came in advertising, broadcasting, television, etc. This figure was $100,574.99 in ’53 against $60,228.55 in ’52. On the expenses side, salaries, wages and player expenses leaped from $302,066 to $349,949.71; travel jumped from $59.197 to $72,648.85; field expenses leaped from $32,632 to $44,357.39; and legal expense went up from $3,848 to $6,011. Servotte said that the reason for the unusual legal increase was that the Packers (along with 11 other clubs) had to share in expense of the league’s recent anti-trust suit…Lewellen, in telling of the progress made thus far, announced that the Packers are making arrangements to play six non-conference games. The tentative schedule calls for a game between the Cleveland Browns and Packers at City stadium Saturday night, Aug. 21. It would be the Bays’ second test under the new coaches. The opener is tentatively set against the Chicago Cardinals in Minneapolis Saturday night, Aug. 14. Other tentative dates send the Packers to Pittsburgh Aug. 27, to Atlantic City to meet Philadelphia Sept. 5, to Raleigh, N.C., to meet Washington Sept. 11 and to Milwaukee to meet the New York Giants Sept. 18. In working out the details for the Minneapolis game, Lewelllen said that “we are under no obligation to train in Minnesota in return for the game.” He said that a number of Wisconsin communities have inquired about the Packers’ training plans. “Liz and I checked the facilities in Stevens Point last week and next week we plan to look over Two Rivers,” Lew reported, “the question of training in the city has not been determined yet.” Lewellen cited the need for a downtown ticket office in Milwaukee and possibly one at County stadium for the summer months. He pointed out, in reviewing Milwaukee, that the Beer City has a potential of 67,851 more seats (in County stadium) at Packer games. In three league games there last year, a total of 43,851 tickets were not sold. “With the increased seating capacity in the stadium, the potential can be increased to 67,851,” Lewellen explained. A total of 9,333 tickets were unsold for the three league games in City stadium last fall. Lewellen praised the work of Blackbourn and members of his staff and expressed optimism for the coming season…Blackbourn introduced assistant coaches Ray McLean and Tom Hearden and scout Jack Vainisi. Coach Lou Rymkus, due to return from the meeting from Cleveland where he’s selling his home prior to moving his family here, was delayed by a 15-inch snowfall that all but paralyzed the city. Blackbourn said that “every move the staff makes is based on the question ‘will that move help the Packers or win a game next fall.’” He also pointed out that “at no time will there be any fooling around with the rules and regulation as set up in the NFL. We all want to win but not at the expense of breaking league rules and bylaws.” The new Packer coach, starting his third month here, said that “we’ll soon move up to new offices on the second floor of the Packer office building where we’ll have plenty of good light and room, thus getting out of that musty old basement.” There will be room for squad meetings as well as offices for the coaches. In closing, Blackbourn reviewed the draft list and added that “we

feel we are on the right track.”…The stockholders named 12 directors for three-year terms, including Richard Falk, Milwaukee industrialist who replaces Milwaukee City Treasurer Joe Krueger. The other directors elected, all holdovers, are Erv Bushman of Sturgeon Bay, Don Hutson of Racine; and H.J. Bero, R.W. Bogda, L.J. Levitas, Dominic Olejniczak, August Reimer, C.J. Renard, Walter Scherf, Edward Schuster and W.J. Servotte of Green Bay. After the stockholders’ meeting, directors elected an executive committee and officers. Russ Bogda was reelected president, Olejniczak was named vice president to replace Gene Ronzani, L.H. Joannes was renamed vice president; Servotte was reelected secretary-treasurer; and Emil R. Fischer was named chairman of the board. The reelected executive committee is composed of Max D. Murphy, Fred Leicht, F.N. Trowbridge, John B. Torinus and Bogda, Joannes, Servotte, Fischer and Olejniczak. The discussion on “new blood” developed after Torinus, chairman of the nominating committee, recommended that the 12 directors be reelected and that some thought be given to a rotating plan for directorships. Torinus asked that the 12 directors be renamed “because this is a year of transition,” indicating that the committee favored changes later, rather than now, when the new regime has just started. Savvy Canadeo, a year-around Packer booster, told stockholders that “more consideration should be given to the new blood” and urged that “changes should be made on the board of directors.” Following a discussion in which several stockholders voiced their opinions, the group adopted a resolution, introduced by Abe Alk, that the general manager and the board of directors review the matter of a rotating board of directors and then, at the president’s call, before the next annual stockholders’ meeting, hold a special meeting to discuss the matter. Director Buckets Goldenberg, who drove up from Milwaukee, entered the discussion and stated “this should be our motto: What can I do for the Packers – Not what can the Packers do for me.” Goldenberg’s frank statements brought a round of applause from the stockholders. During the business meeting, a communication from the Sullivan-Wallen post, American Legion, was read. The post recommended that some thought be given to construction of a new stadium and suggested the rental fees deducted from each game be placed in a trust fund and used later to build.
PARROTT REPORTED SIGNED BY PACKERS
MAR 3 (Neenah) - According to reports, Lee Parrott, Neenah police officer, has been signed to play professional football with the Green Bay Packers. When questioned today, Parrott said he had no comment on reports that he has signed a contract. Coach Blackbourn of the Green Bay Packers was away from Green Bay and could not be reached this morning. Parrott played football at Neenah High school for four years, playing tackle and fullback. He weighs over 200 pounds. Following his graduation from Neenah High school in 1948, he served in the Army, joining the police force in May 1953.
PACKERS SIGN FOUR PLAYERS; FULL ELEVEN SET
MAR 4 (Green Bay) - The Packers had a full football team today, with the signing of four players – a free agent who toiled with the San Francisco Forty Niners, a 1953 draft choice and two 1954 draft selections. The newcomers are: Ken Bahnsen, 205-pound fullback who was cut adrift late last season by the Forty Niners following the return from service of Jim Monachino; Joe Johnson, speedy Boston college halfback who was picked two years ago for delivery in ’54; Bill Oliver, outstanding Alabama halfback who was chosen in the 12th slot in the January draft, and Jack Smalley, a 225-pound tackle who was ranked as the best blocker at Alabama last fall. The four signings, announced today by Coach Liz Blackbourn, boosted the total of athletes to make the Packers’ contract pile to 11. The group includes four tackles, one guard, one end, four halfbacks and one fullback. Bahnsen was probably the most “unfortunate” back in pro football last fall. He was faced with cracking the circuit’s best ground gaining backfield composed of Joe Perry, Hugh McElhenny, Joe Arenas, Pate Schabarum and Billy Mixon. When veteran Jim Monachino returned from service, Forty Niner coach Buck Shaw had to let Bahnsen go. With the Packers, Bahnsen will fight for the fullback job against veterans Fred Cone and Howie Ferguson – not to mention several other FBs who are expected to sign before the season opens. One of these is Tom Allman, the 210-pound piledriver and blocker from West Virginia, the club’s fourth draft choice. Bahnsen, 24, had a successful career at North Texas State, posting a 5.1 yard ground gaining average on 658 yards in 128 carries in his senior year. He was selected on the all-conference team four straight years and was made All-Texas in ’52. He also captained NTS in ’52. Bahnsen is a native of Vinson, La…RECOMMENDED BY HOLOVAK: Johnson, drafted as a junior in ’53, was the strong man of Boston college’s offense the last three years, averaging well over four yards per rushing try. He also rated as a top-flight pass catcher, nabbing eight for 192 yards in ’52 and six for 98 in ’51. He gained 683 yards rushing in 162 attempts for 4.2 in ’52 and 542 in 123 for 4.1 in ’51. Johnson, 24, stands 6-1 and carries 180 pounds. Captain of BC in ’53, Johnson was recommended by Mike Holovak, head coach at BC and former Chicago Bear back. Oliver, who stands 6-1 and packs 185 pounds, improved in every game last fall and topped the season off with a sparkling performance in Alabama’s loss to Rice in the Cotton Bowl. Against Rice, he gained 56 yards to lead Alabama ball carriers and made six tackles on defense. Oliver started the season behind Corky Tharp but soon became the No. 1 starter at right half. Rated an excellent defensive back with good speed, Oliver might have caught Dick Moegle from behind in that famous from-the-bench-tackle by Tommy Lewis in the Cotton Bowl. Oliver at times shows his speed as a pass catcher; he nailed six for 133 yards against Maryland last fall for a 20-plus average…”ANXIOUS” TO PLAY PRO BALL: The new Packers played prep ball at Aliceville High in Panola, Ala. He’ll turn 27 next March 21. Smalley, who stands 6-3, was Alabama’s regular offensive tackle last fall, winning the job with plenty of rocking and socking in practice. In addition, he won offensive tackle honors in his conference. The Bays’ 25th draft choice, Smalley hails from Tuscaloosa, Ala., where he played prep football. He became 22 years of age last Jan. 31. Both Oliver and Smalley said they were “anxious” to play pro football. Two other Alabama players became pros today – the aforementioned Lewis and center Ralph Carrigan, both signed by the Chicago Cardinals…Official NFL statistics released today list two Packers in the first 30 individual pass receiving standings in 1953. End Bill Howton placed 26th with 25 passes received for a total gain of 463 yards or an average of 18.5 yards per gain. His longest was an 80-yard touchdown run. In 29th place, Bob Mann has a record of 23 pass receptions for 327 yards or an average of 14.2 yards per gain.
PACKERS TOOK WOODS OUT OF MIDWEST FOR NEW YORK CROWD
MAR 5 (Milwaukee) - The Packers drew a plug or two or four at the Milwaukee Association of Commerce’s luncheon honoring Liz Blackbourn, Frosty Ferzacca and Terry Brennan in the Pfister hotel here Thursday noon. One speaker in particular – Jack Lavelle, the big man from the big city – hauled out something rather interesting. The New York Giant, Army and Notre Dame scout, track referee and starter, public speaker, humorist and just plain nice guy, figured the Packers had a lot to do with taking the woods out of the midwest – that is, convincing New Yorkers and others on the eastern seaboard that we in the MW don’t have bears playing in our backyards, we have modern conveniences, and the fighting against the Indians is over. To put this thought on a little more sensitive level, Lavelle did say that “us folks out there always used to look with skepticism on athletics in the midwest – we with our Yales and Harvards.” The thing that really opened us up was “the miracle of Green Bay; the Packers came out there and beat us (Giants) a few times and gradually the Packer games in New York became one of the big games in the East. The fans and press quickly changed their minds about the midwest.” Lavelle said that Notre Dame’s first invasion out there to play Army in the old days also convinced a lot of New Yorkers about the MW. The advent of baseball in Milwaukee has ‘amazed us out there,” Lavelle pointed out, adding “we’re really believers now.” The rotund man, touching on New York people’s view of the outside world, said, “the subway is a helluva hole; it holds millions of people every day but nobody gets to know anybody else – they just get in there with their Daily News and sit.” Lavelle dazzled the audience of close to 400 fans with his running streams of jokes…Fred Miller, the Packers’ No. 1 backer in Milwaukee and chairman of the AC’s sports committee who served as toastmaster, introduced Packer General Manager Verne Lewellen “as a man who deserves every bit of your support.” He presented Blackbourn “as the man who can put Green Bay back on the winning road.” And speaking of introductions, Miller presented Milwaukee Sentinel Sports Editor Lloyd Larson as “Mr. Lee Larson.” Larson retorted, “Thank you, Mr. Schultz!”.,,Blackbourn, feeling at home before “my friends in Milwaukee” (Liz coaches Washington High there for 22 years, before going to Wisconsin and Marquette) said he was “extremely thankful for the chance of fate that permitted me the opportunity to do all of my coaching in our state – it has given me a great loyalty to the state.” Liz added: “I realize coaching the Packers is quite a challenge but I am proud of the opportunity.” On the humor side, Blackbourn twinkled, “Somebody said that now that I don’t have to worry about the alumni (Wisconsin and Marquette) anymore, maybe I could tell about the prospects. No alumni in Green Bay? As I recall there are about 4,000 stockholders.” Ferzacca, the former Green Bay West grid mentor, now at Marquette, said “we have a feeling that Marquette is on the way up” and expressed the hope that “Milwaukee should realize that Marquette university is Marquette university of Milwaukee.” Frosty, referring to Brennan and Notre Dame, said that “maybe someday we can bring Notre Dame to Milwaukee for a game in the stadium.” Brennan said he hoped to interject “some humor in our practice at Notre Dame.” The young Milwaukeean, who succeeded Frank Leahy, said that “our nerves were pretty ragged at times last season.”
NO. 3 FOR ROTES
MAR 5 (Green Bay) – Packer quarterback Tobin Rote had another cheerleader today – a daughter who has been named Toni Adair. Born recently in Houston, the newcomer weighed eight pounds. The Rotes have two other children – Tobin, Jr., and Robin Beth.
GIB DAWSON, BARTON SHOW THEY HAVEN'T LOST TOUCH IN SPRING GAME, LIZ TO B UW GUEST
MAR 6 (Green Bay) - Badly hampered by injuries last year, the Packers’ Gib Dawson and Don Barton served notice the other day that they have lost none of the sparkle they showed at times with the Packers. Dawson scored all 14 points as the University of Texas Old Timers downed the UT Varsity, 14-12, in their annual spring game, and Barton reeled off a 30-yard run to set up a touchdown. Dawson, bothered with pulled leg muscles as a Packer rookie, went up the middle for 13 yards and the first TD and raced around end 12 yards for the other. He booted both extra points. Also starring for the Oldtimers was Harley Sewell, Detroit Lion guard. Barton, who suffered an ankle fracture in the Packers’ non-league opener last fall and then didn’t play until the last three league games, may have to go into the Army shortly…Packer Coach Liz Blackbourn will be one of the guests of honor at the annual gridiron dinner at the University of Wisconsin April 7. Liz will sit at the head table with Thomas L. Stokes, Washington columnist, who will be the main speaker. The fete is sponsored by Sigma Delta Chi, a professional journalism fraternity…While Dawson and Barton were taking their bumps in Texas, a group of Los Angeles Rams defeated the San Pedro Dolphins, 26 to 13, in a touch football game in LA before 500 fans. Quarterback Norm Van Brocklin showed his understudies, Rudy Bukich and Bill Wade, how it’s done by hurling three touchdown passes to Skeets Quinlan, Tom Fears and Bob Boyd. Wade, the Rams’ bonus choice two years ago who spent the last two season in the Army, gave indication that his knee, injured last year, is as good as new by streaking through the Dolphins on a 40-yard run. Paul Cameron, UCLA’s All-American who will play with Pittsburgh, passed for Dolphin touchdowns to Bob Schroeder and Bill Stits…Packer General Manager Verne Lewellen is anxiously awaiting word on the Bays’ league schedule so that arrangements can be made for splitting the six homes tests between Milwaukee and Green Bay and printing of tickets. Ten of the 12 games will be home and home sets with the other five clubs in the Western division and the other two will be against two foes in the Eastern loop. The Packers are due to draw Philadelphia and possibly Washington for their eastern foes. Top business ahead will be the schedule, selection of a training site and signing of players.
PARILLI TO AID FORMER COACH IN TEXAS A-M DRILLS
MAR 6 (College Station, TX) - Vito “Babe” Parilli, former star Kentucky quarterback, will help coach the backs during Texas A&M’s spring football training period opening Monday. Paul Bryant, director of athletics and head coach, announced that Parilli, who played with the Green Bay Packers the past two seasons, will work the first two weeks of A&M’s spring grid practice. Parilli, vacationing in Lexington, Ky., was not available for comment today on a report by United Press that he will be called into the U.S. Air Force in the near future. A Packer spokesman said, however, that the club has had no word of a change in Parilli’s service station.

PACKERS FACE PITTSBURGH, BEARS, LIONS AT STADIUM
MAR 9 (Green Bay) - The Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears and world champion Detroit Lions will meet the Packers in NFL games at City stadium next fall. San Francisco, Los Angeles and Baltimore will be the Packers’ league opponents in Milwaukee County stadium. Verne Lewellen, Packer general manager who announced the home schedule today, revealed that the Packers’ first two league games will be played in Green Bay on successive Sundays – Pittsburgh on Sept. 26 and the Chicago Bears Oct. 3. The next two will follow on consecutive Sunday in Milwaukee – San Francisco Oct. 10 and Los Angeles Oct. 17. There will be a lull of home activity for nearly a month before the Packers take on Baltimore in Milwaukee Saturday night, Nov. 13 in a nationally-televised game. The home card closes out Nov. 21 when the Packers engage Detroit in Green Bay. Though “twin” games in both Milwaukee and Green Bay

were not considered desirable. Lewellen pointed out that “we were left with no alternative because of Milwaukee Braves baseball.” The first two games could not be alternated between the two cities because the Braves close their season at home on Sept. 26 (the date of the opener) and the Braves have an option on County stadium for Oct. 3 – just in case they get into the World Series. Since the Packer-Baltimore date (Nov. 13) had been selected by NFL Commissioner Bert Bell and TV people as the game of that week, the game had to be left in Milwaukee because Green Bay has no facilities to televise out of the city. The TV game will be the first nationally-televised Packer home game. It will be blacked out in Milwaukee and Green Bay. Several years ago, Packer games in Milwaukee were televised to that city and the immediate area. The Packers’ home opponents and dates are fixed by Bell but the Packer executive committee decides the games to be played in the two communities. The remainder of the Packers’ league schedule will be announced gradually – that is, as the other clubs reveal their schedules. Each team is permitted to announce only its own home schedule. To conform with league rules, the Packers will play home and home sets with each team in the Western conference and the remaining two games will be against two clubs in the Eastern conference. The opener against Pittsburgh takes care of one EC fore. The other likely will be Philadelphia. Though Detroit hasn’t come out with its home schedule yet, the Packers will probably draw the champs in the annual Thanksgiving Day game in Detroit Nov. 25. If this develops, the Packers and Lions will play back-to-back since the Detroits visit GB the previous Sunday, Nov. 21. Including a tentative non-league game against the Cleveland Browns, Green Bay will be host to one Packer game in each of four months starting in August – the Browns Aug. 21, Pittsburgh Sept. 26, Bears Oct. 3 and Detroit Nov. 21. The Packers also have a tentative non-looper in Milwaukee – the New York Giants in the annual Shrine game in Marquette stadium Sept. 18. Thus, each city will have four games….PRO BRIEFS: Pittsburgh will be playing its first league game in Green Bay since 1946 when the Packers downed Bill Dudley and Company, coached by the late Doc Sutherland, 17-7. Sutherland got revenge a year later when the Steels beat Green Bay 18-17 in Milwaukee – one of the four games the Packers lost in ’47 by a total of nine points…Packer Coach Liz Blackbourn had no particular comment on the Packer schedule today other than “it looks mighty tough.” This is the second straight year the Packers don’t open against the Bears. A year ago, the Pack opened against the Browns in Milwaukee and then played the Bears in GB…Besides the schedule, Blackbourn had something else on his mind – a punter to lift the Bays out of 12th place in the NFL’s punting statistics. The Bays punted 80 times for an average distance of 37.6 yards compared to top-ranked Pittsburgh’s 70 for 46.9. Clive Rush, who recently signed as an assistant coach at Dayton under Hugh Devore, was the only Packer to place in the first 15 of the individual list with 60 punts for an average of 37.7. Babe Parilli booted 19 times for an average of 36.1 while Tobin Rote punted once – for 57 yards.
AC GROUP BACKS PACKER TICKET PLAN
MAR 10 (Green Bay) - Discussion of the Federate Trades Council resolution calling for a plan for time payments for Packer season tickets, and also plans for semi-pro baseball in Green Bay this season occupied a breakfast meeting of the Association of Commerce’s Sports Committee this morning in the Terrace Room at Prange’s. The Committee was enthusiastic over the plan put forward by the Trades Council calling for labor unions, industry and business to set up voluntary deduction plans for purchasing Packer season tickets. It was decided that a meeting would be arranged with Trades Council representatives to discuss the plan further, and that Association of Commerce members would be contacted later in an attempt to work out mechanics of such a plan. It was pointed out that some firms have a policy against payroll deductions for such purposes, but that other systems might be employed in such cases, such as working through the credit union in the plant, or through the labor union concerns.
BAYS RETURN MOST KICKOFFS
MAR 10 (Philadelphia) - The Green Bay Packers were high team with 56 returns, NFL 1953 statistics on kickoff returns showed today, but stood eighth in team standings for average distance returns. The New York Giants finished in first place with an average return of 26.3 yards in 41 returns for a total 1,077 yards. Green Bay's returns netted a total of 1,197 yards but an average of only 21.4 yards. In individual players standings, Al Carmichael of the Bays ranked eighth with 26 returns for a total of 641 yards or a 24.7 average. His longest return was 43 yards.

WHAT ABOUT NEW PACKER STADIUM?
MAR 10 (Green Bay) - The words "new stadium" are being used with increased frequency these days. Joe Phan, highly pleased with the rapid-fire progress made by the Packers under the new regime, is, generally speaking, so optimistic about the team's future that the magic aforementioned words just automatically creep into a coffee conversation. A new stadium isn't exactly a new thought, however. Packer officials have been kicking around the idea of a new layout for several years but consecutive bad seasons, starting in 1948, with a brief breather in '52, forced them to worry about keeping alive - much less building a new home. With a profit of $30,000 on the books on 1953 operations, Packer officials once again have uncrossed their fingers in hopes that the bright-looking future will produce along the way a new, larger and permanent ball yard. Packer fathers feel that three things must happen before Green Bay can get a new stadium: (1) Winning seasons or the right kind of team. (2) Sellout crowds at game in City stadium. (3) Milwaukee outdrawing Green Bay to the extent that other teams will put pressure on the Packers to play in Milwaukee rather than in Green Bay. Thing No. 1 is an absolute must because if the Packers have a winner they will draw tremendously on the road - due to their natural, small-town appeal and their power on the field. Drawing on the road would skyrocket the club's finances since it would wipe out the tremendous expense of traveling. Large crowds at home, drawn by that must - a good team, would thicken the stadium-building gravy. Thing No. 2 represents the above-mentioned Joe Phan. He must demonstrate the need for a larger stadium in Green Bay. With few exceptions, the fans annually leave a number of empty seats during league games. Last fall, for instance, only one game in City stadium was a sellout - 24,835 at the Bear go. The Detroit test drew 20,834 and Baltimore pulled 18,713. These figures do not show a need for a new and larger stadium. Thing No.3 is the key. Every year on the month (usually January) for the last six years, owner-coach George Halas of the Bears puts pressure on the Packers to move his game to Milwaukee. Halas figures the Packers owe him something for the large checks they've been hauling out of Chicago's Wrigley field every fall. He wants to get a few of those checks back out of the spacious Milwaukee stadium. Halas isn't the only one putting pressure on the Bays to switch their game to Milwaukee. Detroit, with its championship muscles bulging, has requested a shift. Los Angeles yipped late in the 1940s and how has played four straight years in Milwaukee - not counting '54. It can be pointed out there that the Packers came dangerously close to losing the Bear game to Milwaukee this year. The luck of the schedule was in Green Bay's favor. The Braves will be in County stadium Sept. 26 and have optioned it for the next Sunday, Oct. 3, just in case they're in the World Series. This meant that the first two games, Pittsburgh Sept. 26 and Bears Oct. 3, had to be played in Green Bay and the next two, San Francisco Oct. 10 and Los Angeles Oct. 17, had to be played in Milwaukee. Now, just suppose the first four games out of the home schedule came out of Commissioner Bert Bell's office with the Bears listed for their third or Oct. 10 date. The Packers would have had to take their choice of playing three games in Green Bay on consecutive Sundays (to keep the Bears here) or shift the Bear game to Milwaukee. It can be repeated that the commissioner fixes the opponents and dates, and the Packers decide which teams will play in Green Bay and Milwaukee. The task was simple this year because of the Braves' use of the stadium - plus the fact that previous television commitments called for the Packers to play Baltimore in Milwaukee Saturday, Nov. 13. The remaining game, Detroit, automatically went to Green Bay. In hashing over a new stadium, it must be pointed out that the condition (or age) of the present stadium is not the question at all. The question, it seems, is having a larger capacity here for the purpose of competing with Milwaukee for better opponents. In other words, making Green Bay just as profitable as Milwaukee to visiting clubs! Along this line, it is interesting to note that the three league games in Green Bay drew 64,382 fans while the three in Milwaukee pulled 62,334 - an "advantage" of 2,048 for Green Bay. However, in the money department for the three games in Milwaukee outdid Green Bay, $213,444.15 to $206,527.81. That money represents ticket sales only!


FALKENSTEIN, CENTER OF ILLINI, JOIN PACKERS
MAR 11 (Green Bay) - The quarterback who throttled Illinois' greatest attack last fall and the center who snapped the ball back to said QB have signed Packer contracts for 1954, Coach Liz Blackbourn announced today. The Illinois stars are quarterback Elry (Slingshot) Falkenstein and center Herb (Squeak) Borman. Singing of the free agents brings to 13 the number of athletes announced as inked thus far. The newcomers both are firsts to sign for their particular positions. Falkenstein is generally credited with performing a job of magic last year, accomplishing the changeover from passing to running with such efficiency that the Illini found themselves tied for the Big Ten championship when the firing had ceased. Illinois, with Tommy O'Connell as chief throwing quarterback and Falkenstein as an assistant, was the aerial scourge of the Big Ten and the country in '52...SELECTED FOR EIGHTH: With the departure of O'Connell (to the Bears, incidentally) in 1953 and the arrival of the sophomore running stars - J.C. Caroline and Mickey Bates, Illinois coach selected Falkenstein as quarterback-feeder for C and B. If there's any doubt about the type of work, Falkenstein performed, it can be mentioned that Illinois had been selected for an eighth place finish last fall. Illinois went on to a title tie despite a lopsided loss to Wisconsin....The league office made official today the Packers' punt returning championship for '53. The Bays led the circuit with an 8.9-yard average on 60 returns after finishing in seventh in 1952. Al (Hoagy) Carmichael, the Packers' rookie halfback from Southern California, led the Bays and ranked second in the league behind Charley Trippi of the Chicago Cardinals. Carmichael lugged back 20 punts for 239 yards and an average of 10. His longest return was 52 yards. Gib Dawson returned seven for 72 yards and an average of 10.3. Trippi, oddly enough, didn't return a single punt in '52 but lugged back 21 for 239 yards and an average of 11.4 last fall.
SIMPLICITY THEME OF PACK OFFENSE!
MAR 12 (Green Bay) - “We’ll try to make Packer football as simple as possible next year,” Packer Head Coach Liz Blackbourn told more than 400 football fans at the Packer Alumni association’s spring quarterback club meeting at Washington Junior High school Thursday night. Indicating that he didn’t intend to go in particular for razzle dazzle, Blackbourn pointed out that the offense will be streamlined “so that it covers the necessary cycle of plays.” He explained that offensive emphasis will be on blocking “but the blocking will be limited (in intricacy) so as to reduce the possibility of making mistakes. The same simplicity theory will be practiced on defense.” Thus, Blackbourn, who has been in active command of Packer field fortunes for two months, revealed more of his plans for 1954. Earlier, he said he will use the straight-T formation with some split-T plays. Blackbourn said he could not make predictions for next fall “but if you go after the job with the best possible organization and with the most possible energy – which we are doing and intend to continue doing – things should work out pretty well.” The Packer mentor said that he was “surprised at the football knowledge per capita of fans here, and so it would be dangerous to give you any malarkey as to what we intend to do next fall.” Speaking straight forward in crisp tones, Blackbourn offered no wild optimism – “On the basis of collegiate play of the boys we drafted and others we will sign, we have strengthened our line. However, it remains to be seen whether we have improved ourselves on the basis of these same boys’ professional play.” He reminded fans that he was intent on improving the Packers’ line. Blackbourn said “we are determined to give you a good, honest football team – one that has perfect organization on the field of play and on the practice field. There will be no changing on the practice field; a plan will be set up before each workout and any changing will be done at staff meetings. We’ll expect from each player his absolute best; he’ll be told that he is competing in the nation’s toughest football league and that is one of the idols of the community – particularly of our youth.” With a chuckle, Blackbourn said “there are many pitfalls to this business.” He told about his efforts to sign some Oklahoma stars, many of whom annually find their way into the Canadian league. “I had been talking by telephone with Coach Pop Ivy down there on these various Oklahoma prospects and today I picked up the paper and found that Pop, himself had gone to Canada.” Blackbourn introduced each member of his coaching staff – Tom Hearden, Lou Rymkus and Ray McLean, and they responded with brief talks. Hearden said he “was tickled to death to be a part of the organization,” while McLean, the lone holdover of the old regime, touched on “what a wonderful organization we have and what a pleasure it is to be a party to it.” Rymkus bought the house down with his description of Paul Brown giving a between-halves talk and then told the fans that he was “pleased to be in Green Bay.”…Verne Lewellen, the Packers’ new general manager, reviewed the work already done by the coaching staff, adding “when July 25 comes around these men will be in a position to run the team.” Lewellen said that “one thing we are aiming to do it to bring back the old-time enthusiasm over the Packers – We want the people to go to Packer games to see ‘THEIR’ team; not a game is being played today but OUR team is playing today.” Regarding a new stadium in Green Bay, Lewellen said that “fans here must prove that we need a new stadium; last year’s attendance did not prove it. There were 3,500 empty seats at the Detroit game, 6,500 at the Baltimore game and even a few at the Bear game.”
PACKERS SIGN MU PAIR, SET LOOP CARD
MAR 15 (Green Bay) - The Packers signed two players, rounded out their 1954 league schedule and received a note of recognition from the NFL office over the weekend. Added to the Packer roster were the only two Marquette seniors Coach Liz Blackbourn figured has a chance to make pro ball – end Hosea Sims and tackle Ed Frank. The two free agents, who played three seasons under Blackbourn at Marquette, boosts to 15 the number of athletes signed to 1954 Packer contracts. Both likely will be battling for a defensive end job here next fall. Light for a pro tackle at 210 pounds, Frank is fast and big enough to cut it at defensive end. Sims, at 193, played defensive end his first two years at MU and last year also played offensive wing in the single platoon system. Blackbourn, naturally, is well aware of the fact that both prospects have the necessary heart and desire for pro ball…The complete Packer league card was pieced together as the other clubs announced their home schedules. The Packers earlier announced only their home league program. After four straight games (Pittsburgh and Chicago Bears in Green Bay Sept. 26 and Oct. 3, respectively, and San Francisco and Los Angeles Oct. 10 and 17), the Packers play three in a row on the road – at Baltimore Sunday, Oct. 24, at Philadelphia in a television game Saturday night, Oct. 30, and at the Bears Sunday, Nov. 7. The Bays return home to meet Baltimore in Milwaukee Saturday night, Nov. 13 in a television spectacle and Detroit in Green Bay Sunday, Nov. 21. After the Thanksgiving date in Detroit, the Packers close out on the west coast, facing San Francisco Dec. 5 and Los Angeles Dec. 12…Green Bay was recognized Sunday as one of the six league clubs which has succeeded in keeping its No. 1 draft choices out of Canada. The Packers already have signed top pick Art Hunter of Notre Dame – not to mention their second No. 1 choice, halfback Veryl Switzer of Kansas State, and their No. 2 selection – tackle Bob Fleck of Syracuse. Other first draws already under contract are fullback Neil Worden of Notre Dame by Philadelphia; end-back Steve Meilinger of Kentucky by Washington; back Johnny Lattner of Notre Dame by Pittsburgh; end Ken Buck of College of Pacific by New York; and quarterback Cotton Davidson of Baylor by Baltimore. The league office informed the world that the circuit is conducting such an effective “stay at home” campaign this year that the threatened war with Canadian teams over players has become a mere skirmish. A year ago this time, National League clubs had signed only eight of their 1953 draft choices. This year they have 55 signatures from rookies. In March of 1953, Canadian teams has lured three No. 1 draft picks away from the NFL – Oklahoma halfback Billy Vessels from Baltimore, Texas end Tom Stolhandske from San Francisco and Alabama halfback Bobby Marlow from New York. The Canadians aren’t quitting, however. They’ve grabbed one Packer draft pick, tackle Sam Marshall of Florida who probably wouldn’t have played here anyway, and are interested in guard J.D. Roberts of Oklahoma. Montreal has already signed Larry Grigg of Oklahoma, Baltimore’s No. 2 pick. Others who went north are Illinois end John Ryan, No. 2 pick of Philly; South Carolina end Clyde Bennett, No. 3, New York; Baylor halfback Jerry Coody, No. 17, Washington; South Carolina QB Johnny Gramling, No. 24, Cleveland…Sims, who stands six feet tall, ranks as one of his five best ends in Marquette history. A native of Fremont, O., where he was an all-conference prep wing for three years, Sims gained All-America honorable mention in ’52. Sims, who turned 22 last Jan. 18, makes a specialty of producing a good rush on the passer. And he’s valuable protecting outside running plays. Frank, who played football, basketball and baseball at Cedarburg High, actually started his MU career as a defensive end but later was switched to offensive tackle. A zoology major, Frank works hard to perfect himself, and as a senior made a number of all-opponent teams. He also won honorable mention on three All-America teams last fall. Frank, who stands 6-3, co-captained the Hilltoppers in ’53.
KOCH LOST; PACK EYES DAVIS AS PUNTER
MAR 16 (Green Bay) - Liz Blackbourn’s punting fortunes can go only one way…Up! The Packer coach, after his “progress report” before the Kiwanis luncheon at the Hotel Northland Monday noon, was asked this question: “Will we have a good punter this fall?” Liz sort of chuckled: “Down at Marquette we had the poorest punting in all college football last fall, so when I came up here I figured I’d like to have somebody who could really boot the ball. We drafted Des Koch, a halfback from Southern California, who was the nation’s leading punter. But,” Blackbourn warmed up, “we found that Des has a year of eligibility left in 1955. So he won’t be able to join us until the fall of 1955.” Oddly enough, Blackbourn came from the school with the worst punting to the pro club with the worst punting. The Packers finished last in that department in the National League last year with an average of 37.6; Pittsburgh was tops with 46.9 – quite a difference! Blackbourn explained later that Koch won’t be lost entirely. He was eligible to be drafted (his class had graduated) “but some unusual arrangement makes him eligible for two more seasons of track – this spring and next.” He’s a discus thrower. Koch, the 16th choice, wasn’t the only punter drafted. The Packers picked a top-flight end by the name of Dave Davis of Georgia Tech, who ranked among the country’s better punters last year. In fact, Coach Wally Butts said Davis’ punting was instrumental in Tech’s victory over Georgia last fall. Davis, who stands 6-4 and packs 210 pounds, averaged nearly 41 yards during the season…Blackbourn said he expected Babe Parilli to regain his 1952 form this year. The young quarterback averaged 40.7 (10th in the league) on 65 punts in ’53 but dropped to 36.1 (unranked) on 19 boots in ’53. Clive Rush handled most of the punting last fall, averaging 37.7 on 60 punts, but he recently signed as an assistant coach at Dayton University under Hugh Devore…Another question popped at Liz concerned the use of veteran Tobin Rote as a halfback. “Naturally, we’d like to have a good passer such as Tobin at halfback – if he has all of the other qualifications – but whether we shift him will depend on the halfback material in camp. If the halfback situation looks good, Tobin will remain at quarterback. If not, we might want to shift him to halfback,” Blackbourn pointed out. Another Kiwanian wanted to know if linebacker Deral Teteak could be used at fullback. “I saw plenty of him at Wisconsin and I do not believe he’s an offensive halfback. He’s an excellent linebacker and undoubtedly will be kept on defense,” Liz said. In answer to other questions, Blackbourn revealed: “Bobby Dillon’s knee (he underwent an operation on it) is coming along fine and he’ll return next fall in good shape. Ab Wimberly (veteran defensive end who spent last fall coaching at LSU) has been contacted as to the possibility of returning and we are awaiting word from him. Clint Sathurn (St. Olaf quarterback) and Terry Campbell (Washington State QB) may be unable to play next fall. We hope we can sign Gil Reich (Kansas quarterback drafted in ’53) for the ’54 season. He would be valuable both as a quarterback and on defense. Tom Johnson (tackle veteran) is still in the Army and won’t be out for ’54 and Steve Dowden (tackle who played here in ’52 and then sat out last fall) isn’t planning to return to pro football.”…In his progress report, Blackbourn expressed optimism over the steps taken thus far. Referring to the draft choices signed, Liz said: “If we lose the boys who are playing hard to get, we still will have done a successful job in signing up the athletes.” He revealed the value of each of his assistants – Tom Hearden, Ray McLean and Lou Rymkus – and paid special tribute to General Manager Verne Lewellen and Scout Jack Vainisi. John Torinus, a Kiwanian and member of the Packer executive committee, introduced the assistant coaches who each gave a brief talks and Blackbourn. Opening the speaking was Packer President Russ Bogda, who remarked, “I know you’ll be in for a complete surprise next fall.” Art Schaars, Kiwanis president, presided.
RITES FRIDAY FOR FORTE'S FATHER
MAR 18 (Lake Village, AR) - Funeral services for S.R. Forte, father of Packer captain Bob Forte, will be held here at 10 o’clock Friday morning. The elder Forte, a native of Waterproof, La., died Monday following an extendd illness. He had undergone surgery in New Orleans last December.

PACKERS TO MEET ALL NFL FOES DURING 1954 SEASON
MAR 20 (Green Bay) - The Packers will meet all 11 opponents during the course of the 1954 non-conference and league season for the second time in 22 years. Back in 1932, when the National League was composed of only eight clubs – Green Bay, Bears, Portsmouth, Boston, New York, Brooklyn, Stapleton and Chicago Cardinals, the Packers played every foe and battled the Bears three times, finishing with an 11-3-1 record. It wasn’t until 1952 that the Packers battled all 11 in non-league and league competition. In the other years, the Packers battled some of the league clubs only every other year or every third year. Last season, for instance, the Packers didn’t meet Philadelphia and in ’51 the Packers didn’t play Cleveland. The Packers will meet all of the six Eastern division clubs along the non-league route next fall and they’ll battle the five opposing Western division teams in “doubleheaders” during the league campaign. In addition, they’ll meet Pittsburgh and Philadelphia in league games. The Bays’ 13-game program will keep the new coaching regime, headed by Coach Liz Blackbourn and assisted by Tom Hearden, Ray McLean and Lou Rymkus, game-busy every week starting with the opener against Chicago’s Cardinals in Minneapolis Aug.14 and ending against the Rams in Los Angeles Dec. 12 – four months of competition. The Packers will play “pairs” with seven of their opponents – the home and home sets with Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago Bears, Detroit and Baltimore in the Western sector and Philly and Pitt in the Eastern.
PITTSBURGH SIGNS RONZANI AS BACKFIELD COACH FOR '54
MAR 22 (Pittsburgh) - Gene Ronzani was back in professional football today. The former head coach of the Green Bay Packers was signed Saturday by the Pittsburgh Steelers as backfield coach for the 1954 season. Ronzani resigned under pressure with two games left in the 1953 Packers season. In his three complete seasons with the Bays, the 44-year-old coach won 12 and lost 24. A native of Iron Mountain, MI, Ronzani payed college ball at Marquette and then joined the Chicago Bears as a player in 1933 and played on three championship teams. He became an assistant coach in 1947 and later moved to the Packer organization.
VAINISI IMPROVED
MAR 24 (Green Bay) - The condition of Jack Vainisi, Packer scout who is a patient at Bellin Memorial hospital, is reported by his physician today as “considerably improved.” Vainisi, who was taken to the hospital Tuesday morning, may not have visitors.
PARILLI TO ASSIST
MAR 25 (Blacksburg, VA) - Babe Parilli, quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, was named an assistant coach for Virginia Tech's spring football drills. Frank Moseley, Tech's head coach, said Parilli probably would begin spring workouts sometime next week. The Packer player formerly was a star at Kentucky at the time Moseley and


a Tech assistant, Buck Chapman, were assistant coaches for the Wildcats. During spring drills, Parilli will work with the QBs.
PACKERS SIGN ROFFLER; ED NEAL 'CASE' CLOSED
MAR 26 (Green Bay) - The case of the first – and probably the last – draft choice the Chicago Bears ever traded to the Packers was closed today with the signing of William (Bud) Roffler, halfback from Washington State and Fort Ord, Calif. George Halas, owner-coach of the Bears, always had a soft spot in his heart for big Ed Neal, the 275-pound Packer middle guard, and succeeded in working a trade for the giant Texan midway during the 1951 season. In return for Neal, who never returned to pro football after the ’51 campaign, the Packers received the Bears’ No. 10 draft choice in January of 1952 – the only time the traditional rivals had ever worked out such a transaction. That No. 10 draft was the aforementioned Mr. Roffler – a 200-pound halfback with good speed, a fine toe for punting and offensive and defensive ability. Bud didn’t get a chance to show his stuff in ’52 because he was drafted into the Army. At Fort Ord, however, Roffler held his own with a number of pro stars, including Ollie Matson of the Chicago Cardinals, Ed Henke of the San Francisco Forty Niners, and Pat Cannamella of Baltimore and pro draft picks Dave Mann of the Chicago Cardinals, Don Heinrich and Earl Putnam of the New York Giants. With two seasons of Army ball behind him, Packer Coach Liz Blackbourn figures that Roffler should be ripe to step into the National league, and maybe Roffler can haunt the Bears – much like his larger shadow, Neal. The 23-year old Swiss star scored 80 points in his senior year at Washington State, rolling up nine touchdowns and kicking 26 points after. He averaged 14.1 yards on 14 punt returns and averaged 22.6 yards on nine kickoff returns. In rushing, Roffler averaged nearly five yards a crack. He played in the East-West Shrine game in ’52. At Fort Ord last fall, Roffler powered 58 times for 304 yards and an average of 5.1 per. In Fort Ord’s single setup, Roffler also played safety on defense. Fort Ord was unbeaten in ’53. Roffler was born Sept. 16, 1930 in Pine City, Wash., and played prep football at Lewis and Clark High in Spokane. The newcomer is well acquainted with Green Bay Packerland. Line coach at Fort Ord during Roffler’s stay there was Lt. Ralph J. Peterson, former West High gridder who enlisted in the Army in 1943. Roffler is the 16th player announced as signed thus far by Blackbourn.
HOW TO SAVE ROTE, PARILLI LIVES? PASS PROTECTION...!
MAR 30 (Green Bay) - We’re confused today, having been exposed to four individual sports and one team sport at the Association of Commerce’s stag smoker for new members at Riverside ballroom Monday night. It is unfortunate that toastmaster Merle Hadley didn’t have some sort of applause meter. We’d like to know which team won – the hunters, the fishermen, the archers, the golfers or the football. The experts claim that individual sports like hunting and fishing (and bowling) will back such great things as baseball and football off the map when it comes to licenses (tickets) sold and actual participation. But, being a bit of a grid nut, a fishing, archery, golf or hunting match between the Bears and Packers or East and West wouldn’t draw much more than a corporal’s guard here. You might consider this a back-handed way of launching today’s gospel on the pigskin theme, even though we’ve got to admit that Jimmy Milward’s skill with the golf club, Rod bow and arrow, Bill Johnson’s knack of handling firearms and Frank Von Drasek’s work with the fish pole are some shakes. We’re more interested in saving lives – especially those of Babe Parilli and Tobin Rote, the Packer quarterbacks, who were all but massacred so many time last fall. When the Packer contingent, Verne Lewellen, Liz Blackbourn, Ray McLean, Tom Hearden, Lou Rymkus and Jug Earp, rumbled onto the stage and when Hadley selected Tony Flynn of WJPG and this writer to ask them questions, we were given the chance of a lifetime. We didn’t come right out and ask, “Do you plan to let Parilli and Rote and their understudies live next fall?” We asked, “What is the secret of protection for the passer?” Rymkus, who specialized in protection for the passer at Notre Dame and with the Cleveland Browns and who was chosen as assistant coach by Liz because “he is so familiar with that important phase of the game,” provided the answer…CONTINUOUS PRACTICE: “Good personnel, of course, is the best requisite toward perfect pass protection,” Rymkus said, apparently referring to the almost flawless protection given Otto Graham, the Browns’ ace passer. “But regardless of personnel and the types of plays designed to protect the passer, there must be continuous practice among the men involved in putting up that wall around the passer. There must be no letup in this practice and every detail must be watched carefully. You can be sure there will be constant drilling in this phase of the game,” Rymkus declared. Thus, Rymkus revealed Blackbourn’s basic philosophy – simplicity, constant practice, and attention to details, and, of course, the desire to win. Hearden boiled down the game to a matter of “good blocking and tackling” in answer to a question from Flynn. Blackbourn pointed out “our line needs more improvement than any other department of the team.” He expressed the opinion that “we have attempted to strengthen the line through the draft.” Also answering questions were McLean, Lewellen and Earp, Lewellen said, “We’re all here but Jack Vainisi, our scout, who is recuperating from illness.” As a windup, the Packers passed and kicked small footballs into the audience.
PACKERS SIGN QB; J.R. BOONE RETIRES
APR 1 (Green Bay) - The Packers signed a rookie quarterback and lost a veteran halfback today. Joining the Green Bay forces was Robert Dale (Bob) Burkhart, a signal caller, passer and all-around back from Washington State. Leaving was J.R. Boone, the tiny scatback who played with the Chicago Bears and San Francisco Forty Niners before battling for the Packers last fall. Coach Liz Blackbourn has announced the signing of 17 players thus far, including one other quarterback – Elry Falkenstein of Illinois. The Packers now have scored a “clean sweep” of Washington State quarterbacks. Drafted earlier was Terry Campbell, who shared the QB position with Burkhart the last two seasons. Campbell expects to go into the service shortly and won’t be available next fall. Signing of Burkhart and Falkenstein gives the Packers two free agent quarterbacks to replace the two “departed” drafted QBs – Clint Sathurn of St. Olaf’s and Campbell, and back up veterans Tobin Rote and Babe Parilli. Sathurn doesn’t plan to play pro ball and expects to go into service. Campbell expects to join the Packers when he gets out of the armed forces. Both of the Washington State throwers were recommended by Roger Grove, former Packer halfback now coaching the WS backfield. The two QBs are opposites. Burkhart is a big, rugged bruising runner at 5-11, 195, while Campbell is the skilled ball handler and lighter type at 6-2, 172. Grove called Campbell "as good a ball handler as Babe Parilli." Burkhart did just about everything in his three-year career, serving as a blocking quarterback in the single wing, a tailback in the single wing, and a split-T and straight-T QB. Injured most of last season, Burkhart didn't get to play too much but in 1951 and 1952 he threw 23 touchdown passes, including 15 for a Pacific Coast conference record in '51. He hurled 145 times that season and completed 70. In 1952 he threw 93 passes and completed 42, eight going for TDs. Burkhart also handled the Cougars' punting, averaging nearly 40 yards, kicked off and booted field goals and points after touchdown. He was named all-Pacific Coast conference quarterback in '52. Bobby Garrett of Stanford won the honor in '53. Burkhart played prep ball at Kellogg, Idaho, High. He is married and has one child. The QB star was born Jan. 1, 1932 in Oranogo, Mo...Boone announced his retirement in a letter to Blackbourn. The 5-9, 167-pound speed merchant, who is 28 years of age, played four years with the Bears and one with San Francisco - mostly as a spot runner and pass catcher. J.R.'s letter to the coach follows, in part: "I am sorry I have not written you sooner and compliment you on your new assignment. I know you will do a good job for a wonderful bunch of fans. Coach, I don't intend to play any more football. I have taken a job with the Kelling Nut Company here in San Francisco. I have almost all of Northern California. I feel good about the possibilities it offers. The only reason I feel bad about quitting is that I feel bad about not having a good last year for all the wonderful people I met in Green Bay, but it was just one of those things that is bound to happen to anyone if they stay with the game too long. I would appreciate it if you would extend my feelings toward Green Bay and the Packers."
1,000 ASK PACKERS TO TRAIN AT RIPON; MESSAGE AWAITED
APR 2 (Green Bay) - Verne Lewellen, general manager of the Packers, was awaiting a brief telegram message from Ripon. The wire, according to word from Ripon, will be signed by "1,000 Green Bay Packer fans" asking the club to train at Ripon. The Ripon College campus is one of three sites under consideration by the Packers. The others are Central State Teachers college at Stevens Point and Two Rivers. The Packers had been training at Grand Rapids, Minn., the last three years. Lewellen said today that an announcement on the Packers' 1954 training site will be made shortly.
VISIONS OF HIRSCH! PACKERS PUT MAX AT END
APR 6 (Green Bay) - The Packers hoped today they had what every club in the NFL is looking for - another Elroy Hirsch! Green Bay's version of the German from Wausau and the Los Angeles Rams is a Texas Irishman named Max McGee - one of five football playing brothers. Coach Liz Blackbourn had visions of Elroy The Blocker, Pass Catcher and Runner when he drafted the Tulane university halfback last January and then announced that Max would be a candidate for offensive end when the Packers launch training July 25. McGee was the pass-catchingest halfback in college football last fall, nailing 34 throws for 437 yards and four touchdowns. With the Packers as an end, McGee will get many more opportunities to use his speed, ability to block and knack of catching passes. McGee and Hirsch are built along the same lines. Max stands 6-3 and carries 197 pounds - one inch and about five pounds bigger than Elroy. Changing to a new position won't be strange for the big Texan. He played left halfback as a sophomore in 1951, moved to fullback in 1952, and ran from right half in '53. The implication is that McGee has plenty of power to go with his pass catching savvy. Blackbourn is interested in returning the "block" to Packer ends. The Bay coach was disappointed with the flagging down shown in some of the game films of 1953 games and several times pointed to Hirsch as "the kind of player who not only catches passes but blocks as well." With Clive Rush already signed as an assistant coach under Hugh Devore at Dayton university, the Packers are down to three veteran offensive ends - Bill Howton, Bob Mann and Stretch Elliott. McGee, plus several drafted ends, will be out to get the No. 4 job or break up the veteran threesome. McGee, 21, was the Packers' fifth draft choice. He was signed yesterday - the 18th player announced as inked thus far. A fast, shifty runner, McGee averaged 5.2 yards per carry last fall for a total of 420 yards in 82 attempts. He snagged 13 passes for 166 yards, and had a punting average of 38.2 on 25 kicks. He led the nation in kickoff returns with 17 for 371 yards - a 21.8 average. A top runner for the Green Wave, he also led the rushers as a sophomore with 543 yards, and as a junior with 428 yards. He participated in track in 1952 as a high jumper. McGee was born in Sexton City, Texas, July 16, 1932. The baby of a five-son family of footballers, his brother, Coy, became well known in these parts as one of Notre Dame's great halfbacks in the 1940s. The other brothers, Randall, Beryn and Kenneth, played at North Texas State. Max played high school football at White Oak, Texas, and made the All-Texas high school squad. McGee participated in the Blue-Gray game at Montgomery, and captained the South team in the Senior Bow game at Mobile, Ala., where Packer assistant Ray McLean saw him in action.
GREEN BAY PACKERS SELECT STEVENS POINT FOR TRAINING
APR 6 (Stevens Point) - Stevens Point is the new training home of the Green Bay Packers. The agreement that brings the state's only professional football team to the city for five weeks this summer was signed her Tuesday afternoon. Verne Lewellen, general manager of the Packers, and Carl Wallace, manager of the Stevens Point Chamber of Commerce, placed their signatures on the papers after a luncheon meeting of local businessmen and industry executives at Hotel St. George. The Packers - 60 strong in the playing ranks and about 10 other personnel included Head Coach Lisle Blackbourn and his trio of assistants - will arrive here Sunday July 25, and begin their practice sessions the following day. They will remain her until late in the week of August 22-28 and possible return for a few days during the week of August 29-September 4. Delzell and Nelson Halls on the Central State college campus will be the headquarters for the Packers during their training period. Definite plans have not been established but it is expected the players will live at Delzell for the first week while the college's summer session concludes. Then a decision will be made as to whether to remain at Delzell or move to Nelson where they will be eating their meal during the entire stay. Practice facilities have been made available at the college on Schmeeckle field and on the practice areas of Goerke Park. The playing field at Goerke Park will be the scene of the intra-squad game on Saturday August 7, the highlight of the month-long training period so far as Stevens Point and area fans are concerned. Following the third week of drills on Saturday night August 14, Green Bay will go to Minneapolis to play its first exhibition game with the Chicago Cardinals. The Packers have another non-league affair the following Saturday evening August 21 in their hometown of Green Bay against the Cleveland Browns. Green Bay is scheduled to east hear the end of their fifth and final full week of drills here and will play in Pittsburgh against the Steelers on August 27, 28 or 29, the definite date to be established later. The team will remain in the east or return to Stevens Point after the Pittsburgh contest. If the Packers decide to come back here, they will leave again - and break camp permanently in Stevens Point for this summer - late in the week of August 29-September 4. They are scheduled to play in Atlantic City on September 5 against the Philadelphia Eagles and in Raleigh, NC against Washington on September 12. Green Bay heads back to its home state after the battle with the Redskins and play the annual Shrine charity game in Milwaukee on Saturday night September 18 against the New York Giants. Then the Packers go to Green Bay and prepare for their 1954 NFL opened on Sunday afternoon September 26 with Pittsburgh. Stevens Point was selected as the new training headquarters of the Packers after they announced they were abandoning their station in Grand Rapids, MN, because they wanted to practice at a location nearer their home city. In the running for acquiring the team for its pre-season drill sessions were Green Bay (St. Norbert College, De Pere), Ripon and Two Rivers in addition to Stevens Point. The official release from the office of F.L. "Jug" Earp, director of public relations of the Packers, said in part: "Splendid dormitory accomodations and dining room facilities are provided (at Stevens Point), as well as two practice fields. This will enable Blackbourn to select proper menus for the boys and the opportunity to house the squad together during the important training weeks." The release implied in another section that St. Norbert ranked high in consideration as a training site. "St. Norbert College, which would return the Packers home for their training, was not available this year because of summer school and other college activities requiring facilities of the dormitory and dining room until the middle of August," said Earp in his announcement. Lewellen stated that he and Blackbourn, who will be starting his first year as head coach of the club, were impressed from the start not only with the facilities available in Stevens Point but also with the enthusiasm shown here." The Packers' general manager, who also is in his first year in that capacity with the club, added that one of the points that tipped the scales in favor of Stevens Point was the fine facilities for staging the intrasquad game. He mentioned that Ripon had excellent practice and housing facilities and that Two Rivers also had more than adequate area for staging drills. However, neither city has the stadium setup such as is at Goerke Park. Seating arrangements for at least 5,500 persons will be made for the intra-squad game here and many more "standing room" customers can be accommodated. Lewellen had praise for the enthusiastic element in the city concerning the possibility of the Packers training here. He singled out the willingness of the large Chamber of Commerce Packer committee to take care of the various aspects of bringing the team here. "The enthusiasm from all angles shown in Stevens Point went far in our decision to come here for our training period," said Lewellen, adding: "The Packer organization feels this type of response will help our team this year and in seasons to come."

PACK TO TRAIN AT STEVENS POINT
APR 7 (Green Bay) - The Packers will train at Stevens Point State College for the 1954 season, General Manager Verne Lewellen announced today. The Wisconsin site was selected after considering several locations, including Ripon College, Two Rivers and St. Norbert College. Use of St. Norbert College, which would have returned the Packers home for their training for the first time since 1950, was not available this year because of summer school and other college activities requiring the facilities of the dormitory and dining room until the middle of August. The Packers trained at Grand Rapids, Minn., the last three years. The Stevens Point site, located in the heart of Packerland, offers the Packers "every advantage to carry out a modern, successful training program," Lewellen pointed out. "The purpose of training at a site of this kind is to give Coach Blackbourn an opportunity to have his boys close together during those important early weeks of training," the general manager said. The Packers will train there for about five weeks. An intra-squad game will be played at the Stevens Point High field after two weeks of training, providing fans in the Wisconsin River Valley area with the first look at the new-regime Packers. The field has a seating capacity of over 6,000. A week after the squad game, the Packers open their non-championship schedule against the Chicago Cardinals at Minneapolis - Saturday night, Aug. 14. Both Lewellen and Blackbourn were impressed by the excellent dormitory and dining room facilities, as well as two practice fields. Most of the drilling will be done on the college field, which adjoins the players' dormitory, Delzell Hall, and if necessary other practicing can be done on the Stevens Point High School field a short distance away. Blackbourn is making arrangements for a standard menu for the players' meals. They will eat in Nelson Hall - about one block from Delzell Hall. Trainer Bud Jorgenson will set up his shop in a building just off the college practice field. Lewellen said today that he was impressed by the "enthusiasm of the businessmen in Stevens Point - they are very anxious to have us and one of them told me that 'this is the biggest thing that has happened in Stevens Point in 25 years.'" Businessmen there contributed toward a fund to help cut expenses and make the offer to the Packers even more attractive. Formal contracts were signed yesterday at a luncheon of businessmen and Lewellen.
BLACKBOURN CITES PRO GRID CHANGES, ONE-PLATOON PLAN
APR 9 (Green Bay) - Rotarian Liz Blackbourn spoke to his weekly luncheon teammates on “changes” Thursday noon at the Beaumont hotel. The Packer head coach, who will close out his tour of Green Bay service clubs with an address at the Optimist club session next Wednesday noon, pointed out changes that have benefited professional football in general and the Packers in particular. Blackbourn, a recent transfer from the Milwaukee Rotary club to the Bay group, said that “the old days, the pioneer days of pro football are over – the early days, and this goes for baseball, too, were not as highly organized as the present day brand of professional sports.” The Packers and other pro athletes “have a direct responsibility to the public by their very conduct. The publicity these players receive makes them idols in the eyes of the fans and they must, and will, keep that trust.” The National league has set down a high standard of rules for the players to follow, Blackbourn said, “and the conduct they must follow is even laid down on the backs of the contacts they sign – something unheard of it in the early days.” The change that may help the Packers on the field was college football’s switch to the one-platoon game. “Everyone we draft now has played both defense and offense and as a result the candidate will be capable of trying out and possibly playing two positions,” the coach said…POINTS TO ART HUNTER: He pointed to Art Hunter, the 240-pound tackle from Notre Dame – the Packers’ No. 1 draft choice. “Art played offensive tackle and defensive end last year; the year before he worked as an offensive end and tackle and as a sophomore saw action as an offensive center,” Liz said. Veryl Switzer, the club’s other No. 1 draft pick, was an All-America halfback as a defensive halfback in 1952. “When the one-platoon system came in last year, Veryl became a star as an offensive halfback – as you saw in the East-West (televised) game. He was the one good back we were able to land in the first five rounds of the draft,” the coach explained. Blackbourn was able to go right down the draft list and point out the two-way possibilities of his selections. Bob Fleck, 260-pound tackle from Syracuse – the No. 3 pick, plays offensive tackle and defensive middle guard. He indicated that a number of the veterans are unable to play both offense and defense. Another change Blackbourn explained was the selection of Stevens Point State College as the team’s 1954 training site. The Bays trained at far-away Grand Rapids, Minn., the last three years. The coach told of the “excellent facilities” in Stevens Point and added that “the people in Stevens Point are out to do a good job for the Packers.” “The Packers are unique – they belong first to Green Bay and second to the state and the Upper peninsula; actually Stevens Point is in the heart of the Packer area,” he added. Also speaking briefly was Rotarian Verne Lewellen, Packer general manager. Introduced were Ticket Chief Carl Mraz and assistant Earl Falk, scout Jack Vainisi, publicity director Jug Earp and assistant coaches Tom Hearden, Ray McLean and Lou Rymkus.
PACKER COACHES, FANS ANXIOUS TO GET SHOW ON ROAD; DRILLS 104 DAYS AWAY
APR 10 (Green Bay) - Packer Coach Liz Blackbourn, in his address before the Rotary club Thursday, said “we are all anxious to get the show on the road.” Fans around our town might consider that understatement because most of them, including this writer, were getting anxious shortly after Blackbourn came into Green Bay on a cold and snowy day last January. Actually, Liz and his staffmen – Tom Hearden, Ray McLean and Lou Rymkus – won’t have long to wait. The Packers start training in Stevens Point three months and two weeks from next Monday – about 104 days away. Much has happened – and all in orderly fashion – since Verne Lewellen took over as general manager and Blackbourn as head coach. With particular help from Scout Jack Vainisi, the Pack accomplished one of the most successful drafts in the club’s history before January disappeared. Blackbourn met the veterans via telephone and since has corresponded with most of them. Every draftee was contacted personally by a member of the coaching staff or Lewellen. Ditto most of the free agents. The top three draft choices – Art Hunter, Veryl Switzer and Bob Fleck – were signed quickly. Complete scouting reports were constructed in 34 days of viewing movies of last year’s entire 17-game schedule. The coaches moved into roomier quarters on the second floor of the club headquarters at 349 S. Washington. Stevens Point was selected as a training site, starting July 25. Score of talks were made throughout Wisconsin and Upper Michigan by all of the coaches and Lewellen. Player contracts, most of them signed, have been coming for weeks but announcements must be withheld because the athletes are participating in spring sports. The signing of 18 players has been announced thus far. With this rapid cleanup of business, what’s left? Lewellen is working out plans for separate season ticket campaigns in Milwaukee and Green Bay. The coaches have just about completed a course in what could be entitled – “Packer Strategy and How to Speak It.” Since all four coaches used slightly different terminology in their previous positions, it was necessary to “straighten out and learn the nomenclature we intend to use here,” Liz explained the other day. All of the coaches are T-formation men – the Packers’ standard offense for next fall. They are all familiar with the various changes in the T, such as the “split”, the “wing” and the flankers. Their attack and their defenses are being placed, changed and re-arranged every day on the blackboard to fit the personal coming back from ’53 and the newcomers. It’s all going down on paper and you and you and you won’t see the results next fall. Actually, this is a dull time for Joe Phan, but frequent talks by the coaches and player signings have helped to keep Joe and his Missus in a football frame of mind.
PACKERS TO USE OPEN HUDDLE IN 1954: LIZ
APR 15 (Green Bay) - The Packers will use the open huddle next fall. They won’t employ the messenger system “although we’ll be equipped to use it.” Jack Vainisi will serve as one of the Packers’ game scouts during the season. Those were some of the news thoughts Packer Head Coach Liz Blackbourn left at the weekly luncheon meeting of the Optimist club at the Beaumont hotel Wednesday noon. Delivering his ninth address in Green Bay in two and a half months, Blackbourn set aside his stock “progress report” and delved into the mechanics of Packer football and a certain amount of strategy during the course of his talk and question period. Purpose of the open huddle, Liz pointed out, “is to eliminate all the arguing or talking between the quarterback and his teammates,” thus indicating that the 1954 Packer quarterbacks will be in complete charge. The open huddle has the quarterback, with his back to the defense, facing two rows of players. In the front row will be the tackles, guards and center and the back row will be composed of the two ends and three backs. At the break signal, the QB will step behind the center and the entire group steps forward – in position. Blackbourn said that the system is nothing new, although Notre Dame popularized it in the last few years. The Packers used it for the last two games last fall, following the resignation of Gene Ronzani. The club was in charge of co-coaches Hugh Devore and Ray McLean. Blackbourn said that he hadn’t used it himself at Marquette “but Tom (Hearden, assistant coach) had and found it successful.”…”TOO MUCH TIME”: In previous years, the Packers used the “circular” or standard huddle, with the quarterback surrounded by his teammates. This led the way to considerable “discussion” and often a penalty for “too much time”. Blackbourn said that “we don’t anticipate running in signals on every play but we will have our personnel set up to do so if necessary.” He revealed that one of the quarterbacks would likely be on the phone connected to our observer above.” The Cleveland Browns have been noted for their “messenger” system, in which signals are run in for every play. No other club in the National league has used the identical system – as yet, although a number of teams run in plays from time to time. Blackbourn stated that “our offense is set – but not completely; we’ll use the T, the winged-T and some split T but some of the offense will have to wait until we get a look at the boys." As an example, Liz said that "if we find that our ends can't block too well we may use more flankers than we have have planned; if the ends can block it's likely that we'll play 'em close in to give them an opportunity to block." "For me," Blackbourn said, "the defense has been the biggest change in the jump from college to pro ball; it was the same in the step from high school to college. Offenses are fairly standard; they don't change much - but defenses are constantly being switched and becoming more complicated." At the moment, the coach said, "we're working on scouting assignments for next fall - we'd like to cover each opponent three times during the training season in preparation for the league season." He announced that Vainisi, the club's chief talent scout, will be one of the game scouts during the campaign. "We expect Jack to do an excellent job in this new phase - just as he has done on talent," the coach said. Also present were Assistant Coaches Lou Rymkus, Hearden and McLean. Yesterday's talk completed his cycle before the service clubs on Green Bay. Earlier he addressed the Lions, Kiwanis and Rotary groups.

PACKERS CUT PRICES FOR SINGLE, SEASON TICKETS
APR 20 (Green Bay) - A reduction in prices on single game and season tickets for the Packers' 1954 NFL season - in line with the federal tax cut from 20 to 10 percent on admission tickets, was announced today by General Manager Verne Lewellen. Single game tickets for the three league games in Green Bay and three in Milwaukee were scaled at $4.75, $3.50 and $2.40, compared to the 1953 prices of $5.00, $3.80 and $2.50. On a season ticket basis (three in Green Bay and three in Milwaukee), the prices were cut from $15.00 to $14.25, $11.40 to $10.50 and $7.50 to $7.20. Prices also were adjusted for the Packers' two non-conference games - the Cleveland Browns in Green Bay Aug. 21

and New York Giants in Milwaukee Sept. 18. New prices for the Brown game are $3.30, $2.20 and $1.10. Prices for the non-looper here last year were $3.60, $2.40 and $1.20. Prices for the Shrine-sponsored Milwaukee non-leaguer were cut from $4.00 to $3.75, $3.00 to $2.75 and $1.50 to $1.30. League competition set for the Packers next fall will open with the Pittsburgh Steelers invading Green Bay's City Stadium Sept. 26. The Chicago Bears will invade the same lot Oct. 3 and the GB card will be closed out Nov. 21 with a visit by the Detroit Lions. The Packers' three payoff battles in Milwaukee open with the San Francisco Forty Niners Oct. 10, follow with Los Angeles Oct. 17 and close with Baltimore Nov. 13...With the new prices set, the Packer ticket office at 349 S. Washington street has started to boom. Ticket Chief Carl Mraz announced that renewal cards are presently being mailed to all of last year's season ticket holders for the three league games in Green Bay, giving holders the privilege of obtaining the same seats they held last year, or to request any changes, or to increase orders for seats. Last year's Milwaukee season ticket holders will be mailed their renewal cards at a later date.
PELFREY SIGNS WITH WINNIPEG
APR 21 (Winnipeg) - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers Wednesday signed Ray Pelfrey, 24-year old end and halfback who played last season for the New York Giants. He is the 12th "import" from the United States signed by the Bombers for the 1954 season. Pelfrey played for the Green Bay Packers in 1951 and 1952.
PACKERS FOLLOWING TREND TOWARD BIG DEFENSIVE LINE; SIGN HEAVY PLAYERS
APR 24 (Green Bay) - The Packers hope to follow the trend in the NFL toward big, beefy defensive lines next fall. The Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns - finalists in the world's professional football championship last December - are setting the weight pattern up front on defense. The Browns, for instance, have 280-pound Fran Helluin at middle guard, 260-pound Don Colo and 250-pound John Sandusky at tackles, 250-pound Doug Atkins and 245-pound Len Ford at ends. Detroit has 300-pound Les (Crazy Legs) Bingaman at middle guard, 245-pound Thurman McGraw and 250-pound John Prchlik at tackles and Jim Cain and George Summersall, 225 each, at ends. The closest the 1953 Packers came to matching this type of defensive wall last year was John Martinkovic, 245, at end and 245-pound Dave Hanner at one of the tackle. Packer Coach Liz Blackbourn has a few names on the roster that is bringing joy to Line Coach Lou Rymkus, himself a 240-pound ex-Brown tackle. The Packers already signed the heaviest middle guard since 275-pound Ed Neal - one Bob Fleck of Syracuse, a 260-pounder from Syracuse who also plays tackle. Possibly joining big-enough Hanner on defense is Notre Dame's Art Hunter, who is still growing at 240. Big Martinkovic likely will be back, but the next heaviest end possibility is "only" a 225-pounder, Gene Knutson, the rookie from Beloit High and the University of Michigan. Another hot prospect for defensive end is Emory Barnes, a 6-5, 220-pound crusher from Oregon. Blackbourn also has a number of light-for-pro-ball tackles who might give end a whirl. Among them are Bill Buford, 235, Oregon State; Ralph Baierl, 225, Maryland; Jim Balog, 225, Michigan, and Jack Smalley, 225, Alabama. The Packers are about average heft in the offensive line positions, with the exception of center. Using the Lions and Browns as "standards" - due to their success, the Bays' heaviest offensive pivot regular is Dave Stephenson, a 225-pounder who is backed up by Jim Ringo, 220. By comparison, the Browns' No. 1 center, Frank Gatski, goes 240 and the Lions' top snapper-backs are Chuck Ane, 250, and Vince Banonis, 240. Heaviest of the offensive guards are Dick Logan and Steve Ruzich, both 230. The "blocking" tackles are big enough - Dick Afflis, 250, and Gus Cifelli, 245. While weight is important, the Packers won't be overlooking the "little" man. Blackbourn and aides Tom Hearden, Ray McLean and Rymkus, in viewing the movies of 1953 games almost daily, have noted that some spectacular line performances were turned in by the Packers' lightest tackle - Dick Wildung, who carries not much more than 220. Speaking about weight, Rymkus weighed more as a high schooler than he did as a Cleveland Brown. Lou packed over 240 in prep ball "but they got me down to 235 when I joined the Browns - and I felt better, too."
PACKER DRAFTEE JOINS WINNIPEG
APR 24 (Winnipeg) - Halfback Evan Slonac, a former star with Michigan State, selected by the Green Bay Packers in the NFL draft, signed today with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The 23-year old, 170-pound Slonac becomes the 15th U.S. import to sign with the Western Interprovincial Football Union club. Slonac, who played in the 1954 Rose Bowl game, was a member of the Spartans famed "pony backfield", consisting of quarterback Tom Yewcic and halfbacks Leroy Bolden and Billy Wells.
JOHN BIOLO IS NAMED FERZACCA'S SUCCESSOR
APR 28 (Green Bay) - John Biolo, an assistant football coach at Green Bay West High School for three years, was appointed head coach today. He succeeds F.L. (Frosty) Ferzacca, who resigned to become head coach at Marquette University. Biolo, a native of Iron Mountain, MI, played football at Lake Forest College and pro ball with the Green Bay Packers in 1939. He coached a semi-pro team at Kenosha in 1940-41 and after military service became line coach at St. Norbert College.
PACKERS LOSE JOHNSON
APR 28 (Toronto) - David (Kosse) Johnson, Rice's All-America fullback of 1953 and a draft choice of the Green Bay Packers, signed to play with the Toronto Argonauts Tuesday. His play helped Rice defeat Alabama in the Cotton Bowl on January 1.
NO TEARS OVER JOHNSON'S JUMP?
APR 28 (Green Bay) - Somewhere along his speech trail two or three weeks ago, Packer Coach Liz Blackbourn made the statement that "if we didn't sign another player from our draft list we'd still be in good shape." Those few words offered some consolation and indicated today that no tears were shed when the Packer family at 349 S. Washington street read this morning that David (Kosse) Johnson, Rice's All-America halfback, had signed a contract to play with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football Union. Johnson was the Packers' 14th draft choice. While Blackbourn couldn't be reached today before deadline time, the implication from his earlier words is that Johnson was one of those "another player from our draft list." Johnson, the nation's No. 2 ground gainer, was a fullback in Rice's system. Blackbourn had planned to make a halfback out of him since his weight (178 pounds) is obviously too low for major league fullback. The Packers now have lost three draft choices to Canadian football, including a 240-pound tackle and two 170-plus fullbacks. The other FB was 28th choice Evan Slonac, the battering Ram in Michigan State's pony backfield. The tackle was seventh-pick Sam Marshall of Florida A and M. On the "height" of selection in the draft - plus the fact that the Packers needed tackles, the Florida Negro could be considered the most serious loss. However, Marshall was intent on playing under a former coach and with some of his former teammates in Canada and signed with Toronto. Slonac will play at Winnipeg. Both Blackbourn and General Manager Verne Lewellen have announced that most of the draft selections are signed and sealed - not to mention a flock of free agents. The next business will be the signing of the veterans. A speeded up program of announcing the signed athletes is expected shortly. Opening of the training season is less than 100 days away - and less than 20 players have been announced as signed.
ONLY 2 PACKER GAMES ON '54 TV SCHEDULE?
APR 29 (Green Bay) - Packer fans in Green Bay and are who saw 10 of the Packers' NFL games by traveling short to fairly-short distance may not be so fortunate in 1954. Half of the dozen were played in Green Bay and Milwaukee - requiring little effort to be at the scene of the battle. An additional four were televised back to Green Bay, which required only a trip to the TV set - the Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Detroit (Thanksgiving Day) and Los Angeles games. Pitt and Baltimore were Saturday night tests and LA a Saturday afternooner. The odd two games were the Forty Niner test in San Francisco and the Bear go in Chicago. Since a number of fans from Packerland follow the club to Wrigley Field, only the Forty Niner game was a complete sight loss. As of now, the Packers are listed for only two Saturday night coast-to-coast games - plus the annual Turkey Day game in Detroit Nov. 25. However, one of the club's Saturday night TV games - Green Bay vs. Baltimore in Milwaukee Nov. 13 - won't be piped back here since Green Bay and Milwaukee are considered home territory. The other Saturday night Packer go, likely to be shown here, will be at Philadelphia Oct. 30. Arrangements for television of pro football were announced last night by Commissioner Bert Bell of the NFL and Thomas J. McMahon, director of sports of the Dumont television network...SUNDAY GAME OF WEEK: The league and Dumont agreed to telecast nine Saturday night games and two on Saturday afternoon - Baltimore at Los Angeles Dec. 4 and Baltimore at San Francisco Dec. 11. In all cases, the games will be "blacked" out in the city and immediate area in which they are played. In addition to the Saturday night showings, more than 50 additional Sunday games will be carried either nationally or regionally from Sept. 25 through Dec. 11. One "game of the week", to be chosen as the season progresses, will be carried each Sunday on a national network of from 50 to 100 stations. In addition, road games of the teams will be televised - in some cases - in their home territory over regional station lineups. Whether any other Packer games will be telecast back home in addition to the Philly and Detroit tests and an appearance in the "game of the week" will depend on what arrangements can be worked out with networks , sponsors, etc., between now and next season.

CONE SIGNS FOR '54, LIFE IN 'DOUBLE CONTRACT' CEREMONY
MAY 3 (Green Bay) - Packer fullback and Mrs. Fred Cone were honeymooning in the south today following a "double contract" ceremony in Green Bay over the weekend. Hard-hittin' Freddie became the first veteran to sign for the 1954 season under the new regime. This procedure - the fourth for the former Clemson star - was followed by the signing of a lifetime contract with Green Bay's Miss Judy Anderson, the document becoming official in Grace Lutheran Church Saturday afternoon. Packer Coach Liz Blackbourn had a rather unique experience in signing the first of the veteran players. The signature rite was attended by then-Miss Anderson after which Liz wished them the "best of luck and an enjoyable honeymoon." The Cones, incidentally, will combine business with pleasure on their honeymoon. A public relations man for Miller Brewing Co., Cone will tour the south, giving talks and showing pictures of Packer games and the Cleveland-Detroit championship game. They'll stop in Pineapple, Ala., where Fred will introduce his new wife to his parents. Blackbourn, impressed by Cone's work in pictures of the 1953 season, said that "as of now Fred is our No. 1 fullback and kicker." Cone handled the bulk of the extra point, field goal and kickoff booting in his first three Packer seasons. Cone will join in some keen competition for the main fullbacking job when the club opens drills in Stevens Point late in July. Expected to return is Howie Ferguson, who did so well as a newcomer in '53. Among the top rookie fullbacks is Tom Allman, the tough blocking pounder from West Virginia who was drafted No. 4. Allman is also a top-flight linebacker. In his three years with the Packers, Cone has been a good point producer and a steady rusher and pass catcher. Thanks to an accurate toe, Cone now ranks seventh among all-time Packer scorers, with 177 markers - just nine behind sixth place Tony Canadeo. He scored 10 touchdowns, 84 extra points and 11 field goals. His PAT total is the second highest in Packer history, placing second only to Don (1933-45) Huston's 174. Third high is 62 by Ted Fritsch, who didn't start to boot extra points until Huston retired after the '45 season. Cone, who likes to gallop once he gets into the open, has an all-time pro rushing average of 3.5 yards per attempt. He averaged 3.4 as a rookie in 1951, gaining 190 yards. He picked up 276 yards as a sophomore, for his best average, 3.9, in '52. He lugged 92 times last fall for 301 yards and a 3.3 mark. Cone caught 28 passes as a rookie, settled off to eight when Babe Parilli, Tobin Rote and Bill Howton went high in '52, and nailed 18 in '53. In 54 catches, he averaged 10.7 yards. Cone hopes to carry about 200 pounds next fall. He generally starts each league season with that weight but sometimes loses as much as 15 pounds near the end of the campaign.
MAY COMPROMISES IN LIONS-ALL STAR HASSLE, LIZ FEELS

MAY 5 (Green Bay) - "There probably will be some sort of compromises." That was Packer Coach Liz Blackbourn's conjecture today in commenting on the current rhubarb that has developed between sponsors of the College All Star game and Coach Buddy Parker of the World Champion Detroit Lions overuse of the single platoon system for the annual August classic. Parker stated yesterday that he "won't play the game under the single platoon rules." Chicago Tribune Charities, Inc., game sponsor, insists that the one-platoon plan, installed in the colleges in '53, be followed. Parker wants to use pro football's double platoon. Blackbourn, emphasizing that "this is pure conjecture," said he felt that the two parties concerned will reach a suitable agreement. How? "They could possibly let only ends and backs go in and out when the ball changes hands - or the ends and quarterbacks. Something might be worked along those lines," he pointed out...FAVORS PARKER'S POSITION: Blackbourn said that use of the one-platoon could be an important factor in the All Star game. "Other college rules such as not getting up and running after touching the grounds, etc., are really minor but use of the single platoon would change the entire game," Liz added. Blackbourn said he favors Parker's stand "in this dispute" adding, "I don't blame him for his actions; he is to be complimented for taking a good, firm stand." The Packer coach felt that Parker has a "definite problem - especially with that Bobby Layne, who I assume is a high priced player. He would be taking a chance with injury playing him on defense, and I'm sure he must be considered a top drawing card."...HOW ABOUT BOX, WALKER?: Under the one-platoon plan, Parker also would be faced with risking such players as Cloyce Box and Doak Walker - to mention a few. To better illustrate Parker's problem, Blackbourn pointed to the Packer roster. "We'd be taking a big chance if we had to play boys like Howton, Mann and Parilli on defense." No public statements on the dispute were forthcoming today from attorneys for the sponsors or Commissioner Bert Bell. Yesterday, Tribune authorities notified Parker as follows: "It is recognized that the College All-Star team is inevitably at a disadvantage in competing with a well integrated team such as the professional club always puts on the field. The pros should be able to adjust themselves more easily to the rules than can the amateur players who have been together only a few weeks."...HINGES ON CONTRACT: Bell said the issue hinged on the interpretation of section nine of the contract the National League signed with the Chicago Tribune Charities, Inc., Aug. 8, 1949. This section deals with exceptions to the use of collegiate rules and provides that professional rules shall be used where they were in force prior to the signing of the contract. "Unlimited substitution in the pro game was in effect long before 1949," Bell said, "and has been used in every All-Star game since then." Bell asserted that collegiate rules of 1948 did not allow for unlimited substitution, yet the 1949 game was also played with unlimited substitution.
TONNEMAKER SOLD ON PACKERS' NEW REGIME
MAY 6 (Green Bay) - Clayton Tonnemaker is sold on Green Bay more than eve now! The big University of Minnesota and Packer linebacker always did think the world of our town - especially since the night of Aug. 16, 1950, when he played his first game in City Stadium. The near-sellout audience gave him a tremendous ovation. Tonnemaker had been in Milwaukee the last several weeks and came to Green Bay yesterday to address the Optimist Club luncheon Wednesday, "and it didn't take long to find out how everybody liked the new regime," he said. The husky Gopher, who will be in his third season with the Packers next fall (he missed 1951-52 to serve in the Army), said that "I'm highly impressed with the setup and I'm sure there will be a decided improvement next season." Tonnemaker met Coach Liz Blackbourn for the first time Wednesday afternoon. The native of Ogilvia, Minn., is expected to sign his 1954 contract shortly. At the Optimist gathering, Tonnemaker told his listeners that "we owe the people of Green Bay an awful lot - the way we've been playing the last few years." He added, "We hope we can do something to deserve their support next fall." Firing straight from the shoulder, Tonnemaker later said, in answer to a question, that "I expect to play improved football next year - maybe like in 1950. I wasn't right when I hurried out of service and hurried up to camp last fall. Then, I had picked up a lot of bad habits in service football. It took me half the season to get to normal again. I felt 'right' in the last half of the season."...OUT OF HIS TERRITORY: Here on behalf of the Miller Brewing Co., Tonnemaker was anxious to know about the new players - "are they signing? how about the veterans? who isn't coming back?" Actually, Tonnemaker is out of his territory. He travels Minnesota, the Dakotas, Iowa and Nebraska spreading the Miller gospel, talking football and showing movies of the Cleveland-Detroit championship game. "The people out in some of those states don't know too much about pro football, but they learn a lot from the movies. We talk quite a bit about Minnesota football," Tonnemaker said. Surprised to hear that Phil Seghi, former Bluejay manager, had been named pilot of Fargo-Moorhead, Tonnemaker said, "I'll look him up as soon as I get out there." Tonnemaker, incidentally, was one of 62 athletes listed today by Brig. Gen. Herbert P. Powell, who spent part of the Army service overseas. Tonnemaker was in Japan for more than a year with a medical unit. Powell told a House Armed Senate subcommittee, which is investigating so-called "coddling" of athletes in the Army that "the Army's baseball, basketball, football and other sport are 'morale builders' - even for the spectators." He produced documents showing that the Army had been issuing directives since 1919 against favored treatment for name athletes and entertainers, but acknowledged "in a few cases, field commanders may not have carried out department policy." Powell said the Army has put into effect a new monitoring system under which a check will be kept on all athletes on active duty to guard against any abuses of the Army policy.

PACKERS REUNITE AWOL CASES; ADD CENTER RINGO
MAY 11 (Green Bay) - The Packers' two AWOL cases of 1953 were officially reunited today, with the signing of two guys from Syracuse University - James S. (Jim) Ringo Jr., and Richard L. (Dick Mace) Jr. Ringo is a 220-pound center back for his sophomore season. Mace, a 283-pound tackle and center, is making his debut in these parts, having previously tried out with Pittsburgh and played in Canada. Coach Liz Blackbourn now has announced 21 athletes as signed for 1954 competition. The group includes six tackles, five halfbacks, three fullbacks, two ends, two centers, two quarterbacks and one guard. Ringo, the Packers' first string center until he was hurt midway in the '53 season, joins up with his run-away pal - guard Bob Kennedy of Wisconsin, who is one of the 20 other athletes signed. Ringo and Kennedy left Grand Rapids, Minn., training camp one Saturday earlier in the training camp without saying boo to anyone. Ringo was uncovered at his home in Easton, Pa., where he had gone to see his wife and new baby. He promptly returned to camp and turned into a promising player. Kennedy, it developed, wanted to return to school and close out his degree in engineering - which he did. In signing earlier this year, Kennedy said in effect that "there'll be no more of that" next fall. The burly 230-pounder had just about won the middle guard position when he took off. Ringo suffered a leg injury in the Baltimore game here Oct. 18 and finally had to go home for continued treatment later in the month. He reported that the injured member is "back to normal."...VITAL TACKLE POSITION: Addition of Mace will hep up competition for the vital tackle position. He joins such tackle standouts as Art Hunter of Notre Dame, Bob Fleck of Syracuse, Jim Balog of Michigan, Jack Smalley of Alabama and Ed Frank of Marquette - all rookies. Mace played offensive and defensive tackle. Both Ringo and Fleck played with him at Syracuse in 1950 - Mace's senior year. A co-captain in '50, Mace was ticketed for the old Baltimore Colts in 1951 but the team disbanded and Dick sought a berth with the Steelers. He had a job cinched when he tore a cartilage and the Steelers released him. After recuperating the remainder of the season, Mace moved on to Canada for the 1952-53 campaign. Mace, 25, played prep ball in Elmira, N.Y. At Syracuse, he earned three letters in football and two in rowing. He stands 6-3.
WARD SOLUTION TO PACKERS' PUNTING?
MAY 14 (Green Bay) - Packer Coach Liz Blackbourn had high hopes today that the club's punting problem of the last few years may be closer to a solution. Liz announced the signing of Tomie Ward of Midwestern University and veteran defensive halfback Bobby Dillon of the University of Texas and followed with this: "Tomie's punting average looks mighty encouraging." The Packers' 1954 punting plans received two sharp blows recently when Southern California's Des Koch, a Packer draft choice, and veteran Clive Rush announced that they will not wear Bay uniforms next fall. Koch was one of the nation's leading big school punters last fall and was drafted for his specialty in the 16th slot, but oddly enough, the 205-pound halfback still has a season of track eligibility left and won't be available for pro football until '55. Rush, who led the Bay punting last fall with a modest 37.7 yard average, has signed as an assistant coach under Hugh Devore at Dayton. Ward is strictly a darkhorse, though the Packers learned that several other National League clubs had been in contact with him. The big fullback, who packs 222 pounds on a 6-3 frame, averaged 44 and 46 yards in two college seasons and Blackbourn isn't fearful that the switch from college to pro ball will cut down his punting average. Protection for the punter is considerably better in pro ball than in college, Liz feels...OUT OF ARMY IN JUNE: After starring at Ball High in Galveston, Tex., Ward enrolled at the University of Texas and then moved on to Tyler Junior College for more "seasoning". He played at Midwestern the following year and then went into service. He's due to get out of the Army in June, presently being stationed at Camp Chaffee, Ark. He had a spectacular rushing season at Tyler, scoring five touchdowns and gaining 289 yards in a single game and finishing the season with 1,288 yards and 16 touchdowns. He averaged 44.8 at Tyler and 47.1 at Midwestern. Ward, 22 and single, is the largest fullback, at 222, signed thus far by the Packers. Others inked are Bud Roffler, 190, Ken Bahnsen, 210, and Fred Cone, 200. The return of Dillon takes a load off Blackbourn's mind. Liz said he was impressed by the Texan's work in films of 1953 games. Bobby ruled as one of the league's top pass interception artists last year, nailing nine enemy throws and returning them for 112 yards - one a 49-yard touchdown runback against the Bears in Chicago...REACHED PEAK IN DETROIT: Dillon reached his peak before a coast-to-coast television audience when the Packers played the Lions in Detroit Thanksgiving day, intercepting four passes before suffering a leg injury that knocked him out of the last two games. He underwent surgery last December and reported to Liz that "I'm stronger than ever now." The Packers' fastest back, Dillon is returning for his third season. As a rookie in 1952, Dillon intercepted four passes and returned 'em 35 yards. The Packers now have announced the signing of 23 players.
PACK TICKET OFFICE HERE HAS MILWAUKEE DUCATS
MAY 17 (Green Bay) - Nope, you don’t have to go to Milwaukee to buy Packer season tickets for games in County stadium! The Packer ticket office in Green Bay (349 S. Washington) will have plenty of ducats for the three NFL games in Beer Town. This is stated today merely as a local and area reminder to folks who might have read in Sunday’s prints that the Packers opened a ticket office in Milwaukee, located in the Eagles Club building, 2401 W. Wisconsin Ave. Howard Kusserow, a Milwaukee resident, will manage the new ticket office, which was opened today. Verne Lewellen, Packer general manager, said that the Packer ticket office in Green Bay is straightened away for season ticket business for games in Green Bay and Milwaukee. Holders of season tickets in both cities already have been mailed renewal cards, giving the fans the privilege of reclaiming their seats for the 1954 season. The Green Bay office also is selling ducats for the two big non-championship games – the Cleveland Browns in Green Bay Aug. 21 and the New York Giants in the annual Shrine classic in Milwaukee Sept. 18…The Packers will pay less rent per ticket for use of Milwaukee’s County stadium for the three league games there. The county park commission Friday approved a one-year lease by which the Packers will pay the county 10 percent of its revenue from ticket sales. Last year, the country got 12 ½ percent. The Shrine game in Milwaukee, incidentally, will be played in Marquette stadium since the Braves will be operating in the County orchard at that time…Packer President Russ Bogda, commenting on tentative plans by the city to purchase 80 acres of land on the west side for an arena and a stadium, said today that “the Packers are interested in a new stadium and would welcome one.”…Most of the contract signing work being done by Coach Liz Blackbourn these days is with the veterans. Of the 23 players announced thus far, two of them are holdovers – fullback Fred Cone and halfback Bobby Dillon. At least two former Packers won’t return next fall – halfback J.R. Boone, who has announced his retirement, and guard Dick Logan, now in service. On the undecided side are tackle Dick Wildung and halfback Bob Forte. Wildung likely won’t return, however, since he has said many times last fall that “this is the last one for me.” Around 30 veterans likely will be at Stevens Point when the training season opens July 24. In addition, there will be 15 or 20 draft choices and probably five or six free agents. Nine draft picks have been announced as signed thus far – including the top three, tackle Art Hunter, halfback Veryl Switzer and tackle Bob Fleck.
CONFUSED? PACKERS SIGN END-PIVOT KENNETH HALLS
MAY 19 (Green Bay) - We’ve been dreading this day – when the Packers announced the signing of those two Ken Halls Coach Liz Blackbourn drafted last January. The two KH’s invite confusion but to prevent it, let’s get the record straight right quick – in the next two bold-face paragraphs: Kenneth S. Hall is an end from North Texas State. His nickname is Cotton and from now on he will be known as such! Kenneth H. Hall is a center from Springfield College. His nickname is Pop and from now on he will be known as such! Got it straight? But just be careful when discussing these two guys two or three weeks from now. Cotton, 22, is supposed to be the real goods – “he might be the one to give us a lift at offensive end,” Blackbourn commented today. He was drafted No. 11. Pop, 26, is along in years – as his name indicated, but his personal perseverance in reducing himself from 330 to 202 pounds in 18 months show a type of determination that Liz would like to see in a Packer uniform. Let’s start with some Cotton pickin’: Cotton was the leading pass receiver for North Texas for two seasons. He snagged eight passes for 158 yards – almost a 20-yard average – in ’52 and last fall picked off 18 for 288 yards. In each season he turned three catches into touchdowns…RUNS 100 IN :10 FLAT: Cotton is an exceptionally fast man for his 216 pounds and 6-2 frame. He runs the 100 in 10 seconds flat, which makes him dangerous on running back kickoffs or punts. Left end Cotton, co-captain of his team in ’53, was an all-conference and all-Texas selection as a senior. He hails from Borge, Texas, where he lettered two years in prep football. Pop won three football letters as an offensive center and defensive guard at Springfield. In addition, he won chevrons in wrestling track and hockey. He was goaltender and co-captain of the hockey team last winter and a co-captain of the grid team last fall. Known as Humphrey, Pop and Father, the Springfield grad ranks as the best defensive lineman in his college’s football history. When Pop reported to Coach Ossie Solem as a 330-pound sophomore three years ago, he was told “to get small if you want to play”. Pop dieted for 18 long months and actually dwindled down to a weak 202 pounds. He then gradually increased his weight to 225 to give him enough bulk to play the middle guard spot on defense…25 PLAYERS ANNOUNCED: Pop, a bit on the squat side at 5-11, will be out to develop speed when he competes for the Packer offensive center position. He runs the 100 in 13 seconds but, as indicated, the man has plenty of determination. Blackbourn now has announced the signing of 25 players, including veterans Fred Cone, Bobby Dillon and Bob Kennedy, 11 draft choices, and 11 free agents. The group includes six halfbacks and six tackles. The Packer coach expects to take close to 60 players to the Stevens Point training camp July 24.
ROBERTS FOURTH PACKER CHOICE TO JOIN CANADIAN PRO LEAGUE
MAY 20 (Green Bay) - The Packers now have lost their 7th, 14th, 17th and 28th draft choices to Canadian 12-man football. Latest to skip was J.D. Roberts, the All-American guard from the University of Oklahoma and, incidentally, the center of our oil country. Roberts was the Packers’ 17th selection in the NFL’s pickin’ party last January. Announcement of his name in the draft room brought a collective “Oh”, as we recall – as did other All-America players who were drafted down the line. A 205-pound offensive guard, who had to play defense last year because of the one-platoon plan, Robert signed yesterday with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for 1954. The other Packers-gone-north are tackle Sam Marshall, Florida A and M, 7th choice; fullback Kosse Johnson, Rice, 14th choice; and fullback Evan Slonac, Michigan State, 28th choice. Packer Coach Liz Blackbourn has been extremely calm during the skips. All four of the borderites were contacted in person by Packer coaches and their cases have been thoroughly investigated. Marshall was the first and undoubtedly most serious loss. The 245-pound tackle could have been used to good purpose in the Packer line but the big Negro decided to follow several of his teammates there. Johnson and Slonac moved about the same time. Kosse, also rated an All-America in some circles, demanded more money than his position in the draft would warrant. About 100 backs, few of them All-Americans, were chosen in front of the Rice back. Incidentally, Blackbourn had intended to make a halfback out of Johnson since his 175 pounds obviously was a bit light for pro fullback. Slonac, too, was considered too light for pro fullback – at 178 pounds and the stocky Michigan State back figured he could do better in Canada. Thus, there was no heated objection when he went north. Roberts may have been “moved” by the Canadian oil people, though Hamilton isn’t exactly in the heart of Canada’s oil country. However, most Oklahoma players, being raised in the shadows of oil derricks, find offers of oil jobs in Canada most intriguing – during and after their grid careers. Roberts originally was ticketed for Edmonton, which is smack in oil country, but the heavy-set guard somehow wound up in Hamilton. Blackbourn isn’t expecting any more Canadian trouble – at least nothing serious. He already has signed up his top three choices – tackle Art Hunter of Notre Dame, halfback Veryl Switzer of Kansas State and tackle Bob Fleck of Syracuse. The other top picks are pretty well set, so to speak, among them being linebacker George Timberlake of Southern Cal and fullback Tom Allman of Maryland. Already signed is fifth pick Max McGee, the swift halfback from Tulane who will be made into an end. Blackbourn was a busy man today, making two speeches and several radio interviews. Accompanied by publicist Jug Earp, Liz stopped in Shawano for radio and newspaper talks and then hit Antigo for a noon luncheon. This evening he addresses a group at Rhinelander.

KNIGHT TACKLE STAR DUFEK EYES PACKER END JOB; TAKACS ADDED
MAY 21 (Green Bay) - The spectacular football career of Jerry Dufek at St. Norbert college will go on the Packer block next fall. The 23-yeard old Milwaukeean – an all-time defensive tackle at St. Norbert – signed a Packer contract today along with Mike Takacs, third in a series of Ohio State guards. Coach Liz Blackbourn now has announced the signing of 27 athletes for the 1954 campaign. Since he plans to take about 60 men to the Stevens Point training camp July 24, Blackbourn still had 30-odd signatures to reveal. The latest signees are draft choices – Takacs No. 13 and Dufek No. 29. Dufek undoubtedly won’t be a Packer tackle candidate since his weight, 215 pounds, is slightly under professional standards. However, the hard-hitting ex-Knight probably will try for a defensive end berth. Packer Assistant Coach Tom Hearden, who coached


























BOB KENNEDY TO PLAY WITH PACKERS, BLACKBOURN SAYS
MAY 21 (Rhinelander) - Rhinelander's football star, Bob Kennedy of the University of Wisconsin, has signed to play with the Green Bay Packers and is expected to perform with that team this fall unless he is called for military service, Lisle Blackbourn, new head coach of the Packers, told members of the Lions Club and their guests Thursday night in a talk at Powell's Recreation. Blackbourn made that statement in response to a question at the close of his talk. Last year, it will be recalled, Kennedy started training with the Packers but then left the training camp prior to the start of the season and played with the Wausau Muskies while continuing his studies at Wisconsin. Blackbourn, former Marquette University football coach, told the Rhinelander fans that the Packers are doing everything possible to build a stronger organization this fall. The Packer story is one of the greatest in the sports world, Blackbourn said, and the present organization is determined to do the best possible job. Draft choices were selected last winter on their abilities to perform more than one job if necessary and most of the choices have been signed, he said. A few were lost to Canadian football teams. Players like Art Hunter of Notre Dame, Veryl Switzer of Kansas State, Bob Fleck of Syracuse and Bob Timberlake of Southern California, were picked because of their outstanding talent and their versatility, Blackbourn stated. Hunter played several line positions during his college career, Switzer is effective in the backfield both offensively and defensively, and the others can also fill in both ways. Professional athletes have more maturity nowadays, the Packer coach said, and stricter rules for conduct both on and off the field have elevated the level of competition. High standards of character are now desired in addition to high caliber of talent, he stated.
LIZ, PAUL TALK TRADE IN CHI ROSTER PARLEY
MAY 22 (Green Bay) - Two methodical and meticulous men – Lisle W. Blackbourn and Paul E. Brown – met in Chicago the other day to study the names of approximately 100 football players. The purpose of the meeting – something of a secret until the participants returned home – was to “examine our respective rosters with a view toward making an exchange of talent,” Packer Coach Blackbourn said today. No trade with the Cleveland Browns developed from the daylong session but, Liz pointed out, “we are now familiar with each other’s needs and could conceivably make a transaction during the training season – if the needs are not filled by new players.” Blackbourn had to chuckle when he spoke of Coach Brown’s needs, in view of the Browns’ hip-deep pile of material - plus a perennial championship tradition. The Browns, Liz indicated, are looking for a linebacker to fill the shoes of five-year veteran Tommy Thompson who may not be able to snap back from a leg injury suffered last fall. Other than a linebacker, the Browns are interested in future draft choices, Liz revealed, adding emphatically, “we are extremely reluctant to trade off draft choices.” The Bay mentor felt that the draft is practically the only way a club like Green Bay can strengthen itself. Thus, the Packers would have to get an especially “good deal” for a draft pick – particularly a high selection. What do the Packers need? Blackbourn entered the National league’s draft last January looking for (a) linemen and (b) that one good back. He was able to satisfy the bulk of the needs by selecting and later signing tackles Art Hunter and Bob Fleck and halfback Veryl Switzer of Kansas State. Until the aforementioned three, other draft choices and highly-touted free agents pan out during the preseason campaign, the Packers’ needs will remain (a) linemen and (b) that one good back. While this trio – plus other highly-touted draft picks and free agents, would seem to fill the club’s needs, the prospects still must prove themselves as full-fledged pros. Thus, the Packers’ needs virtually will exist until the verdict is made on the new men. Blackbourn did indicate that he was interested in an offensive center – a move toward tightening the protection for passes Tobin Rote and Babe Parilli. The Packers were unable to spot a center high in the draft list, the first pivot coming on the 19th round – (Pop) Hall, a 220-pounder out of Springfield College. Centers signed thus far are free agent Herb Borman, 220, of Illinois, veteran Jim Ringo, 220, and Hall. Also expected to return is Dave Stephenson, who played center last year after two years at guard…The Packers’ non-conference game against the Philadelphia Eagles originally scheduled at Atlantic City Sept. 4, has been shifted to Hershey, Pa., and will be played Sunday, Sept. 5. The Atlantic City promoters were unable to get enough seats…Despite one of their "talkingest" days, Blackbourn and Packer Tub Thumper Jug Earp were able to relax with nine holes of golf yesterday afternoon. They were in Shawano for several radio interviews and newspaper chats in the morning and then went on to Antigo for more interviews and luncheon speeches. Before taking off for Rhinelander for a dinner address, the football pair found a golf course. Blackbourn, incidentally, plays golf at Sherwood every evening he gets the opportunity after work. "I'm not trying to be a professional," Liz laughed, "but it does help me get in condition for the football season."
JUG EARP RESIGNS AS PACKER PUBLICITY HEAD
MAY 25 (Green Bay) - Francis L. (Jug) Earp resigned today as director of public relations for the Packers. The giant all-time Packer center, effective about June 1, will become general manager and a stockholder of Packerland Distributors, Inc., distributors for Miller Brewing company in Green Bay and Brown County. These announcements were made simultaneously today by Russ Bogda, president to the Packers, and Clair Hall, president of the Packerland firm. Earp came to Green Bay back in 1922 after one year of professional football with the old Rock Island Independents and made his home here. He played with the Packers for 11 seasons –


from 1922 through 1932. After retiring from the pro game, Earp went into the automobile business here with Brown County Motors. He went into government service with the OPA in 1942 and was director of the Green Bay regional OPA office for two years and for the state OPA office in Milwaukee for one year. He has been with the Hutson organization since 1947. Earp became publicity chief of his “alma mater” in February of 1950, and immediately plunged into organization of the stock and ticket drives. He has been active in all phases of Packer promotion.
PACKERS GET GOOD MILEAGE FROM ROTE; HB NEXT FALL?
MAY 26 (Green Bay) - The Packers got darned good mileage out of Tobin Rote. The staunch Texan averaged nearly a mile of yards with his throwing and running in each of his four Green Bay campaigns. Quarterback Tobin piled up a total of 6,218 yards – more than three and a half miles per drive, including 5,044 on 343 completed passes and 1,174 on 194 rushing attempts. Oddly enough, Rote – probably the top distance thrower in the NFL – is just as “long” a runner as he is a passer. He averaged 6.01 yards every time he lugged the ball from scrimmage and 6.2 every time he threw it. Rote – the Packers’ No. 2 choice behind Clayton Tonnemaker in 1950 – likely will play a key role in the Packers’ offense next autumn. The Packers’ new head coach, Liz Blackbourn, has been studying Rote’s every move in the films of the Packers’ 17 games last fall, and receipt of

Dufek in two of his three college seasons, said “Jerry has good speed and besides he’s a fine tackler; he really knows how to tackle despite the fact that he’s pretty tall, 6-2.” Jerry, himself, is confident of making pro ball. He pointed to two of his former college opponents who are now in the play-for-pay ranks – tackle Howie Ruetz of the Packers and Loras and guard Art Michalik of San Francisco and St. Ambrose. Neither Ruetz nor Michalik played in a winning game against St. Norbert with Dufek in the line. Dufek entered St. Norbert in 1949 and, as a sophomore in 1950, anchored St. Norbert to an unbeaten season. After a year in the Marine Corps in Korea, Dufek again led the Knights to an unbeaten season, playing both offense and defense. Last fall, Dufek served as captain but suffered a damaging knee injury that kept him out most of the season. He underwent surgery last winter and Jerry feels that the knee is in the best shape it’s been in five years. Dufek twice was named an all-Midlands conference tackle and made many all-opponent tackle…FOLLOWS LOGAN, RUZICH: Dufek prepped at Boys Tech in Milwaukee, playing three years of varsity ball. He made all-Suburban conference and received honorable mention all-state. Takacs follows two other Ohio State guards here – Dick Logan and Steve Ruzich. Logan had planned to return for his third campaign but was called by Uncle Sam. Ruzich probably will return for No. 3. Takacs, a left guard on offense, gained all-Big Ten honors and received honorable mention on several All-America clubs. He played in the East-West game and Senior Bowl last winter. A native of Massilon, O., Takacs stands six feet tall and weighs 220. A three-letter winner at Massilon Washington High, Takacs runs the 100-yard dash in :10.8…BRIEFS: Three members of the Packer coaching staff will do some scouting over the weekend – at the Marquette squad game in Milwaukee tonight and the Wisconsin squad test in Madison Saturday. Making the trip are Blackbourn, Hearden and Lou Rymkus. Aide Ray McLean is presently on vacation. All of the coaches will take vacations, finishing up before the opening of practice.
Rote’s signed contract yesterday meant that plans could be completed for Tobin’s part in the '54 offense. What part will Rote play next fall? Due to Tobin’s success on one play from left halfback – plus Babe Parilli’s magic at quarterback, and Rote’s ability to run, the question of Rote shifting from halfback and/or even fullback has often been raised in the last two seasons. Blackbourn, asked the stock question during one of his umpteenth speeches last winter, explained it this way: “Tobin will play where he will best serve the needs of the team. But, as of now, he’s a quarterback.” This may mean that Rote could possibly run some as a halfback which, with Parilli at QB, would give the Packers two “arms” in the backfield at the same time. Rote many times displayed his power running by taking off when he was unable to pass or by charging ahead from the spread – all from the quarterback position. However, it took two injuries to bring out his usefulness as a halfback. Against Washington in Milwaukee in 1952, Parilli started at quarterback and promptly gave the Redskins a fit with his ball handling and passing. During the second half both left halfbacks, Tony Canadeo and Breezy Reid, were injured. The only man who knew the LH plays – on paper, at least – was Rote. Tobin carried once into the line for nearly five yards and then, on an in-motion play to the right, went down for a pass. He caught the ball on the two-yard line behind a Redskin defender and stepped into the end zone, completing a 28-yard touchdown pass. That was the first and only time Rote played left half, but it was the start of the aforementioned question! Rote’s 1952 season was his best. He missed wining the league’s throwing championship by a hair, averaging 8.08 yards per throw. The big Texan has thrown an even 40 touchdowns passes in four seasons, including 15 in 1951 and 13 in 1952…PACKER BRIEFS: Publicity Chief Jug Earp, whose resignation from that position was announced yesterday, has started the long process of cleaning up his affairs at the Bay office at 349 S. Washington. Jug will continue to work until the weekend of June 4 and on June 7 will become general manager and stockholder of Packerland Distributors, Inc., distributors for Miller Brewing company in Green Bay and Brown county. The Packer executive committee accepted the resignation of Earp “with definite regrets,” Packer president Russ Bogda said today. “He has been a tremendous help to us and we are sorry to see him leave – yet happy that he can improve his own position,” Bogda said on behalf of the committee. Jug and line coach Lou Rymkus were in Kewaunee last night, addressing a high school group…General Manager Verne Lewellen went to Milwaukee today to check on the Packers’ new ticket office in the Eagles’ building. Lewellen will leave Milwaukee Thursday afternoon for a talk in Menominee, Mich. Scout Jack Vainisi is on vacation this week along with assistant coach Ray McLean.
PACKER DEFENSE FRONT-CENTER AS TONNEMAKER SIGNS
MAY 27 (Green Bay) - There hasn’t been much said about the Packers’ defense in these past few weeks. But the subject was front-center today. Coach Liz Blackbourn opined Wednesday afternoon that “we’ll have to do something about that defense” and today announced the signing of Clayton Tonnemaker, the giant linebacker from Minnesota. The Packers’ defensive troubles of the past four seasons have been no secret. The “opponents’ points” totals tell just about all of the story. In the period from 1950 through 1953, the Packers permitted 1,431 points – or an average of 29.4 in the 48 NFL games. The Packers scored 993 points – or an average of 20.7. Thus, the Packers were outscored nearly five touchdowns (not counting extra points) to a shade over three – on the average, of course, since 1950. The Bays allowed 406 points in 1950, 375 in ’51, 312 in ’52, and 338 in ’53. They scored 244 in ’50, 254 in ’51, 295 in ’52 and 200 in ’53. Blackborn feels that the most improvement is needed on defense – “The pictures (of 1953 games) show it,” Liz pointed out, adding that “the offense hasn’t been too bad.”…SECOND BIG LINK: Tonnemaker is the second big veteran link forged in Blackbourn’s defensive plans. The other is Bobby Dillon, the fleet defensive back coming back for his third pro season. In addition, a number of promising rookies have been inked, including defensive end Gene Knutson, the 225-pounder out of Beloit and the University of Michigan. Tonnemaker, Blackbourn and all Packer fans are looking forwards to seeing a new Tonnemaker next fall. Tonnemaker confided that he’ll have a “different approach next fall.” The Minnesota smasher, who carried 235 pounds on a 6-3 frame, broke into professional football with the Packers in 1950 after making every All-America team in 1949. He was the Packers’ No. 1 pick in January of ’50…MARK OF REAL PRO: Tonnemaker, who will turn 26 next June 28, was a unanimous all-pro selection in his first Packer season. He opened his play-for-pay career in a non-league game against the Chicago Cardinals, then coached by Curly Lambeau, in City stadium and promptly dazzled the house with his jarring tackles – especially of fullback Pat Harder. He earned his mark of a real pro in the Bear game in Chicago. Two Bears ganged up on him and knocked him out, the payoff being a blow to his neck. One of the Bears was ejected by the officials, but Tonnmaker was back ready for more two plays later. The average player would have been finished for the day. Tonnemaker was most devastating on filling holes in the line and at times tackling the ball carrier before he even got to the line of scrimmage. Exceptionally fast for a big man, Tonnemaker also has been valuable as a pass defender. Tonnemaker is the 29th player announced as signed thus far…Friday night, Blackbourn will become the first Packer coach in history to make a commencement address. Liz will deliver the principal address at the Tigerton High School graduation exercise. Blackbourn often is requested for other-than-football talks throughout the state. Recently, he addressed a banquet commemorating the 50th anniversary of the YMCA in Fond du Lac. There’ll be more tackles tonight when General Manager Verne Lewellen, publicity chief Jug Earp and Blackbourn spread the Packer gospel in a Twi-Cee Club affair at Menominee, Mich.
PACKER PARAGRAPHS
MAY 27 (Manitowoc) - Ray Di Pierro, Ohio State guard who performed with the Packers in 1950 and '51, keeps his eye on Green Bay. In a note to friends here, Ray expressed the hope that the Packers would have a winner this year. The former center flanker is in the wholesale produce business at Toledo, OH...Mike Takacs, three-year starting guard at Ohio State, has joined the Packers. The Buckeye recruit is 23 years old, stands six feet and weighs 220 pounds. Mike saw considerable service in his senior year at Columbus as a linebacker...Jerry Dufek, tackle from St. Norbert, is now listed among the Packer recruits. Dufek was named for the All-Midland Conference teams in 1952 and '53. Jerry served overseas with the Marines. For a big fellow, he has plenty of speed and may be tried out as a defensive end...Bill Howton, pass catcher from Rice who has enjoyed two good years as an offensive end for the Packers, is listed among the better insurance salesmen down in Houston way. Billy is quite a football hero in the Lone State state and the pigskin angle is helpful to his business...Al Carmichael, Packer halfback, has been busy keeping busy out in California. The fancy stepping ball carrier returned to school and expected to get his degree at USC next month. Between study periods, Carmichael has been prancing around the movie lots and got in several pictures...New stadium talk crops out every now and then in this red-hot football community. However, Packer executives are taking everything in stride but marking time pending concrete developments for a gridiron lot with an enlarged seating capacity...Speaking of hiring Halls, Coach Lisle Blackbourn has signed a couple and they are both named Kenneth. One of the Halls is an offensive end from North Texas State, while the other is a center from Springfield College weighing 225 pounds. He captained the eleven in 1953...Lights are burning several nights a week at Packer headquarters while the ticket office crew files away the reservation requests for the season ducats. Carl Mraz, the ticket boss, thinks business this year will be above par as the early response has exceeded expectations...There is nothing like operating a derrick to get in shape for a football season. That is the opinion of Howie Ferguson who earned his spurs as a recruit Packer fullback in 1953. Ferguson has been working out with a construction crew down south for the past four months...Ken Bahnsen, North Texas State fullback who signed with the Packers after playing with Frisco in '53, is serving as a dairy hand on his father's farm in Texas. The Bay coaching staff thinks Bahnsen may be one of the surprise newcomers on this year's squad...A change has been made in the Packers' pre-season schedule. The game booked with Philadelphia September 5 at Atlantic City has been shifted to Hershey, PA and will be played September 4. This Quaker State Candy Town is quite a football center. The Bays have been in Hershey before...Roger Zatkoff has turned teacher and is connected with the Detroit Public School system. The Michigan tackle played topnotch football for Green Bay during he 1953 pennant chase. It was Zatkoff's first year as a pro but it didn't take him long to get the hang of things...Wedding bells rang last month for Val Joe Walker, the SMU halfback who clicked for the Packers last fall in his pro football debut. Walker has himself a job with the Sun Oil Co. in Texas but it is expected that he will quit oiling for a few months and don the gridiron cleats again.
TONNEMAKER SIGNS
MAY 29 (Green Bay) - Clayton Tonnemaker, 235-pound center, has signed his 1954 contract with the Green Bay Packers, coach Blackbourn said today. The former Minnesota great started his career with the Packers in 1950 but spent 1951-52 in the Army. He was the 29th player to come to terms. The number is expected to reach 60 by the time pre-season practice starts at Stevens Point in late July.

HANNER NINTH PACKER TACKLE SET FOR 1954
JUN 2 (Green Bay) - Dave (Old Hog) Hanner has signed his Packer contract for 1954, Coach Liz Blackbourn beamed today. Hanner actually isn’t old, to change the subject for a moment – a mere 24. But his teammates and friends always like to hang an “old” in front of his umpteen nicknames – like “Old Carrot Top”, “Old Tobacco Puss,” Old Freckles,” etc. Dave turned two dozen years last May 20 and he’s look forwards to his third season in Green Bay. Blackbourn, too, is looking forward to the arrival and subsequent play of the ferocious farmer from Earle, Ark. Hanner is one of three Packers who already played a football game in 1954 – one that Blackbourn saw, on television. Dave played an important role for the Western conference team along with John Martinkovic and Clayton Tonnemaker in the all-pro game shortly after Liz became Packer head coach last January. In his attempt to strengthen the Packer line, Blackbourn now has announced the signing of nine tackles. The group is headed by the lone veteran – 250-pound Hanner. Following him are two highly prized rookies – Art Hunter, the No. 1 draft choice from Notre Dame, who scales close to 245, and Bob Fleck, the 260-pounder from Syracuse. Blackbourn feels that he has a good start toward rebuilding the Packer line with these three – plus Kim Balog, 220, Michigan; Jack Smalley, 225, Alabama; Dick Mace, 235, Syracuse; Jerry Dufek, 220, St. Norbert; and Ray Walsh, 230, West Virginia. The other tackle, 200-pound Ed Frank of Marquette, may try for defensive end. Hanner and Dick Wildung formed two of the top defensive tackle twosomes in the league last year but Dave probably will need a new mate next fall because Dick isn’t expected to return, although stranger things have happened. Wildung is getting along in years, but the Packer coaches were pleasantly surprised with his excellent play last fall. Among the veterans still outstanding are veterans Dick Afflis, Gus Cifelli and Len Szafaryn and draft picks Jim Williams, Bill Buford and Ralph Baierl. Buford goes 235 and Williams and Baierl 225 each…PLAYED MIDDLE GUARD: Hanner is a versatile lineman as shown during the ’53 season. He filled in occasionally at the middle guard spot and also did an offensive tackle chore. Wherever he played, Hanner was rough to handle. Hanner lettered three years in football at Arkansas and was named to the All-Southwest conference team two seasons. He was the Packers’ fifth draft choice in 1952 and was a defensive starter in every game in the last two years. The Packers now have announced the signing of 32 players.
PACKER PROBLEM? BULLS EYE SAME LB'ING SPOT
JUN 3 (Green Bay) - A year ago this time, the Packers boasted the top linebacking trio in professional football – Clayton (Big Bull) Tonnemaker, Deral (Little Bull) Teteak and Bob Forte. Tonnemaker was in the process of getting out of the Army and rarin’ to show the stuff that made him an all-pro rookie in ’52; Teteak was anxious to improve on his fine showing in ’52; and Forte was determined to captain the Packers to a highly-successful campaign. Then came the 1953 Season of Fall! Teteak sat out the first five games in civilian clothes, waiting his chance to get back on the active list and at the same time wondering about Philadelphia’s interest in him. He finally regained his uniform and played in spots in the last seven games. Tonnemaker went into the 1953 drive tense and handicapped by a few bad habits picked up in Army football. It was midseason before Tonnie reached his 1950 form. Forte had no bowl of cherries in his capacity as captain – and peacemaker, during the final hectic weeks of the Ronzani regime. What now? Teteak signed his ’54 contract yesterday and Tonnemaker was inked last week, reuniting the hard-hitting twosome. Forte, who will turn 32 in July, isn’t expected to play next fall. What Packer coach Liz Blackbourn does with Teteak and Tonnemaker – both middle linebackers by trade – will be one of the highlights of the training season. Both were tremendous at that particular position in their rookie years, but, oddly enough, both seemed to suffer when placed on the same team last fall. Both saw action at middle linebacker at different time and each moved occasionally to an outside linebacker spot. Teteak received stout competition from Roger Zatkoff, a hard-hitting linebacker from Michigan. Rog was shifted considerably, too, taking a chore as a defensive end at times. In addition, changes in defense last fall left the Packers with two linebackers and four defensive halfbacks occasionally to utilize the speed of newcomer Val Joe Walker and veteran Bobby Dillon. Final disposition of the linebacker problem, of course, will have to wait until Liz and his staffmen, Tom Hearden, Ray McLean and Lou Rymkus, get a look at the performances of the veterans and newcomers. The Packers will welcome two highly-prized linebackers – fullback Tom Allman of West Virginia and guard George Timberlake of Southern California. Allman signed this week, but Timberlake is still outstanding. Third and fourth draft choices, respectively, Allman packs 210 pounds and Timberlake 220. Another to be considered for linebacker is versatile Bill Forester, who played linebacker, every position in the line and even tried out for fullback as a rookie last year. Teteak is the 33rd player announced as signed thus far. A Wisconsin product all the way, Teteak was born in Oconto Dec. 11, 1929, and moved to Oshkosh where he won all-Fox Valley conference as a prep fullback. He earned three football letters at Wisconsin, starting in 1949, and was selected on several honorary teams, including all-Big Ten, all-Midwest and the Tribune All-Players All-America. He was drafted No. 9 by the Packers in ’52. One of the all-time linebackers at Wisconsin, Teteak was one of the top rookies in his rookie pro season because of his vicious tackling and alert defensive play. He was selected as a member of the National league All-Star team for the 1953 pro bowl game. Teteak stands 5-10, weighs 210 pounds.
DICK AFFLIS, 34TH PACKER SIGNED, RIPE FOR STARDOM
JUN 4 (Green Bay) - And now come Dick Afflis, the bouncer from Harold’s Club in Reno! Richard has signed his 1954 contract, thus setting up Packer Coach Liz Blackbourn for the surprise of his life. Blackbourn has never met the unusual-looking tackle-guard but he has heard plenty about the honey-haired hulk of a man from those who have seen him in person and talked with him – such as assistant coaches Ray McLean and Tom Hearden, scout Jack Vainisi, publicitor Jug Earp, general manager Verne Lewellen and a host of others. The “indescribable” Richard could pass for a German Baron lord from the neck up, a superman wrestler from neck to the hips and a dance from hips to the feet. The closest thing to a barrel-chester you’ll ever see, Afllis stands 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighs 250 pounds. His teammates wouldn’t believe Dick towered 5-11 (he’s so wide he looks short) until he convinced them to get out the tape measure. He lacked 5-11 by one-sixteenth of an inch in his stocking feet; his buddies conceded. All joking side, Afflis is getting in shape for his best season – a point that particularly interests Blackbourn. Afflis, who will turn 25 next June 25, had the misfortune of having to learn his advance football in the National League. He broke into the game shortly after turning 22 in 1951 without benefit of a senior year at the University of Nevada. Dick didn’t have much choice; Nevada quit football. Blackbourn figures Dick should be just about ripe for stardom come next fall and hopes to settle Afflis down to one specific chore. Afflis was considered a top-flight handyman in his first three years, though he seemed to have the most success as an offensive tackle – especially in ’52. He has also played offensive tackle, offensive guard and the middle guard slot on defense. Afflis, a native of Lafayette, Ind., has been working in the famous Harold’s Club as a bouncer for the last couple of years. He buddies up with former Packer Dan Orlich who represents the club as a skeet shooter in national matches and instructs patrons in skeet shooting. Afflis is the 34th player announced as signed thus far by Blackbourn. Ten of the athletes are tackles, including Afflis, although Dick may wind up as a guard…Today was the last full day work for public relations chief Jug Earp, who resigned recently to become general manager and stockholder of Packerland Distributors, Inc. Earp plans to drive to Monmouth College, his alma mater, over the weekend before starting his new work next week. The Jugger says he’ll stop in the Packer office from time to time to assist.
LIZ COUNTED IN COUNCIL RESOLUTION
JUN 5 (Green Bay) - Liz Blackbourn has received an “engrossed copy” of an official resolution by the Milwaukee City Council congratulating the Wisconsin-born coach on his appointment as head coach of the Packers. Handsomely bound in a brown leather jacket, the document recognizes the fact that Liz has done all of his football playing and coaching in the State of Wisconsin. The resolution, signed by Stanley J. Witkowski, city clerk, Virgil H. Hurless, city comptroller, Milton J. McGuire, president, common council, and Frank P. Ziedler, mayor, follows; Whereas, on January 7, 1954, Lisle (Liz) Blackbourn was appointed head coach of the Green Bay Packers football team for three years; and Whereas, Mr. Blackbourn has done all his football coaching in the State of Wisconsin, which consisted of twenty-two years at Milwaukee’s Washington High school, one year as line coach at Marquette university, one year as backfield coach at the University of Wisconsin, and four years as head coach at Marquette university; and Whereas, Mr. Blackbourn is a native Wisconsinite, being born in Lancaster; he attended Lancaster’s schools and starred on the gridiron at Lawrence college; and Whereras, the members of this honorable body wish to congratulate Mr. Blackbourn on his successful career and his appointment as head coach for the Green Bay Packers football team, therefore be it resolved, by the common council of the City of Milwaukee, that it hereby congratulates Lisle (Liz) Blackbourn on his appointment as head coach of the Green Bay Packers football team and hope his career in the future will be as successful as in the past, and be it Further Resolved, that this resolution be spread upon the permanent record of this council and a suitably engrossed copy be forwarded to Mr. Blackbourn.

VERSATILE ROOKIE OFFERS LIZ CHOICE
JUN 8 (Green Bay) - In one big mouthful, Packer Coach Liz Blackbourn today announced the signing of the 10th free agent, 27th rookie and 35th player to a 1954 contract. The man of such distinction is Henry (Hank) Lemire, end and captain of the 1953 Holy Cross football team. Lemire, who receives a Bachelor of Science degree in education this week, offers Blackbourn all sorts of possibilities. The Frenchman from Franklin, N.H., played both offensive and defensive end for Holy Cross even before the single platoon law went into effect last fall. He’s also skilled as a defensive halfback, which Blackbourn is happy to hear about, as well as a punter. He averaged 40 yards per kick throughout his three-year varsity career. Lemire stands 6-1 and weighs 205 pounds – ideal for a defensive halfback, heavy enough to do some blocking as an offensive end but a wee bit light for defensive wing in pro ball. Lemire was an all-New Hampshire fullback at Franklin High but was shifted to end as a sophomore at Holy Cross by Coach Eddie Anderson. Hank was an all-eastern end last fall and won several All-America honors. His biggest thrill in sports was playing in the East-West Shrine game last January. Captaining sports teams is nothing new for Lemire. At Franklin High and Admiral Billard Academy in his home state, he captained the football, baseball and basketball squads. Lemire comes highly recommended by Mike Holovak, the onetime Chicago Bears coaching at Boston college, Carl Schuette, assistant coach at Marquette, and Blackbourn himself. Liz saw Lemire in action when his Marquette eleven battled Holy Cross. The newcomer is 23 and single. He was born on Armistice Day, 1930. Lemire will be one of 10 free agents who will be out to unseat draft selections and veterans. Other athletes picked out of nowhere are tackles Dick Mace, Ed Frank and Ray Walsh; center Herb Borman; halfback Milt Kadlec; fullbacks Ken Bahnson and Tom Ward; quarterbacks Elry Falkenstein and Bob Burkhart. The Packers thus far have announced the inking of 10 tackles, six halfbacks, five fullbacks, four centers, four ends, three guards and three quarterbacks. Blackbourn expects to take close to 60 players to camp for the opening of training in Stevens Point Saturday, July 24 – just about six weeks away.
PACKERS KEEP TOE HOLD ON ALL STAR CLASSIC
JUN 9 (Green Bay) - The Packers have always had a pretty good toe hold on the College All Star game – even though they haven’t played in it as a team since August of 1945. Five or six Packer draft selections will compete for the All Stars against the Detroit Lions in Soldier’s Field Friday, Aug. 13. And Packer halfback Gib Dawson will be on hand to receive a giant trophy for being selected the most valuable player in the ’53 game. It will be pleasantly repetitious in that respect. Last August, Packer quarterback Babe Parilli was present to accept the giant trophy for being chosen most valuable in the 1952 game. Five Packer draftees have been invited – tackles Art Hunter of Notre Dame and Bob Fleck of Syracuse, halfback Veryl Switzer of Kansas State, fullback Tom Allman of West Virginia and guard J.D. Roberts of Oklahoma. Roberts probably won’t play because he has already signed to continue his oil studies in Canada. The other four have signed Packer pacts. There is a chance that two other Packers will get All Star bids – linebacker George Timberlake of Southern California, best in his position on the west coast, and Max McGee, the pass catching halfback from Tulane. McGee has signed his Packer contract and Timberlake is expected to ink soon. Five Packer stars won most valuable awards – three in the last six games. Cecil Isbell, the front end of the famed Isbell to Don Huston passing combo, won the award as a Purdue grad back in ’38. Halfback Bruce Smith of Minnesota took the award in the ’42 games. Jay Rhodemyre picked up the “gold” for his great linebacking in the ’48 contest and Parilli and Dawson followed. Will the Packers field a most valuable next August? Switzer, a great both on offense and defense, would seem to be the best possibility. He’ll probably start at right halfback and handle safety on defense. He was an All-American defensive back as a junior and won All-America on offense last when the colleges switched to the single platoon. If you’re superstitious, you might find some comfort for Hunter and Fleck. No tackle has ever won MVP honors; so the law of averages should favor tackles. Allman must be considered in the “honor” category. He’s the type of all-around fullback the All Star staff may be seeking since he can block, run and catch passes with exceptional ability. What’s more, he’s a topflight linebacker. When the Lions agreed the other day to go along with the single platoon system for the big tussle, the name of Jug Girard came to mind – especially when Coach Buddy Parker reported that he’ll use the single wing with Doak Walker in the tailback position. Parker may have mixed his names. Don’t be surprised if young Mr. Girard is in that tail position in place of the high-priced Doak. What’s more, Girard had plenty of pro experience with the Packers as a defensive back and Walker hasn’t had any with the Lions. In addition, the Jugger is a better pitcher than Walker. The whole thing is ironic for Girard – who was tabbed as “another Walker” when he played her. Jugger sat on the bench for the entire 60 minutes of action while Walker heroed in the ’53 Star game!...SHORTS: The NFL’s television policy is being discussed at a meeting of representatives of the 12 clubs and Commissioner Bert Bell at league headquarters in Philadelphia this week. Representing the Packers is General Manager Verne Lewellen…



Assistant Coach Tom Hearden is on vacation this week. Aide Ray McLean returned from his “vac” Monday and Coach Liz Blackbourn and Aide Lou Rymkus start their vacations next week.
DAVIS EXPECTED TO PUT KICK IN PACK WITH LOFTY KICKS
JUN 10 (Green Bay) - Packer Coach Liz Blackbourn announced the signing of a high punter today – one Dave (Ozone) Davis, an end from Georgia Tech. Davis, whose real middle name is Henry, was the Packers’ ninth draft choice in Philadelphia last January. Now, he is the 36th athlete to officially register for the 1954 season. Davis averaged a good 38.8 yards throughout the punting portion of his college career despite the fact that he has a widely known reputation for being a high booter. He booted 173 times in three seasons and had just one blocked. Two Packer observers got a good look at his towering boots in two different games last fall and winter. Scout Jack Vainisi saw him perform in a 26-20 losing cause against Notre Dame and Assistant Coach Ray McLean viewed his actions in the Senior Bowl classic. Davis, playing among strangers in the Senior classic, showed promise with his punting and pass catching. He rarely boots a “line drive”, which doesn’t permit his teammates to get a good shot at the receiver. Davis was one of two good punting prospects drafted by the Packers. The other, Des Koch of Southern California, oddly enough, has another year of track eligibility left and won’t play football next fall – college or otherwise. As is the case with rookies coming up, Davis played two ways last fall under the one-platoon program and did well as a defensive halfback. In his first season on defense, Davis intercepted three passes. As an offensive end, Davis caught eight passes for 91 yards. A highly-rated blocker, Davis carries 210 pounds on a long 6-4 frame. He offers the Packers possibilities as a defensive halfback, pass catching end and punter. The newcomer is 23, single and of Scotch-English descent. The handsome southerner considers playing on a team that didn’t lost but two games in four years his outstanding accomplishment in football. He capped off his career by playing a key role in Georgia Tech’s Sugar Bowl victory last Jan. 1…BITS: General Manager Verne Lewellen returned today from a television conference at league headquarters in Philadelphia…The Packer staff took part in the Pancake and Porkie Day festivities at Riverside this morning…Defensive halfback Val Joe Walker was married last month in Texas…Linebacker Roger Zatkoff is teaching in the Detroit public school system. End Bill Howton is selling insurance in Houston. Halfback Al Carmichael attended alma mater Southern California after the past season and was to receive his degree this week. For meal money, Al does bit parts in the movies.
PACKER FB POUNDAGE SOARS TO 1,057
JUN 11 (Green Bay) - Packer fullback poundage moved from 842 to 1,057 today with the signing of Donald (Mike) Riley, a battering ram and linebacker from the University of Iowa. Riley, a muscled 215-pounder, is the fifth fullback and 37th athlete announced as signed thus far by Coach Liz Blackbourn. The graceful Negro joins veteran FB Fred Cone, 200; newcomer Ken Bahnson, 210, who had some experience with the San Francisco Forty Niners last fall; and rookies Tom Allman, 210, West Virginia, and Tom Ward, 222, Texas. Fullbacks still unsigned are Howie Ferguson, who shared the line punching with Cone last year, and several rookie prospects. Riley is on his own, so to speak, for the first time in his advanced football career. At Iowa, Riley was unfortunate enough to be playing on the same team with Bill Reichardt, Packer veteran and all-Big Ten fullback. Riley signed a Packer pact upon graduating in 1952 but the Army was waiting. Reichardt played here in ’52 but was called into service after the season. With no Reichardt and no Uncle Sam staring him in the face, Riley is expected to blossom into a top-flight footballer. With Reichardt carrying most of the rushing load, Riley developed as one of the top linebackers in the Big Ten. When he moved occasionally at fullback, he displayed great power and drive. Riley served as a second lieutenant in the Army. He received his commission in the ROTC at Iowa and served two years in the Infantry. Riley, 25, earned letters in football, basketball, track and boxing at North High School in Minneapolis. He now makes his home in Chicago but plans to remain in Green Bay to work on the Highway 41 construction project near Sobieski Corners. Blackbourn got a look at two of his rookies this week – Riley and Art Hunter, the 240-pound tackle from Notre Dame. Riley stopped in earlier to line up a job and discuss the coming season. Hunter surprised everyone by popping up with his new wife yesterday afternoon. The No. 1 draft choice and his bride drove up from South Bend, Ind., and will honeymoon in Door County until the weekend. The hefty offensive tackle will report for training with the College All Stars early in July and won’t join the Packers until shortly after the game Friday Aug. 13. He’ll likely see his first public action in a Packer uniform against the Cleveland Browns here Saturday night, Aug. 21.
PACK DRAFT AIMS ACHIEVED - ON PAPER
JUN 12 (Green Bay) - The intent of the Packers' 1954 draft list has been accomplished - on paper. That was the opinion of Packer head coach Liz Blackbourn today as he pointed out that half of the 28 available draftees have been signed. Chief purposes of the draft were to strengthen the line, produce "that one good back", help the punting and sharpen the ends and backs offensively and defensively. The playing season will decide the real success of the draft. The meat of the draft is contained in the first six choices and five of these have been signed. The lone unsignee in the sixsome is George Timberlake, guard and linebacker from Southern California, who is expected to join up officially soon. The quintet of choices under contract are tackles Art Hunter of Notre Dame and Bob Fleck of Syracuse, halfback Veryl Switzer of Kansas State (that one good back), fullback Tom Allman of West Virginia and pass catching halfback Max McGee of Tulane who will be shifted to offensive end. McGee, Dave Davis of Georgia Tech, Gene Knutson of Michigan and Cotton Hall of North Texas State are expected to bolster the ends considerably. Blackbourn wants his ends to do some blocking and all four are big enough to furnish just that...AFFLIS, HANNER SET: Hunter and Fleck are the key additions in the line and they'll both probably start out on offense and then shift, if needed, to defense. Six other tackles have been signed, including draftee Jack Smalley of Alabama and veterans Dick Afflis and Dave Hanner. Blackbourn is enjoying an ironic twist in the punting department. He drafted Des Koch, who had the nation's best punting average at Southern Cal with 41 yards, to handle the punting, but Koch decided not to play in order to remain eligible for track next spring. However, Liz and his aides found that Davis may be the answer to the club's punting problem. Davis, it develops, compiled a 38.8-yard average on 176 punts in three college seasons. Despite the high average, Davis had a reputation for delivering extremely high punts. With some work in camp, Blackbourn figures David may add more distance without hurting his height. Of the 15 unsigned draftees, four have gone to Canadian football - tackle Sam Marshall of Florida A and M, the seventh choice; halfback Kosse Johnson of Rice, 14th; guard J.D. Roberts of Oklahoma, 17th; and fullback Evan Slonac of Michigan State, 28th...REDUCE SQUAD SHARPLY: The remaining 11 are Timberlake, 3rd; tackle Jim Williams, 8th; halfback Des Koch, 16th; end Henry Barnes, 18th; guard Lowell Herber, 20th; halfback Art Liebscher, 21st; tackle Bill Buford, 22nd; quarterback Clint Sathrum, 23rd; end Marv Tennfoss, 24th; tackle Ralph Baierl, 26th; and quarterback Terry Campbell, 30th. Sathrum has decided not to play football, Campbell has gone into service and Baierl is a junior. Most of the others likely will be signed before training opens July 24 at Stevens Point. Blackbourn plans to take about 60 athletes to camp. The squad probably will be reduced sharply during the first two weeks - a period which will include an intra-squad camp at Stevens Point Saturday night, Aug. 7...LIZ ON VACATION: The non-conference opener will be against the Chicago Cardinals in Minneapolis Saturday night, Aug. 14. A week later, the Packers will meet the Cleveland Browns at City stadium. Blackbourn left today on a three-week vacation for the purpose of "relaxing ang getting in shape for the season." Liz, who will be in touch with the officer here and the athletes by telephone, and his wife and son, Chuck, will spend part of the time at a cottage near Milwaukee and also will spend some time at Lisle Jr.'s farm near Lancaster. Mrs. Blackbourn, Sr., is recuperating from recent surgery. Also vacationing will be assistant coach Lou Rymkus. The other aides, Ray McLean and Tom Hearden, have completed their vacations.

COUNCIL TO DECIDE ON BUYING STADIUM SITE TONIGHT
JUN 15 (Green Bay) - The City Council will decide whether it wants to purchase a 40-acre tract on the west side as the future site for a new city stadium and arena-auditorium. The Council's finance committee unanimously approved a motion Monday night that $500 be paid for an option for eight months on property north of Boland road between Military avenue and Platten street on the far west side. Cost of the tract is $58,000, including buildings. Ald. Leonard Jahn and Al Dionne, a member of the park board, outlined the purchase plan. Jahn had made the original proposal that the city investigate stadium and auditorium sites now to be prepared for building them at some future time. He pointed out that large tracts of undeveloped land are virtually unobtainable anywhere in the city. Dionne, describing the property as the "only good site available on the west side," warned the committee than an immediate decision to purchase was necessary because the owner, Mrs. George Morrow, 1476 Boland Rd., has several other prospective purchasers and will not hold the property indefinitely for the city. Dionne said Mrs. Morrow was willing to accept a $30,000 down payment with the balance of $28,000 payable over a 25-year period at 4 or 4.5 percent interest. The property has 38 acres in one piece plus two additional acres spread over six lots on which there are two homes, a barn and a two-stall garage, Dionne said. Ald. Roman Denissen, moving that the city obtain an option to purchase, originally proposed that the city pay $2,000 down for a six-month option. After some discussion, this was amended to $500 and eight months. The latter period was fixed in case the state legislature, at its session beginning in January, passes legislation enabling Brown County to participate in the project...COUNTY MAY PARTICIPATE: The possibility that the county may participate was brought out by Jahn. Under a resolution adopted about eight years ago, the County Board agreed to help several districts in the county finance war memorial projects. Under this plan, the Green Bay district would receive about $105,000 as its share of $150,000. Several other districts already have obtained their shares, Jahn explained. Not only is the property large enough for an arena and stadium and parking but it also has the advantage of being adjacent to a main highway, permitting rapid dispersal of cars after any event, it was explained. After some discussion of what development would cost, the committee agreed with Jahn and Dionne that the first step to take is to purchase the site. Development of the stadium proper could be financed, in part, with the residue of the estate of the late Dr. Clarence Delmarcelle under terms of his will although there was general agreement that the city may not receive its share for some time. The will provides that the city is to receive the residue of Dr. Demarcelle's estate after all beneficiaries named are deceased and further that to qualify the city must start construction on a stadium on the west side within one year after the last beneficiary dies. City Attorney Clarence Nier reported to the committee that the residue of the estate is now $235,901.46 and that beneficiaries range in age from 55 to 76 years. Nier said it was probable that the city could recover from the estate whatever amounts it may spend now for land for the stadium. Jahn said that he had discussed the new stadium plan with Pres. Russ Bogda of the Packers. He quoted Bogda as saying that the Packers are in no position to tell the city what to do, but that the need for a new stadium must be faced sooner or later. Jahn said Bogda told him that most NFL teams want to play Green Bay in Milwaukee because of the larger seating capacity. Jahn said he felt the Packers' payment for use of a new stadium would "more than pay for the interest cost of the purchase." The finance committee's recommendation that an option be obtained on the property is virtually certain to be approved by the Council at its meeting tonight. The $500 payment for the option probably will come from funds of the park department. The need for a civic auditorium-arena has been discussed for some time. Several veterans' organizations plus a citizens' committee formed about eight years ago proposed a combination city hall-auditorium but this idea was dropped when the county sold Legion Park to the federal government. The topic has been revived recently and was given impetus by Ald. Jahn's proposal several months ago.
PACKERS CLOSE RAID ON HOLY CROSS
JUN 15 (Green Bay) - The Packers completed their raid today on Dr. Eddie Anderson's 1953 Holy Cross football team with the signing of 500 pounds of linemen. Broken down into two parts, the poundage represents tackle Jim Lavery, 260, and tackle-guard Jim Vogt, 240. Earlier, the Packers signed 205-pound Holy Cross end Hank Lemire. Signing of Lavery and Vogt boosted the total number of announces to 39, including 11 tackles, four guards, four centers, five ends, seven halfbacks, five fullbacks and three quarterbacks. Eighteen of the signees are members of the "inner" line corps - a section that Coach Liz Blackbourn is particularly anxious to strengthen. His first step in that direction was selecting two tackles in two of his first three picks in the January draft - Art Hunter and Bob Fleck. Since signing Hunter and Fleck, Blackbourn has added five veteran of the inner works - tackles Dave Hanner and Dick Afflis, guards Bob Kennedy and Deral Teteak and center Clayton Tonnemaker. The remaining 13 are rookies. Lavery and Vogt, though they escaped the player draft, come highly rated by Anderson and other coaches in the east. Vogt is particular outstanding at two positions - offensive tackle and middle guard on defense. One of the strongest men in college football, he is particularly hard to move. Fast afoot, Vogt has been valuable at filling gaps in the line. Vogt, who plans to study law during the offseason and become a lawyer after his football days are over, hails from Fairhaven, Mass., where he earned three football letters at Cranwell Prep. An economics major, the big German stands 6-2 and is 22 years of age. Lavery, who will be 22 in July, carries his 260 on a 6-4 frame. A big, rough customer, Lavery was a mainstay as a defensive tackle for the last two years. A political science major, the Irishman won his prep football honors at Fairfield High in Bridgeport, Conn.
DELAY ACTION ON PACKER REQUEST FOR GOERKE FIELD
JUN 15 (Stevens Point) - A decision on a request by the Green Bay Packers for use of the Goerke Park football field for practice was delayed until next month's meeting when the Board of Education met Monday night. The Packers will train in Stevens Point this summer, starting July 23. They have been granted use of the Central State college practice field and two practice areas at Bukolt Park and seek to use Goerke Field "anywhere from once or twice a week to once every two weeks," according to Superintendent of Schools P.M. Vincent. The Packers had previously been granted permission to use the field for an intra-squad practice game. Some objection was raised because of the possibility of damage to the field. If the grass is killed, said Vincent, "we won't have a very good football field for the high school and college in the fall." "The field is for the kids," said Leslie V. Courtney, Ninth ward, "and I can't see why we should change our agreement." "We should do all we can to cooperate," said Vincent, "but there is no reason why our kids should play in the mud." Francis Roman, Fifth ward, said, "The city has guaranteed to make the field as good as new. I don't know whether it can or not, but let's get more information and act at the next meeting."

COUNCIL TAKES FAVORABLE VIEW TOWARD PURCHASE OF STADIUM-ARENA PROPERTY
JUN 16 (Green Bay) - The City Council took a favorable view of a recommendation that the city obtain a 40-acre tract on the west side as the future location for a new city stadium or arena-auditorium or both. But several aldermen and the mayor pointed out that a number of details must be worked out before property becomes the possession of the city. By a unanimous vote, the Council authorized the park board to obtain an eight-month option for the sum of $500 on the site north of Boland Rd. and east of Military Ave. Total price of the track, said to be the last one of such size available at a reasonable price in the city, is $58,000. Purpose of the eight-month option to purchase is to permit the park board, with the Council, to work out details of financing the entire cost and to determine whether the state legislature will pass enabling legislation early in 1955 to permit Brown County to participate in development of the sports area if it so wishes. Ald. E.J. Perkins, park board president, told the Council that the property owner, Mrs. George Morrow, had been contacted Tuesday and expressed a desire for a land contract for purchase of the site. The finance committee, which made the option recommendation, had been told Monday night that the property could be acquired with a $30,000 down payment, the balance of $28,000 to paid over a 25-year period. Mayor Olejniczak said that a land contract would pledge the city irrevocably to purchase of the land whereas an option to buy would give the city an opportunity to work out financial details plus planning for development of the area. Chairman Robert Bittner of the finance committee said that the committee felt that "there are not enough plans now and the best way to handle the project is to get an eight-month option, study all the possibilities, and then decide if the purchase is to be made." Both Ald. Joseph Mulloy and A.B, Pinkerton described the proposed purchase as an excellent opportunity for the city. Mulloy said that "Green Bay has no such (arena) facilities now and it's a step in the right direction to buy the land now." Pinkerton called it a "good buy." Ald. Leonard Jahn, who had made the original request that land be purchased by the city for future use, pointed out that the "option does not compel the city to buy and I doubt very much if the owner will hold it for the city under such a plan. I'd like to see a definite agreement to buy the land next year." Negotiations for the option will be conducted by the park board, which was to hold its June meeting today. The board had made all the surveys of possible sites for the stadium-arena on request of the Council.
41 PACKERS INKED; DOLDOORIAN AL BARRY ADDED TO GUARD LIST
JUN 17 (Green Bay) - The Packers' 30th draft choice in '53 and a sleeper from American International College furnished potential guard strength today for the 1954 season. Latest to sign Packer contracts are Al Barry, a 230-pounder from Southern California - the last pick made by the old regime a year ago last January, and John (Doldo) Doldoorian, a 225-pound muscleman from AIC. Registration of the heavyweights boost to 41 the number of players announced as signed thus far. They are the fifth and sixth guards, joining veterans Deral Teteak and Bob Kennedy and rookies Jim Vogt of Holy Cross and Mike Takacs of Ohio State. Coach Liz Blackbourn is determined to strengthen the Packer line - chiefly from tackle to tackle. Besides the half dozen guards, he has signed 10 tackles and four centers. Barry and Doldoorian are both offensive guards with good speed. They are highly rated as blockers and Liz feels that their weight is ideal for pro ball. Barry actually was eligible for the 1953 Packers but decided to remain in school until he graduated this month and to preserve his track eligibility. He earned three letters in track as a shot putter on the nation's top cinder squad. Barry, a three-letter winner in football, opened holes for the Packers' Al Carmichael when they played together on the victorious Southern California Rose Bowl team (over Wisconsin). Barry, 23, stands 6-2. He played prep ball at Beverly Hills, Calif., High, winning six letters in track and football. Doldoorian, 6-1 and 23, was football co-captain of American International which is located in Springfield, Mass. He was considered AIC's best lineman in the past decade. Big John also was a star catcher on the school baseball team, hitting .400 and leading the squad to the NAIA championship in New England. An all-country tackle at Northbridge High in Whitinsville, Mass., Doldoorian has three times being named to the Armenian All-America team and twice received all-New England recognition as well as Little All-American. Last fall, he was on the small college all-New England team and on the second all-college New England...Official announcement was made today by the Chicago Tribune that the Packers' Veryl Switzer has been named a halfback on the College All Star team battling the Detroit Lions in Chicago Friday night, Aug. 18. Veryl was the second player announced for the game. Switzer was the Packers' second No. 1 draft choice, obtained in the Arnie Gallifa deal with the New York Giants. He signed shortly after being drafted. Three or four other Packers likely will be chosen for the game, including tackles Art Hunter and Bob Fleck, linebacker George Timberlake and fullback Tom Allman.
PACKERS TO CARRY MORE HEFT? FOUR SHIFTED ON ROSTER
JUN 18 (Green Bay) - The Packers may carry more weight than they did a year ago. The 41 players signed thus far stack up to more than four tones of meat - 9,015 pounds, to be exact. This makes for an average of 219 per athlete. Twenty-seven of the animals who play in the line average 224.3 and the remaining horses, known officially as backs, measure out to 197.1. The key to today's gospel is that the tackles, guards and centers average 231.4 pounds. That's the area Coach Liz Blackbourn is particularly interested in strengthening. The overall average last year was around 228. Here are the averages for each position: tackles, 241.4; guards, 225.2; centers, 223; ends, 207.4; halfbacks, 187.8; fullbacks, 211.4; and quarterbacks, 195. While the weights appear above normal, they will undergo considerable change as additional players are announced. The end averages should go down for instance when Bill Howton (185) and Bob Mann (170) are set. If you want to argue, it can be pointed out that the 240-pound John Martinkovic, the defensive end, is still unannounced. Four rookie players have been shifted to different positions on the roster, thus offering better balance. Two underweight tackles, for instance, have been placed in the running for defensive end chores - Jerry Dufek, the 220-pounder from St. Norbert, and Ed Frank, 200, of Marquette. Dufek, incidentally, is having some trouble with a knee injury that required surgery last winter. Dick Mace, a 235-pound specimen, was originally listed as a tackle but has been shifted to center - on paper, at least. The Syracuse star has plenty of centering experience. In the only other change, Max McGee, the pass catching halfback from Tulane, has been officially made into an end. McGee was drafted for end duty last January, but the official "switch" papers only recently were filled out.
HB TRAVELER CURRAN WINDS UP IN GREEN BAY
JUN 19 (Green Bay) - From West Virginia to Germany to Arizona. And finally to Green Bay, Wis! That bit of geography traces the football travels of one Richard Patrick Curran, a native of Youngstown, O., who today signed a Packer contract for 1954. Curran, a six-foot, 190-pound halfback, played his first two seasons of prep football in Parksburg, W.Va., and then went to Germany with his dad, Owen S. Curran, who works in the state department. At the T.A. Roberts High School in Berlin, Curran played football and competed in the Inter-Allied track meet in Olympic stadium in 1948, placing high in the decathlon. In addition, he took part in a diving exhibition with Olympic champion Sammy Lee. A brilliant student, Curran was president of his senior class in Berlin and then was elected president of his freshman class at Arizona State College at Tempe. As a junior, Curran was a starter on the Scholastic All-America grid squad - a unit composed of players with exceptionally high grades. He majored in business administration and speech. To top off his travels and successes, Curran married Jacque Mercer, "Miss America" of 1949. They have a six-month old son and then, to carry on the unusual theme, live at the X-Bar-X ranch in Litchfield Park, Ariz. Curran was drafted No. 12 as a junior in January of 1953 for delivery this season. The traveling Irishman turned in a spectacular performance in 1952 as a junior. He gained 870 yards in 114 trips for a fantastic 7.8 average - second in the nation only to Tulsa university's Howie Waugh. Curran was elected captain in '53 but played little due to his injuries. His hurts have been completely healed and he expects to report in peak condition. Curran, chiefly a runner, will be out to nudge out the club's three main halfback veterans - Breezy Reid, Al Carmichael and Gib Dawson, not to mention Veryl Switzer, the All-American rookie from Kansas State. Curran is the seventh halfback announced as signed thus far - all rookies except for defensive star Bobby Dillon. The new halfbacks are Milt Kadlec of Illinois Normal, Bill Oliver of Alabama, Joe Johnson of Boston College, Bud Roffler of Washington State and Switzer...PRO BRIEFS: Packer tackle Art Hunter of Notre Dame was the third player officially announced today as a member of the College All Star squad which will battle the Detroit Lions in Chicago Aug. 13. Announced earlier was Switzer. Both Packers were the first name in their positions, indicating that they will be in the starting lineup. Switzer, an all-around star, likely will


play offense and defense most of the game. Other Packers expected to be chosen are fullback Tom Allman and linebacker George Timberlake.
EMPHASIS ON VETS AS PACK STEPS UP SIGNING PROGRAM
JUN 21 (Green Bay) - Emphasis in the Packers’ 1954 personnel program, which has been accelerated in recent days as the training season nears, today shifted from youth to experience. This came about with the signing by Head Coach Liz Blackbourn of a pair of veterans, end Carleton (Stretch) Elliott and fullback Howard Ferguson, one of only a few to make the major league grade without benefit of college experience. They are the ninth and tenth holdovers who have agreed to terms and bring to 44 the number thus far scheduled to leave Green Bay for the Packers’ training camp at Stevens Point July 24. For the record, Stretch is the first experienced wingman, and physically the largest, under contract for 1954. Elliott, who will begin his fourth season with Wisconsin’s NFL standard bearers, is listed at 6 feet, 5 inches and 230 pounds. To date eight rookies also are available to Blackbourn at this position. Among them are St. Norbert’s Jerry Dufek, who performed at tackle with the Knights, Gene Knutson of Michigan, punting specialist Dave Davis of Georgia Tech and a pair of Liz’s Marquette proteges, Hosea Sims and Ed Frank. He may not know it yet but Elliott figures prominently in Blackbourn’s plans. The stout-hearted Virginia alumnus may be called upon to play full time on defense and fill in on offense. This would be in the nature of a change for Stretch, who has been primarily an offensive performer since joining the Bays in 1951 after one season with Erie, Pa., in the American Football League…BIGGEST YEAR IN ’51: Elliott, who caught 13 passes for 150 yards last year, had his biggest year as a freshman in that ’51 season. He snared 35 tosses from Tobin Rote and Bobby Thomason for 317 yards and five touchdowns to tie Pittsburgh’s Hank Minarik for 10th place. His development that year enabled the Packers to place three representatives among the NFL’s top ten receivers. Stretch’s companions in this project were Bob Mann, who finished fourth, and Ray Pelfrey, who was seventh. Elliott, 26, is a native of Laurel, Del., but during the offseason is in the insurance business with a brother in El Paso, Tex. Ferguson, set for his second year here, acquired his football background during four years in the Navy, following graduation from high school at New Iberia. La. Howie clinched a berth with the Packers in ’53 off his performance in the Bays’ final non-league appearance against the Browns in Cleveland. On that occasion, he gained 56 yards in 14 attempts, caught three passes for 13 yards and scored one of the Pack’s two touchdowns in a 21-13 loss. In league competition, the powerfully built former sailor amassed 134 yards in 52 carries for a 2.7 average. He also caught 15 passes for an additional 86 yards. His greatest success came in the Packers’ two conquests of the Baltimore Colts. In his first appearance against them, Ferguson accumulated 53 in 12 attempts as the home talent triumphed 37-14 at City Stadium. In the return match, he rolled for 42 in eight tries in a 35-24 Packer nod. Ferguson, who will be 25 Aug. 5, stands 6-2 and scales 212 pounds. The Packers' 44-man roster now includes 16 backs, nine ends, eight tackles, six guards and five centers.

PACK GETS HELLUIN FROM BROWNS
JUN 23 (Green Bay) - The Packers today acquired a fellow who should qualify as the world's largest postman. He is 280-pound Jerry Helluin, who comes here in a trade with the Cleveland Browns for an undisclosed 1955 draft choice. Acquisition of the youthful giant - he will be 25 August 8 - is expected to provide the Packers with a much-needed defensive specialist. Though one of the biggest men in football, he is blessed with good speed and surprising agility. Helluin, a letter carrier in Houma, La., during the offseason, also is versatile. He can play either defensive guard or tackle or middle guard. Last year with the Browns, he alternated with both of the regular defensive tackles and split MG duties with Bill Willis, a member of Paul Brown's first Cleveland eleven in 1946, who recently retired. Jerry likewise was a jack-of-all-trades in his undergraduate days under Henry Frnka at Tulsa University, holding forth at guard, tackle, and end during the course of this three-year career. In this span, he was named on the NEA All-American defensive platoon, Collier's All-South and All-Southeast Conference in addition to captaining the team his senior year. In high school, Helluin operated at fullback for Donaldson, La., and this early experience bore unexpected fruit on one occasion last year when he scooped up a fumble and ran 42 yards for a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles. Jerry, who spreads those 280 pounds over a 6-foot, 2 1/2-inch chassis, missed half of the 1953 season because of a broken arm sustained in a game with the Redskins at Washington. He recovered, however, in time to rejoin the squad for the last two games on the regular NFL schedule and played in the championship game against the Lions at Detroit. The deal for Helluin apparently resulted from a conference between Brown and Packer Head Coach Liz Blackbourn, at which they compared rosters, in Chicago recently. The big fellow, known to his teammates as "Big G", is married and the father of twin daughters.
EX-PACKERS NOW WITH WASHINGTON REDSKINS
JUN 23 (Washington) - Washington Serini, a six-year veteran in the NFL, Tuesday signed with the Washington Redskins. The acquisition of Serini, a free agent, raised the number of players under contract with the Redskins to 45. A guard, who played college football at the University of Kentucky, Serini is 30 years old, weighs 235 pounds and stands 6 feet 1. He played two seasons with the Green Bay Packers and four with the Bears in his native Chicago.
LETTER FROM LIZ! 46 SIGNED, PRACTICE NEAR!
JUN 28 (Green Bay) - A letter from Liz. A roster of 46 players. And a glance at the calendar. These were indications today that the Packers' 1954 season is less than a month away - 26 days, to be exact. The missive from Packer Coach Liz Blackbourn went to all members in good standing of SOLBAF, which is short for Society of Liz Blackbourn Admirers Forever. The group is composed of around 2,000 Blackbourn backers. It was organized last winter by Wally Cruice and Hap Leister of Milwaukee who campaigned for card-carrying members (at $1 a year) in Milwaukee, Green Bay and the immediate Packer area. The money will be used to promote the Packers and to give some sort of recognition to Blackbourn. Liz, presently on the last

week of his "getting in shape for the season" vacation, has written his first letter to all SOLBAF members. It follows, in part: "Thirty years in coaching is a lifetime of thrills. The formation and existence of your organization, the SOLBAF, is one of the greatest. I sure hope I can justify your confidence. Enthusiasm is high but no touchdowns have been scored. It is then that the old standbys are really needed. It's comforting to know you are there. This Packer organization is one of the seven wonders of the sports world. Unique because of its origin in the toughest football league in a town of only 50,000 - unique because of its six world championships - unique because it belongs to no individual or group, but to the whole state. Of course, it has now outgrown one area and has become as typically Wisconsin as beer and cheese. Personally, I feel good about this because all of my coaching has been done in our state. The business setup here is right, too, for in Verne Lewellen, we have a manager whose background is Packer football and who is a lawyer and a businessman. I'm happy about the whole setup. Pro football is a big financial operation. We spend about $750,000 per year. It takes some doing to collect that much at the gate. Shortage of funds means curtailing of operation and resulting inability to compete. It has been touch-and-go and more emphasis must be placed on season tickets. This is particularly important in Milwaukee. Success there will depend on good men in the sales organization. Wally Cruice is your contact with the sales organization. I know you will help him and will be the added effort that puts Milwaukee over the top in season tickets. Fifteen thousand season tickets can be sold in Milwaukee. That's a lot of tickets and talk is cheap, but I know you fellows and you will do it. Our office is in the Eagles Club. Tickets are there - you can select the location by calling. If you are selected as a committee man to solicit sales, give it a full go!"...The Packer roster grew to 46 over the weekend with the signing of two offensive ends - free agents Gene White of Georgia and Wayne Hopkins of Baylor. The Packers now have 11 ends under contract. Still outstanding among the regulars of 1953 are Bill Howton, Bob Mann and John Martinkovic. White, a native of Commerce, Ga., carries 203 pounds on his 6-3 frame. He was a regular left end as a sophomore in 1951, catching 18 passes for 226 yards. Injuries hampered Gene during the 1952 season, but he came back strong in 1953, catching 13 passes for 188 yards and one touchdown. A hurdler on the track team, White was considered the fastest linemen in the Southeastern conference. Hopkins was the leading receiver on Baylor University in 1953 and one of the top ends in the aerial-minded Southwest Conference. During the '53 season, he caught 21 passes for 351 yards and three TDs He played in the North-South Shrine game in Miami. Wayne is 22 years old, stands 6-3 and weighs 205 pounds. In addition to earning three letters in football, he also earned two letters in baseball. He makes his home in Houston...The Packers will open their training camp at Stevens Point State Teachers College Saturday noon, July 24. Physical examinations will occupy most of the afternoon. Tentatively, most of Sunday will be used for the taking of pictures. The first real workouts will begin on Monday, July 26 and continue on a two-a-day schedule throughout the week. The first public test is scheduled for Saturday night, Aug. 7, when the team will be split into two unites for an intra-squad game. The following Saturday night the Packers test their muscles for the first time against National League competition - the Chicago Cardinals in Minneapolis.
HOWTON SET; EYES RETURN TO '52 PLAY
JUN 30 (Green Bay) - The signed contract of one Bill Howton, an Englishman from Texas, was received at the Packer office today. This was an extremely happy occasions because it meant that Coach Liz Blackbourn could proceed at full speed with his offense. Signed earlier was Howton's passing partner from Rice Institute, quarterback Tobin Rote, but still outstanding is QB Babe Parilli. Registration of Howton, an insurance salesman in the offseason in Houston, is expected to perk up the signing of the other veterans. Howton is the 11th veteran to sign, joining Rote, Howie Ferguson, Fred Cone, Bobby Dillon, Stretch Elliott, Clayton Tonnemaker, Deral Teteak, Bob Kennedy, Dick Afflis and Dave Hanner. Around 20 veterans are still to be announced, although at least three are planning to hang up the moleskins - Bob Forte, Dick Wildung and J.R. Boone. Little J.R. earlier announced his retirement and both Forte and Wildung indicated that they intend to do the same. Howton is the 49th player announced as signed thus far. The inked group includes 12 ends, 10 tackles, seven halfbacks, six guards, six fullbacks, five centers and three quarterbacks. Howton is looking forward to a return to the form that stamped him as "another Hutson" as a rookie in 1952 when he nailed 53 passes for 1,231 yards and 13 touchdowns, his yardage total breaking Hutson's mark of 1,211 set in 1942. The Carrot Top suffered several injured ribs in the final non-league game last fall against the Cleveland Browns and missed the first four league contests, thus getting him off to a slow start. He finished the season well below his '52 pace - 25 catches for 463 yards and four touchdowns. It will be interesting to note Howton's performance under Blackbourn. The new Packer coach indicated that he wants his ends to do plenty of blocking, citing Elroy Hirsch in particular as the "type of end who gets his man before getting the pass." The success of Howton as a blocker may have some bearing on the type of offense the Packers employ this year. Liz plans to use the normal "T" with split-T and flankers on occasion. He may be forced to use more flankers if the ends find it difficult to handle the blocking. The fleet Howton, even after rejoining the active list after his injury, was watched by two men - one of a few ends in the league who command such respect. Returning for his third season, Howton has an opportunity to match or better Hutson's all-time record, although fewer passes were thrown when Don first broke in in 1935. Hutson also had to play defense in the one-platoon program. At any rate, Hutson caught 52 passes for 956 yards and 16 touchdowns in his first two seasons here. Howton, in '52-'53, caught 78 for 1,694 yards and 17 TDs. Hutson's average for that period was 18.4 yards per catch; Howton's 21.7. Bill, who stands 6-2 and packs 185 pounds, will turn 24 years of age next Monday. One of Howton's chief "opponents" for offensive and work next fall will be a fellow Texan - Max McGee of Tulane. McGee was a spectacular pass catcher as a halfback last year and will be switched to end as a Packer.
GUARDS BROWN AND HERBERT JOIN PACK
JUL 1 (Green Bay) - A former Washington Redskin guard who found new life in Green Bay and a College of Pacific guard-linebacker who made Packer Coach Liz Blackbourn's all-opponent team at Marquette are the latest additions to the rapidly-growing stack of signed Packer contracts. Officially registered today are William Brightie (Buddy) Brown, a regular offensive guard last fall, and Lowell Preston Herbert, the COP all-time lineman. Also added to the Packer list with the transfer of his contract from the Cleveland Browns was guard-tackle Jerry Helluin, who was obtained in a trade last week. The Packers now have announced the signing of 52 players. The work of Brown, obtained after being released by the Redskins early last season, was watched particularly close by Blackbourn and members of his staff, Lou Rymkus, Ray McLean and Tom Hearden, in movies of the 1953 games. Before the season was over, the former Arkansas star had beaten out Dick Logan, veteran guard from Ohio State. Presently teaching in his hometown, Wynne, Ark., the 225-pound Brown is the No. 1 candidate for the offensive right tackle position since Logan has gone into service. Brown started his pro career in 1951 and played in 36 consecutive games at right guard for the Washingtons. Brown, 27, is a four-year World War II veteran, serving as a staff sergeant in the infantry in India, Burma and China...WON LETTER IN RUGBY: Herbert was the Packers' 20th draft choice at the league picking party last January. He plays offensive right guard and, in the one-platoon plan last fall, also worked as a linebacker. Blackbourn got a good look at Herbert when he head coached MU against COP in the last three years and the Hilltoppers selected him on their all-foe eleven in 1953. Herbert captained the '53 team. A bit on the stocky side at 5-11 and 215 pounds, Herbert has good speed and a fine reputation as a blocker. In addition to four letters in football, Herbert won letters in track and rugby. He was a star on COP's winter rugby team in the California Rugby Union. A native of Elgin, Mo., Herbert played prep football at Calaveras Union High in San Andreas, Calif. He will turn 22 next Oct. 25. Of the eight guards signed thus far, Brown and Deral Teteak, a linebacker by trade, are the only veterans, although Bob Kennedy, a former Wisconsin star, signed last year and saw some action at training camp. Rookie guards set besides Herbert at Mike Takacs of Ohio State, Jim Vogt of Holy Cross, John Doldoorian of American International College and Al Barry of Southern California. Helluin is listed as a tackle though he plays middle guard on defense.

22 PACKER VETERANS UNSIGNED; 6 OUT
JUL 2 (Green Bay) - Packer Coach Liz Blackbourn took stock of his veterans today and discovered that 22 of a possible 34 holdovers from 1953 competition are still unsigned. Twelve veterans have inked their '54 pacts, including the aerial combination of quarterback Tobin Rote and end Bill Howton. Actually, Blackbourn is only concerned with 16 of the veterans since six '53 performers do not plan to report for different reasons. End Clive Rush has gone into coaching - as an assistant under former Packer Aide Hugh Devore at Dayton university. Two are in service - guard Dick Logan of the Air Corps and halfback Don Barton of the Army. One has definitely retired - halfback J.R. Boone, and the remaining two have indicated that they played their final football last fall, linebacker-captain Bob Forte and Dick Wildung. With opening of practice still 22 days away, Blackbourn expects to have them all in line at the "kickoff" Saturday, July 24 - or at least shortly thereafter. Eleven of the 16 outstanding players are backs. There are also four ends, three guard, three tackles and one center. The back contingent includes quarterback Babe Parilli, who shared the throwing and signal calling with Rote the last two years, and halfback Breezy Reid, who led the club in ground gaining last fall. The other available halfbacks are offensive workers Al Carmichael, the promising Southern California punt and kickoff return expert; Gib Dawson, who was saddled most of last fall with hurts; and Byron Bailey, former Detroit Lion; and defensive backs Bennie Aldridge, Val Joe Walker and Ace Loomis. Great things are expected of Dawson, who flashed his form in some of the Packers' late games. He was hampered by muscle pulls after winning the most valuable player award against the Detroit Lions in the All Star game last August. The missing ends besides Rush are pass catcher Bob Mann and defensers John Martinkovic and Roger Zatkoff. Both Mann and Martinkovic are generally late signers, while Zatkoff will be signing for the first time as a veteran. Zatkoff, a linebacker and tackle at Michigan, played linebacker and defensive end last year - two spots at which he'll probably work at again this season...PLAYED WITH BROKEN HAND: Len Szafaryn and Gus Cifelli, besides Wildung, are the "awaited" tackles. Szafaryn was bothered by injuries during training last fall after putting in two years of Army service and had a difficult time rounding into form. Cifelli, obtained from the Detroit Lions, was a regular at offensive tackle throughout despite a broken hand. Bill Forester, the club's top handyman, and Steve Ruzich are the missing guards, along with Logan. Forester could wind up as a defensive end while Ruzich was a regular left offensive guard last fall. Most of the 52 players announced as signed thus far are draft choices. Of the 30 selected at the league meeting last January, nearly 20 have signed. The remainder are free agents overlooked in the draft in addition to players who had pro experience with other clubs - tackle Jerry Helluin, obtained in a trade with Cleveland, and fullback Ken Bahnson, formerly with San Francisco. Four of the signers were draft choices made a year ago January for delivery in '54 - halfbacks Bud Roffler, Dick Curran and Joe Johnson and guard Al Barry.
AL CARMICHAEL NO. 1 PACKER BACK IN 1954?
JUL 3 (Green Bay) - Al Carmichael, the Packers' No. 1 draft choice in 1953, could be the club's No. 1 ground gaining back in 1954. The Southern California star, due for stardom next fall after undergoing joy and sorrow in his rookie year, will carry a 4.1-yard rushing average into his sophomore campaign and an overall movement mark of 10.9 per lug. The deceptive runner, who signed his 1954 contract yesterday, figures highly in Coach Liz Blackbourn's offensive plans - probably at right halfback, the same position he played last year. In addition, Al probably will be a top candidate for kickoff and punt returning. Carmichael, known as Hoagy by everyone in and out of show business, moved the ball 1,170 yards last year in four different phases - 199 on rushing in 49 trips, 131 on receiving 12 passes, 641 on 26 kickoff returns and 199 yards on 20 punt runbacks. The six-foot, 190-pound Marine veteran ranked second in the league in punt returns for an average of 10.0 yards. Charley Trippi of the Chicago Cardinals was first with 11.4. Al was eighth in the league in kickoff returns, posting an average of 24.7. Joe Arenas of San Francisco was first with 34.4. Carmichael was always a touchdown threat on kickoff and punt returns or on wide rushing plays. He runs deceptively, seemingly stopping and starting as he keeps running. Though he broke loose for a number of 40 and 50-yard punt and kickoff runbacks Al was unable to go all the way. He scored one touchdown all season - on a 40-yard jaunt off left tackle against Baltimore here. Carmichael experienced two tough blows that failed to dampen his amazing love for football. The first occurred when he fumbled four yards from a touchdown and a 22-7 lead over the Lions in Detroit last Thanksgiving day. The TD might have been the determining factor in a Packer upset win. The break brought the Lions "up" and they went on to win, a real source of sorrow for Al. The next blow took place in San Francisco when Al was bludgeoned by the Forty Niners' famed hatchet man, Hardy Brown. Carmichael had just take a pass and was knocked flat with a terrific shoulder-breaking block by Brown. But Al was up and ready again for more action. Brown had put a number of players out of action for weeks with his blocks. Carmichael, 25, married and the father of one child, recently received his degree from the school of education at USC. A native of Los Angeles, Carmichael works as an extra in the movie industry and has appeared in many top flight movies. Carmichael occasionally put his acting ability to use for the amusement of his teammates. At camp last August, he organized and promoted a camp show, with the players serving as actors. Signing of Carmichael was the fourth step in organizing the club's veteran backfield. Signed earlier were fullbacks Fred Cone and Howie Ferguson and quarterback Tobin Rote. Veteran backs still unsigned are left half Breezy Reid, the club's top ground gainer last year, Babe Parilli, Gib Dawson, Byron Bailey, Bennie Aldridge, Val Joe Walker and Ace Loomis. Carmichael is the 53rd player announced as signed thus far.
PACKERS TO PLAY EXHIBITION GAME IN MINNEAPOLIS
JUL 6 (Minneapolis) - The Catholic Welfare Association announced Saturday its seventh annual professional football charity game will match the Green Bay Packers against the Chicago Cardinals here August 14. Father Tom Meagher, director of the exhibition game, said he expects this year's gate to top last year's record-breaking turnout of 20,560 and set a new attendance record for the fourth year in a row.
PACKERS HOLD FIRST WORKOUT ON JULY 26
JUL 7 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers will hold their first summer practice session on July 26, head coach Lisle Blackbourn said today. The Packers will open their new training site at Stevens Point State College two days earlier, Blackbourn said, but will use the intervening time for physical examinations, squad meetings and issuance of equipment. Blackbourn said the players will assemble here July 23 and leave for Stevens Point, about 80 miles west, the following morning. The club will put in three weeks of drills before its opening exhibition game August 14 against the Chicago Cardinals in Minneapolis. The pre-season drills will give Blackbourn his first official look at the Packers.

STEPHENSON SIGNS; PACKER WELCOME, SENDOFF SET
JUL 8 (Green Bay) - Packer players come to Green Bay two weeks from tomorrow. And a lot of people started to get extremely itchy today as the opening of the Packers' 36th season approached. Coach Liz Blackbourn continued telephone negotiations with veterans and kept his fingers crossed at the same time, aiming everything at the opening of practice in Stevens Point July 24. Assistant Coaches Tom Hearden, Ray McLean and Lou Rymkus huddled over a rectangular table putting the final touches on the Packers' offense and defense. General Manager Verne Lewellen sweats along with Liz in the telephone tussle with players and the usual struggle with umpteen last-minute problems. Scout Jack Vainisi mailed out final reporting instructions to the athletes and checked on traveling details, public relations matter, etc. At Bertran's, trainer Bud Jorgenson tapped his fingers impatiently and took a long look at the stock of footballs, mentally preparing for July 15 when he'll start getting the ointment ready for shipment to Stevens Point. And at the Beaumont Hotel last night, the Packer Alumni Assn., voted to sponsor a buffet supper for the players and 250 fortunate fans at the Beaumont Hotel Friday evening July 23, a parade late that afternoon and the sendoff from Legion Park at 10 o'clock the next morning...Blackbourn's talk with the veterans brought the go-ahead today from Dave (Trapper) Stephenson, the vicious 235-pound guard and center. Acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams, Stephenson will be starting his fifth season in pro ball and his fourth in Green Bay. Used as an offensive guard in '51-52, Dave was switched to center last season to fill the gap caused by center Jim Ringo's injury early in the campaign. Noted for his team spirit, Stephenson responded nicely to the switch and made life safe for quarterbacks Tobin Rote and Babe Parilli. Stephenson had played some center at the University of West Virginia and in high school. Stephenson, 28, and single, worked in the offseason as a swimming instructor for the Recreation Dept., in Clendenin, W. Va. The 54th player announced as signed thus far, Stephenson is the sixth pivot set. Two of the other five are veterans - Ringo and Clayton Tonnemaker, chiefly a linebacker. The newcomers are Herb Borman of Illinois, Ken (Pop) Hall of Springfield and Dick Mace of Syracuse...Blackbourn also revealed that one of his Ken Halls - Cotton, the offensive end from North Texas State - has been selected to play in the College All Star game in Chicago Aug. 13. The darkhorse end, drafted 11th last January, is extremely fast and may play an important pass catching role against Detroit...The Alumni, at their monthly dinner meeting last night, were highly enthusiastic in making preparations for the "opening" weekend - not to mention plans for the 1954 Quarterback Club program. Bernard (Boob) Darling will be chairman of the supper arrangements, assisted by Alumni President John Biolo and Secretary-Treasurer Gus Rosenow. Jug Earp and Al Rose will handle the sendoff and Wuert Englemann and Nick Miketinac will work out plans for bargain bus service to and from the Packers' intra-squad game in Stevens Point Saturday night, Aug. 7. Only 250 tickets will be sold to the buffet supper for some 60 players. A brief program will be worked out and each Alumni member will "sponsor" a group of players for the evening. The parade, in which the players will leave in two buses, arriving in Stevens Point in time for lunch at noon...As to the Quarterback Club, the Alumni group said that 12 meetings will be held on Thursday nights at Washington Junior High, East High and possibly West High. Biolo announced that the programs will not interfere with television of the games during the week. As a real treat to loyal Quarterbackers, the Alumni group is negotiating with telescopic pictures which will bring the action practically into the laps of the fans. Due to the reduction in the federal taxes, the price of QB tickets has been reduced from $2.40 to $2.20. Fans can order theirs by writing to Quarterback Club, Box 255, Green Bay, or purchasing them at Bertrand's, Schweger's, Tom White's, North Side Sporting and Prange's.
LIZ WON'T DELAY IN TESTING MATERIAL POWERS OF PACKERS
JUL 9 (Green Bay) - Liz Blackbourn won't wait long to test the mental powers of the 1954 Packers. The new Packer coach will conduct a "thorough exam" at the first squad meeting at the Stevens Point training camp at 7:30 Saturday night, July 24. The exam will precede all field exercises. The Packers will leave Green Bay at 10 o'clock Saturday morning, eat lunch in Stevens Point and then spend the afternoon receiving equipment and undergoing physical examinations. The exam meeting will be Blackbourn's first opportunity to meet the Packers as a group behind closed doors. What can Blackbourn possibly "examine" his players on before any actual practice? It seems that Liz has been in constant letter touch with the athletes during the last few weeks. One of the notes contained information on football terminology, patterns, etc. - considerably different from previous years. The examination will give Blackbourn and his aides, Tom Hearden, Ray McLean and Lou Rymkus, an idea how much the athletes may have been able to retain - mentally. In his latest letter, Blackbourn wrote, in part: "In my first Bulletin, we sent out information concerning football terminology, pattern, etc. Better check on that again because we will have a thorough exam on that information at 7:30 p.m., Saturday evening. My next Bulletin to you concerned conditioning. I am sure by this time you are well along with that type of work. Bear down your last two weeks on this phase. Be sure your feet are toughened to your shoes. Be sure your legs are strong. Be sure you have corrected the offseason health habits which react against good wind and endurance. I want to assure all of you that all our operations will be thoroughly planned - nothing short of perfection in organization by staff and management will be tolerated. On the other hand, nothing short of complete cooperation on the part of the football personnel can be expected. Looking forward to meeting you personally in the very near future."...Jug Earp, former Packer publicist and now general manager of Packerland Distributors, will be surrounded by seven pro football players next week on behalf of the Miller Brewing Co. Coming into town will be Miller agents Bob Forte, Clayton Tonnemaker, Tobin Rote, Fred Cone, Y.A. Tittle, the San Francisco quarterback, Neil Worden, Notre Dame great now with Philadelphia, and Art Hunter, the Packers' No. 1 draft choice.
FORMER PLAYER SUES PACKERS
JUL 9 (Milwaukee) - Halfback Charles Schroll today filed suit in federal court here claiming the Green Bay Packers, claiming the NFL club owed him $4,810 on a contract he signed for the 1952 season. Schroll, a graduate of Louisiana State University, said in his complaint that he signed a 1952 contract for $6,250 but that an injury in practice at Grand Rapids, MN kept him from playing. He said the amount he sought was the balance due on his contract. The Packers dismissed him October 7, 1952, because of the injury, he said. A native of Baton Rouge, LA, Schroll was on the Packer roster in 1951 after a season each with the Detroit Lions and the now defunct Buffalo Bills.
DON HUTSON STILL HAS 14 OF ORIGINAL 19 RECORDS LEFT
JUL 10 (Green Bay) - It became known the other day that Lou Groza, a widely known kicker with the Cleveland Browns, broke a record owned by Don Hutson, the immortal Packer. Groza, by scoring in every league game last fall, increased to 45 the number of consecutive contests in which he scored one or more points. Hutson's record was 41 games. Don started his skein in the second last game in 1940 and followed with 12 in '41, 11 in '42, 10 in '43 and six in '44. Groza launched his string with nine games in '50 and continued with 12 each in '51-52-53. Despite the fact that nine years have elapsed since Hutson wore the moleskins, only five of his original record-breaking 19 records have been broken. Besides Groza's new mark, Hutson's standards of 174 extra points, 74 passes caught in one season, 1,211 yards on pass receptions in one season and four touchdown passes in one game, have been shattered. All of the breakees, it seems, had the advantage of starring in the souped-up scoring and passing era of the last few years, including Groza. Before retiring, Bob Waterfield snapped Hutson's lifetime extra point mark with 315; in this one, Huston didn't start to kick consistently until the last five years; Waterfield booted right from the start and went eight seasons. Tom Fears of Los Angeles broke Hutson's passes-caught-in-one-season mark with 84 in '50. Elroy Hirsch snapped Don's yardage mark with 1,495 in '51 and the old record was broken again in '52 by Packer Bill Howton with 1,231. Hutson shared the four-touchdowns mark with five players until the Chicago Cardinals' Bob Shaw snared five against Baltimore in '50...Twenty-six players caught three TD passes in a single game, with Hutson accomplishing the feat seven times...Hutson's remaining 14 marks likely will stand indefinitely. One of the most fascinating in our ledger is his 825 points - an average of nearly 80 in 11 campaigns. Groza has scored 605 in nine seasons but the total includes roughly 250 in the old All-America conference. The NFL is disregarding records produced in the defunct wheel. Other Hutson totals likely to enjoy a long, long life are most passes caught, 489, most TD passes caught, 101, most yards gained catching passes, 8,010, most points scored in one season, 138. He also holds several fantastic miscellaneous marks such as most years leading scorer (5), most years leading pass receiver (8), most consecutive years leading scorer and pass receiver (5 each) and most points in one quarter (29)...Incidentally, Groza likely will extend his consecutive game scoring record many, many games - unless, of course, somebody can shut the door on the Browns next fall. That's how Huston's scoring mark was fractured at 41 games. The Bears blanked the Packers in Wrigley Field Nov. 6, 1944, by a 21 to 0 score. The Packers were going for their seventh straight victory that day but never threatened, and Hutson settled for six receptions for 76 yards - one of his few offdays. Incidentally, that was the Packers' first shutout in 73 games - since the Bears blanked the Pack 2-0 in 1938. Since '44, the Packers were blanked three times - twice in 1949 by the Bears (17-0) and Washington (30-0) and once in '51 by Los Angeles (28-0).

BOB FLECK EYES CANADA; PACKER TAKE LEGAL ACTION
JUL 12 (Green Bay) - The Packers launched legal action today to prevent 260-pound tackle Bob Fleck from jumping his contract to play Canadian football. A summons was served on Fleck at his home at Coatsville, Pa., over the weekend, ordering him to be in court today at West Chester, Pa., the Chester County seat, to show cause why a temporary injunction should not be issued restraining him from playing in Canada. Packer Coach Liz Blackbourn flew out to West Chester yesterday and appeared in court today along with Fleck and legal representatives. Fleck signed a Packer contract shortly after he was drafted No. 2 by the Packers in Philadelphia last January. The legal proceedings, advised by the NFL, served two purposes: (1) To get Fleck to carry out terms of his contract and thus play in Green Bay and (2) to serve as a warning to other athletes. This was the first time in Packer history that a potential Packer had attempted to jump a signed contract. In the past, several Packer veterans had gone to Canada by jumping their options the Bays held on them. Several unsigned Packer rookie prospects had gone to Canada in previous years after failing to agree to Packer offers, including tackle Bob Gain, the club's first draft choice in 1951. "But," as Blackbourn put it when the case started to pop last week, "Fleck's is a moral issue; he already has signed a Packer contract in good faith." Flecks plans to play in Ottawa in the Eastern division. Clem Crowe, former Baltimore Colt coach, is the Ottawa mentor. Difficulties with Fleck, though not serious at the time, first came up when Assistant Coach Ray McLean went to Syracuse to sign Fleck shortly after the draft. Unsuccessful on the first trip, McLean went back a few days later and signed the athlete. Several weeks later, Fleck wrote Blackbourn and told him that he intended to play in Canada. Blackbourn flew out to Syracuse and after conferences with Fleck and school officials, including the chancellor, the athlete agreed to carry out his Packer contract. Blackbourn and his aides, McLean, Tom Hearden and Lou Rymkus, went ahead with Fleck in their 1954 field plays as a good possibility as a starting offensive tackle. The latest straw, so to speak, came last week when Arch Ward, sports editor of the Chicago Tribune, which sponsors the College All Star game, called Blackbourn to clear the decks for use of Packer draft selections in the All Star game. Ward informed Liz that Fleck said he could not play in the All Star game because he intended to play Canadian football which starts practice early. The Packers made plans immediately to take legal steps. Fleck was one of two players drafted early to help bolster the club's front line. The other was tackle Art Hunter of Notre Dame, the No. 1 choice...General Manager Verne Lewellen was in Milwaukee today to launch the annual season ticket campaign there. Chairman of the drive is Buckets Goldenberg, the all-time Packer guard who guided a successful ticket drive there last season. A goal of 12,000 season tickets have been set, with holders of seasons in 1953 getting first crack at their same seat locations...While tickets were being boomed in Milwaukee, Packer Ticket Chief Carl Mraz said that "season tickets are going very well" for the Packers' three league games at City stadium. Mraz advised fans not to wait until the last minute.
FLECK STAYS WITH PACK; LB'ER TIMBERKLAKE SIGNS
JUL 13 (Green Bay) - Bob Fleck agrees to play in Green Bay following court action and chat with Coach Liz Blackbourn. Packers sign linebacker George Timberlake, top-flight draftee from Southern Cal. Nine Packer draft choices named to College All Star team. Season ticket sales in Milwaukee off to enthusiastic start. Those capsule shots fairly well tell the Packer story today. Details: Fleck, the 260-pound Syracuse All-American tackle, told Blackbourn that "I'll play in Green Bay" after a Pennsylvania court injunction was granted in West Chester, Pa., yesterday to prevent him from jumping his contract to play with the Ottawa Rough Riders or with any team other than the Packers. Fleck sat down with Liz after hearing the decision of Chester County Judge Ernest Harvey who held that a pact signed by Fleck last February with Green Bay was legally binding. Blackbourn, due back in Green Bay this afternoon, said that Fleck was happy that "it was all over" and that he appeared "glad to come and join the Packers." Fleck had planned to leave for Ottawa today. He'll join the Packers a week from Saturday unless he decides to accept the invitation to compete in the College All Star game. Blackbourn testified that Fleck signed a $7,000 contract for 1954 and accepted a $750 bonus. He contended that finding a replacement "of his capacity and ability, for all practical purposes, is impossible." Fleck, the Packers' No. 2 draft choice, reportedly had been offered $8,000 for the 1954 season and a bonus of $1,000. Fleck did not testify today, nor offer any legal defense. A summons had been served on Fleck at his home at Coatesville, Pa., ordering the athlete to show cause why a temporary injunction should not be issued. Meanwhile, Commissioner Bert Bell said today he was "very pleased" with the court's decision that ordered a prospective Canadian league jumper to stay in the NFL. He refused to comment on what effect the temporary injunction would have on the NFL's running battle with the Canadian league. He pointed out that the Fleck case was a matter between the player and the club and the league actually had nothing to do in the case. "But," Bell stated, "I wonder what the kids are coming to? I always believe if you signed something, your signature and word was good." In Ottawa, a Rough Rider official, who asked not to be indentified, said that his team will use Fleck if he reports: "The court order won't affect us. The matter will have to be threshed out in the courts but we'll play Fleck in the Big Four league if he reports."...Timberlake, the Packers' No. 3 draft choice, became the 55th announced as signed thus far. The Packers now have signed their top six picks - tackle Art Hunter, halfback Veryl Switzer, Fleck, Timberlake, fullback Tom Allman and halfback-end Max McGee. The 220-pound TImberlake, who stands 6-2, twice was chosen on the Pacific Coast All-conference team. A fierce competitor, Timberlake was recommended by many coaches, including Wisconsin's Ivy Williamson who saw him in the 1953 Rose Bowl game. He was a regular linebacker for two seasons and last fall switched to offensive guard to permit him to play the single platoon. Timberlake has the unique distinction of having twice been chosen on the Junior College All American team. He played fullback at Long Beach, Calif., High School, then switched to Long Beach City College, where he spent two years backing up the line. He was a star of the Little Rose Bowl game when Long Beach beat Boise, 33 to 13, in 1950...The Packers will have their largest representation in history in the 1954 College All Star game in Chicago Aug. 13. And all but one of them is expected to play against the Detroit Lions - J.D. Roberts, the Packers' 17th choice who signed a Canadian contract. The other Packer draftees invited are Hunter, Switzer, Fleck, Timberlake, Allman, Cotton Hall, the end from North Texas State, guard Mike Takacs of Ohio State, and tackle-defensive end Hosea Sims of Marquette...An enthusiastic crowd of Milwaukee "Packer Backers" was on hand at the Schroeder Hotel Monday for the Kickoff Breakfast as the team opened its 1954 season ticket drive for games at County Stadium. General Manager Verne Lewellen carried the ball as the club officially began its drive to sell 12,000 season tickets. The former Packer great predicted the Packers would play more aggressive football this season. He pictured the campaign "as the turn around the corner in the club's comeback." Other speakers on the program also expressed optimism that the 12,000 ticket goal would be met. Charles (Buckets) Goldenberg and Joseph Ryan are co-chairmen of the drive. The kickoff breakfast was the first of four official meetings the Packer ticket drive workers will attend. Reports are scheduled Friday and July 22 at the Eagles Club. A "Victory Dinner" will be held July 26 at the Schroeder Hotel starting at 5 p.m.
ZATKOFF SUCCEEDS FORTE AS LINEBACKER
JUL 14 (Green Bay) - It is now certain that Bob Forte will not play football with the Packers in '54. Forte said so himself and Coach Liz Blackbourn has taken steps to fill Bob's outside linebacking shoes by signing shoes by signing Roger Zatkoff, the hard-hitting 215-pounder from the University of Michigan. Forte won't exactly be quiet this fall in a football way. Now affiliated with the Miller Brewing Co., Forte will serve as a player expert on Packer game broadcasts. Blackbourn figures Zatkoff as the logical successor to Forte except, of course, for the position of captaincy which Forte held since he returned from service in 1952. Appointment of a captain or captains will have to await developments at camp, Liz pointed out. Signed along with Zatkoff yesterday was Charles (Chuck) Frank, a well-thought-of guard from Michigan State's Rose Bowl champions. Nailed as a free agent, Frank will be used as an offensive guard. And his signing comes at an opportune time because the Packers have lost the services of Bob Kennedy, the former Wisconsin guard who looked so good in camp last fall before leaving to resume his studies. Kennedy was called into the armed services and is now stationed at Camp McClellan, Ala. Frank, 22, stands 6-1 and carried 225 pounds. He'll be fighting for the position vacated by veteran Dick Logan who is also in service. Zatkoff did exceptionally well for a rookie in '53. Listed as a tackle in Michigan, Rog won Big Ten honors as a linebacker. A carefree, hard-smacking sort, Zatkoff was known for his rough tackling last fall. A versatile athletes, Roger saw considerable action in '53 as a defensive end as efforts were made to fill the gap left open by the departed Ab Wimberly. As linebacker of defensive end, Zatkoff looms as an important cog in Blackbourn's plans. Zatkoff, 23 and 6-1, will carry about 215 pounds next fall. He is married and worked during the past offseason as a teacher in the public school system in Detroit...Forte, in town this week on behalf of Packerland Distributors, put in seven seasons with the Packers. The former University of Arkansas great had a fine flare for leadership and helped instill a lot of spirit through his talking and rough play. Now a resident of Milwaukee, Forte was capable of putting in a good game of quarterback if necessary. He shared the QB duties with Tobin Rote while Babe Parilli was in the All Star game in 1952...Signing of Zatfoff and Frank and loss of Kennedy left 56 names on the announced-as-signed Packer roster. Contracts of the veterans are coming in almost every day and Blackbourn is expected to have the squad fairly well set come Friday, July 23, when the squad reports here. The team will go to the Stevens Point camp July 24.

PACKER WELCOME, SENDOFF JULY 23-24; PARADE, BUFFET DINNER BEING PLAYED
JUL 14 (Green Bay) - Packer players gathering here next Friday, July 23, will be entertained at a series of welcoming and send-off activities before launching the 1954 Packer training season at the new base at Stevens Point. The Packer Alumni Association, the Association of Commerce Minute Men and the Packer corporation itself are combining efforts to show off Green Bay as the home of Packer players for the next five months and to send the boys off to training camp with the old Packer spirit. Head Coach Liz Blackbourn has notified players to meet at Hotel Northland by 3 o'clock next Friday, July 23, and they will be met there by the Packer staff and a committee from the Alumni Association. Identification cards in a football motif bearing the individual players' names will be given each player to wear during the ceremony, and players and coaches will board a lineup of convertibles at 4:15 p.,. for a parade through downtown Green Bay and De Pere starting at 4:30. The Packer cavalcade will wind up at the Beaumont Hotel, where the Alumni Association is staging a buffet dinner, reception and get-together Friday evening, starting at 6 p.m. Tickets for this buffet dinner are on sale to the general public at $3 a plate. They went on sale today at the Beaumont Hotel. The $3 price will enable the Alumni Association to pick up the dinner check for the players and coaches. The program will be entirely informal, but Toastmaster Bernard Darling will call on Packer officials, coaches, alumni and players for brief remarks. Saturday morning the Packer squad and coaches will be guests, at breakfast at Hotel Northland, of the Packer corporation, with directors invited to attend and meet the
new players and renew acquaintances with the veterans. Following breakfast, the group will move to Legion Park opposite City Hall where a public sendoff for the team will be staged by the Alumni Association. Jug Earp will act as master of ceremonies and will introduce all members of the 1954 squad and the coaching staff. The group will board their buses and take off for Stevens Point at 10 a.m.
BELL 'PLEASED' IN COURT'S INJUNCTION
JUL 14 (Philadelphia) - Bert Bell, NFL commissioner, said he is very pleased with a court decision ordering a star college player to stay in the NFL instead of jumping to the Canadian League. But Bell declined Tuesday to speculate on the effect the temporary injunction issued Tuesday against former Syracuse lineman Bob Fleck might have in the NFL's fight with the Canadian League for top players. After the injunction was issued in a county court at nearby Westchester, Fleck agreed to play with the Green Bay Packers. The Packers, in turn, consented to drop legal action against the 22-year-old tackle from Coatesville, PA.
WILDUNG 2ND PACK CAPTAIN TO RETIRE
JUL 15 (Green Bay) - Dick Wildung has become the second Packer captain in two days to put away the moleskins for keeps. Bob Forte, field leader of the Packers in '52 and '53, made his retirement official yesterday. Coach Liz Blackbourn, after a telephone chat with Wildung today, said that "Dick is going to hang 'em up on a brand new nail in his hardware store." The Packer mentor said that "Dick certainly would have been welcome this season, and I'm sure he would have made the team, but he has decided to call it quits." Wildung, a hardware merchant in Redwood Falls, Minn., played seven seasons with the Packers and captained them for four campaigns starting in 1948. Dick had to lay off for the 1952 season when a death in the family left him in sole charge of the hardware business. He returned for the 1953 season. Wildung, an all-time Minnesota All-American in 1941-42, joined the Packers in 1946 after Navy service. An all-pro many times, including his rookie campaign, Wildung was considered one of the smartest linemen in the game. He was outstanding both on offense and defense. The play of Wildung amazed Packer coaches in their constant reviewing of 1953 films - especially in view of the fact that Dick was 32 years of age last season. He'll turn 33 Aug. 16. Retirement of Forte and Wildung signals the official end of the Curly Lambeau regime. They were the last veterans to play under the founder and coach of the club for 30 years, both breaking in in 1946 and each playing seven seasons...SERVICE SHORTERNED CAREERS: Both players, incidentally, were short-changed on their pro careers by service in the Armed Forces during World War II. Forte served in the Army and Wildung was in the Navy for four years. Forte also missed 1951 for duty in the Korean War. Forte, incidentally, turned 32 today. The departure of Wildung makes it necessary for Blackbourn and aides Tom Hearden, Ray McLean and Lou Rymkus to find a running mate for veteran Dave Hanner, who handled defensive right tackle. Wildung held forth on the left side. Blackbourn has signed 10 tackles, including Hanner. The other nine possibilities are veterans Dick Afflis, Bill Forester and former Cleveland Brown Jerry Helluin and rookies Bill Buford of Michigan State, Bob Fleck of Syrascuse, Art Hunter of Notre Dame, Al Robichaux of Louisiana State, Jack Smalley of Alabama and Ray Walsh of West Virginia. Still outstanding is Gus Cifelli, the former Detroit Lion who played offensive tackle last year. Wildung won't be hard to replace from a weight standpoint. Dick carried a light-for-a-tackle 220 pounds, but Blackbourn feels that some extra weight will be needed to make up for Dick's smart play and hard hitting. Dick was one of the lightest tackles in pro football. At 280, Helluin is the heaviest of the tackles, though Jerry also is a candidate for middle guard. Next is Fleck at 260. Afflis, Cifelli and Hanner lug 245, while Hunter packs 240 - but he's still growing. The others scale from 235 to 225...The Packers are in the market for a number of one, two and three-bedroom furnished apartments. Any tenants with places to rent are asked to get in touch with the Packer office, Hemlock 2-4873.
POTPOURRI
JUL 15 (Waukesha) - The Green Bay Packers are "not looking for a miracle but we'll be a better football team this year than in the past several seasons," says General Manager Verne Lewellen. Winning football is the club's No. 1 problem, he told an Oshkosh Optimist club meeting, with No. 2 "The need to keep the Packers financially sound."
PACKERS NAME PUBLICITY CHIEF
JUL 16 (Green Bay) - Francis (Bonnie) Ryan, 40, assistant athletic publicity director at the University of Wisconsin for the past eight years, today was named publicity director for the Green Bay Packers. Ryan succeeds F.L. (Jug) Earp, who resigned some weeks ago to enter private business. Ryan, married and the father of two sons, will report to the Packers next week. He will bring his family here later. Ryan, an alumnus of Wisconsin, joined the publicity staff in 1946 and developed the school's sports film library.

BABE PARILLI ENTERS AIR FORCE; LOST FOR TWO YEARS
JUL 16 (Green Bay) - The Packers lost Babe Parilli today for the 1954 and 1955 seasons. The Kentucky Babe is now 2nd Lt. Vito Parilli of the United States Air Force, awaiting assignment from the Sampson Air Force Base in New York to Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida. Parilli will serve two years, fulfilling his ROTC obligation from Kentucky. He started his primary processing and indoctrination at Sampson yesterday and will be trained at Tyndall in the air controllers school. The All-American, a resident of Rochester, Pa., figured heavily in Coach Liz Blackbourn's plans for '54, though the young star was due to go into service. Loss of Parilli left Packer quarterbacking in sole charge of of Tobin Rote, who signed recently for his fifth season. It will be a new experience for Tobin - one that he particularly relishes. He worked under Paul Christman as a rookie in '50, with Bobby Thomason in '51 and Parilli in '52 and '53. Rote, aware that Parilli was a possibility for service sooner or later, said he'd "like the chance to handle it alone - if Babe has to go in." Rote was here this week on business and will return next Wednesday and Thursday. Blackbourn, shocked by the suddenness of the loss since Parilli had not notified the club of his plans, commented: "We think we have a good quarterback in Rote. Very often when a man is given full responsibility he becomes a better quarterback. We hope and believe it will be the case with Rote. Barring injuries, Rote will do us a good job." From Sampson, Parilli said that he he hoped to return to pro football in 1956. "I'll be 27 when I get back to Green Bay, but I hope to stay up in the big time as long as they want me and as long as I hold up," the Bambino said. The Packers had been in touch with Parilli up until about a week ago when he went to New York with no explanation. First news that Parilli was in service was relayed at 7 a.m. today on the Press-Gazette's AP wirephoto, announcing that a picture of Parilli checking out on bed-making was available from Sampson Air Force Base. Blackbourn was notified immediately. Originally, Parilli received a commission when he was graduated from Kentucky in '53. When he first reported to the Packers in 1952, he didn't have enough credits for graduation and hence had not received his reserve commission. He finished up those credits in the 1953 spring semester. Last summer, he was granted a six months' postponement of entering active duty and was able to play last fall. It had been expected that he would be inducted early this year, but when he wasn't the hope arose that his service might be again postponed until after this season. Parilli, the Packers' first draft choice in '52, broke into professional football in the College All Star game against the Los Angeles Rams. His spectacular performance earned him the "most valuable" trophy. As a Packer rookie, Parilli shared the quarterbacking with Rote. Tobin just missed the league's passing championship by a hair to Norm Van Brocklin of LA while Parilli finished third behind Rote. Van Brocklin averaged 8.47 yards, Rote 8.08 and Parilli 8.00. Last fall, Rote and Parilli skidded considerably along with the team's general play. Rote placed 13th among league passers and Parilli was 16th, averaged 5.43 and 5.00, respectively...Hosea Sims, Marquette end and rookie Packer, is one of the latest additions to the College All Stars who'll meet the Detroit Lions Aug. 13. The addition of Sims and Sam Morley of Stanford, another star end, was announced Thursday. Sims, a 6-foot, 193-pounder, is regarded as one of the nation's finer defensive ends. Morley sparkled on offense, catching 42 passes last season. The addition of Sims and Morley gave All Star coach Jim Tatum of Maryland a squad of 38, with about 12 more players to be chosen before the All Stars go into training at Purdue July 23.
SEVEN PACKER ROOKIES ENTER SERVICE
JUL 17 (Green Bay) - Uncle Sam continued to hack away at the Packer roster today. He removed the names of seven rookies from the signed list and made a few more uneasy. The man with the white bears performed a major operation yesterday, disconnecting Babe Parilli from inactive duty (at the moment, at least) as Packer quarterback and placing him on an active status with the Air Force. Coach Liz Blackbourn - a good friend of Uncle Sam through his years of practicing fine citizenship - surrendered such signed newcomers as guard Jim Vogt of Holy Cross, tackle Jim Lavery of Notre Dame, end Hank Lemire of Holy Cross, tackle Jim Balog of Michigan, end Wayne Hopkins of Baylor, end Jerry Dufek of St. Norbert and Henry Barnes of Oregon. In addition, Uncle Sam's agents have already taken Don Barton, a valuable scatback; guard Dick Logan; promising middle guard Bob Kennedy, who looked good in his few weeks in Packer camp last year; and, of course, the aforementioned Parilli. It isn't known whether or not any more athletes will be lost but just about all of the simon pure are around "that age". Blackbourn, to offset the personnel losses, came up today with a number of fresh names in revealing a tentative camp roster. The athletes, not previously announced as signed, are: guard Dale Haupt, Wyoming; ends Tom Linehan, River Falls State, Gene White, Georgia, Jim Williams, Texas; halfbacks Nick Aducci, Nebraska; Billy Bookout, Austin College; and fullbacks Roger Carlson, Gustavus Adolphus, Angelo DiVinere, Lewis College, Ed Patela, Boston College, Clyde Sanders, Bethune-Cookman. Of the new group, Williams and Petela are the only draft picks - Williams last January and Petela two years ago. At least six athletes will be missing because of service in the All Star game. Chosen for sure are Art Hunter, Veryl Switzer, George Timberlake, Tom Allman, Ken Hall and Hosea Sims. Bob Fleck and Mike Takacs, among the earlier Star selections, will report at the Packer training camp instead. The All Star players will join the Packers Aug. 14 - a day after the Star game and the day of the Packers' non-league opener against the Cardinals in Minneapolis. Several veterans are missing from the T.C. roster - end Clive Rush, tackles Dick Wildung and Gus Cifelli, guard Logan and backs Bennie Aldridge, Byron Bailey, J.R. Boone, Bob Forte and Barton. Wildung,


Wildung, Forte, Aldridge and Boone have retired; Bailey probably will play in Canada; Cifelli is undecided on playing; and Logan and Barton are in service. Blackbourn is anxiously awaiting the opening practice so that he can check faces against the roster. Generally, two or three rookies will decide not to play at the last minute and just won't show up. Several veterans are still unsigned and Blackbourn explained that "we have made our final offers - it's up to them now." They'll likely be classed as holdouts if they don't report at camp on time without excuse. The first noise of the '54 season will be heard hereabouts next Friday when the athletes are scheduled to report. They'll be toasted at a public dinner sponsored by the Packer Alumni Assn., Friday night at the Beaumont Hotel after riding in a parade late in the afternoon. They'll leave for the training base in Stevens Point Saturday morning following a sendoff. Saturday afternoon will be spent on physical examinations and issuing of equipment. The remainder of the exams will be taken Sunday morning and that afternoon will be used for picture taking. The real stuff starts Monday morning, July 28. The Packer ticket office is "starting to boom these days," Packer Ticket Director Carl Mraz said today and advised fans not to wait until the last minute to purchase season tickets and to pick up ducats reserved earlier. In addition, the office at 349 S. Washington street has tickets for the non-league game against Cleveland here Aug. 21, the Shrine game against New York in Milwaukee Sept. 18 and the intra-squad game in Stevens Point Aug. 7.
BALM FOR PACKERS; MARTINKOVIC, BILL FORESTER SIGN PACTS
JUL 19 (Green Bay) - Packer football games will be heard next fall on a network of 50 radio stations in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota and Upper Michigan. It will be the largest Packer coverage in history, John Walter, president of the Wisconsin Network and manager of the Press-Gazette station WJPG, said today following a meeting of the Network at Maxwelton Braes in Baileys Harbor yesterday. The 43-station Packer blanket in 1953 was the previous top in coverage. A large percentage of the stations are newspaper operated, thus insuring wider promotion. The Green Bay outlet, as in the past, will be WJPG. The Wisconsin Network originates the broadcasts for the Miller Brewing Company. Tony Flynn, sports director of WJPG, will do the play by play of all Packer non-league games and former Packer captain Bob Forte will be his color man. For the National League games, Earl Gillespie, former WJPG sports director, will do the play by play with Flynn handling the commercial and color and Forte serving as player expert. Plans for the season were made at the annual meeting of stockholders and directors after a dinner meeting of station representatives, Miller High Life and Mathisson Advertising Agency representatives and members of the Packer coaching staff. Network officers were reelected as fellows: John M. Walter, president; Earl Huth, vice-president, WHBY, Appleton; and George T. Frechette, executive director, WFHR, Wisconsin Rapids. Packer Coach Liz Blackbourn, one of the luncheon speakers, referred to the loss of quarterback Babe Parilli to the Air Force and added that quarterback Tobin Rote "quite likely will do a better job now that he has full responsibility." As to the season, Blackbourn stated that "we are going into the season thinking that we have helped the squad by adding several new linemen." Other members of the Packer staff introduced were assistant coaches Tom Hearden, Ray McLean and Lou Rymkus and scout Jack Vainisi. Also attending was Packer director Mickey McCormick of Menominee.
BALM FOR PACKERS; MARTINKOVIC, BILL FORESTER SIGNS PACTS
JUL 19 (Green Bay) - Packer Coach Liz Blackbourn today was afforded a measure of consolation for the recent loss of ace quarterback Vito (Babe) Parilli. It came in the form of signed contracts from two veteran linemen, giant defensive end John Martinkovic and jack-of-all-trades Bill Forester, a standout as a NFL freshman last autumn. Although neither, obviously, can step in to replace Babe as field general, Blackbourn could take comfort from the fact that the pair most certainly will considerably enhance the Bays' resistance to attack in the 1954 NFL campaign. Martinkovic, who stands 6-3 and scales 245 pounds, will be starting his fourth year with the Pack. A member of the NFL's Western All-Stars last January, he came to Green Bay in 1951 in one of the most beneficial trades ever engineered by this community's big league representatives. Big Jawn, obtained in a swap for end Ted Cook, who long since has departed the major league scene, made an immediate hit by collecting eight tackles in a non-league game with the Philadelphia Eagles at Milwaukee - and he has been making Packer fans and coaches alike happy ever since. Forester, who was scheduled to become a fullback when he came here out of Southern Methodist University last year, played almost every position by that one, ironically enough, during the 1953 season. Bill, 6-3 and 235 pounds, held forth at middle guard, tackle, defensive end and linebacker on various occasions. And, to his credit, in each instance, his work was of high caliber. As a matter of fact, Blackbourn and his aides - Tom Hearden, Ray McLean and Lou Rymkus - were so impressed by his efforts in studying the films of last year's games that they are anxious to observe him under fire. This opportunity is only a few days' off for the Packers are scheduled to leave for their training base at Stevens Point Saturday. Before they leave, however, all of the athletes and their coaches will be feted at a public dinner, sponsored by the Packer Alumni Assn., at the Beaumont Hotel Friday night. The banquet will follow an afternoon parade. A sendoff also is scheduled for Saturday morning.
ALL PACK G-MEN SET FOR '54
JUL 20 (Green Bay) - The Packers' 1954 'G-men" were all signed, sealed and all but delivered today. This salutary development came to pass with the receipt of a signed contract from Steve Ruzich, an Ohio State alumnus and the 12th and last guard to enter the fold. Also in Head Coach Liz Blackbourn's mail this morning was a letter from California containing the pact of Marvin Johnson, veteran defensive back. Blackbourn, a rigid fundamentalist who likes nothing so much as to see one of his athletes throw a jarring block, is counting heavily on Ruzich, an impressively built 225-pounder, to add punch to the Packers' ground offensive come autumn. Ruzich, obtained in a 1952 trade with the Cleveland Browns, immediately earned a regular offensive berth upon joining the Pack and again was a starter last fall - playing opposite his college twin, Dick Logan, also an ex-Brown. Logan, however, will not be around when Steve entered the service since the 1953 campaign. Steve, an all-Big Ten choice as a senior, is one of five holdovers in the guard corps. The others are Deral Teteak, the stocky Oshkosh native; Len Szafaryn, Roger Zatkoff and Buddy Brown, who came to the Pack in a trade with the Washington Redskins last season. Johnson, whose services were missed when he was out part of the 1953 campaign with an injury, is expected to tighten the Bays' resistance to aerial attack. Last year, in his second season here after being obtained from the Los Angeles Rams, the good looking Swede waylaid four enemy passes and returned them a total of 89 yards for an average of 9.8. His longest return was for 36 yards. Johnson, a San Jose State product, was instrumental in bringing the 1951 NFL championship to Los Angeles. He intercepted an Otto Graham pass and returned it to the Cleveland one-yard line to set up a touchdown in the Rams' 24-17 victory. Marv, 5-11 and 195 pounds, makes his home in San Francisco...Two Packer veterans, end Carleton (Stretch) Elliott and fullback Howie Ferguson, were among the first arrivals Monday. Bonnie Ryan, the club's new publicity director, is expected to assume his new duties Friday...Carl Mraz, Packer ticket director, today again advised fans not to wait until the last minute to purchase season tickets and to pick up those reserved earlier. Tickets are also available for the non-league game against the Cleveland Browns here Aug. 21, the Shrine game against New York in Milwaukee Sept. 18 and the intra-squad game in Stevens Point Aug. 7, he reminded.
PACKERS WELCOME TICKET ON SALE
JUL 20 (Green Bay) - Packer fans today were reminded by Chairman Bernard Darling that tickets for Friday night's public dinner to welcome the 1954 squad are still on sale at the Beaumont Hotel. He urged all interested to get theirs as soon as possible. The price, $3, will enable the sponsoring Packer Alumni Assn., to pick up the dinner check for coaches and players. They will be seated throughout the Beaumont's Daniel Whitney Room, rather than in a group, so that fans will have an opportunity to become acquainted with the athletes who will represent them in the NFL this fall, Darling said.
FORTE GONE, PACKERS LOOK FOR NEW CAPTAIN
JUL 20 (Green Bay) - There'll be a different player - maybe two - out there with the officials for the coin tossing ceremonies this fall when the Green Bay Packers open play. That's another way of saying, of course, that old No. 8 Bob Forte, has decided he's had enough and will concentrate from here on in on the business of selling beer for the Miller Brewing Co. The post of Packer captain is wide open. Forte, a 205-pound outside linebacker, turned just 32 last Thursday. He captained the Packers the past two years after returning from a stint with the Marines but has decided that seven years of professional football is enough. That doesn't mean, though, that he's through with the game. "I'll be doing a little experting and a little color on the game broadcasts this fall," Forte said. "I couldn't just chuck the whole thing at once. It sort of gets into your blood." A rough competitor, Forte was one of the NFL's outstanding defensive operators in recent years. He did a little offensive halfbacking in his day, too, and filled in at quarterback once in awhile. Early in the 1952 season, while Babe Parilli was absent at the All-Star camp, he shared the quarterbacking with Tobin Rote. Forte's seven years with the Packers made him the veteran of the squad. His post at outside linebacker likely will be inherited by Roger Zatkoff, a 215-pounder from the University of Michigan who has one year of pro ball under his belt now. Last fall he operated frequently as a defensive end, but is expected to shift back to his normal position this season. Zatkoff, only a sophomore, almost certainly will not take over the team captaincy for obvious reasons. Coach Liz Blackbourn, himself a freshman in the league, has indicated he'll leave selection of a captain or co-captains until a later date, after he's had a chance to look over his squad in practice. He'll come up with a leader, certainly, but he'll go a long ways before finding one better than Forte, a natural holler guy who had the ability to back up with action what he said in words. Old No. 8 will be missed.
FOOTBALL FEVER BEGINS TO MOUNT
JUL 21 (Green Bay) - The first stages of this community's perennial midsummer malady, football fever, were developing today. They stemmed from the arrival of three more players - and the realization that only two more days remain before the Packers head for their training base at Stevens Point preparatory to inaugurating their 36th season in professional football. Latest to arrive were big Dave Hanner, king-sized defensive tackle, guard Buddy Brown and Jim Ringo, the former Syracuse center who was out of action the last half of the 1953 season with injuries. All appeared fit and ready for the rugged training grind, which will officially begin Monday although Coach Liz Blackbourn will lead his 60-man squad to the "Point" Saturday morning. Their advent brings to five the number of players who have reported to date. Another pair of holdovers, and Stretch Elliott and Howie Ferguson, blew into town Monday afternoon. The traffic is expected to increase this afternoon and Thursday and hits its peak Friday morning. All of them are expected to be present and accounted for by Friday afternoon when they will be introduced to the city through the medium of a parade and a subsequent public dinner to be held in the Daniel Whitney Room of the Beaumont Hotel. A sendoff also is scheduled at Legion Park Saturday morning just before the Packer party departs for Stevens Point. Among the 60 will be another Deral Teteak, the Packer staff hopes. He is Dale Haupt, 6-foot, 200-pound linebacker from Wyoming via Manitowoc. Signed as a free agent, the Manty native was a standout at Wyoming after sparkling for the Shipbuilders in the Fox River Valley conference during his high school days. If he should make the squad, when it is pared to a final 33 for NFL competition, Haupt could be of financial as well as artistic worth to the Pack since Manitowoc partisans are likely to follow him to Green Bay and Milwaukee. At least one former Packer great will be on hand for the public dinner in honor of the 1954 squad Friday night. There is also a possibility that Baby Ray, the huge tackle who toiled here for 11 years, will attend. Chairman Bernard Darling emphasized today that tickets for the event still are on sale at the Beaumont Hotel. The sale of $3 per plate will enable the Packer Alumni Assn., to pick up the dinner check for the players and coaches.

MACE FIRST PACKER CASUALTY
JUL 22 (Green Bay) - The Packers won’t officially assemble for the start of 1954 operations until Saturday, when they trek to their Stevens Point training base, but they already have their first casualty. Dick Mace, 6-foot, 3-inch, 240-pound center candidate from Syracuse via the Canadian route, sustained a gashed left leg in an impromptu workout, first of the year hereabouts, at the East High practice field Wednesday afternoon. The injury, which resulted from a collision with Stretch Elliott, strapping veteran end from Virginia, required four stitches. A police squad car, summoned by Assistant Trainer Toby Sylvester, whisked Mace to the office of Dr. Henry S. Atkinson, club physician, for the necessary repairs. Mace, who played with the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1953, will be handicapped for a few days, but Coach Liz Blackbourn expects him to be ready for full scale action in Monday's first official workout...FERGUSON'S PASSING SURPRISES: Mace was one of seven early arrivals, all of them holdovers, save Dick, who took advantage of a broiling sun and temperatures in the 80s to sweat off excess suet acquired during the offseason. Exercising with him, in addition to Elliott, were Marv Johnson, Al (Hoagy) Carmichael, Dave Hanner, Buddy Brown, Howie Ferguson and Jim Ringo. Ferguson, who might have a secret yearning to try out for the one quarterback post left vacant by Babe Parilli's loss to the Air Force, surprised onlookers by hurling passes up to 60 yards during the informal session. He and Johnson also demonstrated they are in fine fettle by sprinting the length of the field three times before the workout and four more times before heading into the dressing room for a welcome shower. Elliott, who volunteered "I feel really great," likewise indicated he should have little trouble reaching peak condition. The Stretcher hauled down almost every toss that came his way and once made a spectacular catch after a head-long dive turfward. It is suspected, however, that Hanner may have to take more than a few laps around the field to approach his playing weight. The imposing Arkansas alumnus, who blossomed into one of the NFL's foremost defensive tackles last year as a sophomore and then starred in January's pro bowl game, weighed in before "practice" at 276...Three more 1954 aspirants, two of them rookies, drifted into town today. The newcomers are Dave Davis, Georgia Tech end who is expected to make a strong big for the punting job left vacant by the loss of Clive Rush, halfback Clyde Saunders from Bethune-Cookman college and holdover center Dave (Trapper) Stephenson...Also making his first appearance on the Green Bay scene was Francis (Bonnie) Ryan, the Packers' new publicity director. Ryan, who succeeds genial Jug Earp, had been serving as assistant to Art Lentz at the University of Wisconsin...Before the Packers bid temporary farewell to Green Bay - they'll be back to meet the Cleveland Browns in a non-league game at City stadium Aug. 21 - they'll be accorded a sendoff at Legion Park, starting at 9 o'clock. Earp will serve as master of ceremonies and is expected to call upon a number of rookies and veterans alike for brief remarks.
STEVENS POINT TO GIVE PACKERS BIG WELCOME
JUL 22 (Stevens Point) - The Green Bay Packers are due for a tub-thumping welcome when they arrive to begin training here Saturday. The Green Bay footballers will get into shape for the 1954 campaign at Stevens Point State College, the first time in years the club has trained in Wisconsin. When they arrive Saturday, a police escort will lead the players through the city to the college campus, where scout Jack Vainisi will introduce them to the crowd.
LEAHY, FORMER MU QUARTERBACK, TURNS DOWN PACKER OFFER
JUL 23 (Omaha) - Don Leahy, former quarterback star at Marquette University, has turned down an offer to play professional football for the Green Bay Packers. Leahy, who had a brilliant career at Creighton Prep in Omaha before enrolling at Marquette, is now an assistant football and basketball coach at Prep and head baseball coach. Leahy said Packer coach Lisle Blackbourn phoned him Wednesday night to make the offer. Blackbourn coached Leahy at Marquette in 1950 and 1951. Leahy, who is 25, has been coaching at Prep since 1952.
FAMOUS FLECK CASE CLOSED - FOR NOW
JUL 23 (Green Bay) - The Packer file on the now famous Fleck Case today was closed - for at least two years. The principal, Syracuse tackle Bob Fleck, for weeks torn between Green Bay and Canada, no longer has a problem. The No. 2 Packer draft choice, Coach Liz Blackbourn learned, has again been drafted - this time by Uncle Sam - and will enter the service late in August. Fleck, selected directly behind Notre Dame's Art Hunter in last January's NFL draft, thus will not be available until 1956. This latest development climaxes a series of incidents that have made the 260-pound Pennsylvanian the most publicized Packer rookie this year. It all started, of course, when he was hailed (along with Hunter) as one of the two premier collegiate tackles in the land after being accorded All-America honors last fall. This fact was brought forcibly to Green Bay's attention when he was chosen in the draft. Later, there was an even greater joy in Packerland when he, to all intents and purposes, followed Hunter into the fold by returning his signed contract. This was not accomplished, however, without a second visit from a Packer representative. Then came the report 10 days ago that Fleck had changed his mind and decided to cast his lot with the Ottawa Rough Riders. This came to light when Arch Ward informed the Packers that Fleck had declined an invitation to join the College All Stars because he would be reporting early for practice in Canada. At this point, the Packers instituted legal proceedings and a temporary injunction restraining the big fellow from playing north of the border was obtained at West Chester, Pa. Chester County Judge Earnest Harvey ruled that the Packer contract Fleck had signed last February was legally binding. This decision, augmented by a friendly chat with Blackbourn, caused the young giant to reconsider and he agreed to fulfill the terms of his Packer pact and report here when the squad assembles Saturday. Then Uncle Sam intervened. Loss of Fleck leaves the tentative Packer roster with nine tackles, four of them experienced. The holdovers are Dave Hanner, Bill Forester, Dick Afflis and Jerry Helluin, the 280-pounder obtained from the Cleveland Browns in a recent trade for an undisclosed draft choice. Rookie candidates, in addition to Hunter, are Jack Smalley, Alabama; Bill Buford, Morgan State; Al Robichaux, Louisiana State product recommended by Ab Wimberly, and Ray Walsh of West Virginia. Fleck is the eighth Packer rookie lost to the armed forces thus far. Preceding him were guard Jim Vogt, tackle Jim Laverty, end Hank Lemire, all of Holy Cross; tackle Jim Balog of Michigan, end Wayne Hopkins of Baylor, end Jerry Dufek of St. Norbert and end Henry Barnes of Oregon. Blackbourn made no attempt to conceal his dismay at losing Fleck. "It's a great loss to us," he admitted. "One of our big plans was to get two offensive tackles in the draft and he was one of them. His speed and blocking ability was just what we wanted here."
PACKERS LEAVE FOR CAMP; 20 PLAYERS ARE MISSING
JUL 24 (Green Bay) - The birth of a new era was heralded this morning as the 1954 Packers, with aerial bombs, firecrackers and the good wishes of an estimated 500 fans ringing in their ears, left Legion Park bound for their Stevens Point training base. In charge of the 54 athletes who will vie for the honor of representing Green Bay in the NFL for the 34th consecutive year was Lisle (Liz) Blackbourn, only the third head coach in the team's colorful history. Six more players, all members of the All-Star squad, will be added Aug. 14. Though hearts were light as they embarked, Blackbourn and his aides, Ray (Scooter) McLean, Lou Rymkus and Tom Hearden - realists all - were fully aware of the task that lies ahead of them. If they were preoccupied, it may have been because they were evaluating the loss of 29 players as well as the talent already in hand. Beginning with the NFL draft in Philadelphia last January, they had made long and exhausting preparations for the demanding season ahead. Though they made no mention of it, factors beyond their control may have caused them to regard the immediate future less optimistically than they had originally. Military service has made the biggest dent in the club's roster. No less than 15 players, all but one a rookie, have been lost to the armed forces. Six others have retired, five more are not reporting for one reason or another, two have been officially classed as holdouts and one has bolted to Canada. Lost to Uncle Sam have been quarterbacks Babe Parilli, lone veteran among the inductees, and Gil Reich, Kansas; ends Henry Barnes, Oregon, Gene Knutson, Michigan, and Hank Lemire, Holy Cross; tackles Bob Fleck, Syracuse, Jim Balog, Michigan, and Jim Lavery, Holy Cross; guards Frank Kapral, Michigan State, Lowell Herbert, College of Pacific, Bob Kennedy, Wisconsin, Jim Vogt, Holy Cross, and Dick Logan, and halfbacks Bill Oliver, Alabama, Hank Liebscher, Boston College, and Don Barton...REID, CIFELLI HOLDOUTS: Not reporting, for various reasons, are end Wayne Hopkins, Baylor, Jerry Dufek, St. Norbert, and Jim Williams; halfbacks Marvin Tennefoss, Villanova; and fullback Ken Bahnsen, a free agent. In addition, there are six retired veterans: defensive halfbacks Val Joe Walker, Ben Aldridge and Ace Loomis; linebacker Bob Forte, team captain the last two years, tackle Dick Wildung and halfback J.R. Boone. The holdouts are Breezy Reid, veteran halfback, and Gus Cifelli, tackle obtained in a trade with the Detroit Lions last fall, while Byron Bailey, another ex-Lion, has decided to try his luck in Canada. In contrast, Blackbourn could muster a smile when he remembered that those six All-Stars will be answering roll call less than three weeks hence. Headed by All-American tackle Art Hunter of Notre Dame, they include George Timberlake, USC linebacker; Ken (Cotton) Hall, swift North Texas State end; Hosea Sims, Marquette linebacker; Tom Allman, West Virginia fullback; and Veryl Switzer, All-American halfback from Kansas State. He also can derive a measure of comfort from the fact that two other potential regulars will be reporting later in the training season. They are Gib Dawson, sophomore halfback from Texas who was voted most valuable player in last year's Al-Star game, and tackle Jack Smalley of Alabama, a rookie...Before departing, Blackbourn said from the stand at Legion Park, "We've done a great deal of talking during the winter months. Now that we're actually about to start work, we don't have much to say. Looking ahead to 18 football games this fall is a sobering thing." Jug Earp served as master of ceremonies for the occasion and introduced Blackbourn's aides as well as General Manager Verne Lewellen, talent scout Jack Vainisi, new publicity director Francis (Bonnie) Ryan, as well as the players individually...An estimated 220 men, women and children were in attendance as the Packers were tendered their first public welcome in history at a dinner in the Daniel Whitney room of the Beaumont Hotel Friday night. "The destiny of the Green Bay Packers," they were told by General Manager Verne Lewellen, "rests with Lisle Blackbourn and his staff. And I'm very pleased that the destiny of the Packers is in the hands of Blackbourn and his staff. Uncle Sam has done us more damage than the Chicago Bears will in September," he admitted, "which will make Lisle's job that much tougher." Blackbourn, introduced by Lewellen, advised the 1954 Packers "to expect from us that the decisions given to you have been given consideration in staff meetings as a team." Emphasizing that working with his staff has been "a very, very fine team sort of operation," Liz declared, "We're ready to go to work." He invited "all of you to come over to see us work out at Stevens Point. We will not be practicing behind closed doors." Other speakers were John Biolo, president of the sponsoring Packer Alumni Association; Mike Michalske, former Packer guard; Mayor Dominic Olejniczak, who also is a Packer vice-president; Jug Earp, former Packer publicity director and one of the team's all-time centers; and Max Murphy, a member of the Packer executive board. Bernard Darling, dinner chairman, and also a former Packer, served as master of ceremonies.




PACKERS FURNISH PLEASANT SURPRISE IN OPENING DRILL
JUL 26 (Stevens Point) - The 1954 Packers - badly understrength for this stage of the game - furnished a pleasant surprise in an originally unscheduled workout here Sunday. Coach Liz Blackbourn had planned the first muscle stretching for this morning but a light load of pictures (It was Picture Day Sunday afternoon) permitted a full-scale, hour and a half in full dress uniform while the pictures were being taken. Blackbourn said he was "well pleased" with the workout considering the "type of drill, with men being pulled out to have their pictures snapped." The men were divided into three separate units - the linemen under Line Coach Lou Rymkus in one end of the field, the defensive backs under defensive backfield coach Tom Hearden in another area and the offensive backs and ends under offensive backfield coach Ray McLean in another. Blackbourn eyed the entire drill as he moved from group to group. To top it off, offensive and defensive units were named and the three plays dished out of the first meeting Saturday night were worked. Reluctant to single out any particular individual, Blackbourn smiled that "it is a little early yet," but noted that Al Barry, the guard from Southern California, showed good coordination for a big boy. Barry was the Packers' 30th draft choice as a junior in 1953. Joe Johnson, the Boston College halfback, showed good speed and action, Liz said, adding that "Deral Teteak's action at offensive guard was surprisingly good." Teteak, back for his third season, was a linebacker in his first two Packer campaigns. There was one position surprise. Steve Ruzich, also a three-year veteran, popped up as a tackle. A guard in his earlier pro career as well as at Ohio State, Ruzich was shifted to defensive tackle for the final game last fall and showed up well. Steve said he played some tackle off and on at OSU and the position isn't strange to him. Blackbourn appeared optimistic and enthusiastic despite the fact that he opened camp with only 46 players. Ten players are reporting late for various reasons - not counting six high draft picks who are training with the College All Stars. These 16 would boost the manpower total to 62. The loss of tackle Bob Fleck to the Army was a severe blow and with veteran Dick Afflis reporting late due to personal business, the Packers are starting practice with only two offensive tackles - Dick Mace, the ex-Canadian, and rookie Bill Buford of Morgan State. Mace, at that, had been shifted from center to tackle. Other tackles reporting late are rookies Art Hunter, Al Robichaux, Jack Smalley and Ray Walsh. Actually, the club's biggest hurt now is at tackle. Which is pure irony because Liz aimed his draft at bolstering that position. The only tackle veteran in camp now is big Dave Hanner - a real welcome sight despite the fact that he's a "few" pounds overweight. Probably the next most serious problem is the defensive secondary. The only veterans on hand are Bobby Dillon and Marv Johnson since Val Joe Walker, Ace Loomis and Bennie Aldridge have decided to retire. And Bobby must take it easy because he'll be putting the first serious strain on his operated-on leg. Veteran quarterback Tobin Rote was a bit arm weary Sunday night after cutting loose for the second time this year. He worked some in Green Bay last week. Also pitching were the two rookie quarterbacks - Bob Burkhart and Elry Falkenstein, not to mention Coach McLean. The QB's threw for close to an hour to the ends, and halfbacks. Blackbourn said that the first test Saturday night "for the most part was very fine." The players were tested on information Liz had sent them by mail several weeks ago. At the opening meeting, Blackbourn revealed rules of the camp, training routine and several play details. The Packers will eat breakfast every morning at 7:30 and meet with the coaches at 8:30. They take to the field at 9:30 and work until 11. Dinner is set for noon and meetings are set from 2 to 3. The afternoon drills will start at 3 o'clock and finish at 4:30. Meeting at night are scheduled from 7:30 to 9:30. Curfew is set at 10:30. The squad is headquartered at Delzell Hall, a spanking new dormitory of the state college. They take their meals in the college cafeteria about two blocks away. More players were expected in every day. In fact, Bonnie Ryan, the club's new publicity chief, thought he had a new game to add to the roster about dusk yesterday, when a halfbackish looking guy got out of a cab carrying a suitcase and some clothes. He turned out to be Marv Cibiski, a teacher from Algoma who was reporting for summer school. The Packers, who were given special sendoff by 500 fans in Green Bay Saturday morning, were greeted at the city limits here by city officials, a band and a flock of convertibles. They entered the special cars and were paraded around town before going to Delzell Hall. The entire Packer staff was on hand here over the weekend. General Manager Verne Lewellen squared away arrangements for the camp but left today for Milwaukee where he'll check on the season ticket drive. Trainer Bud Jorgenson held forth in the dressing room, keeping his fingers crosses as the athletes worked harder today. Toby Sylvester is assisting Jorgie, while Verne Lewellen Jr., handed out equipment.
BAYS BEGIN '54 FOOTBALL DRILLS IN HOT SUMMER SUN
JUL 26 (Stevens Point) - Forty-six football players have begun the most important and rigorous phase of their professional existence - pre-season training - under the banner of the Green Bay Packers at Stevens Point. The workouts, which weren't officially scheduled to get underway until this morning, commenced Sunday afternoon during a time set aside for picture taking at Goerke Park. But more than just photographers were busy as new head coach Lisle "Liz" Blackbourn used the two hours for a light practice. Various backfields, engineered by veteran Tobin Rote and newcomers Elry Falkenstein and Bob Burkhart, operated a few plays discussed the evening before during a squad meeting. The men with the cameras could handle only about six at a time so Blackbourn and his assistants put the others to work running the few plays and going through several additional exercises. A hot sun beat down constantly during the drill and the perspiring gridmen took a stride toward getting rid of excess poundage most of them brought along with them to their Point training home. Drills today as well as for the entire six-week stay of the Packers here were to be about 90 minutes duration and commence at from 9 to 9:30 in the morning and 3 to 3:30 in the afternoon. The majority of the drills will be run off at the Central State College field and Bukolt Park with Goerke Park to be used sparingly. The number of 46 players is expected to increase by up to 10 within the next week or 10 days. Approximately that number, including halfback Gib Dawson and tackle Dick Afflis, are for various reasons still not present. Six more won't come to town until after the College All-Star game on August 13. They are tackle Art Hunter, guard George Timberlake, ends Ken Hall and Hosea Sims, halfback Veryl Switzer and fullback Tom Allman. Two others listed as holdouts, one of them being Floyd "Breezy" Reid, an important halfback, the other, Gus Cifelli. Another important prospect lost to the service; still another retired from pro football over the weekend. Bob Fleck, the No. 2 draft choice from Syracuse, volunteered only a few days after the Packers had won a court battle to keep the big tackle from playing pro ball in Canada. Val Joe Walker was added to the retirement list and will probably enter prviate business in Texas. Other retirements include Bob Forte, Dick Wildung, J.R. Boone, Ben Aldridge, Byron Bailey and Ace Loomis. One other who won't be here is rookie end Jim Williams of Texas whose wife reportedly persuaded him to stay out of the play for pay ranks. Still the major loss, of course, is Babe Parilli who surprised everyone with the announcement he was in the service. The ex-Kentucky standout gave the Bays a big one-two punch at quarterback and leaves Blackbourn now with a major problem to find someone to go along with the capable Rote in the engineering department. The two aforementioned rookies are currently being banked upon but if they fail to make the grade changes will have to be made. One of the positions that presently is weak numerically is at halfback where only seven are on hand. The well-known Al Carmichael, who caught the pass that gave his Southern Cal team a 7-0 victory over Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl a couple years ago, and Bobby Dillon are the chief figures in camp right now. Switzer is expected to make this department strong when he arrives and Reid would be a welcome sight if he comes. After two weeks of drills, the Packers will play their intrqsquad game at Goerke Park a week from Saturday night August 7. That's one week before the first exhibition with the Chicago Cardinals at Minneapolis August 14.
SPEEDY BACK SHOWS UP AT CAMP TODAY
JUL 26 (Stevens Point) - The number of Green Bay Packers in their training camp at Stevens Point increased by one to a total of 47 this morning with the appearance of C.B. Adkins, a Negro backfield candidate from Chicago. Adkins is not under contract but will try out with the team. He is a 220-pounder who reportedly ran the 100-yard dash in 9.8 seconds in a track meet in Los Angeles over the weekend. He is a graduate of William Penn College in Iowa.
NEW REGIME OF PACKERS UNDER WAY
JUL 26 (Stevens Point) - The new regime in the realm of the Green Bay Packers is underway in their Stevens Point training camp. It began under the hot July sun with a ride in convertibles through the flag-draped city that will be home for six important weeks. It won't end its first task until cold December when it is hoped another flag will waving over City Stadium in their hometown of Green Bay...The many backers of the Green Bay Packers hope there is significance in the presentation of the "keys of the City of Stevens Point" to general manager Verne Lewellen by Mayor Leonard L. Sorenson. Lewellen commented upon receiving the huge key that the last time he had been given one was in 1929. The occasion was the first national pro grid championship for the battlers from the Bay...Either a new scale, a pair of glasses or hard work must result from this. John Doldorian, husky guard from American International, listed 225 as his weight before Sunday's workout. He wrote down 230 - five pounds heavier - after the two-hour session beneath the sun. Most of the heavier men were stripped of poundage during the drill. Carlton "Stretch" Elliott going down from 232 to 220...Church is important, too, to pro football players. Talent scout Jack Vainisi posted a schedule of masses and services on the bulletin board Saturday afternoon. A number of men were counted Sunday morning at St. Stanislaus' just across the street from Delzell Hall. Coach Lisle Blackbourn, along with assistant Scooter McLean and linebacking stalwart Clayton Tonnemaker, were present at Frame Memorial Presbyterian Church...One convertible didn't quite make it for the downtown trek Saturday. George Allen's 1926 Mode T Touring got in the line on the south end of the city immediately behind the Forty et Eight locomotive. The Packers buses stopped and out stepped 250-pound Dave Hanner, 280-pound Jerry Helluin and one other "thin man". They quickly filled the back seat of the Model T but just as the cavalcade was ready to proceed engine trouble developed. Rumors that the weight limits on the flivver had been exceeded and led to the breakdown of the vehicle are unfounded. Allen reports the timer mechanism was at fault. Helluin





and Hanner were out of luck as far as another convertible was concerned but were under the wide open spaces of sunshine nevertheless - one on each side of the front end of the locomotive...One of the 46 members of the Packer player delegation that pitched camp here this weekend is an unsigned Negro end from Pennsylvania who hitchhiked all the way to Stevens Point for a chance to play pro football. He is Jim Dente of Rankin, PA, just outside of Pittsburgh. Dente played football in high school but has no college experience...Tom Linehan, former River Falls State star, and Jack Elfert, ex-La Crosse State standout, are not the only ex-Wisconsin State College Conference players in the ranks here. Another is Charley Abrahamson, a Platteville tackle who is hoping to make the grade. Abrahamson is attending classes at Central State this summer.
DASHMAN, SELF BOLSTER PACK DH CORPS
JUL 27 (Stevens Point) - A 9.3-second dashman and a veteran of three pro teams, including the Packers, helped booster the undermanned defensive halfback platoon today as the Bays launched their third day of practice. Flying in from Los Angeles where he competed in a track tournament was C.B. Adkins, a defensive halfback from William Penn College in Iowa. Due to report later today or Wednesday was Clarence Self, the former Packer, Detroit Lion, Chicago Cardinal and Wisconsin Badger. Adkins, a Negro speedster whose home is in Chicago, stands six feet tall and carries 210 pounds. The 21-year-old called Coach Liz Blackbourn long distance and asked for a tryout. Adkins' best recommendation is his speed. He won the 100-yard dash in the combined BBYO and CBYO event in 9.8 seconds. The newcomer can at least match the departed Val Joe Walker's speed. V.J. did the century under 10 seconds many times as a collegian, and Blackbourn hopes Adkins can show the savvy and yen that Walker displayed as a rookie last year. Self is no stranger to Blackbourn. Clarence was at Wisconsin when Blackbourn coached the Badger backfield. Self was a Pack regular in '52 when the club posted a 6-6 record but was cut loose midway in the exhibition season in '53. He remained out of football the rest of last season. Stocky at 5-9, 185, Self is the rugged type of defensive back and should add considerable experience to the present unit. Clarence is 28 and will turn 29 next Oct. 10. He's in his sixth season of pro ball. Addition of Adkins and Self will give defensive backfield coach Tom Hearden more gents to work with. The only veteran defensive back in camp are Bobby Dillon and Marv Johnson, since Walker, Ace Loomis and Bennie Aldridge have retired. As to the rookie halfbacks, Hearden is pleased to not that all of them have had some experience on defense since they all went both ways in the one-platoon system last fall. At least the HB's won't be going into defense cold. Expected to report today or tomorrow is rookie halfback Billy Bookout of Austin College. Billy was an offensive star before last season but also handled defense last year. Thus, if the coaches see fit he is an automatic candidate for defense. He stands 5-11 and weighs 180 pounds. And speaking about the defensive backs, a new pass interception practice never before used by the Packers has been introduced. It's purpose is to make the defensive halfbacks more interception conscious and alert. One of the D-backs serves as a passer in the drill, facing a single-file line of backs from a distance of about 20 yards. The passer "pitches" the ball (as hard as he can) as the potential receiver runs forward from a standing position and attempts to catch the ball. In a little more advanced stage, the passer throws the ball high and the first interceptor, who acts as the intended receiver, tips the ball into the air and a second back, running five to 10 yards behind him, catches it. Dillon thinks the practice does wonders in helping the defensive back become alert to passes that bounce or tip off the fingers of the receivers. He recalled that one of his four interceptions in the Detroit game Thanksgiving day bounced off the fingers of a Lion end before he caught it...The Packers have two no-college players - fullback Howie Ferguson and end Jim Dente. Ferguson needs little introduction. This 210-pound citizen of New Iberia, La., backed up Fred Cone last fall and gave promise of better things to come. Howie, who spent the offseason working under the hot sun in the Texas oil fields, gained his post-prep experience in service football. Dente, a 21-year-old Negro, came out of nowhere, so to speak. He hitchhiked all the way from his home in Pittsburgh and announced to Coach Liz Blackbourn that he'd like a tryout. Why did Dente try Green Bay what with the Steelers practicing in his backyard? "I've always been an admirer of Bob Mann and I just wanted to be on the same team with him," he pointed out after the opening workout Sunday. Dente, who stands 6-1 and packs 195 pounds, hastened to remind that he wasn't an offensive end like the Packers' Mann. "I'm not much of a pass catcher as you saw out there today; I've always played defensive end and that's the position I'm going to try and make here," Dente said...The warm weather helped the athletes take off extra weight as the club continued two-a-day workouts. A number of the players are carrying five or 10 extra pounds but Blackbourn is confident that "it won't last long." Outdoor practices are limited to one and a half hours each - a half hour shorter than in previous years. The morning session starts about 9:30 and ends at 11. The afternoon drill opens at 3:30 and ends at 5. A squad meeting precedes each practice. Blackbourn said he was pleased with the first two-a-day session yesterday.
LAMBEAU SUED FOR DIVORCE
JUL 28 (Santa Monica, CA) - Earl Louis (Curly) Lambeau, football coach of the Washington Redskins, was named a defendant Tuesday in a divorce action filed by Grace Lambeau, who charged mental cruelty. Mrs. Lambeau said her husband's income is $50,00 a year and she asked appointment of a receiver and an accounting of funds and a court order restraining Lambeau from disposing of community property. Mrs. Lambeau said her husband owns the 200-acre Garjan Ranch near Oxnard, CA, had an undetermined amount of cash in a Green Bay bank, and already has transferred substantial sums of community property to Wisconsin and Illinois. Lambeau formerly coached the Green Bay Packers. The Lambeaus were married in 1945 and separated last March.
ROOKIES WHITE, WALSH ARRIVE IN PACKER CAMP
JUL 28 (Stevens Point) - A couple of rookies arrived in the Green Bay Packer training camp here today. One was Ray Walsh, tackle from West Virginia, and the other was Gene White, an end from Georgia. Walsh waited until now due to the birth to his wife yesterday of a daughter. White couldn't make it until today because of ROTC camp training. Walsh is figured upon for defensive tackle work. He is a big boy, weighing 230 pounds and standing 6'4". White is a well-built boy with a talent for catching passes. He stands 6'2" and weighs 205 pounds. The Packers also announced this morning that Jim Dent had left for his Rankin, PA home. Dent was a candidate at an end position. A 195-pound Negro who stood 6'3", he had no college experience and reportedly hitchhiked to Stevens Point Sunday. The club had no connections with him prior to then and his arrival here last weekend. The expected appearance of Clarence Self and Breezy Reid had not materialized this morning. Self was called to help bolster the defensive halfback corps; Reid had been listed as a holdout. The Packers are also hopeful that Val Joe Walker may change his mind about retiring. Tackle Bill Forester received a latter from the fine 1953 defensive halfback Tuesday and Walker reportedly was a bit homesick for all his gridiron buddies among the Packers. This morning's workout - the first since the Packers came that hasn't been held in a hot sun - was at Bukolt Park where they were also scheduled for this afternoon. A drill with emphasis on pass patterns plus individual attention for defensive backs, work on ball handling and employment of the charging sled and dummies for linemen were included in this morning's workout.
CSC'S MARK SCHOMMER TRYING OUT WITH PACKERS
JUL 28 (Stevens Point) - An outstanding Central State product, Mark Schommer of Kaukauna, is getting a chance to make the grade in professional football with the Green Bay Packers. Schommer played four seasons as both an offensive and defensive end with the Pointers. He twice was selected to all-Wisconsin State College conference teams. The 195-pound, 6'1 1/2" hard-working young man graduates Friday after taking a summer school course here. Uncle Sam is breathing down his neck and he believed he might have to enter the service as early as August. However, after a talk with coach Liz Blackbourn, Schommer decided to try out. His first drill was to be this afternoon during the regular workout of the Packers at Bukolt Park. Exams kept him from practicing this morning. He will be around for both practices Thursday, absent Friday morning for graduation and then will be on hand for as long as the Packers want him. Two strenuous sessions were conducted by the Packer coaching staff on Tuesday with a hot sun once more prevalent. A half-scrimmage is what the drills were called by the players were going all-out and the contract was extremely fierce upon occasions. The players have been in camp for only a couple of days but the type of workouts they're going through at this early stage wasn't reached unto the second week last year, according to reports. The half-scrimmage was devoted to working on both the offensive passing and the defense against the pass. The veteran Tobin Rote was doing most of the passing with rookies Elry Falkenstein and Bob Burkhart also taking turns while ends Bill Howton and Bob Mann and backs Al Carmichael and Clyde Sanders were the most frequent receivers. Blackbourn did a lot of juggling in his defensive secondary, which was under the close scrutiny of assistant Tom Hearden. The experienced men, Bobby Dillon and Marv Johnson, took their turns and others who were being employed included C.B. Adkins, Max McGee and Roger Carlson. The defensive halfback picture is the gloomiest in camp. To strengthen the thin ranks of the defensive backs, the Packers have called on a former member. Clarence Self, who was released after the completion of the exhibition schedule last fall. Self, who played with the Detroit Lions after starring at the University of Wisconsin, was reportedly coming today from his Berwyn, IL home. There were a host of good defensive backs on the roster last September when Self was dropped but most of these are missing. Val Joe Walker and Ace Loomis have quit pro ball and Johnson and Dillon are the only holdovers. Dillon has to be careful with his knees which were operated on this winter after an injury last season. Gib Dawson when he arrives after his ROTC training and Veryl Switzer, the highly-touted rookie halfback from Kansas State and now working out with the All-Stars, are expected to improve this category, too. Breezy Reid, the well-known halfback who has been a holdout, reportedly is due here today. He was said to be on his way to Stevens Point from his Hamilton, OH home. In addition to Bill Lookout's decision not to play pro ball, the Packers learned Tuesday that guard Chuck Frank of Michigan State will go into the service. The number registered in camp Tuesday was still 47. The Packers had a man in St. Michael's Hospital Tuesday and this morning. He is Dick Mace, rookie tackle from Syracuse. Mace, who was expected to be released this afternoon, had a slight throat infection. He also suffered a gash in the left leg during an impromptu drill at Green Bay last week when he and Stretch Elliott had a collision. Five men participated in a punting drill following the regular practice Tuesday. Dave David, McGee, Tom Linehan, Carlsen and Burkhart, all rookies, did the booting. Carmichael, Johnson and Dick Currant were among the punt returners. Carmichael also tried his foot at punting. The ball slipped off the side of his shoe and was gathered in by none other than Blackbourn. Line coach Lou Rymkus snared one of the boots and returned it upfield. Linehan, Fred Cone and Ed Petela worked on place kicking.
VAL JOE GETTING ITCH TO PLAY? REID ON WAY; 2 ROOKIES REPORT
JUL 28 (Green Bay) - Val Joe (Nubs) Walker apparently has the itch to play pro football this year. The much-needed defensive halfback, a regular as a rookie in '53, decided to quit the sport recently in favor of a job with an oil company in Texas. However, in a letter to his former SMU and Packer teammate and buddy - Bill Forester, Val Joe wrote from Snyder, Tex., "I may still pack up and be up there any day now so keep the front door open." Coach Liz Blackbourn, after reading the letter, smiled, "I guess Val Joe is getting the itch to play." Walker's letter, which carries the introduction "Dear Big Willie," follows in part; "How are the Packers doing without their great star? I'm working in the office while some of the men are on their vacations. I sure did want to come back and try another year of ball but I decided that my future was better with the Sun Oil Company. I may still pack up and be up there any day now so keep the front door open. It was really hard for me to make up my mind because I wanted to play for another couple of years. Write and tell me all about the new coach and how you are making out. Still don't be surprised if I come walking in sometime next week. Your Pal, Nubs." Walker is one of three veteran defensive backs to retire, leaving Billy Dillon and Marv Johnson as the only DHB holdovers in camp - until Clarence Self, a Packer in '52 and part of '53, reports today or Thursday. The other departees are Ace Loomis and Bennie Aldridge. With Walker's "move" furnishing something of a surprise hope for the secondary, the Packers received a couple of more pleasant notes. No. 1 is that Floyd (Breezy) Reid, the club's leading ground gainer and offensive spark plug last fall, is on his way from his home in Hamilton, O. Reid had been listed as the club's only holdout. Reid will be starting his fifth season in pro ball. The former Georgia star was obtained from the Chicago Bears at the start of the '50 season. Breezy gained 492 yards in 95 carries last fall for an average of 5.2, finishing eighth in the league. Reporting last night were Ray Walsh, a 230-pound tackle, and end Gene White - both rookies. Walsh, of West Virginia, is a welcome sight indeed because of a present shortage of tackles. Tackles still due to repot are veteran Dick Afflis and rookies Art Hunter, Al Robichaux and Jack Smalley. Hunter is in the College All Star game. White played both offense and defense at Georgia, stands 6-2 and packs 205 pounds. Only two ends are still out - Hosea Sims and Ken Hall, both training with the All Stars. Arrival of Walsh and White boosted the number of players in camp to 49. The figure is expected to climb steadily, possibly as high as 60, as the late reportees show up. There are 19 veterans in camp, not including Jerry Helluin, the 280-pound tackle obtained in a trade with the Cleveland Browns. Definitely counted on are halfbacks Gib Dawson, Reid and Self and tackle Afllis. The athletes are rapidly rounding into condition, bumping heads as they go along. Yesterday afternoon's workout, for instance, included live blocking in the line and on protection for the passer, despite the fact that the team was only in its second full day of practice. The players are responding nicely to the early rough stuff and, despite the heat, they were still going at full speed at the end. One veteran, laughing under a heat of sweat, said, "we're a good two weeks ahead of last year already." The spirit, it can be injected here, is excellent and any worry the coaches might have for this or that position doesn't show up on the field. The field practices are short and concentrated (1 1/2 hours each) and the players seem to enjoy it. The passing is divided between the three quarterbacks - veteran Tobin Rote and rookies Elry Falkenstein and Bob Burkhart. Most of the players work on both offense and defense. Max McGee, the pass catching halfback from Tulane who is being converted into an end, relieved Bobby Dillon at safety yesterday and handled himself well. So did Roger Carlson, a fullback from Gustavus Adolphus who may wind up as a halfback candidate. He packs 205 pounds. Still the brightest newcomer in camp is Al Barry, a 225-pound guard from Southern California. A fast-moving, hard-hitting athletes, Barry already has shown enough ability to handle a tackle position, also. Another boy with possibilities is halfback Joe Johnson, a swiftee from Boston College. Probably the hardest working veteran in camp is Bob Mann, the "daddy" in camp at 30. Starting his seventh pro season, Mann seems to have taken a new lease on his grid life...BRIEFS: Coach Blackbourn received a wire yesterday from halfback Billy Bookout saying that he decided not to play pro football - after all. Bookout wired the day before that he was coming. Bookout, a star at Austin College in Sheman, Tex., was recommended by Joe Spencer, former Packer tackle...The Packers will scrimmage Saturday afternoon - a stop to you Green Bay and area fans who might like to take a ride over the weekend. A number of Bay people were at yesterday afternoon's drill, including Carl Mraz, Packer ticket director who is on vacation this week. Traveling salesman from Green Bay are making it a point to stop in at practice from time to time...Al Carmichael swears he saw some flying saucers in Wyoming while driving in from California. His teammates won't believe his story and Al has decided to clam up about it...Jim Dente, the no-college prospect from Pittsburgh, has decided to leave camp.
PASSING STRESSED IN PACKER PRACTICE
JUL 29 (Stevens Point) - A brisk drill put a lot of emphasis on passing and some on running, too, during the Wednesday afternoon workout of the Green Bay Packers at Bukolt Park. There was a good deal of contact once more as the professional football players looked ahead to their scheduled Saturday scrimmage. Practices to date, termed half-scrimmages, have featured all but actual tackling. The gallery of spectators watched one of their favorites, Tobin Rote, hit Bobby Mann, a skillful performer at end, several times with bullet-like passes. Rote and the two rookie quarterbacks, Elry Falkenstein and Bob Burkhart, were also completing aerials to the other offensive end, Bill Howton, as well as to the backs - Fred Cone, Al Carmichael, Howie Ferguson and a handful of rookies. The defense for the most part of the afternoon had Stretch Elliott, also a good offensive man, and John Martinkovic at the ends with huge Jerry Helluin and his "twin", Dave Hanner, at tackles and Ken Hall, a rookie, over the middle. Bill Forester is No. 1 at middle guard but he was being used at offensive tackle, one of the weak spots at the present in the lineup. The one-two punch provided by Clayt Tonnemaker and Deral Teteak and more of the same type of work by Roger Zatkoff took care of the linebacking most of the drill. Bobby Dillon and Marv Johnson worked in the secondary along with C.B. Adkins and Max McGee. The latter is an end from Tulane who is being tried at the safety spot. Clarence Self, who arrived in camp Wednesday, will also be giving the defensive halfbacks a much needed lift. Howton and Mann are two veteran offensive ends at camp while the offensive tackle picture had veterans Forester, Len Szafaryn and Steve Ruzich along with rookie Bill Buford given plenty of business. Buddy Brown is a veteran guard in camp while among the newcomers are Al Barry and John Doldorian. Dave Stephenson and Jim Ringo worked at center where both are veterans. The offensive tackle picture will brighten when Art Hunter returns from the All-Star practices and game. Dick Afflis, a veteran who hasn't arrived because of marital troubles, should help some more. George Timberlake and Tom Allmann, a pair of boys now in All-Star drills, will help the linebacking in which Dale Haupt, a Manitowoc boy who went to Wyoming, and Roger Carlsen, a newcomer from Gustavus Adolphus, also have experience. Carlsen jammed his hand in drills Wednesday and suffered a chipped bone but did not miss practice. He had his hand wrapped in a strong bandage. One of the drills which preceded the half-scrimmage Wednesday afternoon matched the offensive and defensive ends against each other with head coach Liz Blackbourn in command. Among the offensive men was Mark Schommer, Central State product who reported for the first time that afternoon. The Packers are still awaiting Breezy Reid, regular offensive halfback last year, as well as six others listed as "expected soon." They are Afflis, tackles Al Robichaux and Jack Smiley, halfbacks Bill Roffler and Gib Dawson and fullback Tom Ward. There are 50 in training at the present time. A total of 46 started Sunday, after which Adkins, Schommer, Ray Walsh, Gene White and Self reported and Jim Dent left...McGee got off one tremendous punt during the portion of Wednesday's afternoon drill. The spiraling football sailed what appeared to be around 70 yards in the air from the point of kicking. Another punter, rookie end Dave Davis, couldn't get in enough footwork. He booted half-a-dozen or more after Toby Sylvester, who has charge of equipment on the field, as trying to pick up all the balls...This fellow Forester can play just about anywhere in the lineup. He came to the Packers from SMU as a fullback but has played almost every place except that sport, including middle guard, tackle, defensive end and linebacker...Packer coaches have been very patient with the spectators at the drills. However, patience may not be enough as far as some of the people are concerned, especially the young boys and girls who at times come dangerously close to the field of action. All persons are urged to keep far enough away from the drills.
PACK NOT WAITING UNTIL SATURDAY FOR FIRST SCRIMMAGE
JUL 29 (Stevens Point) - The Green Bay Packers decided not to wait until Saturday for their first full-fledged scrimmage of the training season and were scheduled for such a workout - tackling and all- this afternoon at Goerke Park. 49 of the 50 players - no new men reported this morning - were on the Central State practice field this morning. The one exception was Dick Mace, rookie tackle, who remained in St. Michael's Hospital for another day with a sore throat. He was schedule to leave the hospital this afternoon.

ANOTHER HIRSCH? MANY ENDS IN CAMP
JUL 29 (Stevens Point) - The Packers have an end who looks like Elroy Hirsch – in the face, that is. Coach Liz Blackbourn could hardly be blamed for wondering if the famed Los Angeles Ram wing had wandered into the wrong camp when Gene White, the rookie from Georgia, took to the practice field for the first time yesterday. “He’s a dead ringer for Elroy,” Liz said. It remains, of course, to see whether Gene can catch passes like Hirsch. Blackbourn discovered that White handled himself well on receptions. He is built along the Hirsch lines, 6-2, 205 pounds. Elroy goes 6-2, 210. The Packers are well set at offensive end but Blackbourn is keeping his eyes open for a defensive wing among the newcomers. The top defensive articles now are veterans John Martinkovic and Carleton (Stretch) Elliott, who weigh 245 and 230 pounds, respectively. The remainder of the ends in camp are on the light side by comparison to John and Stretch. They are veterans Bill Howton, 190, and Bob Mann, 175, and rookies Dave Davis, 210, Jack Eifert, 205, Ed Frank, 205. Tom Linehan, 215, Max McGee, 203, and White, 205. Two ends are in the College All Star camp – Ken Hall, 215, and Hosea Sims, 192. Blackbourn dropped one defensive end yesterday – Jim Dente, the 195-pound lad with no college experience who hitchhiked in from Pittsburgh for a tryout. Before leaving, Dente told Blackbourn: “I’ll be your first or second draft choice in four yards. I’m going to school and get some experience. I’ve got the heart and I’m strong enough but I just don’t have the background.” Oddly enough, the chief candidates for the Packers’ punting job, vacated by departees Babe Parilli and Clive Rush, are from the end corps. Getting off long boots after the regular workouts have been McGee, Davis and Linehan. Also trying their feet are quarterback Bob Burkhart and fullback Roger Carlson. McGee has been doing exceptionally well, getting off several 60-yard boots. Linehan, incidentally, also has been working with veteran Fred Cone and fullback Ed Patela on field goal kicking. Linehan, a rookie out of River Falls State, is a “quick kicker”, as it were, putting his foot into the ball almost as fast as the holder sets it down. Blackbourn was a little under the weather today with a cold but went to the practice field. He ached in the muscles and joints this morning but figured, “I’ll shake it.” Tackle Dick Mace was to be released this afternoon from St. Michael’s Hospital, which is across the street from Delzell Hall, the club’s headquarters. Mace went there to “cure” several leg cuts which he sustained in a pre-camp workout in Green Bay two weeks ago. The wounds just weren’t healing until he went to the hospital. Mace’s leg was caught by the cleats from Elliott’s shoes in the informal drill. The labor-loving Stretch didn’t wait long, himself, to get cut up. The first head bumping Tuesday morning brought some mean looking strawberries on his face. The club worked on screens, ball handling and pass patterns for the fullbacks yesterday afternoon, with veteran Howie Ferguson sparkling. The squad was scheduled to hold a light scrimmage this afternoon. A full scrimmage is set for 3:30 Saturday afternoon. Working out with the club is Mark Schommer, an All-State Teachers conference end from Stevens Point State. He stands 6 feet and weighs 195 pounds.
BLACKBOURN GENERALLY PLEASED WITH WORKOUT
JUL 30 (Stevens Point) - Coach Lisle "Liz" Blackbourn was generally satisfied with the first all-out scrimmage test given his Green Bay Packers Thursday afternoon at Goerke Park. The players absorbed the hour-long workout with the same degree of eagerness that has been noted throughout the first days of their training period in Stevens Point. The new head man of Wisconsin's professional football team originally figured to wait until the end of the week for a full-fledged drill of this nature. Plans were changed Thursday morning; Saturday afternoon's scrimmage will go on as scheduled beginning at 3 o'clock at Goerke. Among the men singled out by the Packer coach following the tackling-scrimmage was the veteran Fred Cone, a power-running fullback who, incidentally, was the first to crash through the defense for what would have been a touchdown. A couple of rookies also were mentioned. Clyde Sanders showed driving ability from the halfback spot. He is from Bethune-Cookman in Florida. Al Barry of Southern Cal impressed at offensive guard. Joe Johnson of Boston College showed possibilities at offensive halfback. Blackbourn cut his squad - 43 of the 50 saw action - into four groups, namely Nos. 1 and 2 offensive and Nos. 1 and 2 defensive teams. He matched the first offensive team with the second defensive team and the first defensive unit was placed against the second offensive outfit. Tobin Rote engineered the No. 1 offense team and during this eleven's workout the touchdowns were scored or developed by Cone on a long run, halfback Dick Curran on a shorter gallop and end Bill Howton on a long pass. At the outset, it was Al Carmichael and Johnson at the halves and Howie Ferguson at fullback in the backfield with Howton and Bob Mann at ends. Len Szafaryn and Steve Ruzich at tackles, Barry and Buddy Brown at guards and Jim Ringo at center. Bill Forester, the top middle guard on defense in the camp, was used offensively at tackle and Cone spelled Ferguson while Curran alternated with Johnson. This array worked out against a defensive lineup that showed Ed Frank and Jack Eifert at ends, Ray Walsh and Chuck Abrahamson at tackles and John Doldoorian at center-guard. All are rookies as were the linebackers - Mike Riley, Dale Haupt and Ken "Papa" Hall. Clarence Self and C.B. Adkins along with Max McGree were in the secondary. The latter two are rookies and Self is a veteran who didn't play during the regular season last year. Offensively, the No. 2 lineup showed Dave Davis and Tom Linehan at ends, Bob Buford and Szafaryn again at tackles, Doldoorian along with Haupt and Mike Takacs at guards and Trapper Stephenson at center in the line. Elry Falkenstein, who at the present is the No. 2 quarterback ahead of Bob Burkhart, was in the backfield that also included Sanders, Nick Adduci and Ed Petela. Davis caught a long pass from Flakenstein after Adkins deflected the ball from his defensive halfback spot but failed to knock it away. The No. 1 defensive line and backups halted most of the efforts of the No. 2 offense. That defense showed healthy veterans John Martinkovic, Jerry Helluin, Forester, Dave Hanner and Stretch Elliott from left to right in the line. Helluin was with the Cleveland Browns last year. Backing up the crew were Deral Teteak, Clayt Tonnemaker and Roger Zatkoff. Marv Johnson and Adkins along with McGee were in the secondary...Almost a casualty during the scrimmage session was Ray McLean, assistant coach in charge of the offensive backfield. The No. 1 defensive line poured through on one occasion to smother Falkenstein and at the same




time just about got to McLean. But the popular aide still has plenty of that "Scooter" in him and escaped unmarked...Among those held out of the scrimmage was Mark Schommer, Central State's fine athlete who had only been around for two workout sessions until that time. Also on the sidelines was Bobby Dillon, ace defensive halfback. The Packers are taking no chances on Dillon's knees which were injured in the latter part of the 1953 campaign and operated on during the winter. Roger Carlsen, rookie back who may be used in a defensive capacity, likewise watched the proceedings. His hand is still in a bandage after the chipped bone mishap earlier in the week...The honor of making the first tackle in a workout this year went to Frank, the defensive end from Marquette. He was a defensive tackle last year at the Milwaukee school where Blackbourn was coach.
PACKERS STILL WAITING FOR MORE ARRIVALS
JUL 30 (Stevens Point) - The Green Bay Packers were out in almost full force again this morning for drills following Thursday afternoon's first taste of scrimmage. No new faces showed up as of noon today. Absent from the drills were Dick Mace, the rookie tackle from Syracuse, who is still at St. Michael's Hospital, and Mark Schommer, Central State product who was graduating from summer school here today.

ANOTHER 1ST! PACK TO FILM SCRIMMAGE
JUL 30 (Stevens Point) - Covering the Packers training camp is quite an experience. Something new every day. In addition to new coaching techniques, the daily scrimmages, the new fire of the club and the complete organization of every detail, Coach Liz Blackbourn as-a-matter-of-factly revealed another “first” today – as far as us old pro folks are concerned. The first (and that’s the wrong word because it actually isn’t the first) Saturday afternoon scrimmage will be filmed, he announced. “Then we can get a better record of what the boys are doing and what we are doing,” Liz pointed out. Filming in previous Packer seasons never started until the first non-conference game. But Blackbourn indicated that more pictures will be taken of later camp action, including the public intra-squad contest here Saturday night, Aug. 7. The scrimmage tomorrow, set for 3 o’clock, won’t include punt and kickoff returns but yardsticks will be used – as they were in Thursday afternoon’s scrimmage, thus giving the quarterbacks an opportunity to call plays to fit the right yardage occasion. The combat yesterday was short, sweet and interesting. Blackbourn sent what amounted to a No. 1 offensive team and then worked the No. 2 offensive club against the No. 1 defensive team. Defensive coach Tom Hearden stood in the middle of the defensive units and directed and encouraged his athletes; Lou Rymkus kept a close watch on both lines; and Ray McLean and Blackbourn concentrated on the offense. Two rookies competed on what appeared to be the top offensive club – left halfback Joe Johnson and guard Al Barry. Veteran quarterback Tobin Rote led the squad with Fred Cone and Howie Ferguson alternating at fullback and Al Carmichael at right half. Bob Mann and Bill Howton worked the ends, Len Szafaryn, Bill Forester and Steve Ruzich the tackles, Buddy Brown and Barry at the guards and Jim Ringo at center. Ken Hall, a rookie, saw plenty of action in the middle guard slot as Forester was tried on offense. Jerry Helluin and Dave Hanner were at tackles, John Martinkovic and Stretch Elliott at the ends and Roger Zatkoff, Clayton Tonnemaker and Deral Teteak at linebackers. Most of the halfbacks got a shot in the defensive secondary, including Clarence Self, who reported the day before. Held out to prevent injury on his operated-on leg was veteran Bobby Dillon. Three backs did some particularly hard running – veteran Fred Cone and rookies Joe Johnson of Boston College and Clyde Sanders of Bethune-Cookman. Cone was running all over the place and went the distance several times. Johnson, a slippery 180-pounder, broke away from two or three tacklers at different times. Sanders, a fullback by trade, showed plenty of power against the No. 1 defensive team. Blackbourn, who now has 50 players in camp, expressed satisfaction with the scrimmage. While the mechanics were off in some cases, he liked the spirit and the manner in which the athletes were smacking. In addition, Liz was happy over the fact that no one was injured. Big Elliott, one of the hardest working veterans in camp, seemed in mid-season form – to which quarterback Elry Falkenstein can attest. Elliott almost “ate” the little Illinois star a couple of times. Incidentally, it appears that Falkenstein is outshining rookie Bob Burkhart in the fight to fill the shoes left by Babe Parilli. The Packers went through a fundamental drill this morning. The linemen received some exercise on the charging sled, the linebackers worked 10 minutes with the defensive halfbacks, 25 minutes were used for installing and operating a new pass play and the remainder of the 1 ½-hour period was spent in line protection for the new pass play, ball handling and quarterback signals, and th4e defense running under punts for wind sprints. Expected yesterday, veteran Breezy Reid figured to pop into camp today. Reid, listed earlier as a holdout, is driving in from Hamilton, Ohio.
NOTE PROGRESS IN PACKERS' FIRST WEEK
JUL 31 (Stevens Point) - The 1954 Packers still had their problems today but plenty of progress was noted as the squad completed its first week of practice under the new coaching staff with a scrimmage this afternoon. Coach Liz Blackbourn found the team is in excellent physical condition, that the players are absorbing the new plays, system and coaching methods “very well” and that some of the new athletes are showing definite improvement. The squad underwent some sort of rough stuff every day this week, including a fairly tough scrimmage Thursday, and came out without that proverbial scratch. Oddly enough, the team had two hospital cases – guard Len Szafaryn and center-tackle Dick Mace, but their hurts were sustained other than in practice. Veteran Szafaryn



suffered a cartilage lock in his knee as he got out of bed yesterday morning but will be ready to go as soon as it “unlocks”. Mace suffered cuts on the leg in an informal practice in Green Bay the week before training started. Both were to be released from St. Michael’s Hospital here today. Problems? Blackbourn noted that defense coach Tom Hearden has a “definite shortage” of defensive halfbacks. “I’d say that position is our No. 1 problem,” Liz pointed out. Offensively, Blackbourn indicated that more experience could be used under Tobin Rote at quarterback although both QB aides, Elry Falkenstein and Bob Burkhart, showed improvement in Friday’s drill. Offensive tackle also presents a problem. Loss of Bob Fleck hurts the most and presently the coaches are experimenting with veteran guards at tackle. Here’s a resume of the squad, gleaning from chats with the coaches and from our own observations at practice: CENTERS – Jim Ringo, back for second year after injury cut play short last fall, has inside track. Clayton Tonnemaker strictly defense. Dave Stephenson, used as center last year, may go to offensive guard. Ken Hall only rookie at center…GUARDS – Veteran Buddy Brown and rookie Al Barry No. 1 at offensive guard now. Steve Ruzich and Len Szafaryn, veteran guards last year, being tried at tackle but may move back to guard. Linebacker Deral Teteak working at offensive guard. Barry top new prospect – smart and eager. Other rookies are John Doldoorian, Dale Haupt of Manitowoc by way of Wyoming, Mike Takacs. Rookie George Timberlake, now with College All-Stars, and veteran Roger Zatkoff listed as guards but will play linebacker. Rookie Charles Frank may report later…TACKLES – Loss of Bob Fleck, Al Robichaux and Jack Smalley to Army and late arrival of veteran Dick Afflis (personal business) and rookie Art Hunter (All Star game) forcing switch of veterans Bill Forester, normally a middle guard, and Szafaryn and Ruzich to offensive tackle. Jerry Helluin and Dave Hanner defensive peacemakers. Rookies seeking work are Charles Abrahamson, a 285-pounder from Platteville, Bill Buford, 235, Dick Mace, 240, and Ray Walsh, 230…ENDS – One dozen athletes seeking jobs in this spot but only two, veterans John Martinkovic and Stretch Elliott, standing out on defense. Three defensive end prospects selected in draft likely unable to report. Army is beckoning Gene Knutson, 225, and Marv Tennefoss, 210 and Jim (220) Williams’s wife won’t let him play. Offensive ends seem unable to block, which may force Coach Blackbourn to use plenty of flankers. Bob Mann and Bill Howton No. 1 on offense. Tops among rookies is Gene White, showing good action and speed. Other rookies are Dave Davis, Jack Eifert, Ed Frank, Tom Linehan, Max McGee. Ends in All Star camp are Ken Hall and Hosea Sims…QUARTERBACKS – Tobin Rote, starting his fifth season, backbone in this slot. Tobin seems in too big a hurry to throw but coaches figure to get him over it. “He’s smart, a good worker and all football,” Blackbourn commented. Rookie Elry Falkenstein has edge on newcomer Bob Burkhart in fight for Babe Parilli’s berth…HALFBACKS – Offensively, veterans Breezy Reid, the club’s top ground gainer last year, and Gib Dawson have the edge at left half. But both are late reporting, Breezy holding out and Dawson going to school. Al Carmichael is the lone veteran at right half. Tops among rookies is Joe Johnson, a candidate for left half. Expected to help at right half is Veryl Switzer, now in All Star camp. Defensive halfback big problem, due to retirement of Val Joe Walker, Ace Loomis and Bennie Aldridge. Blackbourn keeping fingers crossed hoping Walker might return. Switzer also candidate for defense – along with Bud Roffler, 200-pounder who is due out of Army and in camp next week. Joe Johnson may work into defense. Former Packer Clarence Self added to veterans Bobby Dillon and Marv Johnson. Rookie halfbacks are Nick Adduci, 205, Dick Curran, 190, and Milt Kadlec, 185…FULLBACKS – Veterans Fred Cone and Howie Ferguson both running hard, could better last year’s performances. Best of newcomers in camp is Clyde Sanders, 212-pound Negro from tiny Bethune-Cookman college in Florida. Roger Carlson, 205, of Gustavus Adolphus, giving it a good try. Sanders and/or Carlson may get consideration as halfbacks. Coming in from All Star camp is Tom Allman, 210-pounder who also specializes in linebacking. Reporting Aug. 14 or 15 when he gets out of service is Tom Ward, 220-pounder from Texas – an excellent punter. Other rookie fullbacks are Angelo, 205, Ed Patela, 210, and Don Riley, 220…The Packers will have Sunday morning off and the players will wear shorts during a practice session Sunday afternoon. The first rugged scrimmage of the season was scheduled for this afternoon, starting at 3 o’clock. Nearly 1,000 fans, including many from Green Bay, were expected. The scrimmage will be filmed, “giving us our first record on what the boys are doing,” Liz pointed out.
PACKERS SUFFER TWO BAD SETBACKS
JUL 31 (Stevens Point) - The Green Bay Packers got bad news in two packages Friday. Len Szafaryn, a veteran guard, suffered a cartilage lock in his knee and is back in the hospital. At the same time coach Liz Blackbourn was notified that Art Hunter, rookie 240-pound tackle from Notre Dame, was requested to report for a physical examination by his draft board. Hunter will leave after the All-Star game in Chicago. Deral Teteak also received a summons for a re-examination. Teteak has been classified 4-F previously.
VETERAN HALFBACK BREEZY REID ARRIVES IN PACKER CAMP
JUL 31 (Stevens Point) - A welcome sight in the Green Bay Packer training camp today is Floyd "Breezy" Reid, veteran halfback who was a regular in the offensive backfield last season. Reid, originally listed as a holdout, arrived at the Delzell Hall headquarters of the Packers Friday night. The club had talked to him earlier in the week and was awaiting his arrival any day. Reid will be starting his fifth season with the Packers. He played college ball at Georgia and is known as a hard, shifty runner as well as a fine pass receiver. He makes his home in Hamilton, OH. The presence of Reid brings the total number in camp to 51.
SZAFARYN'S KNEE NO HELP TO BAYS' WOES AT OFFENSIVE TACKLE
JUL 31 (Stevens Point) - The offensive tackle picture is one of the two most critical - the other concerns defensive halfbacks - in the training camp of the Green Bay Packers. And the situation wasn't eased any Friday with the recurrence of an old knee injury to Len Szafaryn, the North Carolina product in his fourth year with the professional football team. Szafaryn turned up with the bothersome knee at the outset of Friday morning's workout and was taken to St. Michael's Hospital for observation. A cartilage is affected but the important lineman was scheduled to return to the field sometime today. Also expecting to finally leave the hospital is rookie tackle, and likewise an offensive one, Dick Mace who hails from Syracuse University and was originally listed as a center. Mace gashed his leg during an impromptu drill at Green Bay last week and after-effects of subsequent treatment, mostly before coming to Stevens Point, have left him in irritable shape and confined to the hospital since early this week. It was also disclosed that still another man being groomed for offensive tackle work when he arrives from playing in the All-Star game, No. 1 draft choice Art Hunter of Notre Dame, has received his draft orders. However, his status beyond that is not known at this time. Friday's sessions on the Central State College field were devoted to group workouts plus various drills and introduction and experience in an assortment of plays to be utilized in this afternoon's scrimmage. Only a light workout - in shorts - is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at the college field following this afternoon's more strenuous practice. No drills are slated for Sunday mornings. Practices the first two days of next week will be at Bukolt Park and the week's drills will be climaxed by the intra-squad game Saturday night...Packer officials talked via telephone Friday with Val Joe Walker, fine defensive performer of last season. The ex-SMU gridder decided to retire recently but this week wrote his friend, lineman Bill Forester, that he was beginning to get the itch to play some more football. He reportedly is still thinking it over. His presence would give the Bays a big lift in their defensive halfback problems....One of the expected arrivals this weekend is halfback Gib Dawson of Texas. Dawson will be starting his second year with the Pack and will also aid the defensive secondary. He is completing ROTC training this week.
PACKER PLAYER'S WIFE ALMOST SHOOTS PROWLER IN HOME
JUL 31 (Phoenix) - Jacque Mercer, who was Miss America of 1949 and now is the wife of Green Bay Packer football player Dick Curran, almost shot a prowler in her mother's home Thursday night. But the shotgun didn't shoot when she pulled the trigger. The prowler ran, anyway. "If the gun had been loaded, he'd have been a dead duck," said Jacque. Mrs. Curran said she and her baby were alone in the house when the man appeared. The former beauty queen said the intruder was drunk.

DOWDEN TO PLAY? M. JOHNSON HURT
AUG 2 (Stevens Point) - Steve Dowden may play with the 1954 Packers. The former Baylor tackle, who did such an excellent job as a Packer rookie in 1952, is seriously considering returning to his pro alma mater after a death in the family forced him to lay off in ’53. Dowden, a 235-pound regular at offensive tackle when the Packers posted a 6-6 record two years ago, presently is confronted with getting away from his offseason oil job without endangering his future status with the concern. Coach Liz Blackbourn said, “Steve is now making up his mind what to do.” He indicated that Dowden wants to play. Dowden’s case is similar to that of Val Joe Walker, the defensive halfback who retired from the sport after starring in his one Packer season (’53) to retain his oil job. Walker, too, is debating. Oddly enough, Dowden and Walker play in positions that are considered the weak spots in the present unit – offensive tackle and defensive halfback, respectively. The offensive tackle spot, for instance, was operated for the most part during Saturday’s scrimmage by a former guard veteran, Steve Ruzich, and Bill Buford, a rookie. The other two offensive tackles, Len Szafaryn and Dick Mace, didn’t play since both are fresh out of the hospital. Ruzich and Buford played, with brief help from rookie Ray Walsh who reported late and doesn’t know the plays yet, on both the No. 1 and No. 2 offensive lines during the one hour and a half drill. The scrimmage, especially on offense, looked progressively worse as Ruzich and Buford began to tire under heavy pounding from the defensive line and more specifically 255-pound Dave Hanner and 280-pound Jerry Helluin. Blackbourn generally wasn’t pleased with the filmed scrimmage which was viewed by nearly 1,000 fans at the high school stadium. “They weren’t as sharp as they were in the Thursday scrimmage,” Liz pointed out. There were a

number of long “touchdowns” scored during the afternoon – enough at least to thrill the audience. John Johnson broke over guard for about 80 yards one time and Bob Mann, Dick Curran and Bill Howton caught TD passes from Tobin Rote. Clyde Sanders showed up at right half and turned in some powerful running. He scored a “TD” on a left end run of about 20 yards, two tacklers bouncing off him. He set up the score with a run of some 30 yards. Late arrival Breezy Reid, the veteran left half, didn’t play but spent the afternoon taking notes on the plays behind the offensive backfield. Defensive halfback veteran Bobby Dillon, favoring his operated-on leg, worked as a statistician behind the defensive unit. There was one injury – defensive halfback veteran Marv Johnson, who hurt his shoulder. Johnson dislocated his shoulder midway last season and had no trouble until Saturday. He attempted to keep himself from running into some fans on the sidelines by grabbing Max McGee’s jersey. He pulled the shoulder out of “position” as he held onto Max. Johnson confessed that “it was foolish because the play already had been stopped.” McGee, incidentally, started to show signs of mastering the safety position. An offensive halfback at Tulane, Blackbourn had hoped to make a pass-catching end out of him, but the shortage of defensive halfbacks forced another switch. It appears that just about everybody but the linemen will be given a shot in the defensive halfback slot and defensive coach Tom Hearden is conducting almost daily individual instruction. One of the candidates is Gene White, the offensive end from Georgia. Only active veteran defensive halfback in camp is Clarence Self…Packer coaches will increase the tempo for practice this week as they prepare the squad for the intra-squad game here Saturday night. Several different phases of plays were worked on in this morning’s drill – punting and punt returns, ball handling for the backs, hitting the dummies for the offensive ends, and plays. The Packers closed out their first week of practice Sunday with a two-hour drill in shorts Sunday afternoon. No practice was held Sunday morning and the boys had Saturday night off, most of them taking in a movie downtown. About 50 fans were out for the practice Sunday afternoon. Among the visitors were Miss Dixie Sarchet, a Stevens Point beauty who was named Miss Wisconsin Saturday. She was driven around the track circling the field in an official car and then stepped out to have her picture taken with Tobin Rote, Clayton Tonnemaker and Dick Curran, whose wife was Miss America of 1951…BRIEFS: Gib Dawson, veteran Packer halfback, was to report today or tomorrow…Watching practice Saturday were former Packers Tony Canadeo, Al Rose, Jug Earp, Mike Michalske and Verne Lewellen, the Packers’ general manager. Being a former oilman himself, Lewellen is helping with the cases of the aforementioned Dowden and Walker…Two boys left camp Saturday – Jack Eifert, an end from La Crosse, and Tom Linehan, an end from River Falls State. Angelo DiVenere, the Lewis College back, went home to Chicago Sunday to check on his selective service status…Freddie Cone, the place kicking fullback, showed up as a candidate for the punting chores yesterday along with Max McGee, Dave Davis and Dick Curran.
MORE PLAYERS AWAITED AS DRILLS CONTINUE
AUG 2 (Stevens Point) - Much-needed personnel to fill out thin ranks were still being awaited in training camp here by the Green Bay Packers as they commenced their second week of drills today. The first of six weeks in Stevens Point was concluded with a lively scrimmage before 1,000 to 1,500 sunbathing fans at Goerke Park Saturday afternoon. Total number in the practice fold at present is 49 following the unannounced departure Saturday of a couple of ex-Wisconsin State College Conference ends, Tom Linehan of River Falls and Jack Eifert of La Crosse. Saturday's scrimmage saw the Packers less impressive than they were in the first skirmish of their training period on Thursday. Coach Liz Blackbourn was not as satisfied as earlier in the week although he was not entirely unhappy with the workout under the same hot sun that greeted the professional football men when they arrived in Point. As on Thursday, Blackbourn matched his No. 1 offensive unit against the No. 2 defense and the No. 2 offensive lineup against the No. 1 defense. There were several satisfactory elements, including the hard running of rookie Clyde Sanders of Bethune-Cookman College, and also some good work by Joe Johnson of Boston College. Both are halfbacks and were used this time in the No. 1 offense where they alternated with starters Al Carmichael and Dick Curran. The big guard from Southern Cal, Al Barry, looked good again and threw a nice block as Johnson went all the way for about three-fourths the length of the field the second time the No. 1 offense was working. Fred Cone both made nice gains on hard runs after taking short passes from Tobin Rote who at times had trouble with his aerial-throwing arm. Bill Howton grabbed a touchdown pass from Rote after some nice faking that was particularly impressive to the crowd and Bob Mann late in the drill was grabbing the pigskin with regularity. The No. 1 offense ate up about 60 yards during one sequence of three plays early in the drill. Rote threw short to Curran for a nice gain, Sanders churned through right guard for another good advance and then Sanders circled left end for a touchdown run of about 30 yards. Cone has a couple of good runs and Howie Ferguson, who also ran out of fullback for the No. 1 team, plowed up the terrain on one occasion. That occurred when Bob Burkhart made his first show at quarterback. He currently ranks as No. 3 in the position behind Elry Falkenstein who was in charge of the No. 2 offense again Saturday. As on Thursday, the No. 2 offense found the No. 1 defense too tough - that is, the front wall and linebackers, composed of ends John Martinkovic and Stretch Elliott, tackles Dave Hanner and Jerry Helluin, guard Bill Forester and backersup Clayt Tonnemaker, Deral Teteak and Roger Zatkoff. Operating with Falkenstein in the No. 2 offense were Roger Carlson at fullback and Nick Adduci and Angelo DeVinere at halfbacks most of the time. There was nothing particularly impressive about the punting in Saturday's drills. One of the boots didn't get off because of a bad pass from center while most of the others fell short of expectations after what had been seen in non-contact drills. One field goal was tried and that, too, was far short and considerably off to the side. The defensive secondary looked better Saturday than it had until that time. Max McGee of Tulane who was a halfback in college and is listed as an end was working at safety and Gene White, another rookie end from Georgia, was used at a halfback spot. Clarence Self and Marv Johnson were veterans working as defensive halfbacks. Blackbourn pointed out that one of the reasons the offensive team sputtered during the afternoon was due to the few numbers of tackles on hand. Bill Buford and Steve Ruzich started for the No. 1 team and Forester spelled them at times. The same two, with some help from Ray Walsh, worked for the No. 2 team. Under the hot sun, Buford and Ruzich understandably tired and lost some of their effectiveness. Sunday afternoon found the Packers going through a practice of nearly two hours long in shorts and sweat clothes. A variety of drills involving the team as a whole were on the agenda for the light, but long, workout. One of the drills involved kickoff returns with Cone handling the "footwork"...The number in camp reached 51 over the weekend but was down to 48 today following the Linehan-Eifert event and the absence of DiVinere who left for his Chicago home Sunday to check on his draft status. DiVinere is a rookie halfback from Lewis (IL) College and a Marine ROTC. He is expected back in a day or two...Marv Johnson experienced some trouble with his shoulder after a slight mishap late in Saturday's scrimmage. He was on the field with the rest of the team, however, Sunday afternoon. Johnson suffered a dislocated shoulder last season and missed part of the season...Len Szafaryn and Dick Mace, both tackles, left St. Michael's Hospital Saturday morning and watched the afternoon scrimmage from the sidelines. The veteran Szafaryn's absence on the field caused a more acute condition in the offensive tackle situation. Packer officials and players will feel a lot better when Dick Afflis gets here to lend a hand to the tackle position...Bobby Dillon did not take part in Saturday's scrimmage. The defensive halfback is being kept out of contact to give his knees plenty of rest. Dillon along with Breezy Reid who arrived Friday night carried clipboards during the workout, Dillon standing behind the defensive team and Reid behind the offensive team...Mark Schommer of Kaukauna and Central State started at left end on the No. 2 defensive team. Schommer drove in one play and downed Rote for about a 20-yard loss. Ed Frank of Marquette, a rookie, was the other end...Tonnemaker was end zone bound for a while Saturday as he grabbed the ball following a duel for the pigskin with Dave Davis, Georgia Tech end.

WALKER, CIFELLI RETURN; 25 VETS SET?
AUG 3 (Stevens Point) - The Packers stood a good chance today of having 25 professional football veterans in camp come the end of this week. That’s about a half dozen more than Coach Liz Blackbourn had expected. This happy state of affairs is a sudden departure from the last two weeks when a bit of blue etched the optimistic maps of Coach Blackbourn and his aides Tom Hearden, Ray McLean and Lou Rymkus. To be sure, things started to turn for the better yesterday – a rainy Monday, at that, when veteran defensive halfback Val Joe Walker decided to dig oil in Wisconsin instead of Texas. Another Texas oilman, tackle Steve Dowden, also is fixin’ to do some prospecting up here. Steve still must get a nod from his bosses so as to not jeopardize his chances of returning. Dowden, onetime lineman at Baylor under Iron Mike Michalske, is expected to get his clearance soon. He already has his duds packed. Walker has already announced his retirement and Dowden wasn’t figured on in the early planning. Steve did well in his rookie season, ’52, but laid off in ’53 due to a death in the family. To round out the rosy report, Gus Cifelli, a resident of Detroit, has agreed to terms and Dick Afflis is on his way from Nevada. To show you how the picture can change, it is hereby pointed out that the Packers started and finished Saturday’s scrimmage with only two offensive tackles – Steve Ruzich, normally a guard, and rookie Bill Buford. Today, Blackbourn stood a good chance of having three veteran OTs in camp shortly – if Dowden can get away…DAWSON EXPECTED: The Packers are awaiting the arrival of veteran halfback Gib Dawson, who was due out of a summer Army camp over the weekend. He was to report yesterday or today. Blackbourn is about “up” on Packer veterans. Nine holdovers from the ’53 squad already have retired or gone into service. Those in service are Vito Parilli, Dick Logan and Don Barton. On the retired list are Ace Loomis, Clive Rush, Dick Wildung, Bennie Aldridge and J.R. Boone, while Byron Bailey elected to play in Canada. Return of Walker took considerable pressure off the defensive halfback corps. He joins veterans Bobby Dillon, Marv Johnson and Clarence Self, although Johnson reinjured his shoulder and may be out of rough stuff for some time. Among the newcomers working in the position are Max McGee, Gene White, Joe Johnson and C.B. Atkins…WJPG Sports Director Tony Flynn was in camp today to start recording interviews with coaches and players. First of the interviews will be heard on his daily “Packer Training Camp Report” show starting at 12:50 Wednesday afternoon…BRIEFS: Rookie fullback Angelo DiVenere of Lewis has received his service call and will report to the Marines shortly. DiVenere is one of four players who have left camp since training started. The others are all ends – Jim Dente, a no-college prospect from Pittsburgh; Jack Eifert of La Crosse; and Tom Linehan of River Falls State…A recent visitor in camp was former Packer guard Fred Vant Hull, a polio victim. Some polio publicity pictures were taken with Packer players. Fred, who gets around well in a wheelchair, was accompanied by his son, Peter, and several polio foundation officials from Minneapolis. He’s looking forward to the Packer-Cardinal game in Minneapolis Saturday night, Aug. 14…Linebacker Roger Zatkoff purchased a brick home last winter in a suburb of Detroit – “that is, me and the insurance company,” Roger laughed. The Zatkoffs have two daughters. He works in the offseason as a physical education instructor in the Detroit public school system…Reminder: Good seats (between the 40s) are available at the Packer ticket office in Green Bay for the intra-squad game in Stevens Point Saturday night.


PACKER ALUMNI SET ‘NEW PLAN’ FOR QB CLUB SEASON
AUG 3 (Green Bay) – The Packer Alumni Assn., like the present Packers have a “new plan” for the 1954 Quarterback Club season. First off, the price of a QB club season ticket, good for 12 full-length movies of Packer games, is less than a year ago – thanks to the lower federal tax. The ’54 cost will be $2.20 compared to $2.40 in ’53. Cost per meeting is 18.3 cents. Next, the sponsoring Alumni have been assured that the sessions will not conflict with pro football television. The Thursday night meetings at Washington Junior High will start at 7:30 and will finish at 9 o’clock. The films will be narrated by a member of the Packer coaching staff – when they are in the city. Arrangements for the ’54 season were made at the August dinner meeting of the association at the Beaumont Hotel last night. Alumni president John Biolo said that 500 QB club tickets are on sale at Prange’s, Bertrad’s, North Side Sporting Goods, Tom White’s Better Clothes, Schweger Drugs (west side) and Brehme’s Tavern. Fans also may write to Packer Alumni Assn., Box 255 for their tickets. Special recognition was given Bernard (Boob) Darling for his work in arranging and carrying out details of the recent Packer welcome dinner and sendoff. A special hand was given Walter LeJean for adding to the success of the Packer player event. LeJean, incidentally, announced that his sixth annual party for the Alumni will be held in Egg Harbor Aug. 14.
ONLY FIVE OF PACK’S 30 ’54 DRAFTEES IN TRAINING CAMP
AUG 3 (Green Bay) – If you can’t quite figure out just how much the Armed Forces and the All Star game have damaged the Packers’ preparations, it can be noted that only five (5) of the Packers’ 30 1954 draft choices are in camp. The quintet is composed of end Max McGee, the fifth pick; end Dave Davis, the ninth; guard Mike Takacs, 13th; center Pop Hall, 19th; and tackle Bill Buford, 22nd. Six athletes, including four of the first five choices, are training with the All Stars at Purdue university. They are: tackle Art Hunter, first choice; halfback Veryl Switzer, second first (payment in Galiffa deal); linebacker George Timberlake, third; fullback Tom Allman, fourth; end Cotton Hall, 11th; and end Hosea Sims, 27th. The Stars won’t be ready for three weeks – about Aug. 21 when the Packers play the Cleveland Browns at City stadium. They’ll report to the Bays Aug. 14 in good physical condition but it will take at least a week to digest their plays – especially the offensive players. Of the remaining 19 draft picks, four went to Canada – tackle Sam Marshall, halfback Kosse Johnson, guard J.D. Roberts and fullback Evan Slonac. Most of the remaining 15 are in or about to go into service. Three of the new Packers were drafted earlier – fullback Ed Patela in 1951 and halfback Joe Johnson and guard Al Barry in 1953. Halfback Bud Roffler, due to report soon, was picked in 1952. The remaining boys in camp are veterans or free agents. It appears that the Packers are suffering now from their 1951 draft. With war clouds booming over Korea, the theory then was to pick athletes who were either 4-F or who had been in service. This seemed to make sense at the time but out of the 30 only nine made the team, including tackle Dick Afflis, who had been picked for delivery in ’52; his school, Nevada, decided to quit football. The other two are fullback Fred Cone and end Ray Pelfrey, who later was released. The top choice, tackle Bob Gain, decided to go to Canada, and rights to him later were traded to Cleveland. Second pick Rip Collins, a former Baltimore Colt, never really starred and was cut loose. The thought for the ’52 draft was “hang the service calls and let’s take our chances.” The top choices were Babe Parilli, Bill Howton, Bobby Dillon, Dave Hanner, Tom Johnson, Bill Reichart and Deral Teteak. Only Parilli, Johnson and Reichart are due out for the ’55 season. This type of draft thinking in ’51 would have left the present Packers with fewer holes to plug and a fresh batch coming out of service. The Packers weren’t alone in their draft second rates and make sure they’ll stay out of service thinking. Washington, the Bears, Cardinals, New York and Pittsburgh followed somewhat the same procedure. And they started to hurt, like the Packers, last year already…The Packers, presently embarking on the ’54 season under the new coaching staff, have been damaged extensively by the draft, particularly by the loss of Parilli, but Coach Liz Blackbourn is thankful he has a young veteran nucleus to work with. In other words, old age won’t, or shouldn’t, creep in before boys like Parilli, Reichardt, Johnson, Bob Fleck, Henry Barnes, Jack Smalley, Gil Reich and others return from service.
VAL JOE WALKER JOINING PACK LATER THIS WEEK
AUG 3 (Stevens Point) - The two biggest headaches in the Green Bay Packer training camp here - defensive halfbacks and offensive tackles - may be cleared up considerably within a couple of days. Biggest news, of course, is the anticipated arrival of Val Joe Walker, the former SMU star who did such a great job with the Bays last year. Walker announced his retirement before the pre-season drills go underway but recently showed signs of wanting to get back in the game. After several contacts between Packer officials and Walker at his Snyder, TX home, the regular defensive back of 1953's team stated he would be here later this week. Also announcing intentions of coming to the Stevens Point camp later this week were Dick Afflis and Gus Cifelli, the two regular offensive tackles of last season. Afflis has been having marital problems and had been expected any day. Cifelli was listed as a holdout. This will be Afflis' fourth season in pro ball with the Packers. He is a graduate of Nevada after attending Purdue and winning honorable mention honors in the Big 10. He stands an inch under six feet and weighs 240 pounds. His home is in Reno. Cifelli will begin his fifth season of pro ball and second with the Packers. The former Notre Dame star came to the Pack last year from the Detroit Lions where he starred for three seasons. His home is in Detroit. After Walker, Afflis and Cifelli arrive, the Packers will have 52 players in camp with nine more on the outside. These include a half-dozen who are drilling for the All-Star game plus veteran Gib Dawson and rookies Bud Roffler and Tom Ward. Dawson is in ROTC camp and is awaited on a daily basis. In his second year of pro ball, he is a left halfback candidate with Breezy Reid and will help defensively, too. Roffler is a Washington State graduate now in the Army and is a defensive hopeful, who is due in camp this week. Ward hails from Texas. He will be discharged from the Army in about the middle of this month. He is a fullback and fine punter. The usual morning and afternoon workouts were on Monday's practice schedule at Bukolt Park. The time as used with various group drills and the afternoon period included a session which emphasized assignments for both backs and linemen on running plays. Kicking drills were also included for punters and placement booters and the day was concluded with wind sprints...The faithful followers of the Packers during the workouts had to start learning identification of many of their heroes all over again Monday. The team showed up in navy blue jerseys with gold numerals. Numbers were different in many cases. Learning Reid's identification was probably the most difficult and would have been worse had not several of the spectators known him. The reason for the extra trouble was because Breezy had a jersey that said 28 on the back and 26 in the front...Coach Liz Blackbourn rates his problems in this order: 1 - defensive halfbacks; 2 - offensive tackles; 3 - a quarterback behind Rote. Elry Falkenstein has the edge over Bob Burkhart for the No. 2 quarterback spot, according to the coach...Bob Forte, captain of the Packers last year, is expected in Stevens Point this week. Forte retired from pro ball this year. He just passed his 32nd birthday and spent seven years in pro ball. There are many who'll tell you he'd do a great job despite his age helping out the quarterback problem this year...Another ex-Packer who is thinking about returning to the fold is Steve Dowden, who did a good job as offensive tackle with the club in 1952 but did not play last year. He is a 235-pounder who was a '52 regular. The Baylor University product is considering playing and his decision apparently hinges on future status so far as his off-season oil job is concerned.


Gib Dawson and Val Joe Walker will likely report too late to play. Dawson was delayed by the airline strike and is taking the train. Dick Afflis is driving in from Nevada and also may be too late for the game...The sideline jabbering yesterday got around to the Packer quarterback setup and it was felt that Rote would need some assistance before the season starts, although Falkenstein and Burkhart both are giving their work plenty of the old college try. Few clubs are blessed with more top-flight rookie or veteran quarterbacks. But three teams are stacked, so to speak. The Los Angeles Rams, for instance, have veterans Norm Van Brocklin and Rudy Bukich and rookie Bill Wade. The Cleveland Browns have veterans Otto Graham and George Ratterman and rookie Bob Garrett. New York has two veterans, Chuck Conerly and Arnie Galiffa, and rookies Don Heinrich and Bobby Clutterbuck. Heinrich, one of the best in the country two years ago, is just out of service. Rights to Galiffa, selected by the Packers in the 1950 draft, were traded to the Giants last season for Val Joe Walker and the Giants' No. 1 draft choice, which turned out to be Veryl Switzer. Among the veterans in camp yesterday was Hal Faverty, the former Packer who is now a real estate salesman in Neenah-Menasha. Faverty, returning from vacation, chatted with Coach Blackbourn, who had Hal at Wisconsin when he handled the backfield.
EX-PACKER THOMAS BLAMES ARREST TO HORSEPLAY
AUG 4 (Columbus, OH) - Former Ohio State football star James (Shag) Thomas, 29, Tuesday denied he stole mail while working at the Columbus post office. He said his arrest was due to a "mixup" over a little "horseplay". A preliminary hearing was set for today. Two postal inspectors said they saw him leave work Monday night with a bundle of letters. Thomas told the U.S. commissioner that he had been pulling practical jokes on a co-worker, switching mail on him. He said he ran from the two inspectors when they fired at him because he didn't know who they were. The inspectors said they fired a shot over his head when he ran. The inspectors, T.J. Meehan and C.A. Maddux, said Thomas jumped over a riverbank near the post office when they fired and slid into the water. Postal officials said most of the mail was lost in the river. Thomas was a guard on the 1948 and 1949 Ohio State football teams. He tried out for the Green Bay Packers in 1950. He also wrestles professionally under the name "King Toby."
PACKERS SPLIT FOR INTRA-SQUAD GAME
AUG 4 (Stevens Point) - Lineups for the Green Bay Packers' intra-squad game were announced today. The battle between the Greens and Golds will be staged Saturday night at 8 o'clock at Goerke Park. It is the high point of the professional team's six-week training period here as far as Stevens Point is concerned. A crowd of 5,000 or more is expected and reserved seat tickets, though reportedly selling fast, remain available at various local and out-of-town business places. Coach Liz Blackbourn will keep a watchful eye on both squads Saturday night while assistants Lou Rymkus and Jack Vainisi run the Golds and Scooter McLean and Tom Hearden handle the Greens. The Golds apparently rate the favorite on the basis of what seems to be the stronger offense. Tobin Rote will quarterback that team and will have such performers as fullback Fred Cone and halfbacks Breezy Reid and Al Carmichael in his backfield. The Greens will be engineered by rookie quarterbacks Bob Burkhart and Elry Falkenstein. Another rookie, touted Clyde Sanders, is one of the halfbacks along with first-year man Joe Johnson, also at halfback. Howie Ferguson is the veteran fullback on the Greens' roster...A new man arrived in training camp Tuesday. He is Joe Codiana who recently discharged from the Army. Codiana played college ball at Miami of Ohio and is a defensive back. A free agent, he was suited up while watching the afternoon workouts...Shortly after the arrival of Codiana, the Packers learned of the loss of Angelo DiVenere who over the weekend went to his Chicago home to check on his draft status. He found out in a hurry where he stood and today he is in the Marines. DiVenere was a rookie halfback...The change in personnel leaves the total number in the Packer fold at 49. Cifelli, a holdout on the original list, was to arrive this afternoon to help strengthen the offensive tackle position. Val Joe Walker wasn't expected until Saturday and Dick Afflis won't be here either until late in the week.
LIZ DIVIDES SQUAD FOR INTRA-SQUAD CLUB GO SATURDAY
AUG 4 (Stevens Point-Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Amid thoughts of quarterbacks, returning veterans and football movies, Coach Liz Blackbourn today split the Packers for their intra-squad game at Goerke Field here Saturday night. Blackbourn also divided his four coaching aides to handle the two teams which have been designated as the Greens and the Golds. Roommates Ray McLean and Tom Hearden will coach the Greens and roomies Lou Rymkus and Jack Vainisi, the onetime terrors of Notre Dame, will handle the Golds. Blackbourn will observe the whole show from somewhere above the playing field. The entire contest will be filmed. To prevent any "arguments", the four assistant coaches flipped coins for the right to take their pick of the two squads. The Rymkus-Vainisi combine won the toss and went with the Golds, who are blessed with the only veteran quarterback in camp, Tobin Rote. It was probably fitting that Rymkus and Vainisi, a couple of ex-tackles, won the veteran QB because Hearden and McLean, being both backfield coaches and ex-backs, thus will get a better opportunity to work with the rookie quarterbacks, Elry Falkenstein and Bob Burkhart. To compensate for Rote, the Greens have three more players than the Golds. But, it must be pointed out, the Golds also have two fair country pass catchers in Bill Howton and Bob Mann. The two squads will drill on separate fields Friday...Two unexpected names are listed among the contestants - Cifeilli and Codiano. Veteran tackle Gus is expected in from Detroit today or Thursday, at least in time to exercise enough for action. Codiano was signed as a free agent. A defensive halfback standing six feet tall and weighing 205 pounds, Codiano recently returned from Korea and two years of Army service. He played Army ball with Packer Len Szafaryn at Fort Eustis, Va. Missing from the list is veteran defensive halfback Marv Johnson, who injured his shoulder in last Saturday's scrimmage.

DAWSON MAY RETIRE; PACK SCRIMMAGE 'BEST'
AUG 5 (Stevens Point) - There was good – and bad – news out of this college city today. The choice revelation is that the Packers yesterday put on what Coach Liz Blackbourn called “our best scrimmage of the season thus far.” The not so choice word is that veteran offensive left halfback Gib Dawson may retire “at the ripe old age of 23,” Blackbourn added. Dawson, most valuable player in the College All Star game last August and a hot prospect as a ’53 rookie despite the fact that he was hobbled by injuries, plans to help coach at his alma mater, the University of Texas. The Gibber was expected in this weekend. He had just finished his duty in a summer Army school and was reportedly ready to come when the airline strike delayed him. Original word was that he planned to take the train to camp instead. Dawson will make the trip to Chicago a week from Friday (Aug. 13) to receive the most valuable player trophy between halves of the Detroit-Star game. Dawson kicked a field goal and played a roughhouse game against the Lions. Loss of Dawson would leave Breezy Reid as the only veteran offensive left half. One of the leading contenders for the OLH job is Joe Johnson, the newcomer from Boston College. The Packers held their last lengthy scrimmage Wednesday afternoon before the intra-squad game here Saturday night and Blackbourn commented that “they showed me a lot of rock and sock out there.” The rough stuff included the first “live” work on punt returns. On one scamper, Nick Adduci, rookie halfback from Nebraska, took advantage of good

blocking to run 60 yards. Quarterback Tobin Rote showed his veteran form in throwing scrimmage game touchdowns to Max McGee, new end from Tulane, and veteran end Bob Mann. There were two casualties – rookies Dave Davis and Dale Haupt, Davis, of Georgia Tech, sprained an ankle while punting and Haupt, a guard and linebacker from Wyoming whose home is in Manitowoc, required stitches to close a cut chin. Three new players are in camp and will see action in the squad contest – backs Joe Codiano of Miami (Ohio) and Mike Maccioli of Purdue and end Clarence Johnson of Northwestern. Maccioli was purchased from the Browns and Johnson from Detroit. Johnson, a 225-pounder, is a defensive wing and joins other rookies Ed Frank and Mark Schommers in a fight to unseat Stretch Elliott and John Martinkovic. Maccioli and Codiano play defensive halfback – a position damaged by the retirement of two veterans and an injury to veteran Marv Johnson. The Packers worked on fundamentals in today’s two practices. The Green and Gold squads, opponents in the team match at Goerke field Saturday night, will drill in separate corners of the field Friday. The Greens are coached by Ray McLean and Tom Hearden and Lou Rymkus and Jack Vainisi are mentors of the Golds. Blackbourn will observe the game from above the playing field.
PACKERS SHOW BIG IMPROVEMENT IN SHARP AND CRISP SCRIMMAGE
AUG 5 (Stevens Point) - The Green Bay Packers scrimmaged on Wednesday afternoon for the third time since coming here for pre-season training and their performance was the best to date. It certainly was a vast improvement over Saturday's workout which wasn't particularly pleasing to Coach Liz Blackbourn. But the head man and his assistants felt a great deal better about the way their charges produced Wednesday. Play was crisp and sharp and the units they employed displayed the type of football expected of professionals - hard, rough and for keeps. The gridiron specialists went about their work in business-like manner and indicated more than they had at any other time that progress is being made. The most bone-crushing contact of the 10-day tenure of the Packers in Stevens Point resulted in two injuries, Dave Davis, rookie from Georgia Tech, suffered a sprained ankle and Dale Haupt of Manitowoc and the University of Wyoming had to have stitches to sew up a cut in his chin. Davis hurt his left ankle while punting, Martinkovic rushing in and colliding with the lanky end. He was helped off the field and later taken to St. Michael's Hospital where x-rays revealed no fracture. Haupt had to have four stitches in his chin after having it cut in a melee on the field...There are now 50 players in training here. The latest to arrive was Mike Maccioli who has been purchased from the Cleveland Browns. Maccioli is a defensive halfback from Purdue who weighs 185 pounds and stands 6'1"...The number in camp had been expected to reach 52 Tuesday afternoon with the arrival of Gus Cifelli, offensive tackle previously listed as a holdout, and a newcomer, Clarence Johnson. The latter is a defensive end who weighs about 225 pounds and has been purchased from the Detroit Lions. He is a Negro who played his college ball at Northwestern.

PACKERS GET QB GARRETT, THREE OTHERS IN TRADE
AUG 6 (Green Bay) - The Packers today traded veteran quarterback Vito (Babe) Parilli and rookie Bob Fleck – both presently starting two-year service terms – to the Cleveland Browns for four players, including their bonus pick and No. 1 draft choice. Coming to the Packer are: quarterback Bob Garrett of Stanford, the No. 1 player in the country last fall and the Browns’ bonus pick last January; tackle John Bauer of Illinois, the Browns’ first draft selection last January; defensive halfback Jack Miller of Southern Methodist, the Browns’ seventh draft choice, and tackle Chester Giarola of Maryland, a 245-pounder who plays offense and defense. Thus, in one

sweeping move, Coach Liz Blackbourn, who made the announcement here this noon, bolstered three undermanned positions – quarterback, tackle and defensive halfback. Garrett, also a defensive standout at Stanford, stands 6-1 and packs 190 pounds. He is presently with the College All Stars, who oppose the Detroit Lions in Chicago next Friday night. Bauer, one of the top tackles in the Big Ten, carries 240 pounds and stands 6-2. Miller carries 195 pounds and soars 6-2. Parilli, former Kentucky star, went into the Air Corps two weeks before the season opened, leaving Tobin Rote as Blackbourn’s only experienced quarterback. Fleck entered the Army three weeks ago – only a few days after he was restrained from playing in Canada after signing a Packer contract. The Browns expect to have Parilli and Fleck for the 1956 season. The big deal was closed this morning in a telephone conversation between Blackbourn and Paul Brown, coach of the Browns. Brown had been after Blackbourn (the two coaches met in Chicago last summer to discuss possible trades) for Parilli for some time. But Liz was reluctant to trade Parilli, almost sure to go into service, unless he could get a good deal. The new players are expected to report this weekend. The new players, with the exception of Garrett, are expected to report this weekend. Garrett will report, along with six other Packer draftees in the All Star camp, on Aug. 14. Blackbourn went to the movies today after closing the deal. Blackbourn wasn’t watching “Killer Ape” or the like. He was all by himself in the Stevens Point College Recreation Room viewing a picture entitled, “Packers vs. Cardinals”. It was filmed in Portland, Ore., last Aug. 29. The athletes were in charge of the four assistant mentors in preparation for the intra-squad game at Goerke Field here Saturday night – a production that will attract 5,000 or more fans. Tension, starting to mount last night, simmered today, as the Greens, coached by Tom Hearden and Ray McLean, and the Golds, mentored by Lou Rymkus and Jack Vainisi, worked in separate corners of the field this morning and afternoon. Another development brough in Lou Mihajlovich, former Indiana university halfback who stayed with the Chicago Bears during the 1952 exhibition season. After being cut loose, Mihajlovich went into the Navy and is just recently out. He’ll report here Saturday or Sunday. Blackbourn also learned today that halfback Gib Dawson has definitely decided not to play this year. Dawson has indicated he expects to become an assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of Texas. Blackbourn is devoting most of his time to plans for the opening non-league engagement against Joe Stydahar’s Cardinals in Minneapolis Saturday night, Aug. 14. He went through the film of the 1953 Card game a couple of times and considered game strategy. In addition, Blackbourn spent considerable time on the telephone on player matters. Blackbourn is also hot on the phone for a quarterback and several deals are being discussed. Meanwhile, the four aides had “more serious” things on their mind – particularly Hearden and McLean, who are confronted with the problem of stopping the Rymkus-Vainisi combine of experience, chiefly quarterback Tobin Rote, Bill Howton and Bob Mann. Despite this advantage, Rymkus appeared pale and serious as a through was turned toward the game after chow Thursday evening. “I don’t see how our lads can win,” he said in true Frank Leahy fashion. McLean and Hearden are being rather coy about the whole thing, indicating that they might have an ace or two up their sleeves. The four coaches have named four captains – one each for offense and defense on each club. Captains of the Green squad are offensive end Bob Mann and linebacker Roger Zatkoff. The Gold leaders are offensive guard Bobby Brown and linebacker Clayton Tonnemaker. The Packers had a well-rounded workout Thursday afternoon, including live tackling for the backs and linebackers and live blocking for the linemen. Showing as a surprise power runner was quarterback Bob Burkhart. He was particularly hard to bring down in the close range tackling drill. A signal session, with the defensive linemen using blocking shields, followed. An excellent passing and receiving exhibition was put on – especially after Blackbourn reprimanded one of the players for muffing a pass that was smack in his mitts. The receivers didn’t drop a pass that was within reach the rest of the drill. In a punting drill closing out the afternoon workout, Max McGee at times got off some tremendous boots. The former Tulane star is starting to shine in most phases of his work – particularly pass catching. Howton and Mann are responding nicely to the McGee “threat”. The veteran ends were nailing passes all over the place in the Thursday drill. Today’s practices were the last of the week. No drills will be held Saturday and breakfast will be served at 10 a.m. The pregame meal is set for 4 p.m. The players will be entertained by local officials at a luncheon after the game.
DAWSON DECIDES TO QUIT; NEW DEFENSIVE HALFBACK COMING
AUG 6 (Stevens Point) - Gib Dawson has decided to quit playing professional football. An offensive halfback, Dawson did a creditable job as a rookie last season despite being bothered by injuries. He told coach Liz Blackbourn on the telephone Thursday night of his decision. A college star at Texas, he is now a rancher in Arizona and is scheduled to enter the service in January. Blackbourn announced this morning that a new defensive halfback is coming Saturday or Sunday. He is Lou Mihajlovich, formerly of the University of Indiana. Mihajlovic was with the Chicago Bears through the exhibition schedule two years ago and then entered the service. He was a free agent. Defensive halfbacks, offensive tackles and a quarterback to help Rote are still the chief concerns of the Packers and most of their efforts to increase the roster are centered on those positions.
EXPECT 5,000 AT GREEN-GOLD INTRA-SQUAD GAME SATURDAY
AUG 6 (Stevens Point) - Five thousand fans - most of them from Stevens Point and the immediate are but many from various sections of the state - are expected to watch the intra-squad game on the Green Bay Packers Saturday night at Goerke Park. Kickoff time is 8 o'clock for the battle between the Greens and Golds. The contest highlights the training period here for the professional football team which one week later opens its exhibition schedule at Minneapolis against the Chicago Cardinals. The brisk sale of tickets during the past few days indicates a sellout. However, reserved seats as well as approximately 1,000 unreserved seats will be available at the ticket window an hour or more before game-time. All seats in the stadium section as well as in the new bleachers on the west side are reserved while room for nearly 1,000 more patrons can be found in specially erected bleachers behind the end zones. Players from both squads as well as their co-coaches - Ray "Scooter" McLean and Tom "Red" Hearden of the Greens and Lou Rymkus and Jack Vainisi of the Golds - plus head coach Liz Blackbourn, will be introduced to the spectators before the game gets underway...Neither of the Golds nor the Greens have announced their starting lineups but the honorary captains for the intra-squad tussle have been selected. Veteran end Bob Mann - oldest man on the squad in years of service - will lead the Golds and Clayt Tonnemaker, experienced linebacker, will be in the captaincy role for the Greens. The starters on offense for the Golds who appear to have the strongest offensive team will feature Tobin Rote at quarterback, Breezy Reid and Al Carmichael at the halves and Fred Cone at halfback - all of them veterans. The offensive line is likely to have Mann and Billy Howton at ends, Bill Forester and Steve Ruzich at tackles, Al Barry and John Doldorian at guards and Jim Ringo at center. Defensively, the line will likely show John Martinkovic and Ed Frank at ends, Jerry Helluin and Ray Walsh at tackles and Forester over the middle with Roger Zatkoff, Dale Haupt and Mike Riley backing the line, and Joe Codiana, Clarence Self and Bobby Dillon in the secondary. The Greens, boasting what appears to be a slightly better defensive corps but a definitely rookie offense, will likely start this: Offensively, it will Elry Falkenstein at quarterback, Clyde Sanders and Joe Johnson at halfbacks and Howie Ferguson at fullback in the backfield with Mark Schommer - ex-Central State standout - and Max McGee at ends, Len Szafaryn and Bill Buford at tackles, Buddy Brown and Mike Takacs at guards and Trapper Stephenson at center in the line. Defensively, it will be Clarence Johnson and Stretch Elliott at ends, Dave Hanner and Chuck Abrahamson at tackles, Ken Hall over the middle, Tonnemaker, Deral Teteak and Nick Adduci backing the line and Gene White, Mike Maccioli and McGee in the secondary. The probable starting lineups for the Golds includes all their players with the


exception of fullback Roger Carlson and halfback Milt Kadlec. Others on the Greens squad in addition to the probable starters are Bob Burkhart at quarterback, halfbacks Dick Curran and Clyde Adkins and fullback Ed Petela...Schommer, who has been playing defense but was shifted to offense when Dave Davis sprained his ankle in Wednesday's scrimmage, will probably be seeing his last work with the Packers in the intra-squad game. The Kaukauna native received notice from the selective service that he must report for his physical and be inducted on August 25. The draft call had been expected. The hard-working Schommer has looked good during his week-and-a-half in the Packer tryout camp...In addition to Davis, two other Packers currently on the training list will not play Saturday. They are Marv Johnson, defensive halfback, and rookie tackle Dick Mace. Gus Cifelli, veteran tackle who had been a holdout and later was reported to be on his way here, had been listed with the Greens lineup in anticipation of his arrival by at least Thursday...Val Joe walker, who earlier announced his retirement, then changed his mind, is reported to be on his way to Stevens Point from his home in Texas. Also coming within range of the training camp is Dick Afflis. Clarence Johnson reported to camp Thursday morning and took part in both of that day's workouts.
PACKERS OBTAIN GARRETT, TRADE PARILLI, FLECK
AUG 6 (Stevens Point) - The Green Bay Packers shortly before noon today acquired quarterback Bob Garrett and three other Cleveland players in a deal that sent Babe Parilli and Bob Fleck, both now in the service, to the Browns. Coach Liz Blackbourn - wearing a big smile as he announced the six-player, no-cash trade - thus is giving up two absentee stars in exchange for an outstanding rookie quarterback and at least one other topnotch freshman performer in tackle John Bauer. The other two rookies coming from the Browns to the Packer training camp here are halfback Jack Miller and tackle Chester Gierola. All but Garrett will be leaving the Browns' camp immediately, Cleveland's coach Paul Brown told Blackbourn. Garrett is in Lafayette, IN working out with the College All-Stars and he will come to Stevens Point after next week Friday's game along with six other Packer rookies. Garrett ranked as one of the nation's outstanding passers last season while playing with Stanford. He was picked on the majority of All-American teams and the Browns obtained him as their bonus choice in the draft. He will give the Pack a much-needed lift at the quarterback spot where Tobin Rote remained the only veteran after Parilli went into the service. Bauer was a brilliant performer in the line for the University of Illinois last fall and was the Browns' No. 1 draft choice last winter. He weighs 240 and stands 6' 2 ". Gierola is a 245-pounder who stands 6' 2" and played at Maryland two years ago and has just been separated from the service. Both Bauer and Gierola will bolster the tackle position which was weakened by the loss of Fleck. Miller was the Browns' No. 7 choice last winter and is a defensive halfback, another position that needs strengthening by the Packers. He played at SMU last fall.
PACK HOPES RISE AFTER BIGGEST TRADE
AUG 7 (Stevens Point) - The Packers wore a smile today in the wake of the biggest name-player trade in the history of professional football. More players have been involved in bartering around the league but at no other time did two clubs switch such brass as four All-Americans, a bonus choice, two first draft choices and a No. 2 pick – until yesterday when Packer Coach Liz Blackbourn performed the following: Traded veteran quarterback Babe Parilli, the Packers’ No. 1 choice in ’52, and tackle Bob Fleck, the No. 2 pick last January, to the Cleveland Browns for: quarterback Bob Garrett of Stanford, the Browns’ bonus pick; tackle John Bauer of Illinois, the Browns’ No. 1 choice; defensive halfback Jack Miller of SMU, the Browns’ No. 7 choice; and tackle Chester Giarola of Maryland, a high selection two years ago who is just out of service. Parilli and Fleck are both in service – Babe in the Air Corps and Fleck in the Army. Blackbourn, who dickered back and forth with Coach Paul Brown for the last three months on the deal, thus came out of the 1954 draft with: (1) The bonus choice won by the Browns in a draw against the Packers, Chicago Cardinals and Pittsburgh. Liz will get another shot in the bonus draw next January, and (2) three first choices – tackle Art Hunter and halfback Veryl Switzer (obtained in a previous trade with the New York Giants for Arnie Galiffa) and now Bauer. Oddly enough, the Packers – like the other clubs still in the running for the bonus pick last January – would have selected Garrett as their bonus had Liz been lucky enough to draw the slip with the X. Garrett was on everybody’s All-American last fall – like Parilli after Kentucky’s 1951 season. Fleck and Bauer also made several All-American clubs. Garrett, incidentally, was the nation’s leading passer in 1953. Blackbourn and members of his staff – Tom Hearden, Ray McLean, Lou Rymkus and Jack Vainisi – drooled with joy after the transaction yesterday. The new Packer head coach commented: “We feel we’ve really got ourselves a deal. Our quarterback situation was not good, as you know, and I’m sure Garrett will work well into the picture. There’s been some real scrambling now for those offensive tackle positions with that Bauer and Giarola.” Blackbourn was visibly relieved after the deal was made. “That thing was on my mind a long time,” he smiled. In Hiram, O., where the Browns are training, Brown said the trade “will help Green Bay this year and the Browns in the future.” Brown said he would give up a quarterback with Otto Graham still in the first quarterback post and backed up by George Ratterman. The deal for Parilli, he pointed out, gives them an experienced man in the position for the time when neither Graham or Ratterman may be around. Apparently, Blackbourn and Brown played quite a waiting game. Originally, Brown wanted to pass off George Ratterman, the veteran quarterback understudy to Otto Graham. Ratterman had been pretty well through the mill after earlier service with the New York Yanks and Canada. Graham obviously has a two-year contract by which time Parilli should be out of service. Only time will tell the real success of the deal, but the reaction was favorable in all official and unofficial Packer circles. Both Green Bay and Stevens Point fans seemed to feel that the Bays helped themselves immeasurably. The Browns, of course, are planning for the future – particularly when Graham runs out of petrol. And needless to say, the Browns are loaded with material, thus being able to pass off three defensive stars. Parilli and Fleck should be out of service in 1956. Bauer, Miller and Giarola reported here today and are ready to go. Garrett is practicing with the College All Stars and Blackbourn said he hopes “Bob doesn’t get to play much.” He probably won’t since the All Star contingent plans on using the split-T. Garrett was a straight T QB at Stanford. Incidentally, Garrett was not a standout on defense at Stanford, as was stated yesterday, though he went both ways under the single platoon in ’53. The deal gives the Packers an unprecedented seven players in the College All Star lineup which will battle the Detroit Lions in Chicago next Friday night. Other Packer-All Stars are Hunter, Switzer, fullback Tom Allman, linebacker George Timberlake, end Cotton Hall and end Hosea Sims…Garrett, in leading the country’s collegiate throwers, completed 17 touchdown passes. His 118 completions in 205 attempts went for 1,637 yards. The yardage and TD pass figures topped the nation. His percentage of completions was a fantastic 57.6 – tops for passers throwing 130 or more times. He had only 10 passes intercepted all season. Garrett also topped the country in extra point booting. He attempted 30 and made 26 for a percentage of 86.7. What’s more, the Standford star, who was married last winter, ranked 16th among the country’s punters. Despite the fact that he boots with his left foot, he averaged 37.1 in 37 boots in 10 games…Actually, Bauer played offensive guard despite his 240 pounds for Illinois last year. He was responsible for opening holes on quick openers for J.C. Caroline. Blackbourn plans to use him as a tackle. The Packer coach is hoping one of the offensive newcomers or one of the offensive veterans (Dick Afflis and Gus Cifelli are due to report this weekend) can be switched to defensive tackle to help Dave Hanner and Jerry Helluin – and permit Helluin to put his 280 pounds to work at middle guard in the five…The Packers’ spirits soared even higher today with the arrival Friday night of Val Joe Walker, veteran defensive halfback, and Gus Cifelli, holdover offensive tackle. Walker reported after reconsidering plans to retire while Cifelli had been a holdout.
VETERAN GOLDS FAVORED IN INTRA-SQUAD TEST TONIGHT
AUG 7 (Stevens Point) - The veteran Golds appeared to hold the edge on the Greens today as the Packers awaited their intra-squad game at Goerke field here tonight. Kickoff is set for 8 o’clock and a crowd of 5,000 fans is expected. The Golds, coached by Lou Rymkus and Jack Vainisi, will enter the game with a veteran backfield – Tobin Rote at quarterback, Breezy Reid at left half, Al Carmichael at right half and Fred Cone at fullback – and the club’s two veteran offensive ends, Bob Mann and Bill Howton. The Greens, in charge of Ray McLean and Tom Hearden, will send two rookie quarterbacks against the highly-powered Golds – Bob Burkhart and Elry Falkenstein. The Greens’ big pass catching hope is Max McGee, the former Tulane halfback who is being converted to an offensive end. Defensively, the players are evenly divided. John Martinkovic is with the Golds, and Stretch Elliott is on the side of the Greens. The Greens have Deral Teteak and Clayton Tonnemaker as linebackers, and the Golds have Roger Zatkoff. The only veteran defensive halfbacks listed for action are Bobby Dillon and Clarence Self – both with the Golds. Dillon will be participating in his first rough stuff of the season. Each team has co-captains, one each for offense and defense. Mann and Zatkoff will lead the Golds, and Buddy Brown and Tonnemaker will captain the Greens. Head Coach Liz Blackbourn will observe the contest from a seat above the playing field. The contest will be filmed and used some in preparation for the opener against the Cardinals in Minneapolis a week from tonight. The squad will be feted at a dinner after the game by Stevens Point businessmen. Blackbourn said today that a number of players will be cut from the roster Sunday. With the new players from the Browns and other recent additions, some 55 men are now in competition. Expected in camp this weekend are veterans Val Joe Walker, Dick Afflis and Gus Cifelli. The squad will have no field work Sunday, but each member will be required to check with Trainer Bud Jorgenson in the morning – whether they are hurt or not. Cardinal week will start with a 7:30 meeting Sunday night.
BLACKBOURN LOOKS OUT ON BRIGHTER WORLD
AUG 7 (Stevens Point) - It's been hot in Stevens Point almost every day since the Green Bay Packers arrived two weeks ago to commence their pre-season drills. But the sun hasn't always been shining brightly all over the pro footballers' camp - not always, that is, until 24 hours ago. A relaxed Liz Blackbourn looked out on a brighter world Friday afternoon - only a few hours after a major deal that perked up the ears of fans all over the country was announced. The big trade that helped ease the pressing situation at three sore spots in the Packer lineup ended long days for Packer officials and especially Blackbourn who is determined to do a maximum job in his first year at the helm of Wisconsin's pro football outfit. Green Bay not only picked up one of the nation's finest college passers last year in rookie Bob Garrett of Stanford but also obtained from the Cleveland Browns were two huge tackles and a highly regarded defensive halfback. And what did the Packers give up for this near bundle of joy? Nothing that would have helped them for two seasons? Babe Parilli and Bob Fleck, both of whom entered the service within the last month, were sent to the Browns in the exchange that also brought John Bauer of Illinois, Don Miller of SMU and Chet Gierula of Maryland, all first-year men, to the Pack. There was no question as to what were the key problems in the Bay training fold. Blackbourn had listed them several times in various orders but always he said the same thing - offensive tackles, defensive halfbacks and another quarterback. Garrett, the bonus choice of the Browns last winter, ought to make a splendid addition to the quarterback corps that has only Tobin Rote as a known quantity. Garrett at Stanford was nothing short of terrific and Green Bay may find in him the man to make the fans forget about Kentucky Babe Parilli. Garrett, incidentally, reportedly goes into the service nest year. Garrett led the college 11s in passing efficiency last season. He completed 118 passes for 1,637 yards and 17 touchdowns in 205 attempts. His passing mark was 57.6 percent with only 10 interceptions. Not many football trades involve as much talent as did the one between the Packers and Browns. Garrett was the Browns' bonus choice, Bauer the No. 1 pick and Miller the No. 7 pick this year while Fleck was the No. 2 pick of the Packers this year and Parilli was the No. 1 pick two years ago...Bonnie Ryan, the busy publicity man of the Packers, came to Stevens Point Friday and prepared a new roster - after waiting for the completion of the deal with the Browns. The list includes 68 names. There are 50 players here; there are seven at the All-Star game; there are seven on their way (as of Friday) and there are four who still have ROTC or service connections. Of the 68, one will be off as of tonight. He is Mark Schommer of Central State who must go to the Army August 23. Seven reportedly will cut following the intra-squad game, thus paring the list to 60...Blackbourn plans to talk to Gib Dawson, the much-needed halfback who has decided to retire, at the All-Star game Friday at Chicago. Dawson, incidentally, will be at the game to receive the trophy as last year's outstanding player. Parilli won the honor two years ago. With such performers as art Hunter, Veryl Switzer and Garrett as All-Stars this year, a Packer may win it again Friday night.
VAL JOE WALKER, GUS CIFELLI HERE
AUG 7 (Stevens Point) - A couple of veteran performers joined the ranks of the Green Bay Packers this morning. They are Val Joe Walker and Gus Cifelli. Walker is a defensive back and Cifelli an offensive tackle. Their arrivals boosted the total number in training camp to 52.


into the proceedings early in the fourth frame. Bill Forester set it up after he recovered Howie Ferguson’s fumble on the Green 20. The tough Greens pushed the Golds back a dozen yards so Cone stepped back and booted a 50-yard field goal – the longest in his pro career. The ball was kicked from the 40, but the goal posts were 10 yards behind the goal line. A number of the newcomers put on good performances. Sanders, for instance, displayed remarkable improvement over the early stages of training. Gene White, offensive end at Georgia, showed promises of developing into a defensive halfback. Long Ed Frank got in plenty of licks – as did the veteran linebacking of Clayton Tonnemaker and Deral Teteak. The coaches plan to study films of the game and some of their findings will help determine the strategy and lineups for the Cardinal contest. “You know another thing I was glad to see? The two teams never got crossed up with 10 or 12 men on the field. I hate to see that,” Liz said. The game was scouted by Cardinal assistant coaches Joe Muha and Ernie George. Blackbourn watched the game from the sidelines, Hearden and McLean handling the losing Greens while Rymkus and Vainisi coached the Golds.
PACKERS PREPARE FOR EXHIBITION OPENER
AUG 9 (Stevens Point) - The Golds and Greens - separated only long enough to play the intra-squad game Saturday night - were together again today as the Green Bay Packers eyed their initial exhibition game of the 1954 season this weekend. A date with the Chicago Cardinals Saturday night in Minneapolis marks the first of six warmup contests that will prepare the Packers for the NFL campaign opening September 26 with Pittsburgh in Green Bay. While 5,000 fans watched at Goerke Park, Bob Mann's veteran-studded Gold team has all sorts of troubles with the stubborn Greens before registering a 13-7 decision on the margin of Fred Cone's two field goals. The losers were captained by Clayt Tonnemaker, one of the few experienced men on the rookie-dominated squad. Coach Liz Blackbourn was generally satisfied with the game. He felt the first-half performance of both teams was good but noted a difference in second-half play due largely to the fact that this was the first full-scale scrimmage of the training camp. Blackbourn on Sunday sliced five rookies off his roster, the same number of new men which reported on Saturday. Mark Schommer of Central State and Kaukauna was officially taken off the list of players, since he is leaving shortly for the armed services. The following first-year men were released: guard John Doldoorian of American International, tackle Chuck Abrahamson of Platteville State, halfbacks Joe Condiana of Miami of Ohio and Milt Kadlec of Illinois Normal and fullback Ed Petela of Boston College. Reporting on Saturday were: Halfbacks Val Joe Walker, Jack Miller, Bud Roffler and Lou Mihajlovich and tackle Gus Cifelli. Walker of SMU arrived after reconsidering his retirement plan. Miller, also of SMU, came in the deal with the Cleveland Browns. Roffler arrived after getting out of ROTC camp. He is from Washington State. Mihajlovich of Indiana got on the roster after a telephone conversation Friday. Cifelli is a veteran like Walker. He was originally was listed as a holdout. Blackbourn also announced good news Sunday to the effect that Gene Knutson, fine Michigan end and native of Beloit, has been medically discharged from the service. The Packers drafted him last winter but he left for the Army thereafter. He is expected to arrive sometime today. Not counting Knutson, the Packers now have 49 players in camp. Seven others, including Garrett, who was obtained in the Browns' deal, are in training for Friday's night's All-Star game. Three - John Bauer and Chester Gierula, also in last week's big Cleveland deal, and veteran Dick Afflis - are reportedly on their way here. Tom Ward, rookie fullback from Texas, is awaiting discharge this weekend from the service. The Greens in Saturday's entertaining battle had the ball for scrimmage plays 76 times to only 40 for the Golds and showed an ability to produce a sustained drive by piling up 19 first downs to 10 for their opponents. But they don't pay off in any statistic in football except total points and here the favored Golds had a six-point advantage at the final gun. Tonnemaker's club marched 35 yards the first time it had the ball but after reaching the Gold 38 a third down pass by Elry Falkenstein was intercepted by Roger Zatkoff on the 11. The Golds took over the first time and in three lightning-like thrusts scored a touchdown. Tobin Rote passed over the line to Cone for 11 yards, then fired long to Billy Howton who grabbed the ball on the Green 35 and carried to the 15 for a 64-yard gain. On the next play it was Rote and Howton again for a touchdown. This play was the prettiest of the evening, a nearly executed bootleg by Rote and a pass right on the goal line to Howton. After Cone's decisive foot made the score, 7-0, the Greens marched again, this time 60 yards for a touchdown that tied the score early in the second quarter. The workhorse of the night, galloping Howie Ferguson, returned the kickoff 25 yards to launch the drive. Impressive Clyde Sanders picked up 27 yards in three carries and Joe Johnson had 11 yards in another run to lead the offensive. The payoff came on a 10-yard aerial into the end zone from Falkenstein to rookie star Max McGee who earlier had dropped a TD pass in paydirt. He didn't drop this one, though, and Bob Burkhart followed it up with the tying point. Not many minutes later following a Gold rush that fizzled, Cone booted a field goal from the 21 to make the score 10-7. Before the FG attempt, the Golds traveled 81 yards to the six-yard line until the defense forced the placement try. The long march was featured by two nifty runs by Al Carmichael, one for 45 yards from scrimmage and the other for 30 yards on a pass from Rote. The Greens threatened late in the half following Clyde Adkins' interception of Rote's pass on the Green 28. Johnson's leaping grab of Falkenstein's 32-yard pass put the ball on the Gold 11 but veteran Bobby Dillon saved the day on the final play of the half with a pass interception on the three. Adkins waylaid another Rote aerial early in the second half and the Greens got as far as the Gold 33. A little later the Golds marched, this time from their own 17. 56 yards later Reid hauled in a flat Rote pass and was goal-line bound when he fumbled on the 10 and the ever-present Adkins pounced on the ball on the three. Early in the fourth quarter, Rote hit Mann for a long pass gain but the play was called back because of a penalty. The Golds punted a little later but the Greens fumbled on the first play and, after the offense of the favorites couldn't move, Cone booted the longest field goal of his career. The veteran fullback split the uprights from exactly 50 yards for the final points of the game. Thereafter, the Golds threatened once more but twice Rote passes were barely missed by Howton in the end zone. The Greens put on a drive late in the game, with Burkhart at the throttle, but the Gold defense stymied the late bid of the underdogs on the 31-yard line. The Golds outgained the Greens, 303-263, on the strength of a 206-129 advantage in passing. The Greens had 134 rushing yards to 97 for the Golds. Rote and Falkenstein each hit nine of 23 times. Rote, however, had a big edge in yards over Falkenstein, 206-93. Ferguson carried the most, 14, for 49 yards. Carmichael had 52 in three carries rushing and 55 in three pass catches. Howton caught two for 79. McGee looked good at end for the Greens and rookies Sanders and Johnson with Ferguson did creditably in the backfield where Falkenstein also showed a lot of spunk despite being upset a few times.
BAUER TO REPORT; GIERULA UNDECIDED
AUG 10 (Stevens Point) - Liz Blackbourn today was mighty happy to return to the business of actually coaching the Packers. Final details of the big-brass trade with the Cleveland Browns last Friday were cleaned up yesterday, and Blackbourn, just returning from a week’s camping trip beside the telephone, chuckled: “I can finally sit down with my staff or squad and go through an entire meeting without any interruption.” Most of last week was spent in constant talks with Coach Paul Brown of the Cleveland Browns. After the deal was made, a hitch developed when two of the four players involved – tackles John Bauer and Chet Gierula – went to their homes instead of the Packer camp. One of the others, quarterback Bobby Garrett, is with the College All Stars and the fourth, defensive halfback Jack Miller, in camp. Bauer turned out to be a hard customer to track down, since he had gone home to see his wife who is a patient in a hospital. Finally reached, Bauer said he would report today. Gierula, onetime Maryland star, apparently has a notion he wants to play with one of the eastern pro clubs, Liz pointed out, “we’ll just wait and see on him.” Actually, the Packer roster is set – as far as numbers and names are concerned. Blackbourn said that “we don’t expect to take on any new men for some time.” He explained that “we’ll find out now about our boys through actual competition against league teams.” Blackbourn has six games in which to test the muscles and hearts of the various athletes, including the veterans. The opening test is Saturday night against the Chicago Cardinals in Minneapolis, though the game will furnish Liz no chance to look at the seven players now in the College All Star camp. Appropriately enough, the first real test of the entire squad, including the All Star cast, is set right in the Packers’ historic home – Green Bay. The opponents will be the Cleveland Browns and the date, don’t forget, is Saturday night, Aug. 21 – at City Stadium. The present week here is a busy one since Blackbourn and aides Tom Hearden, Ray McLean, Lou Rymkus and Jack Vainisi must prepare the squad for the Cardinal hassle and at the same time continue installation of the Blackbourn system. With nearly 10 new boys reporting in the last week, Blackbourn has had to repeat much of the earlier training. The Packers will have 51 players in camp when Bauer reports. Besides the seven All Stars and Gierula, veteran Dick Afflis and rookie fullback Tom Ward as the only non-reportees. Afflis apparently is lost between here and Nevada and Ward is due to arrive around Aug. 16. Semi-rough stuff likely will be held almost every day this week but only one full-scale scrimmage is set – for Wednesday afternoon. Two players will refrain from hard contact – guard Al Barry, who suffered a slight hip bruise in the intra-squad game Saturday night, and end Dave Davis, who is recuperating from an ankle sprain.
MANY PACKER ROOKIES SHOWING REAL DESIRE FOR GRID COMBAT
AUG 10 (Stevens Point) - Intra-leftovers: One of the most fascinating things about every Packer season is the development of the rookies. Some of ‘em look so darned young (or maybe it’s just us getting older). Take Al Barry of Southern California, for instance. During the intra-squad game Saturday night, he knelt on the sidelines, half sitting on his heels, waiting for action. We swore he looked like a junior in high school – even to the freckles. One of the most desired qualities in a freshman is desire for combat. Some natural ability is a must, of course, but willingness to mix it, get really rough when the going is toughest and then come back for more are a few of the specialities that can’t be coached into an athlete. A number of the rookies showed these traits in the Squad match. Roger Carlson, the Gustavus Adolphus fullback, furnished us with the nastiest pop of leather. On this occasion, Carlson threw a mighty tackle into hard-hitting Howie Ferguson. Carlson, a 205-pounder, could develop into one of those “hard defensive halfbacks” that Coach Liz Blackbourn and his defensive chief, Tom Hearden, are looking for. Gene White, the offensive end from Georgia, is fast blossoming into a strong DHB. One time this Georgian, who looks like Wisconsinite Elroy Hirsch, flung his body a good 10 feet trying to recover a fumble. There’s one C.B. Adkins, the Negro boy who stayed in the Cardinal camp one day and then took off for a track meet in Los Angeles; Coach Joe Stydahar put him on waivers. C.B. told his coaches to “tell the head coach to keep his eye on me tonight” before the game. Defensive halfback Adkins was there at the right time, intercepting two of Tobin Rote’s passes and recovering a fumble, thus keeping the Golds from winning by more than two touchdowns. Ed Frank, another one of those gents who looks as if he just finished high school, is just as rough as they come. Frank seems on the slim side at 6-3, 205, but he really hits from his defensive end spot. Frank was a tackle under Coach Liz Blackbourn at MU and ran into a lot of 240-pounders. Playing defensive end, by comparison, must be easy what with only 200-pound fullbacks and/or halfbacks to bowl over – not to mention a guard occasionally. Few free agents make a go of it but the Packers may have the exception in halfback Clyde Sanders of tiny Bethune-Cookman College of Daytona Beach, Fla. Sander, who at present must be rated a good prospect, is starting to respond nicely to major league coaching – quite a departure to his school where football was something of a minor sport. Sanders’ chief assets are (1) hard running and (2) zest for the game. He led the Greens in rushing, averaging five-plus yards in six carries. Can he block? Generally, Sanders did a good job on big John Martinkovic, the 240-pound veteran, saving Elry Falkenstein a lot of trouble. It’s a pity that quarterback Falkenstein isn’t a foot – or even six inches – taller. He’s a gutty player and a good thinker. Joe Johnson, the Boston College speedboy playing behind Breezy Reid at left half, averaged five yards on line smashes. Johnson has a knack of “sliding off” a potential tackler…Some of the rookies became believers Saturday night. When the Greens went on defense, Capt. Clayton Tonnemaker told the defensive halfbacks to drop back fast because when Bill Howton goes down like he’s to catch a pass. “They gave me that ‘he (Howton) ain’t that good’ look,” Clayton said Sunday. “On the first play, they moved too close to the line and, zip, Howton was past ‘em before they could turn around. They still didn’t believe. The next time, Bill went 64 yards with a pass,” Clayton laughed, adding. “they were believers after that.”…Hot Packer fever was evident all over the place – before and after the game. The official Packer party was headed by Prexy Russ Bogda. A buffet supper, presented by Steven Point businessmen, was held for the players, their wives and guests. More than 500 joined in the spirit. At least three key points of Packer interest from out of town were represented by Mickey McCormick, the Packer director from Menominee; Jake Skall, restaurant king and Packer and Notre Dame backer in Appleton; and Hugh Strange, insurance executive from Neenah.
49 NOW IN CAMP; EXPECT BAUER TODAY
AUG 10 (Stevens Point) - Rain that fell intermittently during the day marred the practice sessions here Monday morning and afternoon of the Green Bay Packers. Nevertheless, the professional footballers got in a couple of good workouts in preparation for Saturday night's exhibition opener with the Chicago Cardinals in Minneapolis. Most of the morning drill - a short one aimed at getting the boys back in the swing of things following the weekend - was completed before the rain began to fall. The afternoon period was interrupted for about 15 minutes when rain plus some hail stones sent the men and their coaches to cover. Both workouts Monday were at the Central State college field. Today's sessions are scheduled for Bukolt Park. Wednesday's agenda includes a scrimmage at Goerke Park providing the weatherman is cooperative between now and that time. The team of 40-plus players, their coaches and other personnel will leave in two buses shortly after noon on Friday. Coach Liz Blackbourn hopes to be able to arrange a light workout in Minneapolis Friday night prior to the game 24 hours later. The team will return on Sunday. The roster was pared by one more player Monday when Ray Walsh left camp. Walsh was a rookie tackle from West Virginia. He had been here one week. Blackbourn on Sunday dropped five other men. Gene Knutson, Michigan end who hails from Beloit, arrived Monday and was working out. The total now in training here is 49. Al Barry, promising rookie guard from Southern Cal, was taking it easy during the day. He bruised his hip in the intra-squad game Saturday night and appeared on the field Monday in street clothes. Also remaining sidelined was rookie Dave Davis, Georgia Tech end, who sprained an ankle in a scrimmage last week. Davis worked out lightly by himself. Appearing in a practice session for the first time were the following: tackle Gus Cifelli, a veteran; Val Joe Walker, defensive halfback who played last year; Bud Roffler, halfback in his first year from Washington State; Lou Mihajlovich, Indiana defensive halfback recently out of the service, and Don Miller, the halfback obtained from Cleveland last week. Marv Johnson, who was hurt in the scrimmage on the first Saturday, was back to work although wearing a harness to protect his shoulder. Tackle Dick Mace, who has been sidelined for two weeks, was working out in full regalia. Quarterback Tobin Rote was absent from the practice field. He and his family are having extreme difficulties finding a place to live in Green Bay and the No. 1 signal caller on the club was aiding in the search. Blackbourn, whose squad will be increased by seven over the weekend with the arrival of the boys playing in the All-Star game, also expected to see John Bauer of Illinois for the first time today. Bauer is a big tackle who was obtained in the Browns' deal. No word on the arrival of Chester Gierula, the other tackle acquired in the deal that sent Babe Parilli and Bob Fleck to the Browns, has been announced.
COACH THANKFUL FOR LONG DRILL SEASON; KUUSISTO IN
AUG 9 (Stevens Point) - Packer Coach Liz Blackbourn was thankful today for “that long exhibition schedule.” Player developments of the past week, including the biggest trade of brass in the history of the league, left the Packers with 61 athletes on their roster despite the fact that the following seven rookies left camp over the weekend: End Mark Schommers, guard John Doldoorian, tackles Chuck Abrahamson and Ray Walsh, halfbacks Joe Codiano and Milt Kadlec, and fullback Ed Petela. All were released except Schommers, who was called into military service. Blackbourn, mindful of the many new Packers on the State College campus – plus the seven now at the College All Star camp and four unreportees, admitted that “the trade put us back a little, but we’ve still got six games to go before the league play starts.” Non-conference firing opens against the Chicago Cardinals in Minneapolis Saturday night. Of the four players obtained Friday from the Cleveland Browns for militarists Babe Parilli and Bob Fleck, only Jack (Don) Miller, the defensive halfback, has reported. The two tackles, John Bauer and Chester Gierula, reportedly were heading for Green Bay shortly after the deal was announced, but they headed for their homes instead – apparently to see their families. Quarterback Bob Garrett, the mainspring of the deal, is training with the All Stars. Blackbourn now has an even 50 athletes in camp, including Gene Knutson, the 225-pound University of Michigan defensive end, who received a medical discharge from the Army. Knutson, the Packers’ 10th draft choice, was called into service shortly before the season started and the coach figured him as lost for two seasons. He reported today. Anxious to get the squad in line “so I can get off this telephone and do some coaching,” Blackbourn has a missing list of 11. Besides the seven in the All Star camp and Bauer and Gierula, veteran tackle Dick Afflis and rookie fullback Tom Ward are still to come in. Afflis reportedly left Nevada a week ago. He was late originally for the purpose of clearing up a divorce action. Ward, now in an Army summer camp, is supposed to get out this weekend and report around Aug. 16. The 220-pound Ward is considered a long distance punter. The Packers in the Star camp besides Garret are tackle Art Hunter, ends Hosea Sims and Ken Hall, linebacker George Timberlake, halfback Veryl Switzer and fullback Tom Allman. The Packers had an off day Sunday but Blackbourn didn’t get to enjoy it much, though he managed 16 holes of golf in the morning. Back in his office at 1 o’clock Sunday afternoon, Liz hardly had time – between phone calls and talks with Aides Tom Hearden, Ray McLean and Lou Rymkus on plans for the Cardinal game – to comment on Saturday night’s intra-squad battle before nearly 5,000 fans at Loerke field. Blackbourn said he liked the way the boys were “hitting out there – especially in the first half.” He was concerned some by the fact that the athletes seemed to tire in the fourth quarter. “Actually, the final score – 13 to 7 in favor of the Golds – was something of a surprise. The Golds had the top offensive wheels, Tobin Rote, Bob Mann and Bill Howton, but the Greens, quarterbacked mostly by spunky Elry Falkenstein with brief help by Bob Burkhart, kept within winning distance by the simple method of holding the ball.” “That’s the story,” Liz laughed when he went over the statistics with McLean. The Greens had the ball for 65 offensive plays and the Golds for only 37. Rote tried 23 passes and completed nine for 206 yards, while Falkenstein attempted 23 and completed nine for 93 yards. Burkhart hit four out of eight for 36. “We got our first touchdown too easy,” Rote noted after the game, “and I guess we figured we could score on every play.” Three Rote passes covered 85 yards the first time the Golds had their hands on the ball – thanks to an interception of a Falkenstein pass by Roger Zatkoff. Rote hurled to Cone for nine yards, to Howton for 64 and then to Howton for 15 and the TD on a fake run. Cone converted for a 7-0 lead. With Clyde Sanders, Howie Ferguson and Joe Johnson ripping off good gains and Falkenstein passing well, the Greens drove 60 yards for the tying score. The payoff was a 12-yard pass from Falkenstein to Max McGee early in the second quarter. Burkhart lofted what looked like a lazy pop fly for the extra point. A 45-yard run by Al Carmichael set up the first of two field goals by Cone – a shot from the 21-yard line. After C.B. Atkins turned in the first of his two interceptions of Rote passes (he also recovered a fumble), the Greens moved to the Golds’ 15 where Bobby Dillon intercepted a Falkenstein pass on the three-yard stripe…50-YARD FIELD GOAL: The third quarter was scoreless, but Cone put a real kick

TETEAK BREAKS BONE; WILL BE LOST 4 TO 6 WEEKS
AUG 11 (Stevens Point) - The Packers’ Little Bull wore crutches today. And it’s not a pleasant sight! Deral Teteak, the fierce little linebacker from the University of Wisconsin and Oshkosh High, sustained a fracture of a small bone above his right ankle in a semi-scrimmage Tuesday afternoon. He will be lost to the Packers for four to six weeks. This injury – by far the most serious in camp to date – really hurt. As Coach Liz Blackbourn put it: “It’s bad enough to lose a player like him from the team, but it’s even tougher for him, personally, because he loves the game so much.” The accident occurred about 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon but two hours later Deral was crutching it from St. Michael’s hospital across the street to Delzell Hall, the club’s headquarters. The first man to greet him was Blackbourn, who smiled: “Guess you just can’t keep a good man down.” And Deral responded, as the players gathered around him, “I’ll get rid of these crutches in a couple of days. It won’t be long.” Teteak was face to face with the first serious injury in his football career. He had never suffered more than the usual bumps, twists and bruises. Trainer Bud Jorgenson, who administered preliminary treatment on the field, recalled that Teteak was rarely on the training table, “he just never bothered to stop for treatment,” Bud said, “because he never was hurt.” Defensive backfield coach Tom Hearden was conducting a special drill for the defensive halfbacks when the accident took place. The defensive halfbacks and linebackers were permitted to tackle the offensive backs as they went through rushing and passing plays. Nick Adduci went wide around right end and cut up field about 20 yards where he was tackled by defensive halfback Gene White. Teteak came over from his linebacking post like a shot but sidestepped to keep from falling on Adduci and White. As he did so, he pulled short trying to avoid hitting some fans watching the play, his right ankle buckling under him as he fell. Loss of Teteak left the Packers shorthanded in his position. Nobody was drilling behind Teteak since the coaches were planning on George Timberlake, now with the College All Stars, to battle it out with Teteak, Another Packer LB’ing prospect with the Stars is fullback Tom Allman. What’s more, linebacker Roger Zatkoff just yesterday was shifted temporarily to offensive guard to help relieve a shortage there – brought about chiefly by an injury to Al Barry, the rookie from Southern Cal. Barry sustained hip bruises in the Intra-Squad game Saturday night. Clayton Tonnemaker and Zatkoff will handle the brunt of the linebacking against the Chicago Cardinals in Minneapolis Saturday night. The All Star boys won’t see action with the Packers until the clash against Cleveland in Green Bay Aug. 21. While yesterday’s semi-scrimmage was called off after the accident (the plays were continued







With ancestors including President James Polk and Daniel Boone, it wasn't surprising that Jacque Mercer found herself growing up on the X-Bar X-Ranch in Litchfield, Arizona, and the last Miss America to be born somewhere other than a hospital. In her early years, Jacque won a 4H ribbon for her radishes and was eighth grade valedictorian. At fifteen, she decided that she'd also like to be Miss America one day. "It was about three years before I won that I first started collecting information on the subject," she once said. "It was just dependable old Jacque. I had done some modeling, but I had never even been nominated for homecoming queen or anything. But, I just figured if you could learn to be a brain, you could learn to be a woman. Nobody figured I could do anything anyway." Tiny in stature, Jacque studied clothing and looked for patterns that gave the illusion of height. She practiced her dramatics endlessly and decided upon the potion scene from "Romeo and Juliet" as she thought it radiated class. She also dutifully noted that in her spare time she raised Maltese dogs. To look animated to the judges she developed a plan with Miss Arkansas to recite three letters of the alphabet and wait for a response of the next three letters. By the time she arrived in Atlantic City, she had made competition an art form, won the Miss America title outright, and later even published a book about her findings. While still holding the title, Jacque married. Unfortunately, the marriage ended very quickly. Later she became very instrumental in seeing that she would be the last Miss America to marry during her tenure. At Jacque's urging, pageant officials changed the rules so that Miss America was no longer permitted to marry while holding the title. Jacque graduated from Arizona State University, taught school, married All-American Football Player and advertising executive, Dick Curran and had two children, Richard Jr. and Shannon. While raising the children, Jacque entered into business with her husband and received numerous copy-writing awards throughout her career. Jacque also remained active in community work during her life, including starting a debutante ball and a girl's club, until her passing in 1982.





























but no tackling was done), the Packers went through their last team scrimmage this afternoon before the Card game. Purpose of the rough stuff was to get timing down on plays to be used against the Cards. Reporting yesterday was John Bauer, the 240-pound Illinois tackle obtained in the big trade with the Browns last week. The other tackle received in the deal, Chet Gierula, is still outstanding. Two other players were obtained in the deal – defensive halfback Don Miller, who is in camp and taking part in the rough stuff, and quarterback Bobby Garrett, now with the All Stars. Mike Riley, fullback and linebacker from Iowa, was cut from the squad yesterday. The Packers have 50 players in camp.
TETEAK SUFFERS BONE BREAK ABOVE ANKLE
AUG 11 (Stevens Point) - The Green Bay Packers lost one of their fiercest competitors for a month Tuesday. Deral Teteak, primarily a linebacker but being used at offensive guard as well, broke a small bone above the ankle of his right leg. The injury occurred during some contact work in the afternoon drill at Bukolt Park. Teteak was in pursuit of a ball carrier who was tackled eventually by another defensive player. Rather than fall on the runner, Teteak leaped over him and at the same time put on the breaks to avoid running into some spectators. His right foot apparently twisted as he hit the ground and Teteak rolled over in obviously great pain. He was helped off the field and passed out momentarily from the shock before reaching the training room at P.J. Jacobs High School. X-rays were taken later at St. Michael's Hospital and a cast was put on his foot. The "tough as nails" Teteak, however, did not remain hospitalized. He walked with the help of crutches from the hospital across the street from Delzell Hall shortly before 7 o'clock. Teteak was one of the "Hard Rocks" at Wisconsin in 1951 when the Badgers had their greatest defensive team. He excelled at that time as a linebacker and was outstanding two years ago in his professional football debut in the same capacity. "Bull", as he is known here and by many all over who have seen his snappy play, is a native of Oshkosh. While Coach Liz Blackbourn temporarily lost a man who was counted upon for regular duties, he gained one a couple hours earlier who appears to be capable of being hard to keep out of duty as an offensive tackle. He is John Bauer, an extremely healthy-looking individual who was acquired in the Cleveland Browns' deal. Bauer stands 6' 3" and weighs about 230. He hails from the University of Illinois where last year he was one of the Big Ten's outstanding linemen. The Browns picked him as the No. 1 choice in last winter's draft. Blackbourn also cut one more man from his squad Tuesday. He was Donald "Mike" Riley, fullback and linebacker from the University of Iowa. A rookie, Riley had been used mostly in the defensive arrangement here. He is the sixth rookie dropped from the squad. The Packers have been extremely patient but it is obvious the "eagerness" of the spectators to get close to the field of action isn't doing the club any good and eventually may prove disastrous to some of the onlookers as well. In addition to Teteak's injury, Marv Johnson, defensive halfback, also suffered his shoulder mishap while attempting to keep himself from falling into some spectators. Persons watching the practices are again reminded to stay far enough from the players.
INCREDIBLE SAGA OF THE PACKERS STARTED 35 YEARS AGO TODAY
AUG 11 (Green Bay) - Note to Tubby Bero, Jim Coffeen, Cal, et al: If your hairlines are getting wispy and grizzled around the edges, don’t take it too hard, fellas. After all, the Packers are 35 years old today. Remember the night you and Curly and a score of other eager young characters gathered in the dingy editorial room of the old Press-Gazette building on Cherry St. and decided to organize a football team? The young men who assembled there on the evening of Aug. 11, 1919, didn’t realize it, but that was the beginning of the incredible saga of the Green Bay Packers. There had been some preliminary talk and planning, and the decision wasn’t announced until two days later, but the big step was taken that night, so this is as good a birthday as any. Actually the spark that set the whole thing off had been struck a few weeks earlier during a street corner conversation between Earl Lambeau and George Calhoun. It was apparently one of those casual “Why not get up a football team?” remarks, but once they got interested the two enthusiasts wasted no time. First, they talked Curly’s employers at the Indian Packing Company into putting up some money for equipment – rumor had it that the kitty was $500 – and they persuaded Bill Ryan, who was getting paid for coaching West High, to coach them, too. Armed with this much backing, Curly and Cal began talking it up and finally called the Aug. 11 meeting…NO ROLL CALL TAKEN: The idea of a city football team was nothing new. As far back as the late 1890’s, Green Bay had been represented periodically by just such a sandlot club as the original Packer organization, and only the year before, 1918, had come up with a team that was undefeated and tied once. In fact, several of the boys who made up the first Packer squad had played on it. No roll call was taken at that meeting, so nobody is sure exactly who was there, but it appears that most of the gang that eventually made up the first team were present. Among them were Curly, Calhoun, Coffeen, Bero, the Zoll brothers, Riggie and Dutch Dwyer, Nate Abrams, Gus Rosenow, Sam Powers, Fritz Gavin and Charlie Sauber. All were local boys except Powers, who was from Marinette, all had played in high school, and a few had had some college experience. Most of them were out to have some fun and maybe pick up a couple of bucks doing it. (A couple of bucks was about all they got out of it, too, as Lambeau has told how, when they divided the pot at the end of an eleven-game season, each player got less than $100.) Anyway, having decided to go ahead with it, the group elected Lambeau captain (after all, Curly sort of owned the football) and made plans to start practice. Calhoun, then sports editor of the Press-Gazette, was manager. Workouts, which were limited to three a week and had to be held after supper because everyone was working, got underway on Sept. 3, and 11 days later, on Sept. 14, 1919, the Packers faced their first kickoff…”PACKERS” NATURAL NAME: Because the team’s jerseys had been provided by the packing company, which also permitted the use of its athletic field for practice, the club was identified in its early publicity as a project of the company. With this tie-in, the nickname “Packers” was a natural, and the Packers they have been ever since, although the corporation had practically faded out of the picture before that first season was half over. Contracts being a refinement of the future, there was never any set roster for the team. Players came and went, but by and large the original nucleus carried the burden that year. A check of the lineups for the 1919 games shows that 25 players saw action, although four of them appeared in less than five games. Six played in every contest, while five got into ten games and three played in nine. Appearing at one time or another in the Packers’ original blue and white were Herb Nichols, Alvin Martin, Herman Martell, Wes Leaper, Nate Abrams, Fritz Gavin, Riggie Dwyer, Lyle Wheeler, Sam Powers, Charlie Sauber, Andy Muldoon, Carl and Martin Zoll, Al Petcka, Milt Wilson, John Des Jardien and Bradlee. They made up the line roster, while the backfield consisted of Jim Coffeen, Curly Lambeau, Tudy McLean, Tubby Bero, Wally Ladnow, Dutch Dwyer, Gus Rosenow and Jens Gallagher. Assigning fixed positions is impossible, since most of them played in more than one spot and a few even worked in both the line and backfield. Versatility was the trademark of the ball carriers, all of whom interchanged almost at will. Tubby Bero, normally a fullback although he scaled only 163 pounds, saw a lot of halfback duty and even appeared in one game at end. Fritz Gavin, the regular center, also worked as a tackle and on one occasion on the wing…OLD CREW SCATTERED NOW: Flanking Fritz on the pivot were the Zoll brothers at the guards. Both were big guys and professional wrestlers, which made them tough customers in a scrimmage. Carl, the bigger of the two, was extremely powerful. People still talk of his trick of casually lifting his Model-T Ford out of tight parking places. Another unusual performer was Gus Rosenow, who recently returned to Green Bay after retiring as a school principal. Gus had a bad arm, but it never interfered with his football, and when he tucked the oval under his bum flipper and took off he could really move. Jim never had much of a chance to use his skill, but Coffeen was a drop kicking sharpshooter as well as a smart quarterback. His successful boot of 52 yards still stands as a Beloit College record. The old crew is scattered now. Six of them are dead, but eleven still live in Green Bay. The local survivors include Coffeen, the Zolls, Martell, Ladrow, Muldoon, Rosenoe, Petcka, Bero, Dutch Dwyer and Des Jardien. Herb Nichols, Charlie Sauber, Nate Abrams, Riggy Dwyer, Al Martin and Cowboy Wheeler are dead, while nobody knows what became of Jens Gallagher. Those who are left are all crowding sixty now, and many of the younger generation of fans hardly recall that they ever played in Green Bay’s most famous organization. But they were good in their day and class, and they started something that gives them a tremendous sense of pride whenever a couple of them get together to chew the fat about the great, old days.
A GIFT FOR THE PACKERS
AUG 11 (Green Bay) - Since the exchange of athletes between teams has all of the uncertainties of the old-fashioned horse trade, it is a little risky to comment upon such deals until several months of play have passed. However, the deal recently completed between the Green Bay Packers and the Cleveland Browns looks so good from the Green Bay viewpoint that about the only thing against it is it seems almost too good to be true. Green Bay got Bob Garrett, the great All-American quarterback from Stanford, John Bauer, a big fast lineman from Illinois, Jack Miller, a defensive halfback from Southern Methodist, and Chester Giarola from Maryland, who has been in the military service for two years. For these players, the Packers gave up quarterback Babe Parilli of Kentucky and Bob Fleck of Syracuse. Under other circumstances, more attention might be given to the players the Packers surrendered. However, both are now in the armed services and great as they are they can mean nothing to any team for about two years. The Packers needed both Parilli and Fleck and their loss to the military was a severe blow to the team. The fortunate deal that certainly will go a long way toward replacing them certainly is a piece of good fortune. The suspicious person may wonder what the Browns are up to in giving us this deal. The obvious signs are that they have loads of material now which they must either cut adrift or sell. They may foresee the need for a great seasoned quarterback in about two years and are buying some insurance against that. As for the Packers, it looks like a gift and as the saying goes let us not look this gift horse in the mouth.
PACK HURT IN TWO SPOTS FOR CARD TILT
AUG 12 (Stevens Point) - The Packers were hurting at offensive guard and tackle today – a situation that probably won’t be cleared up in time for the opener against the Chicago Cardinals in Minneapolis Saturday night. Two injuries in less than a week and a shortage of major league rookie prospects in the early stages of training are the two chief sources of worry for Coach Liz Blackbourn and Aides Ray McLean, Tom Hearden, Lou Rymkus and Jack Vainisi. Originally, rookie Al Barry and veteran Buddy Brown were starting at offensive guard and carrying the load. That combo was damaged when Barry suffered a hip bruise in the Intra-Squad game Saturday night; he may not play against the Cards. While B and B were holding forth earlier at offensive guard, Blackbourn noted that the offensive tackle section was undernourished. So, two veterans, Steve Ruzich and Len Szafaryn, were switched to tackle. The only other offensive tackle who knows all of the plays is rookie Bill Buford. Veteran Gus Cifelli and rookie John Bauer, both offensers, were late arrivals. Offensive tackle veteran Dick Afflis still hasn’t reported. The other injury that messed up the situation was the broken bone suffered by Deral Teteak, veteran linebacker. Roger Zatkoff, a linebacker, was to be tried at offensive guard but when Teteak was hurt Roger had to back to LB’ing, leaving Mike Takacs as Brown’s lone running mate. To add some irony, Blackbourn was informed that J.D. Roberts, the All-American guard drafted No. 17 by the Packers last January, has decided to quit the Hamilton Tiger Cats and try for a Packer berth. Roberts told Coach Carl Voyles he did not think he could make the Big Four club because of his size. He weighs 200 pounds, compared incidentally to Brown’s 235 and Barry’s 230. Blackbourn said today that “we’re not going after Roberts; if he wants to come down and try out he can do so.” He hasn’t reported yet. Hamilton wants a guard who could double as a linebacker. Roberts, who has never backed a line, worked in a split-T formation at Oklahoma. Roberts was drafted by the Packers in hopes that he might gain weight. He played as a sophomore at 230 pounds but dropped to around 205 pounds last year. The shortage of offensive guards and tackles helped to put a damper on Wednesday’s scrimmage – the last rough stuff before the Cardinal game. Blackbourn stated point blank: “We didn’t look good.” The only “score” came on the last play of the scrimmage when veteran fullback Howie Ferguson ran 50 yards for a touchdown. The battling was not game length. Purpose of the workout was to perfect the timing on plays for Saturday night. The Packers will leave here by bus for Minneapolis shortly after noon Friday. The team will work Friday morning and no practice is scheduled for that night in Minneapolis. The squad will headquarter at the Nicollet hotel and return to camp by bus, leaving the Twin Cities at 11 o’clock Sunday morning. Vainisi will leave Friday for Chicago where he’ll greet the seven Packers playing with the All Stars and attend the game with Gib Dawson, who will receive a trophy for being selected the most valuable player in the 1953 game. The Packers-Stars have a choice of going up to Minneapolis to look at the Cardinal-Packer game or reporting to the team in Stevens Point Sunday. Dawson, hobbled by injuries in his rookie season, has decided not to continue his Packer career this year. Vanisi will got to Pittsburgh where he’ll scout the Steeler-Chicago Bear fracas Saturday night.
BAY'S DEFENSE DISPLAYS EDGE OVER OFFENSE
AUG 12 (Stevens Point) - The defense showed an edge over the offense during the Green Bay Packers' scrimmage Wednesday afternoon. After more than an hour of full-contact practice, only one touchdown was recorded. That was a 50-yard run around end by the galloping fullback Howie Ferguson. Both Ferguson and Fred Cone got food workouts as the fullbacks were the main offensive weapons during the scrimmage. The two hard runners displayed their wares capably although usually their gains were held to a minimum by the hard-tackling defense. Doing some of the best work defensively was touch Roger Zatkoff, a capable linebacker. Nick Adduci and Ken Hall in the same positions were likewise in on many plays while the middle of the front line - Dave Hanner, Jerry Helluin and Bill Forester - were not fooled often. Such regular defensive performers as ends John Martinkovic and Stretch Elliott, linebacker Clayt Tonnemaker and the more experienced defensive backs such as Val Joe Walker, Bobby Dillon, Marv Johnson and Clarence Self weren't being used in their specialities. Coach Liz Blackbourn started an offensive lineup of Tobin Rote, Al Carmichael, Breezy Reid and Ferguson in the backfield. Bob Mann and Billy Howton were at the ends, Len Szafaryn and Steve Ruzich at tackles, Buddy Brown and Mike Takacs at guards and Jim Ringo at center. Cone alternated at fullback with Ferguson. This unit went against Forester, Helluin, Hanner and ends Gene Knutson plus Hall, Adduci, Roger Carlsen, Gene White, Lou Mihajlovich and Don Miller. Zatkoff, Mike Maccioli, Clyde Adkins and Bud Roffler also took part in the defense. The defensive unit didn't change much for the second team on offense. That No. 2 ball-moving array had Elry Falkenstein, Joe Johnson, and Clyde Sanders in the backfield with Cone or Ferguson with Elliott and Max McGee at ends, Bill Buford and Dick Mace at tackles, Takacs and Dale Haupt at guards, and Trapper Stephenson at center. Mace later went to the defense and and Gus Ciffelli took his place. Ed Frank was used at end on defense. Blackbourn put his first offense lineup on the field again during the last minutes of the scrimmage. The only changes had Ruzich moved to Takacs' guard spot and Ciffelli moved into the vacated tackle position. Defensively, it was Roffler, Adkins, Mihaljovich and Maccioli in the secondary with Forester, Buford, Mace, Knutson, Frank, Haupt and Carlsen up front. It was during this time that Ferguson galloped for a touchdown. Hall suffered a cut eye early in the scrimmage and Helluin fell on someone's heel. Neither injury was serious. Al Barry and Dave Davis were still on the sidelines with hip and ankle troubles, respectively, while Deral Tetak, who broke a bone above his right ankle Tuesday, remained in the dormitory. Blackbourn was not ready to announce his starting lineups for the exhibition opener Saturday against the Chicago Cardinals in Minnesapolis. He planned two workouts again today as well as one Friday afternoon before leaving for the Twin Cities.
REPORT ROBERTS ON WAY HERE; HASN'T CONTACTED COACHES
AUG 12 (Stevens Point) - J.D. Roberts, the All-American guard from Oklahoma, is reported headed toward Stevens Point and the training camp of the Green Bay Packers. Coach Liz Blackbourn, however, this morning stated Roberts had neither arrived nor had the Packers had any contacts with him. Roberts was the No. 17 draft choice of Green Bay last winter but then jumped to Canada and signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cars. He quit the team Tuesday and left for Stevens Point. The ex-Sooner standout reportedly felt his 200-pound size wasn't big enough for offensive guard and defensive linebacker duties. He was competing against several 230 and 240-pounders for the position. Canada does not use the two-platoon system.

PACKERS, FOLLOWERS EYE SEVEN IN STAR TILT TONIGHT
AUG 13 (Stevens Point) - The meat of the Packers’ 1954 draft list – plus the key figure in the big-brass trade with the Cleveland Browns – goes on display in the 21st annual College All-Star game before 90,000 in Soldier’s Field tonight. And from the performances of these athletes – seven in all, the Packers and their followers expect to get at least an inkling of what assistance they can provide they can provide the new-regime Green Bays. Heading into the Packer-Star cast against the world champion Detroit Lions is Bobby Garrett, the All-American quarterback from Stanford who was obtained a week ago today with three other players for servicemen Babe Parilli and Bob Fleck. Backing up Garrett will be the Packers’ two No. 1 draft choices – All-American tackle Art Hunter of Notre Dame, a possible starter on offense, and Veryl Switzer, the all-round halfback from Kansas State. In addition, the Detroits will oppose potential Packer regulars George Timberlake, linebacker from Southern California, No. 3 choice; fullback Tommy Allman of West Virginia, No. 4; end Ken (Cotton) Hall of North Texas State, No. 11; and end Hosea Sims of Marquette, No. 27. All seven players are signed to Packer contracts and all seven are expected to be in the Packer camp in Stevens Point in time for workouts Monday. Three or four will plane to Minneapolis to watch the Packers play the Cardinals Saturday night. The Packer squad and the coaching staff will watch the Star Seven closely via television in Minneapolis tonight. No workout was scheduled this evening in the Twin Cities, since the club drilled before leaving Stevens Point this noon. Coach Liz Blackbourn will be keeping his fingers crossed – “protection” against injuries to his Packer Stars. No other pro team has ever contributed as many players to the All Star team. In fact, there is an agreement between the National league and the game sponsors that the All Stars do not take more than six from any one team. The Stars received the extra Star, Garrett, from Green Bay via the trade. The usual mystery surrounds the College All Star lineup as part of the sponsoring Chicago Tribune’s big personal effort to help the All Stars win. Training progress reports said little – if anything. This much is sure tonight: The game will feature the single platoon system – reintroduced in the amateur field last fall after an absence of several years. Coach Jim Tatum of the Stars is expected to use the same system he employed at Maryland – the Split-T, which would mean that Garrett, a straight-T QB, may not see much action. Garrett, in addition, isn’t considered a top-flight defensive star – a must for the one-platoon. However, speculation as to type of attack is risky. Two years ago, the All Stars didn’t have an experienced split-T quarterback in camp but they came out with Babe Parilli, who never played that formation – much less running with the ball, handling the split-T. The Stars’ best element of surprise tonight would seem to be scrapping the split-T. If they do, Garrett could be a key man because he’s considered the best thrower in camp. Zeke Bratkowski, a “split” QB, is scheduled to start. Three Packers stand good chances of going most of the way tonight because they are skilled in offense and defense – Hunter, chiefly an offensive star; Switzer, who gained All-American recognition as a defensive back in ’52 and as an offensive back in ’53; and Allman, fullback and linebacker. Switzer, however, faces the challenge of the Notre Dame great and Chicago favorite – Johnny Lattner, who is expected to be in the starting lineup. The play of Hall will be watched with interest in view of a rumor out of the All Star camp recently. It was reported merely that Cotton was the best receiver in practice. Packer prospects will be going for an unprecedented third straight most valuable player award. Gib Dawson won it for his performance against the Lions last August and will receive the giant trophy between halves tonight. Gib, who decided to quit pro ball, is journeying up from Texas for the occasion and will be accompanied to the game by Packer Assistant Coach Jack Vainisi. Parilli won the award for his showing against the Los Angeles Rams in ’52. Three other Packers won most valuable player honors – Cecil Isbell in 1938; Bruce Smith in 1942; and Jay Rhodemyre in 1948. Sports scribes covering the


game ballot for the most valuable player immediately after the contest. The winner is generally announced Sunday…All 50 of the Packers in Minneapolis are expected to get a look at some of tonight’s game – via television, probably after the usual squad meeting. The Packers and Cardinals are staying at the Nicollet hotel tonight and Saturday night. The Packers will leave Minneapolis at 11 a.m. Sunday for Stevens Point to start training for the Cleveland Brown game in Green Bay Saturday night, Aug. 21. All of the Packer-Stars will be making their debut in the Cleveland contest.
PACKERS MEET CARDS IN OPENER SATURDAY
AUG 13 (Stevens Point) - The Green Bay Packers leave training camp today to go to Minneapolis where they meet the Chicago Cardinals in their first exhibition. of the year Saturday night. Coach Lisle Blackbourn, who will be fielding his first professional football squad, named his probable starting offensive and defensive units yesterday when the squad ran through a dress rehearsal of new plays. The former Marquette University coach named quarterback Tobin Rote, fullback Fred Cone and halfbacks Al Carmichael and Floyd (Breezy) Reid as the probably offensive backfield. The tentative list of the line includes ends Bob Mann and Bill Howton, tackles Steve Ruzich and Len Szafaryn, guards Buddy Brown and Mike Takacs and center Jim Ringo. Probables for the defensive unit include: defensive backs Val Joe Walker, Don Miller and Lou Mihajlovich; linebackers Clayton Tonnemaker, Roger Zatkoff and Clarence Self; middle guard Bill Forester; tackles Dave Hanner and Jerry Helluin, and ends John Martinkovic and Stretch Elliott. Some of the seven Packers rookies who are on the College All-Star team are expected to fly to Minneapolis after the charity game with the Detroit Lions tonight in Chicago. However they are not scheduled to play. The rest of the All-Star rookies plan to go to Green Bay to check on housing for their families before reporting to the Packers to begin training here next week.
PACKER ORGANIZATION CELEBRATES 35TH BIRTHDAY
AUG 13 (Green Bay) - Wisconsin's oldest and most colorful professional athletic team celebrated its 35th birthday anniversary this week. It was on August 11, 1919, that the Green Bay Packers were born in the dingy editorial room of the old Press-Gazette building as the result of a casual conversation a couple of weeks earlier between two young men. The street corner chat between Earl (Curly) Lambeau and George Calhoun - apparently one of those "why don't we start a football team?" affairs - led to formation of the team which put Green Bay on the national sports map. The first step was obtaining money from Lambeau's employers, the Indian Packing Corp., for equipment. The second was talking Bill Ryan, then coach at West High School, into coaching the team. Both works and the August 11 meeting was called. There wasn't any roll call taken, but among those on hand were H.J. (Tubby) Bero, present police chief; Jimmy Coffeen, who does the sideline announcing to this day and a handful of others. Lambeau was elected captain of the team and Calhoun, then sports editor of the Press-Gazette, became manager. Practice sessions were held three nights weekly after support, because all the players held other jobs during the day. The nickname, "Packers", resulted from the fact that the company which put up the money insisted on its name being on the jerseys. Lineups for the first season showed these more or less regular players: Herb Nichols, Alvin Martin, Herman Martell, Wes Leaper, Nate Abrams, Fritz Gavin, Reggie Dwyer, Lyle Wheeler, Sam Powers, Charlie Sauber, Andy Muldoon, Carl and Martin Zoll, Al Petecka, Milton Wilson, and John Des Jardien in the line, and Coffeen, Lambeau, Bero, Tudy McLean, Wally Ladrow, Dutch Dwyer, Gus Rosenow and Jens Gallagher in the backfield. Lambeau remained on the club continuously until after the 1949 season. Over the 30-year span, the Packers won seven undisputed NFL championships and tied for an eighth. Lambeau left early in 1950 to join the Chicago Cardinals and is currently the head coach of the Washington Redskins. The roll of Lambeau's star players is long - Don Hutson, Lavvie Dilweg, Johnny Blood, Mike Michalske, Cal Hubbard, Arnie Herber, Clarke Hinkle, Lon Evans, Russ Letlow, Cecil Isbell, Tony Canadeo, Charley Brock, Ted Fritsch, Larry Craig, to list a few. There were lean years as Lambeau's time ran out - and they became even leaner under his successor, Gene Ronzani. Last winter the Packers management, a non-profit organization, named Verne Lewellen, an alumnus, the first general manager in history. It hired Lisle (Liz) Blackbourn, a successful college coach, to take over the coaching, and set about building for the future.
BAYS NOT UP TO PAR FOR MINNEAPOLIS TILT
AUG 14 (Minneapolis) - The charity loving residents of the Twin Cities, who annually fill Parade Stadium to its capacity of 21,000 for the purpose of helping the Catholic Welfare Assn., and watching their “home” Packers play football, won’t see the Packers at full strength tonight. That privilege has been reserved for the football-mad residents of Green Bay and area – quite by the following three accidents: (1) The College All Star-Detroit game long ago was arranged for last night in Chicago, thus robbing the Packers of seven highly-touted athletes for the test against the Chicago Cardinals. (2) The Packers in the last week lost two key players – guard Al Barry, figured as a starting offensive guard tonight, and linebacker Deral Teteak. Barry suffered hip bruises last Saturday night and will see little, if any, action; Teteak sustained a fracture of the small bone above the ankle on his right leg Tuesday. (3) Late arrival of at least six players, not counting any of the All Stars, will make them practically useless tonight – particularly on offense. Appropriately, the first game the Packers will be at full strength – at least as to personnel being accounted for and in condition, will be the Cleveland Brown test in Green Bay Saturday night, Aug. 21. Tonight’s game will be historic, however, in that the Packers’ third new regime will be making its debut – Head Coach Liz Blackbourn and aides Ray McLean, Tom Hearden and Lou Rymkus. A fifth coach, Jack Vainisi, will be in Pittsburgh scouting the Steeler-Chicago Bear game. Blackbourn, the third head coach in the 35-year history of the club, has no wild illusions about “our showing” tonight. “We were set back in our training because of the trade and the many late arrivals – we should be a little more advanced for the Brown game,” Liz pointed out. Blackbourn announced today that he will start one rookie on offense tonight – guard Mike Takacs of Ohio State who played under Barry. The rest of the lineup has Bill Howton and Bob Mann at ends; Len Szafaryn and Steve Ruzich, guards last year, at tackles; Buddy Brown at guard; Jim Ringo at center; and Tobin Rote at quarterback, Al Carmichael at right half, Breezy Reid at left half and Howie Ferguson at fullback. While the Packer defense will change to fit the occasion, Blackbourn said he’d go with Clarence Self, who also shifts back to defensive halfback, Clayton Tonnemaker and Roger Zatkoff at linebackers; and Val Joe Walker, Gene White and C.B. Adkins in the defensive outfield. The defensive line will have John Martinkovic and Stretch Elliott at ends, Dave Hanner and Jerry Helluin at tackles and Bill Forester at center guard. Bobby Dillon is on the doubtful list for tonight since he’s still nursing his knee. Other defensive halfbacks likely to see action are Don Miller, obtained from the Cleveland Browns, Roger Carlson of nearby Gustavus Adolphus College, and Lou Mihajlovich. Blackbourn is expected to give all of the new players a taste of pro competition. He’s particularly anxious to see halfbacks Clyde Sanders and Joe Johnson test their stuff against the Cardinals’ powerful line. Elry Falkenstein will see some action, relieving Rote, as will end Max McGee, who has been sharing right end with Howton. Defensive end Ed Frank, who has been looking good in camp, will change off with Elliott. McGee will do the punting and Cone the kickoff off, extra points and field goals. Little is known about Joe Stydahar’s Cardinals, since they’ve been buried almost three weeks under a barrage of All Star publicity in Chicago. In fact, Blackbourn said the other day, “I’ve never gone into a game knowing so little about an opponent.” About all that leaked out of the Cardinal camp is the starting lineup and that was obtained by Walter Wolfner, Card president. Steve Romanik, the former Chicago Bear, will open at quarterback, and veteran Charley Trippi will be at left half, Jim Sears at right half and former Pittsburgh Steeler Jim Spinks at fullback. Both teams will headquarter at the Nicollet hotel tonight. The Packers will leave by bus for their training camp in Stevens Point at 11 o’clock Sunday morning.


ROTE, REID, FERGIE OUT FOR NEXT TILT!
DEC 14 (Green Bay) - If this was Nov. 1 and the Packers had five or six games left, they'd be in terrible shape. Fullback Howie Ferguson, the Bays' leading pass catching back; halfback Floyd Reid, the club's top ground gainer, and quarterback Tobin Rote, all probably would be in the hospital and out of action for two or three games. Fergie picked up a hip "point" when the Packers were on their way to their third touchdown and a 20-14 lead shortly before the half and Reid suffered a back injury in the first quarter. Ferguson, for the first time this season, tried a body block and "I'll never do it again," he said en route home Sunday night. "I always shoulder block for the passer but this time I body blocked and the end's knee hit my hip. I wear those light sponge hip pads and they don't give much protection." Ferguson's replacement, Fred Cone, had a chunk of his right thumb all but torn off in the fourth quarter and Coach Liz Blackbourn had to settle for halfback Al Carmichael as a fullback the rest of the way. After Ferguson was hurt, Rote was robbed of his best plunger and fullback pass catcher. Reid's injury was particularly painful as he put in the dressing room: "They were open all afternoon for those traps up the middle - you know?" Breezy was referring to his patented 10, 15-yard gallops between the guards. Rote had the little finger on his right hand pushed back almost to the elbow when he threw a touchdown pass to Joe Johnson for the 20-14 lead. Two plays after that touchdown, Bobby Dillon intercepted Billy Wade's pass and the Packers had the ball on the Ram 28 - excellent position for a 27-14 lead. But Rote couldn't get much of a hold on the pigskin with that finger and on the third play Hall Haynes intercepted one of his passes. Rote tried 10 more passes in the third quarter and completed only three - to show you how damaging an injury to a little finger can be. The Packers' defense left much to be desired and Blackboun was bitterly disappointed with the unit's work. "There's no use saying anything about it now but it has let us down in the last four games," Liz said Sunday night, adding "the defense helped keep us up earlier in the season." In the last four games, Packer opponents scored 119 points - 49 by Detroit in two games and 35 each by San Francisco and Los Angeles. Before the last four battles, the Bay defense had allowed an average of about 17 points. While the loss of Val Joe Walker was a blow to the Bays' pass defense and a chronic knee injury bothered Clayton Tonnemaker, Bay opponents had taken many liberties with the Bay defensive line and tackles Dave Hanner and Jerry Helluin were making fewer and fewer tackles - particularly none in the two coast games. On the bright side, Blackbourn though "McGee was great and Rote was magnificent until he was hurt - And I certainly was happy that Garrett had a good finish." Before he was injured, Rote completed 13 out of 16 passes - two for touchdowns, and scored a TD himself on a fake lateral end run. McGee caught nine throws for 105 yards and averaged 48.33 with six punts...The Packers returned in two sections, 10 of 'em coming in Monday morning after an all-night flight out of LA Sunday night. The others who planned to come in to close up their personal affairs came in Monday night, flying out of LA in the morning. A number of the athletes went directly to their homes and at least two of them took the bus- Bobby Garrett, Jim Psaltis and Al Barry who live in the Los Angeles area. Another Californian, Al Carmichael, returned to Green Bay and will drive home with his wife and youngster via Texas. Barry was bit pale after the game. He had spent most of last week in a Pasadena hospital fighting tonsilitis and was released Friday night. He played all of the game at offensive left guard. Barry's running mate at guard, Buddy Brown, came out with a broken toe though the injury, suffered in the first half, but it didn't bother him...At least two Packers and possible a third will return to the west coast to start training with the Western Conference All Stars in the Pro Bowl classic Jan. 16. Though official announcements haven't been made yet, linebacker Roger Zatkoff and tackle Dave Hanner are getting ready to appear. There was some talk on the coast that quarterback Tobin Rote would be selected - along with Norm Van Brocklin and Bobby Layne.
SWITZER COULD WIN PUNT RETURNING CROWN - - - IF!
DEC 15 (Green Bay) - If Cleveland can contain Detroit's Jack Christiansen Sunday, the Packers' Veryl Switzer will win the NFL punt returning championship. Averaging 20 yards on two returns in his '54 final at Los Angeles Sunday, Switzer forged into first place with an average of 12.8 on 24 runbacks. Christiansen is second with 11.9 on 19 trips. The Browns will be playing the Lions Sunday in a postponed game in Cleveland. The following Sunday, they'll tangle for the world's championship in the same park. Two Packers narrowly missed snaring the punt runback title in the last four years - Billy Grimes in 1950 and Al Carmichael in 1953. Billy ranked second with an average of 19.1 behind Herb Rich, who averaged 23. Al averaged an even 10 behind Charley Trippi, who posted 11.4. Switzer's 93-yard runback of a punt for a touchdown against the Bears in Chicago still ranks as the longest of the season. Carmichael finished third among kickoff returners this season, with an average of 26.6. Switzer placed seventh - 20 trips for 500 yards and an average of 25. Al also returned 20, moving 531 yards. Official figures also disclosed that Green Bay's Bobby Dillon ranked in a four-way tie for fourth place on pass interceptions, with seven swiped, including two against the Rams. Bobby grabbed nine in 10 games in '53 and four as a rookie in '52, giving him a total of 20 in three seasons. Tobin Rote, Breezy Reid, Bill Howton and Max McGee also placed in the league figures. Rote ranked 16th among the league pass catchers but threw the most passes, 382, and had the most completions, 180. He placed second in yards gained, advancing 2,311 stripes with his pitches against Norm Van Brocklin's 2,637. Tobin threw 14 touchdown passes. He completed 47.1 percent of his passes - his second best pro figure. He percentaged 52.2 in '52. Reid, hurt early in the Ram finale, finished ninth among ground gainers, picking up 507 yards in 99 trips for an average of 5.1. A year ago, Reid placed eighth with 492 yards in 95 carries and an average of 5.2. Howton stands a good chance of finishing fourth in pass catches, with his 52 receptions. But Cleveland's Dante Lavelli has 47 and could pass Bill against Detroit. Howton's best previous total was 53 in '52; he caught 25 in '53. McGee, with a 48-yard average against LA, finished sixth on 41.7. He could place fifth if Detroit's Jug Girard has a poor day Sunday. Jug is averaging 42.2.
ONLY TWO PACKERS ON BOWL SQUAD?
DEC 16 (Green Bay) - The people who inhabit Green Bay coffee football dens were unhappy today with the Western Conference All Star team which will play the Eastern outfit in the Pro Bowl game in Los Angeles Jan. 16. Two Packers were chosen - tackle Dave Hanner and linebacker Roger Zatkoff. Nobody seemed to object to the picking of those two stalwarts but the fact that the Bays had only two representatives left the java slightly cold. The Baltimore Colts, for instance, had three appointees - defensive end Gino Marchetti, halfback Buddy Young and tackle Art Donovan. Marchetti has not been himself this season; Young was hurt most of the year - especially after playing one spectacular game, the opener against the New York Giants; and Donovan? Big Art was terrific and richly deserved the honor. The Chicago Bears knocked off five spots - end Harlon Hill, fullback Chick Jagade, tackle Bill Bishop, guard Bill George and, of all people, end Ed Sprinkle. Hill had a great year for a rookie and certainly warrants the honor. Sprinkle, bless him for his fine efforts against Green Bay, was below his usual ferociousness this season. Many of the selections are made with an eye for business - or rather toward filling the Coliseum. Sprinkle, for instance, has a fat following on the west coast. Paul Cameron of

Pittsburgh, chosen on the Eastern Conference team, was one of the lesser defensive backs in that loop. But he's fresh from west coast college stardom. The WC's two quarterbacks both are coast articles - Norm Van Brocklin and Y.A. Tittle. This brings to mind Tobin Rote, the Packers' pitcher. We learned in Los Angeles last week that Rote was seriously considered for one of the quarterbacking post - possibly in place of Tittle. Rote had gained a lot of favor in the west for his showing in the televised Thanksgiving Day game vs. Detroit. And he had the Rams on the ropes in the first half last Sunday until he injured the little finger on his throwing hand. Rote might have been a valuable addition to the Western club since he's the only QB in the circuit who can carry the ball like a halfback and/or fullback - other than Billy Wade of the Rams who is still too inexperienced. One other Packer should have been selected - defensive halfback Bobby Dillon. Three DHB's were named - Jack Christiansen and Jim David of Detroit and Jim Cason of San Francisco. Nobody can argue about Christiansen or David but Cason had been out most of the season and, while he's a handyman (he quarterbacked against the Packers in Milwaukee), offers much less speed and savvy than Dillon. The Pro Bowl game is excellent reward for the players. In addition to their expenses for two weeks on the coast - plus travel, the winner gets $700 and the loser $500. Zatkoff had planned to go into teaching when he returns to his home in Detroit but will put his work off until after the game...RAM LEFTOVERS: Carl Mulleneaux, former Packer star, visited the Packer dressing room after the game and said, "Be sure and say hello to all my friends in Green Bay - playing there for those people was my greatest experience in sports." Carl, now coaching at Arizona State, plans to confer with Coach Liz Blackbourn on the west coast this week on several pro prospects. Also passing his regards to Bay fans was former Packer Ed Ecker. One of the pressbox spectators was Curly Lambeau, founder and head coach for 30 years. Curly said he was "happy about the Packers' showing this year" and pulled hard for them to win their '54 windup. Lambeau said he expects to start work on organization of the College All Stars for the game next August. He was recently named head coach of the Stars...Arriving in the Ram dressing room about a half hour after the resignations of four assistant coaches were announced in the pressbox, we found the long remaining coach, Hamp Pool, in fine spirits. Though he had lost four aides, he won a game and pointed to Billy Wade, the Ram quarterback, as his "future hope". Pool, with his arm around his 10-year old son, pointed to Wade and exclaimed: "He'll be a great one, that kid - just wait." Actually, Pool isn't alone in the matter of aides. Still with him is Eddie Kotal, the former Packer player and coach, although Eddie doesn't act in a coaching capacity. Kotal is chief of the Rams' wide scouting system...The Packers' Mutt and Jeff, 6-4 Stretch Elliott and 5-8 Clarence Self, were mistaken for a couple of robbers in Pasadena last week. They were returning from a movie when a squad car pulled over and police ordered him to move against a wall with their hands up. Stretch and Clarence perfectly fitted the description of a couple of thieves but Green Bay officials soon identified the boys.

PACKER ATTENDANCE UP 14,907 IN 1954
DEC 17 (Green Bay) - Down at home. Up on the road. And up for the season. That's the story of Packer attendance in 1954 as compared to 1953. It's a rather strange story in view of the exciting football played by the disciples of Coach Liz Blackbourn. A total of 347,850 fans watched the Packers play 12 NFL games at home and on the road in 1954, compared to 332,943 in 1953 - an increase of 14,907. The Packers drew 229,182 fans in six games on the road this season and 118,668 in the same number of contests at home - three in Milwaukee and three in Green Bay. A year ago, the Packers pulled in 206,227 in the six on the road and 126,716 in the six at home. Thus, the Packers increased their road attendance by 22,955 over '53, but their home gates skidded to the tune of 8,048 from '53. Breaking down the six homes games this fall, the three in Green Bay drew 65,856 and the three in Milwaukee totaled 52,812. A year ago, the City Stadium trio pulled 64,382 and the three in Milwaukee County Stadium drew 62,334. Thus, Green Bay attendance was up 1,474 while Milwaukee gates skidded 9,522. Each of the three games in City Stadium drew more than 20,000 fans while all of the Milwaukee tests drew below that magic figure. Milwaukee attendance increased with each game, however - 15,571 for San Francisco, 17,455 for Los Angeles and 19,786 for Baltimore. The Packers opened with 20,675 at City Stadium against Pittsburgh and then came up with the usual sellout for the Chicago Bear game. But the big disappointment was the 20,767 for the Detroit test. The Packers were still in the running when the world champions came to town. They were fresh from a whooping victory over Frisco and the Packers had just beaten Baltimore, but there were nearly 4,000 empty seats. Needless to say, Detroit was unhappy and the Packers had reason to be disappointed. The Lions received little more than their guarantee of $20,000. Four days later, Thanksgiving Day, the Packers and Lions played to 55,532 in a nationally-televised spectacle from Detroit, with the Packers receiving more than twice their standard guarantee. The terrific showing Green Bay made in losing 28-24 helped up the attendance on the west coast for the final two games. The Packers had played such an outstanding game that coast TV fans wanted to see 'em in the flesh. Thus, the Packers drew 33,715 in San Francisco and 38,839 in Los Angeles - despite the fact that all clubs were out in the running. Packer officials were encouraged by the attendance this season. The dip in Milwaukee gates, they felt, resulted some from the showing of the team there in '53 - a factor that might have prevented three sellout in Green Bay. The '54 season, which featured a changeover in coaches, ranked as one of the Packers' most sparkling and interesting in years and likely will produce increased attendance in Green Bay and Milwaukee next fall. The Packers' upswing on the road proves that the "sports wonder of the world" is approaching its ranking as one of the top drawing cards in professional football.

Attendance at the Bear game in Chicago was up last fall over '53, a crowd of 47,038 coming out in '54 compared to 38,889 a year ago.
POOL RESIGNS AS LA COACH
DEC 17 (Los Angeles) - Hampton Pool resigned Friday as head coach of the Los Angeles Rams, saying in an announcement that he was doing so "for the good of the team". Pool was not available for comment. Neither was Rams' President Dan Reeves. The brief announcement came from Pete Rozelle, Rams publicity man. Pool completed his third season as head man last Sunday. Immediately after that game, in which the Rams whipped the Green Bay Packers, 35-27, his four assistant coaches quit. A few days later Pool's first lieutenant, Johnny Sauer, accepted the athletic directorship and head coaching job at the Citadel, Charleston, SC. With Pool and his entire slate of assistants out of the picture, speculation began immediately on two possible successors. One is Jordan Olivar, who has one year left on a three-year contract at Yale. He makes his home here when not actively coaching. Olivar said early today that the Ram management had not contacted him. The other possibility is Lawrence "Buck" Shaw, deposed San Francisco 49ers mentor. Shaw is popular in Southern California and his teams have provided the Rams with some of their most potent opposition.

FRED MILLER, SON, TWO PILOTS KILLED IN CRASH AT MILWAUKEE
DEC 18 (Milwaukee) - Wealthy Milwaukee brewer Frederick C. Miller, 48, his son, Fred Jr., 20, and two pilots were killed Friday night in a flaming plane crash just inside the city limits. The plane, a twin-engine Ventura executive model, crashed into an open field moments after taking off from Gen. Mitchell airport. It burned and apparently exploded, but home in the area were not damaged. Miller’s son and the two pilots, brothers Joe Laird, 39, and Paul, 34, were killed instantly, their bodies burned beyond recognition…CONSCIOUS MOST OF TIME: Miller died in Johnston Emergency Hospital of injuries about five hours after the crash. He was badly burned on 40 percent of his body and suffered a compound fracture of the right leg. He was conscious most of the time and told a Catholic priest who administered the last rites of the church that he was “all right”. He died about two hours later. His son had driven home from Notre Dame University in South Bend, Ind., with two friends Friday for the Christmas holidays. He and his father were en route to Winnipeg, Canada, for a hunting trip when the crash occurred. The senior Miller was an All-American tackle at Notre Dame in 1926 and 1928 and captain of the Irish football team in 1928 and 1929. He maintained a deep loyalty to the University and present coach Terry Brennan was often a passenger on the Miller plane which figured in the tragic mishap last night. Miller was an honorary coach at Notre Dame for a time and an honorary coach and a director of the Green Bay Packer professional football team. Miller played a prominent role in bringing the Milwaukee Braves to Milwaukee. His assurance of financial support was a deciding factor with the Braves’ owner, Lou Perini. He was instrumental in keeping the Milwaukee Hawks professional basketball team in Milwaukee when crowds dwindled to nearly nothing…BROUGHT BRAVES TO CITY: Miller was directly responsible for bringing the Braves to Milwaukee in 1953 instead of 1954. There has been considerable confusion on the baseball scene with first talk of the St. Louis Browns coming here. Then Bill Veeck of the Browns, formerly an official of the Milwaukee American Association Brewers, tried to take the Browns to Baltimore in the spring of 1953. When the American League turned down Veeck’s request, Miller called Perini, his close friend, and told him he had better bring the Braves to Milwaukee then. Miller then went to the county board of supervisors and prevailed upon

them to rent the new County Stadium for a “token” rental fee of $1,000 for the 1953 season. He cut other red tape and as a result the Braves moved to Milwaukee to open the season. He also agreed to buy the radio rights of the Braves broadcasts, assuring the then penniless Braves of at least a greater financial success than they had in Boston. Out of gratitude, Perini named Miller a director of the Braves, a post he held until his death, although he was not a stockholder…FAITH WAS JUSTIFIED: Fans justified Miller’s faith in the possibilities of major league baseball in Milwaukee by breaking the National League attendance record in both of the Braves’ first two years. More than two million fans attended the Braves’ home games in 1953 and 1954. Miller died at 10:10 p.m. He was either thrown clear or crawled from the wreckage. Rescuers, George Hagen, 32, and Roy Piorier, 47, who pulled the senior Miller away from the crash scene, said he was lying face down in the open field about a mile from the airport, his clothing aflame. They beat out the flames and dragged him to safety. “My God, don’t worry about me,” Miller said, “there are three others in there.” The men opened the door of the plane, but were forced back by flames. The plane was destroyed in the crash, which occurred in snowy, rainy, foggy weather. The weather was not believed to have been a factor in the crash, however. Miller was given the last rites of the Catholic Church shortly after his arrival at the hospital by the Rev. Raymond Punda, principal of Notre Dame High School in Milwaukee. “Don’t worry about me, Father,” he said, “I’ll be all right.”…DROVE TO AIRPORT: Young Miller’s Notre Dame roommate, Harold (Happy) Meyers, 21, of Milwaukee, told with heavy sobs how he, young Miller, and a Notre Dame sophomore, Ramonde de la Torre, 21, of Bogota, Columbia, drove to Milwaukee. Miller and Meyers were juniors. “We left South Bend about 1 o’clock in Ramonde’s car,” he said. “We drove straight to the airport when we got here. Mr. Miller was waiting for us. I asked Fred if they flew in weather like this and he said, ‘Oh sure, there’s nothing to worry about.’ Then they took off and a few minutes later it happened,” he said. Mrs. Miller, notified of the crash at her home in Oconomowoc by the United Press, sounded calm when first told of the crash, but did not know of her son’s death at that time. Friends said she maintained her calm bearing at the hospital. Young Miller, an outstanding high school fullback, attempted to following in his father’s footsteps as a Notre Dame football player, but dropped out after his freshman year. He had told his friends, “There are two things for me in school – play football or get an education. I want an education.”…WAS PILOT HIMSELF: Miller, a pilot himself, was a constant air traveler between his home in Oconomowoc, a home in Phoenix, and other parts of this country and Canada. Miller joined the Miller Brewing Co., as vice president in 1936 and was elected president in 1947. He was recently elected head of the Milwaukee Association of Commerce in addition to being extremely active in other civic affairs. There are six daughters and another son in the family. Mrs. Miller and a daughter, Mrs. Claire Rosenberg, were the only other members of the immediate family in Milwaukee and vicinity at the time of the crash. The rest of the family, Kate, Loret, Robin, Carl, Gail and Corky, were en route to Oconomowoc. Funeral services for Miller, Junior, were scheduled for Monday morning at St. Jerome’s Church in Oconomowoc.
PACKERLAND SADDENED BY DEATH OF MILLER; CLUB PAYS TRIBUTE
DEC 18 (Green Bay) - Packerland was saddened by the loss of a real friend today. Frederick C. Miller, Sr., who succumbed Friday night to burns and injuries in a plane crash five hours earlier, officially was a member of the Packer board of directors, and sponsor of the Packer broadcasts, but, to the boys in the football trade, he was “one fine guy” and easily one of the best Packer Backers the Green Bay club ever had. Russ Bogda, Packer president, expressed Packer sentiments this way: “Green Bay and the Packers lost a great friend. There will never be a Packer friend exactly like him. He performed a great service through his backing of the team and we shall never forget him.” Miller first came into the Packer picture in 1948 after the broadcast contract with Wadham Oil Co. was terminated. He snapped it up and, showing even more interest in “the pro team I’ve always liked to watch,” purchased the maximum amount of stock ($5,000) in the club’s life-or-death stock drive in 1950. Miller was well aware of the undertone of feeling in Green Bay when he purchased the stock. Writers in various sections of the country predicted that Miller someday hoped to move the Packers to Milwaukee. This was far from Fred’s own feeling. His stock statement, and we’ve heard it many times, was: “Don’t ever let the Packers out of Green Bay.” There was a banquet in Milwaukee before a Packer non-league game three years ago. National League Commissioner Bert Bell reiterated his statement that “the Packers should always stay in Green Bay” and pointed out to Miller as “a Milwaukeean who will always fight to keep the Packers in Green Bay.” Actually, Miller stayed away from Green bay because he felt Packer fans suspected him of taking away their team. He slipped in quietly for several games in the last few years, attended a banquet here in ’50 and stopped at practice one time to pose for a program picture in his capacity as honorary coach. An admirer of Packer Coach Liz Blackbourn for years, Miller recognized him at a banquet sponsored by the Milwaukee Association of Commerce there last spring. Serving as master of ceremonies, Miller, chairman of the AC’s sports committee, that day predicted “new growth for the Packers with Blackbourn up there.” Also honored that day were Frosty Ferzacca, former West High coach who has just signed as Marquette’s head coach replacing Blackbourn, and Terry Brennan, the Milwaukeean who coaches Notre Dame. A great Notre Dame fan (he captained the Irish in ’28), Miller also serves as an honorary coach at his alma mater. Miller assisted in the signing of Notre Dame tackle Art Hunter and helped in pulling a surprise for a Packer ticket drive banquet last spring. He had Hunter flown up from Notre Dame in his private plane, placed him in a giant paper bag behind a closed door at the banquet hall, and then “unveiled” him at an opportune moment. Since joining the Packers, Miller has become a powerful pro football figure with his sponsorship of broadcasts of other clubs. He backed New York Giant and Philadelphia Eagle airings and gradually worked into television. Miller has sponsored the world’s championship playoff broadcast and television for the past three years and last August started radio and TV sponsorship of the College All Star game – a one-night package that cost him close to $300,000. Miller watched Packer affairs in Milwaukee closely and in the early 1950’s he was instrumental in helping the attendance on many occasions with effective distribution of tickets, advertising on his trucks, etc. Many Packer players were given work at his plant when they finished their careers and one, Bob Forte, now has a position in the firm’s sports promotion department. Bob, former Packer captain, also handles the experting on Packer broadcasts. Miller is also widely known for his interest in the Milwaukee Braves. He sponsored the broadcasts and Lou Perini, Braves’ owner, credited Fred with swelling him on making the switch in the National League from Boston to Milwaukee in ’53 – a year earlier than originally planned. He was named a Braves director. He was the logical new owners of the Braves if Perini decided to sell.
BLACKBOURN ONLY PRO HEAD COACH ON COAST, WATCHES REICHARDT SCORE IN BOWL
DEC 20 (Green Bay) - Liz Blackbourn, as of Saturday, was the only NFL head coach on the west coast. The two warm weather clubs, San Francisco and Los Angeles, are without top mentors. Buck Shaw was fired a week ago by the Forty Niners and Hamp Pool quit ‘for the good of the team” Saturday. Packer Coach Blackbourn remained on the coast after the club’s windup in Los Angeles a week ago yesterday and is expected to return to Green Bay Jan. 4 or 5. He’ll interview prospects and scout all of the bowl games on the coast. Liz received his first look at a bowl game yesterday and was happy to see that a Packer chattel, fullback Bill Reichardt, had apparently lost none of his stuff. Lt. Bill did all of the scoring for Bolling Air Force Base in its loss to Fort Sill in the annual Poinsettia Bowl game in San Diego. The Oklahoma Cannoneers, undefeated in the past season, rolled over the Air Force team 27-6. Reichardt scored on 37-yard run from scrimmage. A lot of rumors continued to surround the Ram and Forty Niners camps today. Both clubs are expected to select their head mentors before the National League draft meeting in January. One report had Shaw going to Los Angeles; another had the Rams going after Wisconsin’s Ivy Williamson. Ivy isn’t likely to leave Wisconsin but, just as a guess, Shaw might wind up at LA. West coast sources have injected Curly Lambeau’s name into the Ram-49er picture. The former Packer coach lives in LA…Lee Joannes, vice-president of the Packers, represented the Packer Corp., at the funeral of Fred Miller at Gesu Church in Milwaukee this afternoon. Packer President Russ Bogda also was in Milwaukee today, attending the funeral of a relative…One of the three Packer assistant coaches already is on duty – Ray McLean, who is presently in Miami, O., looking over the practices of the North-South teams who will play in the Senior Bowl there Christmas. McLean will get a close, sideline view of Wisconsin’s battering fullback, Alan Ameche – plus a raft of other draft possible. Lou Rymkus, fresh from a tonsillectomy, leaves Tuesday for Montgomery, Ala., to view contestants in the Blue-Gray game there Christmas. Rymkus underwent the operation after returning from Los Angeles. Tom Hearden will leave shortly to visit Big Ten schools and then head for New Orleans and the Sugar Bowl game New Year’s Day. General Manager Verne Lewellen presently is in Texas, interviewing prospects. He’s due to return this week. In the office, Scout Jack Vainisi is compiling information on the various players and getting ready for the draft. He’ll take in the national collegiate convention in New York early in January.

QUIZ DAY: HOW GOOD IS AMECHE? PACKERS PLANNING TO DRAFT HIM?
DEC 21 (Green Bay) - Howie Ferguson couldn’t get much sleep. The seats were rather narrow in the United Airliner DC-6 carrying about 10 Packers and 40 civilians from Los Angeles to Chicago. It was about 2 a.m. in the morning after the Packer-Ram game in LA Dec. 12. The lights were dim for the lucky people who could sleep without moving and those who didn’t have any aching muscles or injuries. There wasn’t a bit to eat on the entire plane until a sailor volunteered a couple of boxes of homemade cookies. The hostess poured coffee and we drank it like water – 19,000 feet up. A flock of lights appeared below; the hostess figured it must be Las Vegas, the gambling city, and Ferguson recalled his old Army days – “when we’d all get in a car and drive from LA to Vegas and really let ‘em fly.” The talk eventually got around to next football season and Howie asked: “How good is this Ameche anyway?” Ferguson was wondering if the Packers had planned to draft him and, if so, what sort of competition would he have next fall. Howie is far from amazed by his success this year. He can’t understand the fact that he caught 41 passes and “why get excited about that.” We don’t have figures at the moment, but we’ll wager a coffee that no other fullback ever caught that many passes in one season. Old modesty himself, Ferguson feels he’s just not that good, but his teammates feel he’s as good as any of the fullbacks in the league. “And he’s only 24 – just a kid yet,” said Stretch Elliott earlier in the season. Ferguson is an unusual guy because he never played college ball. He was never exposed to the rah-rah, the alumni, the Saturday hero stuff, the bands and all that sort of thing. In short, he jumped from prep football into the Army ranks where he learned advance grid by bumping teeth and elbows with a lot of pros and ex-pros. Presently, Howie is a full-fledged pro but he’s modest and wise enough to give a thought to a direct opposite – one who won everything the collegiate world has to offer. Mr. Ameche! “Wonder if he’ll draft him,” Ferguson said, giving a thought to Coach Liz Blackbourn and the January draft. We tried to relieve Ferguson of a few more sleepless hours with this: “Say we do get him in the draft; you’d have a lot of fun trying to beat him out of his position. Maybe he (Ameche) could play halfback; he’s fairly fast. Or how about you running at halfback.” Ferguson just laughed and for a spell we were wondering who was pulling whose leg. Ameche really does present something of a problem in the draft for Blackbourn, for the simple reason that the Packers are blessed with three fullback – Ferguson, Fred Cone and Army-returnee Bill Reichardt. Ferguson is fresh from his best ball-packing season; Cone turned in his top field goal kicking figure, nine out of 15, and Reichardt gained two seasons of experience with Fort Bolling’s Air Force eleven. While there’s always room for an outstanding back such as Ameche, Blackbourn undoubtedly is shuffling his thoughts aplenty these days since he feels other positions might needs strengthening more than fullback. Actually, Liz hadn’t expressed himself in quotes on Ameche – yet. There likely will be some pressure from various Wisconsin circles to select Alan – if he gets the chance. Ameche is from Kenosha and, therefore, a real Badger product. Ameche could go in the bonus picking, although two of the four clubs left in the magic draw are in need of a quarterback. Drawing with Green Bay will be Pittsburgh, Baltimore and the Chicago Cardinals. Pitt and Baltimore reportedly said they’ll snare Ameche if they win the X card. The Cards need a QB bad, and so do the Colts – for that matter. Could the Packers use a QB? Bobby Garrett, Tobin Rote’s helper last fall, is due for Army service. Rote can’t go it alone forever, though he did just about that this season while Garrett had to be given more experience. Johnny Coatta, signed two years ago by the Pack, will be out in time for next season. Ameche’s record stands as an excellent selling point. The Horse never missed a Wisconsin game, playing in 37 – nine in each of his four seasons plus the Rose Bowl, and racked up 3,335 yards in 701 attempts for an average of 4.8 and 25 touchdowns. The figure includes 133 yards in 28 trips in the Rose Bowl. In his first game as a freshman, Ameche carried once against MU but two games later clinched the starting fullback job with 18 lugs for 90 yards against Ohio State, beating out Jim Hammond who was shifted to the defensive platoon. Ameche, in his best day, rolled up 200 yards in 31 carries against Minnesota in his final game as a freshman. By contrast to Ferguson, who has wonderful pass catching ability, Ameche never caught a pass in his college career. But The Horse, they say, was an excellent receiver at Kenosha High. In addition, he has a fine pair of hands and takes to changes and instructions well!
FREDERICK C. MILLER
DEC 21 (Green Bay) - In the sudden death of Frederick C. Miller, president of the Miller Brewing Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin lost one of its important assets. Milwaukee, of course, received the first and largest benefits from his activities, but his energy was so great that his driving force was felt in all sections of the state. At 48, he was not yet at the peak of his career. He had a great interest in sports and this interest is credited with bringing the Braves to Milwaukee. This venture has a tremendous impact on sports not only in Milwaukee and Wisconsin but not throughout the nation. Green Bay knows him chiefly for his interest in the Packers. He served on the board of directors of the Packer Corporation and made important contributions to the success of the organization. Through his efforts, the Miller company broadcast all Packer games, and in the offseasons Packer players and former Packer players as Miller employees carried on a drum fire of propaganda across the nation intended to help both the Packers and Miller business. Of course, the prime reason for the Miller activities was the promotion of the Miller products, but the Packers, Braves and the other teams whose activities were sponsored received important promotional benefits. It was an ideal arrangement for Fred Miller, when he found it possible to tie in his business interest with his chief recreational interest and thus apply his driving energy to both. The state suffered a real loss in the death of this man whose efforts for many and brought entertainment to thousands of sports-minded persons.
PACKERS SUBMIT NEW STADIUM PLAN TO CITY COUNCIL
DEC 22 (Green Bay) - “The time is ripe to start a study of how additional seating facilities for Packer games in Green Bay can be acquired. The future of the Packers in Green Bay is involved in the matter. The Packer Corp. is ready and willing to participate in such studies at any time.” This was the conclusion of a three-page report received from Packer Corp. President Russ Bogda by the City Council Tuesday night – a report which suggested the building of new steel stands with a capacity of between 30,000 and 32,000 at City Stadium, pointing out the costs involved in building a new stadium, and pledged a percentage of the gate to help pay for the new facilities. The report from the Packers was in answer to questions raised by the Park Board and Council finance committee about a proposed new stadium site at Military Ave. and Boland Rd. on which the Park Board has an option. Copies of the Packer stadium report will be sent to members of the Council and Park Board. “The Packers are of the opinion,” the report said, “that there are certain advantages to a new stadium as increased parking facilities and the lure of a new stadium. But there also would be an increase in cost to replace present facilities as the field itself, ticket windows, gates, walls or fences, concession stands, toilet facilities and the press box.” The report said the Packers had undertaken sufficient studies to determine that steel stands of the type suggested could be built at City Stadium and that these stands would be adequate to meet their needs. Bogda’s summary said the Packer Corp. feels present stands at City Stadium will become obsolete in a very few years, that their wooden construction results in costly maintenance, and that the stands are poorly designed because of entrances only from the field side and a low angle which hampers spectators visions and limits the number of seats available…COMPARE THE POTENTIAL: “Most important of all,” the report said, “a capacity of less than 25,000 puts the Packers at a considerable handicap in scheduling games in Green Bay, especially since the new Milwaukee County Stadium has entered the picture. Opponents compare the potential in the two stadiums and object to playing in Green Bay. While the Packers have the final say on which games are played in Green Bay or Milwaukee, this will be more embarrassing as time goes by, and while it is true that few games have been sold out in Green Bay in recent years, the resurgence of the Packer team makes it probable that a larger seating capacity could be sold out for at least some games. There are also several thousand seats in the corners of the present stadium which are difficult to sell.” The Packer Corp. proposed between 30,000 and 32,000 seats of steel construction, fireproofed as much as possible, with entrances in the rear, and stands of a proper angle with the first row between three and four feet off the ground. The seats should be concentrated as much as possible between the two sidelines with additional seats behind the end zones and preferably none in the corners, the report said. The Packers, Bogda wrote the Council, realize they would have to contribute financially to such improvements but could not pay for them alone. The report proposed that the Packers pay a percentage of the game, the rate to depend on the type of new facilities and extra services. To give an idea of on how much the city might base its annual fee, Bogda reported that receipts from the three 1954 games at City Stadium and one exhibition contest totaled $250,549.14. The possibility that another league game could be played in Green Bay if City Stadium had more seats was raised in the report, which said that new facilities could lead to the scheduling of a fourth game in Green Bay but that the Packers did not believe “attendance could ever be maintained for more than four league games here.” The policy of playing one early-fall exhibition game at City Stadium is to be continued, the report said. If consideration is to be given to building a new stadium as a war memorial, the report said, a special city or stadium commission might be created.
SWITZER WINS PUNT RETURN TITLE
DEC 22 (Green Bay) – Veryl Switzer, the Packers’ most versatile rookie, captured the NFL’s punt returning championship, final NFL statistics showed today. He finished with a steady average of 12.8 yards on 24 runbacks to beat out Herb Johnson of the New York Giants, who placed second with 10.3, and the No. 3 man, Jack Christiansen of Detroit, who averaged 9.8. Christiansen was the leading punt returner until he ran into the Cleveland Browns last Sunday. Switzer’s returns included a 93-yard job against the Bears in Chicago – the longest in the league this year and one of the longest in league history. The Bays came in with two thirds – Bill Howton in pass catching and Al Carmichael in kickoff returns. Howton snared 52 passes – one less than Bob Boyd of Los Angeles, Pete Pihos of Philadelphia and Billy Wilson of San Francisco shared the title with 60 each. Carmichael averaged 26.6 yards on 20 returns; Switzer finished seventh with an average of 25 yards…MCGEE BEATS GIRARD: Bobby Dillon finished well up among the interceptions, tying with three other players with seven each. Others finished with eight, none and 10 by Dick Lane of the Cardinals. The Packers’ Max McGee beat out former Packer Jug Girard of Detroit in the final week in punting. McGee averaged 41.7 yards while Girard, booting in the snow battle against Cleveland, settled for an even 41. That game also knocked Cleveland’s Horace Gillom out of the punting title, Pat Brady of Pittsburgh beating him out 43.2 to 42.9. Fast becoming Green Bay’s old reliable, Breezy Reid placed ninth in ground gaining, moving 507 yards in 99 carries for an average of 5.1. Breezy missed the last half of the season windup against LA due to injuries…ROTE GETS VOTE: Joe Perry of Frisco, named today as the pro football player of ’54 in the United Press poll, won the ground title with 1,049 yards. Perry, incidentally, captured the UP honor with six votes, beating out Otto Graham and Ollie Matson, who picked up four each. Green Bay’s Tobin Rote received one vote in the UP balloting for his courageous play. The Texan placed 16th among the league passers but was the busiest QB in the circuit. He threw 382 passes and completed 180 – both top figures in the league – for 2,311 yards and 14 touchdowns. His yardage figure ranked second. In addition, he ran 67 times for 301 yards and an average of 4.5…Tom Hearden, Packer assistant coach, stopped at Wisconsin in his first visit to Big Ten conference schools, talking with prospects and his former “teammates” on the Badger coaching staff. Hearden sat down with The Horse, and learned that the Kenosha Kid would like to play his football in the Unites States rather than in Canada. In fact, Tom said, “he said he’d like to play with the Packers.” Ameche likely will go high in the draft – possibly before the Packers get a shot at him if they don’t win the bonus choice. Also in the bonus drawing will be Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Chicago Cardinals. After the bonus ceremony, the Bays will draw fourth behind the Cardinals, Washington and Baltimore. Hearden will leave Sunday for a week’s trip that will take him to other Big Ten schools and finally to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans New Years’ Day.

BROWNS TO COP BIG GO? RONZANI QUITS
DEC 23 (Green Bay) - There are two items to speak of today – the championship game and the resignation of two Pittsburgh Steeler assistants, including Gene Ronzani. As you might know, the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns battle in Cleveland Sunday for the world’s professional football championship. For comparative purposes, our Packers played the two clubs in three exciting battles this season. The Browns beat Green Bay 14-13 in a non-league affair in August and the Lions nipped the Bays by a total of eight points in the five-day, back-to-back series in November, 21-17 in Green Bay and 28-24 in Detroit Thanksgiving Day. Those scores mean little in analyzing Sunday’s playoff – other than to point out that the Packers aren’t really so far removed from the championship classic. For the benefit of you folks who wager two-bits or less per game, we will attempt to announce the winner with the score. This point might stir some of you: During a lull in the Packer-Lion game Thanksgiving Day – it was between halves because actually there wasn’t a lull in that classic, Bob Latshaw, a veteran Detroit scribe, volunteered this is in the course of a discussion on the Lions and Browns: “The Browns will never beat Detroit – not at least until the present crop of Lions disappear. Do you know why? Because the Lions hate the Browns. They really hate those (censored). They always have. They just don’t like ‘em. Guess it started when the Browns had a lead on Detroit in that tie (24-24) game a couple of years ago. The Browns got cocky on the field and we went on to get a tie. Ever since that, Detroit has had no use for Cleveland.” Not having any particular love for the Lions, ourselves (they bet Green Bay 11 in a row since ’49), we cautioned that “the Browns should have a pretty good hate worked up themselves by this time,” having lose seven (then) straight to Detroit. Coach Buddy Parker’s Lions now only have that hate advantage. They also have another rather important advantage – better personnel. Detroit, in our humble mind, is a great team. The Lions have depth up and down the line, offense and defense; they’ve got two good pass receivers to every one of the Browns’ catchers; they’ve got more running strength at every backfield position, including QB. You might guess that the only thing left would be to pick the size of Detroit’s margin. But we’ll stick with the underdog, habit, you know – Cleveland, and pick the men of Coach Paul Brown to win, 24-20. Why? Just got a hunch, that’s all!...Ronzani resigned along with Chuck Cherundolo, the onetime Steeler captain and idol who had been with the club since 1938 after Pittsburgh owner Art Rooney announced that “some changes” would be made. Now living in Green Bay, Ronzani said today that he submitted his resignation as backfield coach after “Art said there would be some changes made. I got along wonderfully in Pittsburgh. To me, it (the requested resignation) was a big surprise.” Ronzani said he wanted to stay in professional football but “might” consider the collegiate field. “There’s a lot of (pro) openings around,” he said. The former Packer coach, who resigned under fire before the end of the 1953 season, said he hadn’t heard from either the San Francisco 49ers or the Los Angeles Rams as he understood had been rumored in Pittsburgh. “I never had a written contract,” he said. “Rooney and I had a verbal agreement. I like to work that way anyway.” He said he hadn’t “tried to figure out” why he was asked to resign. “It’s just a general shakeup down there,” he said...Pro coaches scouting for jobs have pretty good picking, what with the lucrative west coast field wide open. The Los Angeles Rams have no staff at all, other than Chief Scout Eddie Kotal who has acted in a coaching capacity for that club, while only the assistants are left in San Francisco. Buck Shaw was fired at Frisch and Hamp Pool gave up of his own accord at LA. The remaining 10 teams apparently are happy with their coaching setups. The Pittsburgh situation is rather curious. The only coaches left are Chief Walt Kiesling and Assistant Nick Skorich. It is assumed that Kiesling will stay on since his chief troubles after Pitt’s great start last fall really set in when the club absorbed a raft of serious injuries. Shaw didn’t get that chance at Frisco. It’s possible that Kiesling may hire Bill Dudley, the onetime Steeler flash, as an assistant.
PACKERS PULL IN MORE FANS UP AT GREEN BAY BUT LEWELLEN IS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT MILWAUKEE
DEC 23 (Milwaukee) - Although the figures tell a contradictory story, the Green Bay Packers will keep right on playing as many NFL games in Milwaukee as they do in Green Bay. The figures show a steady decrease in attendance at games here and a corresponding climb at Green Bay for example, three games last fall drew 13,000 more at the Bay than the same number at County Stadium - but the Packers front office has no immediate plans for changing the present three-three split in league contests. "I'm very optimistic about our future in Milwaukee," said General Manager Verne Lewellen in a telephone interview today. "Out potential is as good or better in Milwaukee than it is in Green Bay. I think interest has revived in Milwaukee and that with a continually improving team we'll show great improvement at the gate. I'll be greatly surprised if we don't average 25,000 paid admission at our Milwaukee game next fall." Lewellen said he hoped the Packers could sell 10-15,000 season tickets for next fall's Milwaukee games. A drive last fall produced about 5,500 season sales. Over the past three seasons, Green Bay attendance has exceeded Milwaukee's annually. This year the totals as announced in the press boxes were 65,856 and 52,812. A year ago they were 64,382 and 62,334 and in 1952 came to 65,652 and 41,499. Asked whether on that basis, he didn't feel the Packers would be justified in playing more games at Green Bay, Lewellen said past experience indicated that a saturation point could be reached. "We used to play all six games at Green Bay," he said, "and it got to a point where the fans were becoming choosy. They'd turn out for the three 'name' games, but the three others wouldn't draw at all. I mean, we'd have say 24,000 for the Bears and only 9,000 for the Cardinals." Under present arrangements, the Packers use City Stadium at Green Bay without any specified rental figure. The club handles all maintenance in return for playing its games there. The stadium is owned by the city and operated under direction of the park board. A two-year contract for use of County Stadium here, under which the Packers paid 10 percent of the gross after deduction of federal taxes, has expired. Negotiations for another contract are underway. The Packers have proposed construction of a new stadium at Green Bay to seat 32,000, an increase of about 7,500 over the capacity of City Stadium. Russ Bogda, president of the Packer corporation, has suggested the city finance construction with the football club paying a percentage of its gross for each game as rental. The word is that the Packers will show a net profit of some $20,000. The annual meeting will be held in April, at which time a more exact figure will be available. A year ago the club reported its net was in the neighborhood of $24,000.


CONGRATS SANTA! YOU PROVIDED GOOD ENDS
DEC 24 (Green Bay) - Santa Claus should be congratulated this night. He’s on the ball when it comes to bringing the Packers good offensive ends. The Old Gent probably never will duplicate the package he sent this way in ’35 – Don Hutson, we mean. Don stayed around 11 seasons – long enough to rack up some 17 records and gain recognition as the best period. Hutson put the moleskins away after the 1946 season and, with that proverbial due respect Don’s immediate successors, Santa must have figured that the Packers had had enough luck in the offensive end department for a spell. Everybody’s Friend – be you six or 60 – did a good job in the last three seasons, shuttling two hot Hutson prospects and one of those who could be a real find. First of the gifts was Billy Howton, the Rice Redhead who arrived in 1952 with such a bang that he fractured one of Hutson’s yardage records, moving 1,231 yards on 53 receptions for 13 TDs. Don’s yardage best was 1,211 in ’42. Next to arrive on the scene was Max McGee, the Texan who attended Louisiana’s Tulane University and who now lives in Rochester, Minn. Actually, Packer Coach Liz Blackbourn rates as a Santa’s helper in McGee’s care. Rookie Maxie was a halfback and fullback at Tulane, with two sticky mitts and tricky feet, but Liz switched him to offensive end. Still, a later arrival was Gary Knafelc, the Chicago Cardinals’ second draft choice, who joined the Bays early in the league season – a week after he was cut loose by Joe Stydahar. A long one at 6-4, Knafelc demonstrated in brief appearances that he catches the ball well, will fight for it and can take punishment. And speaking of punishment, if Mr. Howton is still aching this Christmas Eve he can hardly be blamed. Rather slight at 185 and 6-1, Bill spent a good deal of his time in ’54 sharing short passer and then awaiting the crash from behind. Howton was strictly a long-gain threat as a rookie in ’52, which accounted for his far yardage and touchdown totals. He continued to go long in ’53 but injuries knocked him out of the first six games. Blackbourn, realizing that the Packers’ air game would be cut by three-fourths if Howton was stopped on the long throws, shortened the club’s pass game – a trend, incidentally, that has grown throughout the league. As a result, Hotwon was murder on the short hook passes, the down-and-outs, etc., though the continuous punishments seemed to slow him up at times or at least make him “conscious” of somebody behind him with a hatchet. Howton finished ’54 with 52 catches – one less than in his rookie year. His 1954 passes went for 768 yards – a bit short of his 1,231 figure two years ago. He nailed two touchdown passes. Actually, the past season was tougher on Howton that it was on McGee – the onetime plunger who was used to getting gang belted from all sides. But McGee had the big job, learning the shifting, the faking and darting that earmarks a good offensive end. McGee finished up with 36 catches for 614 yards and nine touchdowns. He hailed three TD passes in the Philadelphia Eagle game and closed out the season with nine catches for 105 yards at Los Angeles. His longest gain was an 82-yarder vs. the Lions in Detroit Thanksgiving Day. McGee and Howton worked nicely together. The league was Howton conscious, of course, because of his previous seasons – which helped McGee some. Next year, this pair should be even more formidable – if Max isn’t called into service. Offensive end is one position the Packers won’t have to worry too much about when the league gets together for its draft in January. Even if Max goes into service, Knafelc seems ready to blossom!
ROTE'S HEART STILL IN GREEN BAY BUT...!
DEC 27 (Green Bay) - That big heart in the chest of the Packers’ Tobin Rote is still in Green Bay. “But,” Rote said via telephone from his home in Bellaire, Tex., today, “I’ll have to give some thought to those offers from Canada.” The five-year Packer quarterbacking veteran, offered $20,000 by both Toronto and Winnipeg, added: “$20,000 is an awful lot of money and certainly is too much money not to give some thought to.” Rote said he wouldn’t make any decision until “about the middle of January – after I receive a contract from the Packers.” A real gentleman, Rote is worried considerably about the Packers – “I think too much of Liz (Blackbourn, head coach) to let him down; he’s been better than nice to me. If I felt for Canada, the Packers would be without an experienced quarterback.” Bobby Garrett, who understudied Rote last fall, may go into service. While Rote indicated that his first pro grid love is in Green Bay, he felt that he “just had to give the offer some thought.” Rote said that the Winnipeg offer was the “only interesting one,” in view of the fact that he would take over the club. The Blue Bombers’ QB ace for the last five years has been Jack Jacobs, the former Packer QB, “and I guess he’s about ready to quit, though he’ll get a chance to make the team next fall.” Winnipeg is coached by Al Sherman, former New York Giant. Rote said Sherman contacted him while the Packers were in Pasadena getting ready for the Los Angeles game. Rote disclosed a rather disturbing note in the Canadians’ method of dealing with U.S pros. He said that a representative of Toronto called him the afternoon before the crucial Bear game in Chicago. In other words, a $20,000 offer might tend to throw an athlete off his game – give him something to think about, as it were. As we recall, Rote was off his mark some that day, completing below 50 percent – 17 out of 42. Rote admitted that “offers from Canada are nothing new – they’d been after me all least season, too. They’d also been trying to sign Bill (Howton).” Howton already has signed him contract for ’55. Rote revealed that he kept Blackbourn informed of his offers from Canada and “we talked it over in California.” He also told how the story happened to break. “The sportswriters here (Houston) were over to interview me about the season and I mentioned that Canada had wanted me; it was nothing new but they sure made up a lot of headlines about it. Now everybody is calling.” Rote said he never intended “such a fuss to be made about it.” Packer General Manager Verne Lewellen said today that he did not think Rote would leave the Packers. “We understand he has received offers of very good salaries up there but we are pretty sure he won’t leave Green Bay,” Verne said, adding: “Several other Packers had been contracted by the Canadians but we don’t expect to lose them.” Blackbourn, on the west coast, was not available for comment today.
THE PACKERS COME BACK
DEC 27 (Green Bay) - Now that the professional football season is over, the people of northeastern Wisconsin should reflect on the excellent rebounding job done by Coach Lisle Blackbourn and his staff with the Green Bay Packers this season. Every sports fan knows that the Packers’ 4-8 won-lost record does not represent their accomplishments nor their failures. A few “breaks” at key times would have transformed that into an 8-4 or even a 9-3 record, for the Packers lost six games by a total of only 27 points or less than four points per game. In the two games against the champion Lions, they especially showed their mettle. The Packers are more than just another football team. They are a northeastern Wisconsin institution that has brought fame and acclaim to this area. Their ability to stay in a league made up of the largest cities in the land is testimony to the healthful zest for keen competition and accomplishment that is a trademark of the Wisconsin resident. A good many people in other part of the country were amazed by the way in which this state rallied behind the Milwaukee Braves; but anyone who knew the Packer story could have told them what would happen. One of the healthiest aspects of the recent season, from the Packers’ point of view, has been the enthusiasm of the fans for the new team despite a succession of hard-to-taker defeats. The Packers played every game as well as they could right up to the last season, and the fans appreciated this fact. If anyone had been complaining about the way Coach Blackbourn and his assistants handled the squad, they have done so with mighty small voices. It should be comfortable to both the coaches and players to know that whatever the statistics at the end of the season,
they will continue to have the enthusiastic backing of the people of this area as long as they play hard and cleanly and give the game everything they have.

PACKERS' 3-TITLE RECORD SAFE; FOUR FAIL IN ATTEMPT AT 'TRIPLE'
DEC 28 (Green Bay) - When the Browns made the Lions holler uncle in Cleveland Sunday, the Packers’ record of three consecutive championships remained alone and safe. Time have changes since the Packers winged home first in the glory days of 1929-30-31, but to this day – 20-odd years later – no NFL team has been able to string three tiles together. The system of deciding NFL championships were changed two years after the Packers ended their triple triumph – in 1933 when the winner of the Eastern and Western Division played off for what we refer to those colossal days as the “world championship.” The Packers’ three straight was all but overlooked in chatter preceding last Sunday’s match. Most of the writers – many of whom were in diapers when the Packers accomplished the threesome – referred to the Lions as seeking an “unprecedented three straight titles.” The more thoughtful ones studied their record books and wrote that the Lions were seeking the first triple since the playoff system was introduced or the second in the history of the league. In fairness to those who never liked history in school, it must be pointed out that pro football today obviously is a much tougher, better balanced and a bigger business than it was in the “triple days”. The big guns then were Green Bay, Chicago Bears, Chicago Cardinals and New York; a few years later, Washington stepped into the picture, easing out the Cards. Today, pro ball still has its big guns, but there are more of them and the intense competition makes it possible for any team to beat any team on a given day. The Western conference this year had five big guns – Detroit, Frisco, Los Angeles, Bears and Green Bay, when you consider that the Packers were removed by only 27 points from finishing with 8-4 or 9-3. In the Eastern sector, Cleveland, Philadelphia, New York and Pittsburgh were title possibilities. Thus in the entire league, nine of the 12 clubs had a good chance. To show you how tough it is to win three straight titles, it is reported that only four other (than Green Bay) teams latched together two titles. The old Canton, O., Bulldogs won championships in the bulging league of ’22 and ’23 but didn’t play in ’24. The Bulldogs rejoined the circuit in ’25 and finished 11th in a 20-team circuit. After the Packers’ triple, the Bears put together two in 1932 and 1933, but in an effort to tie Green Bay’s record fell

before the New York Giants 30-13 in that now-famous tennis shoe battle. The Giants came out in the second half wearing rubber-soled shoes and promptly walked away on the frozen turf. The Bears picked up strength seven years later to win in 1940-41, including a 73-0 verdict over Washington, but in the try for No. 3 they fell before the Redskins 14-6 in ’42. The Philadelphia Eagles were the next seekers of three straight. They won handily in 1948-49, but ran into the Cleveland Browns in ’50 and failed to win the division crown. The Browns defeated Los Angeles for the crown. Which brings us up to date. The Lions captured the bacon in 1952-53 but really fell flat in the try for No. 3 – by 56-10. Green Bay still ranks as the only team to score twice in the 50s on Detroit, the Packers winning 57-21 in ’45 and 50-7 in ’40. But let us not tell too much, since the Lions hold 11 straight decisions over our Bays. In the matter of championships, the Bears claim seven, the Packers six and New York and Detroit three each. The Bears’ titles include one in 1921 – the league’s first year, when the club played as Staleys. Philadelphia, Cleveland Browns, Washington, Chicago Cardinals, and Los Angeles (one as Cleveland Rams) each won two crowns.
GROVE QUITS COACHING JOB
DEC 28 (Pullman, WA) - A former star quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, Roger Grove, has resigned as backfield coach at Washington State. Grove, 46, said Monday his resignation is effective February 1. He said he plans to enter private business in the Pacific Northwest. A football star at Michigan State where he earned nine varsity athletic letters, Grove was quarterback for the professional Packers when the club won three divisional titles and one league championship. After leaving the Packers Grove went into coaching and for awhile was assistant coach at Ripon College. He also coached a professional team at Canton, IL.

BROWN EDGES LIZ FOR COACH OF YEAR CROWN
DEC 29 (Green Bay) - A year ago, Liz Blackbourn was head coach at Marquette University and the Packers were looking for a successor to Gene Ronzani. Today, Packer Coach Blackbourn held the distinction of ranking as the No. 2 Coach of the Year in the NFL. Selected as head coach of the Packers last Jan. 7, Blackbourn narrowly missed beating out Coach Paul Brown of the world champion Cleveland Browns for the United Press’ annual Coach of the Year. Brown received 10 votes and Blackbourn nine in balloting by 29





Springfield Author publishes Remembering Fred Miller - from Notre Dame to the High Life
(Springfield, Illinois - June 17, 2016) - Phil Eck, a Springfield High School educator for over thirty-one years and the former Springfield High soccer coach, has written his first novel. Remembering Fred Miller from Notre Dame to the High Life chronicles the accomplishments and spirit of Fred Miller, Phil’s grandfather, during his brief forty-eight years of life. The Inaugural Book Talk and signing will be Thursday, June 23 at 6:00 pm. The event will be held at Springfield High School in the Schnirring Auditorium. The book talk is free and open to the public. Frederick C. Miller experienced two golden eras of Notre Dame Football first-hand. An All-American player under Coach Knute Rockne, he was team captain and played in 1928 when the team “won one for the Gipper.” Miller later served as an assistant coach with his friend, Frank Leahy. Fred became president of Miller Brewing Company in 1947. His talents propelled Miller to the fifth highest producer of beer. He was a master at marketing his product "Miller High Life", becoming the first brewer to combine sports marketing with beer on a grand scale. Miller is also credited with saving the Green Bay Packers from financial ruin in 1950 and was the driving force that brought Major League Baseball to his beloved hometown with the arrival of the Milwaukee Braves. To the citizens of Milwaukee and all of Wisconsin, Frederick C. Miller was a civic hero. Eck’s first novel is a passion project to keep Miller’s story and significance alive. His seven-year journey doing research at Notre Dame, MillerCoors Milwaukee Archives and numerous Wisconsin newspapers along with interviewing family members, and sports icons, Johnny Lattner, Y.A. Tittle, Paul Hornung, Frank Gifford and others make this story come to life. To purchase the book on Amazon, click here.





sportswriters who covered the games in the various league cities. Only two other coaches received votes. Jim Lee Howell, who moved up from end coach to head coach of the New York Giants this year and compiled a 7-5 record, received six. Buddy Parker, whose Detroit Lions won the Western Division title for the third straight year, had four. The selection of Blackbourn ranks as a moral victory in the coaching department for the veteran mentor in his first year in the pro whirl. And the voting represents one of the few times in the annual picking that the scribes overlooked the won-lost records. Blackbourn finished with 4-8, Brown 10-3 including a 56-10 championship game victory, Parker 9-3-1 including the playoff loss, and Howell 7-5. Blackbourn, presently in San Francisco studying athletes of the East and West squads in their practice sessions, unquestionably gained the high coaching recognition for (1) two major upsets and (2) losing six heart-
breaking games by a total of convincing, came at the expense of Los Angeles 35-17 and Philadelphia 37-14. The six tight losses were topped by two four-point setbacks to world champion Detroit, 21-17 and 28-24, in the short space of five days. The Bays lost their first three games by 14 points, 21-20 to Pitt, 10-3 to the Bears and 23-17 to Frisco before belting LA. They followed with wins over Baltimore and Philly and then ran into the toughest loss of the year, 28-23, to the Bears in Chicago. The Packers’ two lopsided-by-comparison losses on the west coast apparently failed to disturb the scribe voters. The ballot was completed a week after the season closed. The Bays, reeling badly after two tough games with Detroit, ran into two teams with a purpose on the coast. Frisco fought for its coach, Buck Shaw, in blanking the Bays, 35-0, and the Rams had two honored stars, Elroy Hirsch and Don Paul, to win for in posting a 35-27 verdict. Blackbourn credits the success of the Packers this year to the spirit of the players and the hard work of the coaching staff which is composed of, besides himself, Defensive Backfield Coach Tom Hearden, Offensive Coach Ray McLean and Line Coach Lou Rymkus. Brown, who won the Coach of the Year poll by a wide margin last year, won it the hard way this season. His team lost two of its first three games, but bounced back to take all the bacon.
HANDICAPPED DILLON ON AP'S ALL-PRO DEFENSE
DEC 30 (Green Bay) - Big, jovial Hog Hanner, the Packers’ hungry tackle, takes great delight in ribbing his teammates in a friendly way. Somewhere along the ’54 trail he came up with a real dilly and we’d been hoping for this day to use it – the day Bobby Dillon and/or Val Joe Walker make an all-pro team. Well, Dillon was revealed today as a member of the Associated Press’ all-pro defensive first team and Walker received honorable mention. As carrot-head Hanner put it one day: “You know something? We got the darndest deep defense in this league. Nothing like it anywhere in football. It’s got three eyes and 17 fingers – yep, three eyes and 17 fingers. Count ‘em!” Actually, we never heard Hanner say that, but Walker, himself, quoted Hog as “how he describes us.” Hanner later confessed that he was the “guilty” party. Dillon and Walker certainly are unusual professional football cases and stand as an inspiration to anyone who is physically handicapped. Dillon, 24, lost his right eye in a B-B gun accident while still in grade school. Walker, 23, had two fingers off his right hand cut off at the knuckle in an oil field accident while he was a freshman in high school. “I caught ‘em in the gears of a machine,” Walker said, “and they had to remove the index and forefingers; the ring finger is still there but it’s useless; that’s why old Hog says I got only seven fingers – Bobby’s got 10 good ones, though.” Actually, Dillon and Walker were bothered more by hurts other than the natural handicaps in the last two years. Dillon intercepted four Detroit passes in the first three quarters of the Thanksgiving Day game in 1953, giving him nine for the season, and then reinjured his knee, forcing out of the last two games. Bobby underwent surgery on his knee last winter and came through the ’54 season unscathed – plus seven interceptions. Walker, who almost quit pro ball this year, came up with knee trouble in the first Detroit game, missed the second and then limped through the last two battles on the coast. Walker also may undergo surgery this winter. Dillon, in making the first team, richly deserves the honor. A rugged competitor despite his 175 pounds and physical handicap, Bobby intercepted 20 passes and directed Packer outfield in his three pro seasons, snaring four as a rookie in ’52, nine in ’53 and seven in ’54. Oddly enough, Dillon made his first west coast trip this year. Injuries knocked him out of the two games in his first two campaigns. In the AP’s defensive outfield, Dillon joins halfback Tom Landry of the New York Giants and the

skilled Jack Christiansen of Detroit at safety. Linebackers in front of them are Chuck Bednarik of Philadelphia and Joe Schmidt of Detroit. The Packers gained five honorable mentions. Besides Walker, the AP selected John Martinkovic, Clayton Tonnemaker, Roger Zatkoff and Walker on the defensive HM squad and quarterback Tobin Rote on the offensive HM unit. Otto Graham of Cleveland was named QB of the squad and “works” in a backfield composed of Detroit’s Doak Walker at left half, Chicago Cardinal Ollie Matson at right half and Sam Francisco’s Joe Perry at fullback…The Canadians produced something interesting to the NFL today. Leo Dandurand, president of the Montreal Alouettes, said he had invited executives of other Big Four clubs to a caucus in Montreal Jan. 14. The executives will discuss a “no raiding” pact with the National League. The NFL likely will ponder the move, if taken, at its annual convention and draft in New York Jan. 27.
LAMBEAU DENIES THREATENING WIFE WITH BODILY HARM
DEC 30 (Santa Monica, CA) - Former professional football coach Earl (Curly) Lambeau, 56, denied today in a cross complaint to his wife’s divorce suit that he threatened her with bodily harm. Lambeau appeared in Superior Court yesterday to show cause on demands by his estranged wife, Mrs. Grace Garland Lambeau, for alimony payments and attorney fees. Judge Edward R. Brand ruled that Mrs. Lambeau should forego her current expense claims pending trial of the divorce suit but ruled that previous restraining orders enjoining Lambeau from harming his wife or disposing of community property would remain in effect. In a cross complaint, Lambeau denied he threatened his wide with bodily harm should she seek her share of community funds.
PROGRESS! IT'S '54 PACK TALE; LIZ TOP FIGURE
DEC 31 (Green Bay) - Progress. That one words best describes the Packer year of ’54. While progress in professional football is generally measured by the size of the figure in the “won” column, the Packers not only upped their “W” total from two to four but progressed to the point where their fans are confident of another increase in ’55. The year that runs its course tonight has been a year of drastic change – in some respects more drastic than the switch from Curly Lambeau to Gene Ronzani in February of 1950. This year, the Packers shifted from the old-pro philosophy to the fresh collegiate way of thinking and doing things by the simple method of hiring a college coach – Liz Blackbourn, whose only previous connection with pro ball was a spectator seat at a Packer game…RANKS AS MAJOR STEP: The shift from the old-line pro headmasters to the systematic college thinkers began to take hold five or six years ago in pro ball – especially when Paul Brown proved that he could step from the Halls of Learning and make a success in the cruel world of football business. The hiring of Liz last Jan. 7 ranks as the major step in the progress that characterizes 1954. His signing followed by a few weeks the appointment of Verne Lewellen as the club’s first full-time general manager – actually the first step in the reorganization that helped make ’54 a year of progress. Blackbourn started the progress ball a-rolling the first day he arrived here. The first move was the selection of assistants; he picked a veteran college man, Tom Hearden, to handle the defense; a holdover from the ’53 staff, Ray McLean, to operate the offense and maintain the seasons; and a “youngster” fresh out of pro football, Lou Rymkus, to handle the line and teach protection for the passer…PROCESS WENT SMOOTHLY: Jack Vainisi remained on the staff as chief scout and part-time assistant coach. The long process of building the Packers went smoothly, although Liz and his staff worked tirelessly on such items as the draft, scout reports, game reports and a 1,001 other things, including a flock of introductory speeches throughout the state. Just when the decks were cleared for the start of practice in Stevens Point, the roof seemed to fall in. Only 43 boys turned out opening day. There wasn’t a healthy defensive back in the lot; several teachers college boys had to be signed to get enough talent together for an intra-squad game; and a lot of the draft choices and free agents didn’t look good – by pro standards. This prompted Blackbourn to make his first major trade, sending Babe Parilli and Bob Fleck to Cleveland for Bobby Garrett, Don Miller, Chet Gierula and John Bauer. While Garrett was the only player to make the squad, the deal served as a much-needed shot in the arm among the fans and members of the squads. The Packers got off to a hopeful start in their ’54 non-league opener against the Cardinals at Minneapolis. The Cards won 27-10 but the Bays showed so much fight that everyone was encouraged. Next came the debut here – against the powerful Browns. The Packers allowed two quick TDs, changed their defense, scored two touchdowns and then almost won in the last seconds. The final score was 14-13. The Bays won two of their next four exhibitions…LOST FIRST THREE GAMES: The Packers were well organized when they set off on the league trail, thought Liz privately was extremely worried but far from discouraged. They lost their first three games by a total of 14 points. They were scheduled, according to the experts, to lose their fourth straight by two touchdowns but terrified the west coast by belting the Rams 35-17. Two more victories followed and the Pack was back in the running with 3-3. The ’54 Packers apparently were destined to become Cinderella Kids because in trying for their fourth victory they dropped a 28-23 heart-breaker to the Bears in Chicago. They bounced back by blasting Baltimore but then dropped two tough four-point losses to world champion Detroit. In those two setbacks, the Packers gained much national respect – especially in the nightcap which was televised coast to coast. With a natural letdown, the Packers followed with the only game they were soundly beaten, 35-0, to Frisco. Injuries racked ‘em up badly midway in their windup at Los Angeles and the Rams won 35-27. Actually, the Packers were only 27 points removed from a 9-3 season, six of their eight losses being absorbed by a total of four touchdowns and three extra points. Briefly, that is a review of ’54 – a season of hope and progress. What will happen in ’55? Much will depend on whether the Packers are able to “maintain” such service-possibles as Veryl Switzer, Art Hunter, Gene White, Max McGee, Al Barry, Bobby Garrett and others. And much will depend on the draft next month. Keep your fingers crossed!


The 1954 YEAR IN FOOTBALL

Cleveland Browns (9-3)
Head Coach: Paul Brown
Passing Leader: Otto Graham (2092)
Rushing Leader: Mo Bassett (588)
Receiving Leader: Dante Lavelli (47-802)

Philadelphia Eagles (7-4-1)
Head Coach: Jim Trimble
Passing Leader: Adrian Burk (1740)
Rushing Leader: Jim Parmer (408)
Receiving Leader: Pete Pihos (60-872)

New York Giants (7-5)
Head Coach: Jim Lee Howell
Passing Leader: Charlie Conerly (1439)
Rushing Leader: Eddie Price (555)
Receiving Leader: Bob Schnelker (30-550)

Pittsburgh Steelers (5-7)
Head Coach: Walt Kiesling
Passing Leader: Jim Finks (2003)
Rushing Leader: Fran Rogel (415)
Receiving Leader: Ray Mathews (44-652)

Washington Redskins (3-9)
Head Coach: Joe Kuharich
Passing Leader: Al Dorow (997)
Rushing Leader: Billy Wells (516)
Receiving Leader: Hugh Taylor (37-659)

Chicago Cardinals (2-10)
Head Coach: Joe Stydahar
Passing Leader: Lamar McHan (1475)
Rushing Leader: Ollie Matson (506)
Receiving Leader: Don Stonesifer (44-607)
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 26
DETROIT 48, Chicago Bears 23 SAN FRANCISCO 41, Washington 7
PHILADELPHIA 28, Cleveland 10 Los Angeles 48, BALTIMORE 0
New York 41, CHICAGO CARDINALS 10 Pittsburgh 21, GREEN BAY 20
EASTERN CONFERENCE WESTERN CONFERENCE
Philadelphia 1 0 0 1.000 28 10 Detroit 1 0 0 1.000 48 23
New York 1 0 0 1.000 41 10 San Francisco 1 0 0 1.000 41 7
Pittsburgh 1 0 0 1.000 21 20 Los Angeles 1 0 0 1.000 48 0
Cleveland 0 1 0 .000 10 28 Baltimore 0 1 0 .000 0 48
Chi Cards 0 1 0 .000 10 41 Chi Bears 0 1 0 .000 23 48
Washington 0 1 0 .000 7 41 GREEN BAY 0 1 0 .000 20 21
SATURDAY OCTOBER 2
BALTIMORE 20, New York 14 PITTSBURGH 37, Washington 7
SUNDAY OCTOBER 3
Philadelphia 35, CHICAGO CARDINALS 16 Chicago Bears 10, GREEN BAY 3
LOS ANGELES 24, San Francisco 24 (T)
EASTERN CONFERENCE WESTERN CONFERENCE
Philadelphia 2 0 0 1.000 63 26 Detroit 1 0 0 1.000 48 23
Pittsburgh 2 0 0 1.000 58 27 San Francisco 1 0 1 1.000 65 31
New York 1 1 0 .500 55 30 Los Angeles 1 0 1 1.000 72 24
Cleveland 0 1 0 .000 10 28 Baltimore 1 1 0 .500 20 62
Chi Cards 0 2 0 .000 26 76 Chi Bears 1 1 0 .500 33 51
Washington 0 2 0 .000 14 78 GREEN BAY 0 2 0 .000 23 31
SATURDAY OCTOBER 9
PHILADELPHIA 24, Pittsburgh 22
SUNDAY OCTOBER 10
CHICAGO BEARS 28, Baltimore 9 CLEVELAND 31, Chicago Cardinals 7
DETROIT 21, Los Angeles 3 New York 51, WASHINGTON 21
San Francisco 23, Green Bay 17 at Milwaukee
EASTERN CONFERENCE WESTERN CONFERENCE
Philadelphia 3 0 0 1.000 87 48 Detroit 2 0 0 1.000 69 26
Pittsburgh 2 1 0 .667 80 71 San Francisco 2 0 1 1.000 88 48
New York 2 1 0 .667 106 51 Chi Bears 2 1 0 .667 61 60
Cleveland 1 1 0 .500 41 35 Los Angeles 1 1 1 .500 75 45
Chi Cards 0 3 0 .000 33 107 Baltimore 1 2 0 .333 29 90
Washington 0 3 0 .000 35 129 GREEN BAY 0 3 0 .000 40 54
SATURDAY OCTOBER 16
DETROIT 35, Baltimore 0
SUNDAY OCTOBER 17
NEW YORK 31, Chicago Cards 17 PITTSBURGH 55, Cleveland 27
Philadelphia 49, WASHINGTON 21 San Francisco 31, CHICAGO BEARS 24
Green Bay 35, Los Angeles 17 at Milwaukee
EASTERN CONFERENCE WESTERN CONFERENCE
Philadelphia 4 0 0 1.000 136 69 Detroit 3 0 0 1.000 104 26
Pittsburgh 3 1 0 .750 135 98 San Francisco 3 0 1 1.000 119 72
New York 3 1 0 .750 137 68 Chi Bears 2 2 0 .500 85 91
Cleveland 1 2 0 .333 68 90 Los Angeles 1 2 1 .333 92 80
Chi Cards 0 4 0 .000 50 138 Baltimore 1 3 0 .250 29 125
Washington 0 4 0 .000 56 178 GREEN BAY 1 3 0 .250 75 71
SATURDAY OCTOBER 23
PITTSBURGH 17, Philadelphia 7
SUNDAY OCTOBER 24
LOS ANGELES 42, Chicago Bears 38 Cleveland 35, CHICAGO CARDINALS 3
SAN FRANCISCO 37, Detroit 31 Green Bay 7, BALTIMORE 6
NEW YORK 24, Washington 7
EASTERN CONFERENCE WESTERN CONFERENCE
Philadelphia 4 1 0 .800 143 76 San Francisco 4 0 1 1.000 156 103
Pittsburgh 4 1 0 .800 152 105 Detroit 3 1 0 .750 135 63
New York 4 1 0 .800 161 75 Los Angeles 2 2 1 .500 134 118
Cleveland 2 2 0 .500 103 93 Chi Bears 2 3 0 .400 123 133
Chi Cards 0 5 0 .000 53 173 GREEN BAY 2 3 0 .400 82 77
Washington 0 5 0 .000 63 202 Baltimore 1 4 0 .200 35 132
SATURDAY OCTOBER 30
Green Bay 37, PHILADELPHIA 14
SUNDAY OCTOBER 31
WASHINGTON 24, Baltimore 21 Chicago Bears 31, SAN FRANCISCO 27
CHICAGO CARDINALS 17, Pittsburgh 14 Detroit 27, LOS ANGELES 24
CLEVELAND 24, New York 14
EASTERN CONFERENCE WESTERN CONFERENCE
Philadelphia 4 2 0 .667 157 113 San Francisco 4 1 1 .800 183 134
Pittsburgh 4 2 0 .667 166 122 Detroit 4 1 0 .800 162 87
New York 4 2 0 .667 175 99 GREEN BAY 3 3 0 .500 119 91
Cleveland 3 2 0 .600 127 107 Chi Bears 3 3 0 .500 154 160
Chi Cards 1 5 0 .167 70 187 Los Angeles 2 3 1 .400 158 145
Washington 1 5 0 .167 87 223 Baltimore 1 5 0 .167 56 156
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 6
Detroit 27, BALTIMORE 3
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 7
New York 30, PITTSBURGH 6 PHILADELPHIA 30, Chicago Cardinals 14
CHICAGO BEARS 28, Green Bay 23 Los Angeles 42, SAN FRANCISCO 34
CLEVELAND 62, Washington 3
EASTERN CONFERENCE WESTERN CONFERENCE
Philadelphia 5 2 0 .714 187 127 Detroit 5 1 0 .833 189 90
New York 5 2 0 .714 205 105 San Francisco 4 2 1 .667 217 176
Cleveland 4 2 0 .667 189 110 Chi Bears 4 3 0 .571 182 183
Pittsburgh 4 3 0 .571 172 152 Los Angeles 3 3 1 .500 200 179
Chi Cards 1 6 0 .143 84 217 GREEN BAY 3 4 0 .429 142 119
Washington 1 6 0 .143 90 285 Baltimore 1 6 0 .143 59 183
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 13
Green Bay 24, Baltimore 13 at Milwaukee
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 14
LOS ANGELES 28, Chicago Cardinals 17 Cleveland 39, CHICAGO BEARS 10
NEW YORK 27, Philadelphia 14 WASHINGTON 17, Pittsburgh 14
DETROIT 48, San Francisco 7
EASTERN CONFERENCE WESTERN CONFERENCE
New York 6 2 0 .750 232 119 Detroit 6 1 0 .857 237 97
Cleveland 5 2 0 .714 228 120 San Francisco 4 3 1 .571 224 224
Philadelphia 5 3 0 .625 201 154 Los Angeles 4 3 1 .571 228 196
Pittsburgh 4 4 0 .500 186 169 Chi Bears 4 4 0 .500 192 222
Washington 2 6 0 .250 107 299 GREEN BAY 4 4 0 .500 166 132
Chi Cards 1 7 0 .125 101 245 Baltimore 1 7 0 .125 72 207
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 20
San Francisco 31, PITTSBURGH 3
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 21
Chicago Bears 28, BALTIMORE 13 Detroit 21, GREEN BAY 17
CHICAGO CARDINALS 38, Washington 16 Los Angeles 17, NEW YORK 16
CLEVELAND 6, Philadelphia 0
EASTERN CONFERENCE WESTERN CONFERENCE
Cleveland 6 2 0 .750 234 120 Detroit 7 1 0 .875 258 114
New York 6 3 0 .667 248 136 San Francisco 5 3 1 .625 255 227
Philadelphia 5 4 0 .556 201 160 Los Angeles 5 3 1 .625 245 212
Pittsburgh 4 5 0 .444 189 200 Chi Bears 5 4 0 .556 220 235
Washington 2 7 0 .222 123 337 GREEN BAY 4 5 0 .444 183 153
Chi Cards 2 7 0 .222 139 261 Baltimore 1 8 0 .111 85 235
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 25
DETROIT 28, Green Bay 24
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 28
PITTSBURGH 20, Chicago Cardinals 17 Cleveland 16, NEW YORK 7
CHICAGO BEARS 24, Los Angeles 13 BALTIMORE 17, San Francisco 13
PHILADELPHIA 41, Washington 33
EASTERN CONFERENCE WESTERN CONFERENCE
Cleveland 7 2 0 .778 250 127 Z-Detroit 8 1 0 .889 286 138
New York 6 4 0 .600 255 152 Chi Bears 6 4 0 .600 244 248
Philadelphia 6 4 0 .600 242 193 Los Angeles 5 4 1 .556 258 236
Pittsburgh 5 5 0 .500 209 217 San Francisco 5 4 1 .556 268 244
Washington 2 8 0 .200 156 378 GREEN BAY 4 6 0 .400 207 181
Chi Cards 2 8 0 .200 156 281 Baltimore 2 8 0 .200 102 248
Z-Clinched Tie for Division Title
SATURDAY DECEMBER 4
Baltimore 22, LOS ANGELES 21
SUNDAY DECEMBER 5
Chicago Bears 29, CHI CARDINALS 7 Cleveland 34, WASHINGTON 14
DETROIT 13, Philadelphia 13 (T) SAN FRANCISCO 35, Green Bay 0
NEW YORK 24, Pittsburgh 3
EASTERN CONFERENCE WESTERN CONFERENCE
Z-Cleveland 8 2 0 .800 284 141 X-Detroit 8 1 1 .889 299 151
New York 7 4 0 .636 279 155 Chi Bears 7 4 0 .636 273 255
Philadelphia 6 4 1 .600 255 206 San Francisco 6 4 1 .600 303 244
Pittsburgh 5 6 0 .455 212 241 Los Angeles 5 5 1 .500 279 258
Washington 2 9 0 .182 170 412 GREEN BAY 4 7 0 .364 207 216
Chi Cards 2 9 0 .182 163 310 Baltimore 3 8 0 .273 124 269
Z-Clinched Tie for Division Title X-Clinched Division Title
Detroit Lions (9-2-1)
Head Coach: Buddy Parker
Passing Leader: Bobby Layne (1818)
Rushing Leader: Lew Carpenter (476)
Receiving Leader: Dorne Dibble (46-768)

Chicago Bears (8-4)
Head Coach: George Halas
Passing Leader: George Blanda (1929)
Rushing Leader: Chick Jagade (498)
Receiving Leader: Harlon Hill (45-1124)

San Francisco 49ers (7-4-1)
Head Coach: Buck Shaw
Passing Leader: Y.A. Tittle (2205)
Rushing Leader: Joe Perry (1049)
Receiving Leader: Billy Wilson (60-830)


Los Angeles Rams (6-5-1)
Head Coach: Hampton Pool
Passing Leader: Norm Van Brocklin (2637)
Rushing Leader: Tank Younger (610)
Receiving Leader: Bob Boyd (53-1212)
Green Bay Packers (4-8)
Head Coach: Lisle Blackbourn
Passing Leader: Tobin Rote (2311)
Rushing Leader: Breezy Reid (507)
Receiving Leader: Billy Howton (52-768)

Baltimore Colts (3-9)
Head Coach: Weeb Ewbank
Passing Leader: Gary Kekorian (1515)
Rushing Leader: Buddy Young (311)
Receiving Leader: Dan Edwards (40-531)




SATURDAY DECEMBER 11
SAN FRANCISCO 10, Baltimore 7
SUNDAY DECEMBER 12
CLEVELAND 42, Pittsburgh 7 WASHINGTON 37, Chicago Cardinals 20
PHILADELPHIA 29, New York 14 CHICAGO BEARS 28, Detroit 24
LOS ANGELES 35, Green Bay 27
EASTERN CONFERENCE WESTERN CONFERENCE
X-Cleveland 9 2 0 .818 326 148 X-Detroit 8 2 1 .800 323 179
Philadelphia 7 4 1 .636 284 220 Chi Bears 8 4 0 .667 301 279
New York 7 5 0 .583 293 184 San Francisco 7 4 1 .636 313 251
Pittsburgh 5 7 0 .417 219 283 Los Angeles 6 5 1 .545 314 285
Washington 3 9 0 .250 207 432 GREEN BAY 4 8 0 .333 234 251
Chi Cards 2 10 0 .167 183 347 Baltimore 3 9 0 .250 131 279
X-Clinched Division Title
SUNDAY DECEMBER 19
Detroit 14, CLEVELAND 10
EASTERN CONFERENCE WESTERN CONFERENCE
X-Cleveland 9 3 0 .750 336 162 X-Detroit 9 2 1 .818 337 189
Philadelphia 7 4 1 .636 284 220 Chi Bears 8 4 0 .667 301 279
New York 7 5 0 .583 293 184 San Francisco 7 4 1 .636 313 251
Pittsburgh 5 7 0 .417 219 283 Los Angeles 6 5 1 .545 314 285
Washington 3 9 0 .250 207 432 GREEN BAY 4 8 0 .333 234 251
Chi Cards 2 10 0 .167 183 347 Baltimore 3 9 0 .250 131 279
X-Clinched Division Title
1954 NFL TITLE (December 26 at Cleveland)
CLEVELAND BROWNS (9-3) 56, DETROIT LIONS (9-2-1) 10

1954: The Year in Canadian Football



Montreal Alouettes (11-3)
Head Coach: Douglas Walker
Leading Rusher: Alex Webster (984)
Leading Passer: Sam Etcheverry (3610)
Leading Receiver: Red O'Quinn (62-1024)

Edmonton Eskimos (11-5)
Head Coach: Pop Ivy
Leading Rusher: Jackie Perker (925)
Leading Passer: Jackie Parker (558)
Leading Receiver: Glenn McWhinney (18-431)/Rollin Prather (18-217)

Hamilton Tiger-Cats (9-5)
Head Coach: Carl Voyles
Leading Rusher: Merle Hapes (572)
Leading Passer: Butch Songin (2500)
Leading Receiver: Lou Kusserow (49-702)

Saskatchewan Roughriders (10-4-2)
Head Coach: Frank Filchock
Leading Rusher: Bobby Marlow (882)
Leading Passer: Frank Tripucka (2003)
Leading Receiver: Ken Carpenter (37-523)

Toronto Argonauts (6-8)
Head Coach: Frank Clair
Leading Rusher: Gene Wilson (702)
Leading Passer: Norbert Wirkowski (2960)
Leading Receiver: Al Pfeiffer (68-1142)

Winnipeg Blue Bombers (8-6-2)
Head Coach: Allie Sherman
Leading Rusher:Gerry James (576)
Leading Passer: Jack Jacobs (1732)
Leading Receiver: Bud Grant (49-752)

Ottawa Rough Riders (2-12)
Head Coach: Clem Crowe
Leading Rusher: Avatus Stone (404)
Leading Passer: Jim Root (835)
Leading Receiver: Bob Simpson (37-787)

Calgary Stampeders (8-8)
Head Coach: Larry Siemering
Leading Rusher: Howie Waugh (1043)
Leading Passer: Eddie LeBaron (1815)
Leading Receiver: Rupe Andrews (32-904)

BC Lions Football Club began play in the WIFU; IRFU games first televised on NBC with weekly shows/Grey Cup; Telecasts available on CBC in Southern Ontario. The ORFU made its last challenge for the Grey Cup in the form of the "Grey Cup Semi‐Final" versus the Western champion.
SAT AUG 21
SASKATCHEWAN 21, Edmonton 13 (12000) - After a winless exhibition season, Frank Filchock returned to haunt the Eskimos with his quarterbacking, and the power running of Bobby Marlow and Ken Carpenter, who had two TDs, in a game played under the threat of rain and sullen skies.
EDMONTON - 0 6 0 7 - 13
SASKATCHEWAN - 0 11 7 3 - 21
2nd - SASK - Stan Williams, 16-yard pass from Frank Tripucka (Joe Aguirre convert) SASK 6-0 2nd - EDM - Glenn Lippman, 6-yard run (Rod Pantages convert) TIED 6-6 2nd - SASK - Ken Carpenter, 8-yard run SASK 11-6 3rd - SASK - Carpenter, 1-yard run (Aguirre convert) SASK 17-6 3rd - SASK - Single, Aguirre kick to deadline SASK 18-6 4th - EDM - Single, Carpenter rouged on Pantages kick SASK 18-7 4th - EDM - Lippman, 2-yard run (Pantages convert) SASK 18-13 4th - SASK - Aguirre, 10-yarrd field goal SASK 21-13
WINNIPEG 17, Calgary 5 (16887) - Rain poured down, ruining an anticipated passing battle between Winnipeg's Jack Jacobs and Calgary's Eddlie LeBaron. Jacobs ended up with the edge, tossing a TD pass to Bud Grant and kicking three singles on long kicks then ended in rouges.
CALGARY - 3 1 0 1 - 5
WINNIPEG - 0 7 10 0 - 17
1st - CAL - Tim Miner, 30-yard field goal CAL 3-0 2nd - WIN - Floyd Huggins, 3-yard run WIN 5-3 2nd - CAL - Single, Gordie Rowland rouged on Miner kick WIN 5-4 2nd - WIN - Single, Douglas Nagle rouged on Jack Jacobs kick WIN 6-4 2nd - WIN - Single, Eddie Macon rouged on Jacobs kick WIN 7-4 3rd - WIN - Bud Grant, 57-yard pass from Jacobs (Bud Korchak convert) WIN 13-4 3rd - WIN - Korchak, 22-yard field goal WIN 16-4 3rd - WIN - Singke, Macon rouged on Jacobs kick WIN 17-4 4th - CAL - Single, Jesse Thomas rouged on Eddie LeBaron kick WIN 17-5
MON AUG 23
SASKATCHEWAN 11, Calgary 7 (11469) - Larry Isbell's left foot was the difference as the Riders rallied in the second half to hand the Stamps their second loss in two starts. Isbell's towering punts accounted for five of the Saskatchewan points.
CALGARY - 1 6 0 0 - 7
SASKATCHEWAN - 2 0 6 3 - 11
1st - SASK - Single, Doug Nagle rouged on Larry Isbell kick SASK 1-0 1st - CAL - Single, Bobby Flippin rouged on Kevin Spaith kick TIED 1-1 2nd - SASK - Single, Isbell kick to deadline SASK 2-1 2nd - CAL - Rupe Andrews, 67-yard run (Glen Christian convert) CAL 7-2 3rd - SASK - Bobby Marlow, 1-yard run (Joe Aguirre convert) SASK 8-7 3rd - SASK - Single, Neil Ferris rouged on Isbell kick SASK 9-7 4th - SASK - Single, Nagle rouged on Isbell kick SASK 10-7 4th - SASK - Single, Isbell kick to deadline SASK 11-7
WINNIPEG 7, Edmonton 3 (17385) - Rollie Miles passed, kicked and ran all over the field after regular QB Claude Arnold was added to the long list of Eskimo casualties. Jack Jacobs scored on a QB sneak in the first quarter held up as the winning score.
EDMONTON - 0 3 0 0 - 3
WINNIPEG - 6 1 0 0 - 7
1st - WIN - Jack Jacobs, 2-yard run (Bud Korchak convert) WIN 6-0 2nd - EDM - Bob Dean, 10-yard field goal WIN 6-3 2nd - WIN - Single, Davie West rouged on Korchak kick WIN 7-3
STANDINGS - IRFU WIFU
Hamilton 0 0 0 0 0 0 Winnipeg 2 0 0 4 24 8
Toronto 0 0 0 0 0 0 Saskatchewan 2 0 0 4 32 20
Montreal 0 0 0 0 0 0 British Columbia 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ottawa 0 0 0 0 0 0 Edmonton 0 2 0 0 16 28
Calgary 0 2 0 0 12 28
SAT AUG 28
Montreal 24, HAMILTON 6 (16000) - Montreal took an 18-0 lead into halftime and walloped the 1953 Grey Cup champions. The Als used their import strength to score the win. All four touchdowns were scored by Americans. Montreal QB Sam Etcheverry completed 16 of his 21 passes for 223 yards,
HAMILTON - 0 0 1 5 - 6
MONTREAL - 6 12 0 6 - 24
1st - MON - Larry Griff, 2-yard run (Ray Poole convert) MON 6-0 2nd - MON - Alex Webster, 11-yard run (Poole convert) MON 12-0 2nd - MON - Sam Etcheverry, 2-yard run (Poole convert) MON 18-0 3rd - HAM - Single, Jacque Belec rouged on Glenn Dobbs kick MON 18-1 4th - HAM - Ray Ramsey, 25-yard pass from Ed Songin MON 18-6 4th - MON - Virgil Wagner, 2-yard run (Poole convert) MON 24-6
TORONTO 13, Ottawa 6 (16702) - In the first Canadian football game to be seen by a United States television audience, fullback Teddy Toogood and flying wing Bob Simpson took the limelight as the Argos win. The TV audience was estimated at 40,000,000.
OTTAWA - 0 6 0 0 - 6
TORONTO - 7 1 5 0 - 13
1st - TOR - Single, Bob Rumball rouged on Alex Ponton kick TOR 1-0 1st - TOR - Ted Toogood, 39-yard run (Norb Hecker convert) TOR 7-0 2nd - TOR - Single, Bob Simpson rouged on Hecker kick TOR 8-0 2nd - OTT - Simpson, 72-yard pass from Howie Turner (Gene Roberts convert) TOR 8-6 3rd - TOR - Al Pfeiffer, 31-yard pass from Nobby Wirkowski TOR 13-6
Winnipeg 8, BRIT COL 6 (20606) - The BC Lions, the club prairie experts say won't win a game this season, came within three minutes of pulling one of the most stunning upsets in WIFU history, before dropping a tense decision before a league-record crowd.
WINNIPEG - 0 1 5 2 - 8
BRIT COL - 0 6 0 0 - 6
2nd - WIN - Single, Gerry Palmer rouged on Bud Korchak convert WIN 1-0 2nd - BC - Byron Bailey, 1-yard run (Al Pollard convert) BC 6-1 3rd - WIN - Gerry James, 49-yard run with lateral from Bud Grant after 15-yard pass from Jack Jacobs TIED 6-6 4th - WIN - Single, George Klein rouged on Jacobs kick WIN 7-6 4th - WIN - Single, Palmer rouged by Floyd Huggins on Byron Townsend missed FG WIN 8-6
CALGARY 34, Saskatchewan 0 (14000) - Powered by the passing combination of quarterback Eddie LeBaron and fleet halfback Rupe Andrews, the revitalized Stampeders rolled to the easy win. The Stamps, considered the dark horse in the WIFU, won their first game after a surprising 0-2 start.
SASKATCHEWAN - 0 0 0 0 - 0
CALGARY - 12 7 9 6 - 34
1st - CAL - Eddie LeBaron, 2-yard run (Tom Miner convert) CAL 6-0 2nd - CAL - Rupe Andrews, 69-yard pass from LeBaron (Miner convert) CAL 12-0 2nd - CAL - Andrews, 79-yard pass from LeBaron (Miner convert) CAL 18-0 2nd - CAL - Single, Harry Lampman rouged on LeBaron kick CAL 19-0 3rd - CAL - Glen Christian, 95-yard punt return (Miner convert) CAL 25-0 3rd - CAL - Miner, 37-yard field goal CAL 28-0 4th - CAL - Lynn Bottoms, 18-yard interception return (Miner convert) CAL 34-0
MON AUG 30
Saskatchewan 17, BRIT COL 0 (14878) - The Riders picked up the win before a rain-soaked crowd on two converted touchdowns, a field goal and two singles. Rider QB Larry Isbell threw only three passes, while his running game rang up 200 yards, while BC was held to 59 yards on the ground.
SASKATCHEWAN - 0 4 7 6 - 17
BRITISH COL - 0 0 0 0 - 0
2nd - SASK - Joe Aguirre, 28-yard field goal SASK 3-0 2nd - SASK - Single, Gerry Palmer rouged by Reg Whitehouse on Larry Isbell kick SASK 4-0 3rd - SASK - Single, Ray Enright rouged By Doug Killoh on Isbell kick SASK 5-0 3rd - SASK - Mac Speedie, 25-yard pass from Isbell (Aguirre convert) SASK 11-0 4th - SASK - Ken Carpenter, 11-yard run (Aguirre convert) SASK 17-0
CALGARY 41, Winnipeg 0 (15000) - Calgary handed Winnipeg its worst loss since a 47-0 drubbing by Regina in 1949. The Bombers penetrated the Calgary 30-yard line only once in the game - in the final quarter. Winnipeg lost 24 yards on the ground, while Calgary rolled for 332 yards rushing.
WINNIPEG - 0 0 0 0 - 0
CALGARY - 9 12 15 5 - 41
1st - CAL - Eddie Macon, 60-yard run (Tom Miner convert) CAL 6-0 1st - CAL - Miner, 32-yard field goal CAL 9-0 2nd - CAL - Macon, 20-yard run (Miner convert) CAL 15-0 2nd - CAL - Miner, 23-yard field goal CAL 18-0 2nd - CAL - Miner, 46-yard field goal CAL 21-0 3rd - CAL - Miner, 30-yard field goal CAL 24-0 3rd - CAL - Glen Christian interception return (Miner convert) CAL 30-0 3rd - CAL - Ivan Livingstone, 8-yard run (Miner convert) CAL 36-0 4th - CAL - Keith Spaith, 1-yard run CAL 41-0
STANDINGS - IRFU WIFU
Montreal 1 0 0 2 24 6 Winnipeg 3 1 0 6 32 55
Toronto 1 0 0 2 13 6 Saskatchewan 3 1 0 6 49 54
Hamilton 0 1 0 0 6 24 Calgary 2 2 0 4 87 28
Ottawa 0 1 0 0 6 13 Edmonton 0 2 0 0 16 28
British Columbia 0 2 0 0 6 25
FRI SEPT 3
WINNIPEG 12, Saskatchewan 12 (T) (18090) - The WIFU saw its first tie game since 1952, when Winnipeg and Edmonton played to a 14-14 stalemate. Before a record crowd in Winnipeg, two import halfbacks scored both Rider majors.
SASKATCHEWAN - 7 0 5 0 - 12
WINNIPEG - 1 6 5 0 - 12
1st - SASK - Single, Billy Bye rouged on Larry Isbell kick SASK 1-0 1st - WIN - Single, Jack Jacobs kick out of touch TIED 1-1 1st - SASK - Stan Williams, 4-yard run (Joe Aguirre convert) SASK 7-1 2nd - WIN - Bud Grant, 15-yard pass from Jacobs (Bud Korchak convert) TIED 7-7 3rd - SASK - Ken Carpenter, 20-yard pass from Frank Tripucka SASK 12-7 3rd - WIN - Gerry James run TIED 12-12
SAT SEPT 4
CALGARY 34, Brit Col 0 (15000) - The rampaging Stampeders rolled up 432 yards on offense, while holding the Lions to 129 yards in recording their third straight shutout. Over the last three games, the combined rushing gained by the Bombers, Rider and Lions was a minus-3 yards.
BRIT COL - 0 0 0 0 - 0
CALGARY - 6 9 13 6 - 34
1st - CAL - Rupe Andrews, 30-yard fumble return (Tom Miner convert) CAL 6-0 2nd - CAL - Andrews, 79-yard pass from Eddie LeBaron (Miner convert) CAL 12-0 2nd - CAL - Miner, 36-yard field goal CAL 15-0 3rd - CAL - Eddie Macon, 10-yard run (Miner convert) CAL 21-0 3rd - CAL - Single, Neil Ferris rouged by Harry Langford on LeBaron kick CAL 22-0 3rd - CAL - Howie Waugh, 28-yard run (Miner convert) CAL 28-0 4th - Lowell Wagner, 10-yard pass from LeBaron (Miner convert) CAL 34-0
MONTREAL 21, Ottawa 2 (20563) - Gate receipts were estimated at $60,000, probably the biggest box office count in Canadian grid history, apart from Grey Cup competition. QB Sam Etcheverry led the Alouettes to three converted touchdowns.
OTTAWA - 0 1 0 1 - 2
MONTREAL - 6 3 12 0 - 21
1st - MON - Alex Webster, 8-yard run (Ray Poole convert) MON 6-0 2nd - MON - Poole, 23-yard field goal MON 9-0 2nd - OTT - Single, Ball rolled out in end zone on FG attempt by Choo Choo Roberts MON 9-1 3rd - MON - Virgil Wagner, 2-yard run (Poole convert) MON 15-1 3rd - MON - Joe Pal, 30-yard pass from Sam Etcheverry (Poole convert) MON 21-1 4th - OTT - Single, Bill Bewley conceded on Avatus Stone kick MON 21-2
Hamilton 17, TORONTO 6 (14797) - QB Ed Songin, aware that his job probably hinged on a good showing, found his range in the second half and broke up a tensely-fought struggle with his deadly passing as the defending Grey Cup champions recorded their first win of the season.
HAMILTON - 3 0 8 6 - 17
TORONTO - 0 0 0 6 - 6
1st - HAM - Safety, Alex Ponton tackled in end zone by Bill Quinlan HAM 2-0 1st - HAM - Single, Johnny Fedosoff rouged on Chet Mitska missed FG kick HAM 3-0 3rd - HAM - Lou Kusserow, 10-yard run (Ray Truant convert) HAM 9-0 3rd - HAM - Single, Cam Fraser kick HAM 10-0 3rd - HAM - Single, Fraser kick HAM 11-0 4th - HAM - Ray Ramsey, 82-yard pass from Ed Songin (Truant convert) HAM 17-0 4th - TOR - Norb Hecker pass from Nobby Wirkowski (Hecker convert) HAM 17-6
MON SEPT 6
SASKATCHEWAN 18, Winnipeg 14 (14000) - The Riders won thanks to the toe of line coach Joe Aguirre, who tied a WFU record with four field goals. He added a single for a 13-point performance. Gerry James, the 20-year RB for the Bombers, scored two touchdowns.
WINNIPEG - 0 1 6 7 - 14
SASKATCHEWAN - 3 9 3 3 - 18
1st - SASK - Joe Aguirre, 23-yard field goal SASK 3-0 2nd - SASK - Aguirre, 24-yard field goal SASK 6-0 2nd - WIN - Single, Ron Adam rouged on Jack Jacobs kick SASK 6-1 2nd - SASK - Bobby Marlow, 4-yard run (Aguirre convert) SASK 12-1 3rd - SASK - Aguirre, 25-yard field goal SASK 15-1 3rd - WIN - Gerry James, 5-yard run (Bud Korchak convert) SASK 15-7 4th - SASK - Aguirre, 28-yard field goal SASK 18-7 4th - WIN - James, 5-yard run (Korchak convert) SASK 18-13 4th - WIN - Single, Mike Maruska rouged by Andy Sokol on Korchak kick SASK 18-14
EDMONTON 12, British Col 6 (18000) - Edmonton came from behind with two converted touchdowns in the last quarter, while the Lions saw their ace tackle, Arnie Weinmeister, from the NY Giants, suffer a dislocated shoulder at the start of the second half.
BRIT COL - 0 3 3 0 - 6
EDMONTON - 0 0 0 12 - 12
2nd - BC - Al Pollard, 15-yard field goal BC 3-0 3rd - BC - Pollard, 8-yard field goal BC 6-0 4th - EDM - Rollie Miles, 8-yard pass from Jackie Parker (Bob Dean convert) TIED 6-6 4th - EDM - Earl Lindley recovered Jerry Parker kick in end zone (Dean convert) EDM 12-6
Montreal 20, OTTAWA 11 (13000) - Chuck Hunsinger carried the ball 15 times for 167 yards and two touchdowns as the Als sent Ottawa to the Eastern cellar. Hunsinger combined with Alex Webster to spoil the Rider's home debut.
MONTREAL - 6 6 0 8 - 20
OTTAWA - 6 5 0 0 - 11
1st - OTT - Johnny Gramling, 2-yard run (Choo Choo Roberts convert) OTT 6-0 1st - MON - Hal Patterson, 66-yard pass from Sam Etcheverry (Ray Poole convert) TIED 6-6 2nd - MON - Chuck Hunsinger, 55-yard run (Poole convert) MON 12-6 2nd - OTT - Bob Simpson, 63-yard pass from Gramling MON 12-11 4th - MON - Hunsinger, 19-yard run (Poole convert) MON 18-11 4th - MON - Single, Roberts rouged on Poole kick MON 19-12 4th - MON - Single, Tex Coulter kicked to deadline MON 20-11
Toronto 21, HAMILTON 7 (14000) - Toronto gained 352 total yards, 225 on the ground thanks to Gene Wilson, Dick Shatto and Bill Cross, in winning the Labor Day game. Ed Songin completed 19 of 31 passes in a futile attempt to keep Hamilton in the game.
TORONTO - 1 6 6 8 - 21
HAMILTON - 0 0 1 6 - 7
1st - TOR - Single, Alex Ponton kick TOR 1-0 2nd - TOR - Ulysses Curtis, 6-yard run (Norb Hecker convert) TOR 7-0 3rd - HAM - Single, Cam Fraser kick to deadline TOR 7-1 3rd - TOR - Dick Shatto, 1-yard run (Hecker convert) TOR 13-1 4th - TOR - Bill Cross, 2-yard run (Hecker convert) TOR 19-1 4th - HAM - Avatus Custis, 4-yard run (Ray Truant convert) TOR 19-7 4th - TOR - Safety, Ed Songin tackled in end zone by Oatten Fisher TOR 21-7
STANDINGS - IRFU WIFU
Montreal 3 0 0 6 65 19 Saskatchewan 4 1 1 9 79 80
Toronto 2 1 0 4 40 30 Winnipeg 3 2 1 7 58 85
Hamilton 1 2 0 2 30 51 Calgary 3 2 0 6 121 28
Ottawa 0 3 0 0 19 54 Edmonton 1 2 0 2 28 28
British Columbia 0 4 0 0 12 71
SAT SEPT 11
SASKATCHEWAN 17, British Col 7 (13000) - The Lions flew in the morning of the game due to storms, resulting in five players suffering air sickness. They then saw 12 players leave the game with injuries, including QB Gerry Tuttle, in dropping their fifth straight.
BRITISH COL - 1 0 0 6 - 7
SASKATCHEWAN - 2 9 0 6 - 17
1st - BC - Single, Stan Williams rouged by Chuck Quilter on Vic Chapman kick BC 1-0 1st - SASK - Safety, Bill Clarke tackled John Mazur in end zone SASK 2-1 2nd - SASK - Joe Aguirre, 21-yard field goal SASK 5-1 2nd - SASK - Bobby Marlow run (Aguirre convert) SASK 11-1 4th - BC - Al Pollard, 2-yard pass from Gerry Tuttle (Pollard convert) SASK 11-7 4th - SASK - Mac Speedie, 16-yard pass from Frank Tripucka (Aguirre convert) SASK 17-7
EDMONTON 30, Calgary 11 (18795) - An inspired group of Eskimos, led by QB Jackie Parker, Rollie Miles and Johnny Bright, stung the high-flying Stampeders, and snapped their three game shutout winning streak. Edmonton trailed heading into the fourth quarter, before exploding for 24 points.
CALGARY - 0 11 0 0 - 11
EDMONTON - 6 0 0 24 - 30
1st - EDM - Jackie Parker, 2-yard run (Bob Dean convert) EDM 6-0 2nd - CAL - Howard Waugh, 7-yard run (Tom Miner convert) TIED 6-6 2nd - CAL - Lowell Wagner, 21-yard pass from Eddie LeBaron CAL 11-7 4th - EDM - Glenn Lippman, 3-yard run (Dean convert) EDM 12-11 4th - EDM - Parker, 1-yard run (Dean convert) EDM 18-11 4th - EDM - Dave West, 1-yard run (Dean convert) EDM 24-11 4th - EDM - Earl Lindley, 15-yard interception return (Dean convert) EDM 30-11
MONTREAL 21, Hamilton 3 (17463) - Montreal remained the only unbeaten senior football club in Canada, thanks to QB Sam Etcheverry directing traffic behind a rock-ribbed line. The easy win over Hamilton gave them a four point lead over Toronto.
HAMILTON - 3 0 0 0 - 3
MONTREAL - 1 12 5 3 - 21
1st - HAM - Tip Logan, 27-yard field goal HAM 3-0 1st - MON - Single, Dick Brown rouged on Tex Coulter kick HAM 3-1 2nd - MON - Alex Webster, 6-yard run (Ray Poole convert) MON 7-3 2nd - MON - Chuck Hunsinger, 2-yard pass from Sam Etcheverry (Poole convert) MON 13-3 3rd - MON - Webster, 21-yard run MON 18-3 4th - MON - Poole, 18-yard field goal MON 21-3
Ottawa 12, TORONTO 5 (13910) - 22-year-old QB Johnny Gramling led Ottawa to 23 first downs, 13 more than the Argos, and 193 yards rushing. Toronto only picked up 36 yards on the ground. Ottawa jumped out to a 11-0 lead before Toronto managed its only score of the game.
OTTAWA - 6 5 0 1 - 12
TORONTO - 0 5 0 0 - 5
1st - OTT - Billy Bass, 2-yard run (Gene Robert convert) OTT 6-0 2nd - OTT - Avatus Stone, 3-yard run OTT 11-0 2nd - TOR - Dick Shatto, 3-yard run OTT 11-5 4th - OTT - Single, Billy Cross conceded on Stone kick OTT 12-5
MON SEPT 13
WINNIPEG 22, British Col 17 (16760) - The turning point came in the fourth quarter, with BC leading 12-10, saw Neil Ferris try a lateral behind his own goal line after a wide field goal attempt. Bombers QB Jack Jacobs intercepted for a touchdown.
BRIT COL - 6 0 6 5 - 17
WINNIPEG - 9 1 0 12 - 22
1st - WIN - Bud Korchak field goal WIN 3-0 1st - BC - Keith Bennett, 12-yard fumble return (Al Pollard convert) BC 6-3 1st - WIN - Bud Grant, 79-yard pass from Jack Jacobs (Korchak convert) WIN 9-6 2nd - WIN - Single, Neill Ferris rouged on Jacobs kick WIN 10-6 3rd - BC - Pollard, 10-yard pass from John Mazur (Pollard convert) BC 12-10 4th - WIN - Jacobs, interception in end zone (Korchak convert) WIN 16-12 4th - WIN - Neill Armstrong pass from Jacobs (Korchak convert) WIN 22-12 4th - BC - John Wagoner recovered Joe Zaleski fumble in end zone WIN 22-17
CALGARY 20, Edmonton 6 (15090) - Calgary pulled away in the fourth quarter with a converted touchdown and a field goal. The victory gave Calgary an even break on a home-and-home series. Howard Waugh, import from Tulsa University, paced the Stampeder offense with two touchdowns.
EDMONTON - 0 6 0 0 - 6
CALGARY - 6 0 5 9 - 20
1st - CAL - Eddie LeBaron, 1-yard run (Tom Miner convert) CAL 6-0 2nd - EDM - Bob Dean, 30-yard field goal CAL 6-3 2nd - EDM - Dean, 22-yard field goal TIED 6-6 3rd - CAL- Howard Waugh, 2-yard run CAL 11-6 4th - CAL - Waugh, 5-yard run (Miner convert) CAL 17-6 4th - CAL - Miner, 35-yard field goal CAL 20-6
STANDINGS - IRFU WIFU
Montreal 4 0 0 8 86 22 Saskatchewan 5 1 1 11 96 87
Toronto 2 2 0 4 45 42 Winnipeg 4 2 1 9 80 102
Hamilton 1 3 0 2 33 72 Calgary 4 3 0 8 152 64
Ottawa 1 3 0 2 31 59 Edmonton 2 3 0 4 64 59
British Columbia 0 6 0 0 36 110
SAT SEPT 18
SASKATCHEWAN 10, Winnipeg 10 (T) (10663) - The deadlock was the second in three games between the two squads. Playing on a rain-soaked gridiron, Winnipeg came from behind to force the tie after trailing 10-0 in the fourth quarter, tying the game on a last minute Bud Korchak field goal.
WINNIPEG - 0 0 0 10 - 10
SASKATCHEWAN - 0 9 1 0 - 10
2nd - SASK - Bobby Marlow, 7-yard run (Joe Aguirre convert) SASK 6-0 3rd - SASK - Aguirre, 40-yard field goal SASK 9-0 3rd - SASK - Single, Neill Armstrong rouged by Mac Speedie on Larry Isbell kick SASK 10-0 4th - WIN - Safety, Frank Tripucka called for grounding in end zone SASK 10-2 4th - WIN - Jesse Thomas, 72-yard pass from Jack Jacobs SASK 10-7 4th - WIN - Bud Korchak, 34-yard field goal TIED 10-10
BRITISH COL 9, Calgary 4 (18786) - On a field turned into a muddy marsh due to a relentless downpour of rain, the Lions won their first game ever in the WIFU. Byron Bailey picked up a fumble in the BC backfield and sloshed his way seven yards to the winning major in the final quarter.
CALGARY - 0 11 0 0 - 11
BRIT COL - 3 0 0 6 - 9
1st - BC - Al Pollard, 28-yard field goal BC 3-0 4th - CAL - Single, George Klein rouged on Tom Miner kick BC 3-1 4th - CAL - Miner, 16-yard field goal CAL 4-3 4th - BC - Byron Bailey, 7-yard fumble return (Pollard convert) BC 9-4
HAMILTON 7, Montreal 6 (14000) - Hamilton fans were introduced to QB Bobby Flippin - from Texas by way of Saskatchewan - and he led the Tiger-Cats to 297 pounds on the ground and handed Montreal their first loss of the season.
MONTREAL - 3 3 0 0 - 6
HAMILTON - 0 6 0 1 - 7
1st - MON - Ray Poole, 35-yard field goal MON 3-0 2nd - HAM - Bernie Custis, 10-yard run following lateral from Bobby Flippin (Tip Logan convert) HAM 6-3 2nd - MON - Poole, 18-yard field goal TIED 6-6 4th - HAM - Single, Chuck Hunsinger rouged on Cam Fraser kick HAM 7-6
Toronto 34, OTTAWA 6 (11500) - Toronto's defense crippled Ottawa with seven interceptions, while Argo QB Nobby Wirkowski passed for 222 yards to help the Argos strengthen their hold on second place. Dick Shatto scored two of Toronto's five majors.
TORONTO - 7 12 3 12 - 34
OTTAWA - 0 0 6 0 - 6
1st - TOR - Dick Shatto, 2-yard run (Norb Hecker convert) TOR 6-0 1st - TOR - Single, Alex Ponton kick TOR 7-0 2nd - TOR - Gene Wilson, 3-yard run (Hecker convert) TOR 13-0 2nd TOR - Hecker, 21-yard pass from Nobby Wirkowski (Hecker convert) TOR 19-0 3rd - TOR - Hecker, 11-yard field goal TOR 22-0 3rd - OTT - Bob Simpson, 21-yard pass from John Gramling (Gene Roberts convert) TOR 22-6 4th - TOR - Bob McFarlane, 65-yard interception return (Hecker convert) TOR 28-6 4th - TOR - Dick Shatto, 7-yard run (Hecker convert) TOR 34-6
MON SEPT 20
WINNIPEG 28, Saskatchewan 7 (16418) - Winnipeg scored a converted major in less than five minutes and led 13-6 at the end of the first quarter. They increased their lead to 21-6 at the half, and coasted to the win which put them into a first-place tie.
SASKATCHEWAN - 6 0 1 0 - 7
WINNIPEG - 13 8 0 7 - 28
1st - WIN - Billy Bye, 4-yard run (Bud Korchak convert) WIN 6-0 1st - WIN - Ron Adam rouged on Korchak kick WIN 7-0 1st - WIN - Byron Townsend, 3-yard run (Korchak convert) WIN 13-0 1st - SASK - Stan Williams, 49-yard pass from Frank Tripucka (Joe Aguirre convert) WIN 13-6 2nd - WIN - Gordie Rowland, 50-yard interception return (Korchak convert) WIN 19-6 2nd - WIN - Safety, Keith Pearce tackled Ken Carpenter in end zone WIN 21-6 3rd - SASK - Single, Rowland conceded on Larry Isbell kick WIN 21-7 4th 0- WIN - Single, Isbell conceded on Jack Jacobs kick WIN 22-7 4th - WIN - Floyd Huggins, 1-yard run (Korchak convert) WIN 28-7
Edmonton 23, BRITISH COL 13 (21186) - Edmonton jumped out to a 21-3 halftime lead, thanks to majors from Jackie Parker, Glen McWhinney and Bernie Faloney, The Lions, behind rookie QB Gene Robillard, were unable to build on their upset win over Calgary.
EDMONTON - 12 9 1 1 - 23
BRIT COL - 3 0 5 5 - 13
1st - EDM - Glenn McWhinney, 78-yard pass from Jackie Parker (Bob Dean convert) EDM 6-0 1st - BC - Al Pollard, 20-yard field goal EDM 6-3 1st - EDM - Bernie Faloney, 2-yard run (Dean convert) EDM 12-3 2nd - EDM - Dean, 28-yard field goal EDM 15-3 2nd - EDM - Parker, 25-yard run (Dean convert) EDM 21-3 3rd - EDM - Single, George Klein rouged by McWhinney on Parker kick EDM 22-3 3rd - BC - Gerry Tuttle, 2-yard run EDM 22-8 4th - BC - Byron Bailey, 2-yard run EDM 22-13 4th - EDM - Single, Klein rouged by Rollin Prather on missed Dean field goal EDM 23-13
STANDINGS - IRFU WIFU
Montreal 4 1 0 8 92 29 Saskatchewan 5 2 2 12 113 125
Toronto 3 2 0 6 79 48 Winnipeg 5 2 2 12 118 119
Hamilton 2 3 0 4 40 78 Calgary 4 4 0 8 156 73
Ottawa 1 4 0 2 37 93 Edmonton 3 3 0 6 87 78
British Columbia 1 7 0 2 58 137
SAT SEPT 25
CALGARY 18, Saskatchewan 10 (15000) - Calgary knows why the Chicago Bears slapped a $100,000 lawsuit against the Stampeders for tampering with HB Eddie Macon. The slim speedster carried the ball 15 times from scrimmage for 121 yards, scored one TD and fired a TD pass to Rupe Andrews.
SASKATCHEWAN - 3 0 6 1 - 10
CALGARY - 3 6 6 3 - 18
1st - CAL Tom Miner, 20-yard field goal CAL 3-0 1st - SASK - Joe Aguirre, 17-yard field goal TIED 3-3 2nd - CAL - Eddie Macon, 36-yard run (Miner convert) CAL 9-3 3rd - SASK - Ken Carpenter, 39-yard pass from Frank Tripucka (Aguirre convert) TIED 9-9 3rd - CAL - Rupe Andrews, 84-yard pass from Macon (Miner convert) CAL 15-9 4th - SASK - Single, Aguirre kick to deadline SASK 15-10 4th - CAL - Miner, 25-yard field goal
EDMONTON 12, Winnipeg 8 (17841) - The Eskimos led throughout behind crowd-pleasing deception out of the split-T and spread formations, engineered by QB Bernie Faloney and HB Jackie Parker. Faloney scored one TD on a QB sneak and Parker the other on a short pass from Rollie Miles.
WINNIPEG - 0 0 3 5 - 8
EDMONTON - 6 0 6 0 - 12
1st - EDM - Jackie Parker, 10-yard pass from Rollie Miles (Bob Dean convert) EDM 6-0 3rd - WIN - Bud Korchak, 15-yard field goal EDM 6-3 3rd - EDM - Bernie Faloney, 4-yard run (Dean convert) EDM 12-3 4th - WIN - Lorne Benson, fumble recovery in end zone EDM 12-8
MONTREAL 28, Toronto 7 (18104) - The crowd ignored a muddy field and a light rain to watch QB Sam Etcheverry toss two TD passes and a third was scored after he moved the team inside the Toronto 10-yard line with his accurate throwing.
TORONTO - 1 6 0 0 - 7
MONTREAL - 0 12 10 6 - 28
1st - TOR - single, Bruce Coulter conceded on Alex Ponton kick TOR 1-0 2nd - MON - Larry Grigg, 5-yard run (Ray Poole convert) MON 6-1 2nd - TOR - Dick Shatto, 15-yard pass from Nobby Wirkowski (Norb Hecker convert) TOR 7-6 2nd - MON - Alex Webster, 17-yard pass from Sam Etcheverry (Poole convert) MON 12-7 3rd - MON - Poole, 15-yard field goal MON 15-7 3rd - MON - Single, Bill McFarlane concedes on Tex Coulter kick MON 16-7 3rd - MON - Webster, 1-yard run (Poole convert) MON 22-7 4th - MON - Joe Pal, 14-yard pass from Etcheverry (Poole convert) MON 28-7
Hamilton 38, OTTAWA 12 (9220) - The Tiger-Cats scored six touchdowns, two by Bernie Custis, and Tip Logan ran his string of consecutive points-after-touchdown to 89 in league and playoff games, a Canadian record, while Ottawa saw their playoff hopes virtually disappear before one of the smallest crowds in years.
HAMILTON - 6 8 24 0 - 38
OTTAWA - 0 6 0 6 - 12
1st - HAM - Merle Hapes, 8-yard run (Jack Logan convert) HAM 6-0 2nd - HAM - Single, Cam Fraser kick HAM 7-0 2nd - OTT - Bob Simpson, 85-yard pass from Dick Schnaible (Gene Roberts convert) HAM 7-6 2nd - HAM - Single, Fraser kick HAM 8-6 2nd - HAM - Bernie Custis, 22-yard pass from Butch Songin (Logan convert) HAM 14-6 3rd - HAM - Custis, 38-yard run (Logan convert) HAM 20-6 3rd - HAM - Lou Kusserow, 1-yard run (Logan convert) HAM 26-6 3rd - HAM - Ray Ramsay, 40-yard pass from Songin (Logan convert) HAM 32-6 4th - HAM - Vito Ragazzo, 6-yard pass from Songin (Logan convert) HAM 38-6 4th - OTT - Boris Kotoff, 1-yard run (Rogerts convert) HAM 38-12
MON SEPT 27
Winnipeg 6, CALGARY 4 (12000) - A TD pass from Jack Jacobs to Neill Armstrong late in the final quarter gave Winnipeg the win and handed Calgary their first home loss of the season. Calgary's last chance to pull out the win came on a 44-yard FG attempt by Tom Miner which fell short in the final minutes.
WINNIPEG - 0 0 0 6 - 6
CALGARY - 0 4 0 0 - 4
2nd - CAL - Single, Eddie LeBaron kick to deadline CAL 1-0 2nd - CAL - Tom Miner, 33-yard field goal CAL 4-0 4th - WIN - Single, Nud Korchak kick to deadline CAL 4-1 4th - WIN - Neill Armstrong, 45-yard pass from Jack Jacobs WIN 6-4
Saskatchewan 8, EDMONTON 6 (15161) - The Roughriders, spurred by two imports, Ken Carpenter and Stan Williams, stayed atop the WIFU with a fourth-quarter field goal from Joe Aguirre. The loss was the first of the season for Edmonton at home.
SASKATCHEWAN - 0 5 0 3 - 8
EDMONTON - 6 0 0 0 - 6
1st - EDM - Rollie Miles, 19-yard run (Bob Dean convert) EDM 6-0 2nd - SASK - Sully Glasser, 1-yard run EDM 6-5 4th - SASK - Joe Aguirre, 24-yard field goal SASK 8-6
STANDINGS - IRFU WIFU
Montreal 5 1 0 10 120 36 Saskatchewan 6 3 2 14 131 149
Toronto 3 3 0 6 86 76 Winnipeg 6 3 2 14 132 135
Hamilton 3 3 0 6 78 90 Calgary 5 5 0 10 178 89
Ottawa 1 5 0 2 49 131 Edmonton 4 4 0 8 105 94
British Columbia 1 7 0 2 58 137
SAT OCT 2
SASKATCHEWAN 43, British Col 12 (12000) - The Riders took an 18-0 first half lead, and coach Frankie Filchock put in a backfield composed almost entirely of Canadians, including 20-year-old QB Ron Adam in the final quarter. Adam threw one TD to Mac Speedie and set up another with a long toss to Bob McMillan.
BRITISH COL - 0 0 6 6 - 12
SASKATCHEWAN - 15 3 6 19 - 43
1st - SASK - Sully Glasser, 1-yard run (Joe Aguirre convert) SASK 6-0 1st - SASK - Mac Speedie, 40-yard pass from Frank Tripucka (Aguirre convert) SASK 12-0 1st - SASK - Aguirre, 41-yard field goal SASK 15-0 2nd - SASK - Aguirre, 39-yard field goal SASK 18-0 3rd - BC - Ray Enright, 21-yard pass from John Mazur (Al Pollard convert) SASK 18-6 3rd - SASK - Ken Carpenter, 25-yard pass from Tripucka (Aguirre convert) SASK 24-6 4th - SASK - Harry Lampman, 9-yard pass from Tripucka (Aguirre convert) SASK 30-6 4th - BC - Len Meltzer, 38-yard pass from Gerry Tuttle (Pollard convert) SASK 30-12 4th - SASK - Speedie, 61-yard pass from Ron Adam (Aguirre convert) SASK 36-12 4th - SASK - Bob McMillan, 1-yard run (Aguirre convert) SASK 42-12 4th - SASK - Single, George Klein rouged on Larry Isbell kick SASK 43-12
Edmonton 13, CALGARY 12 (10000) - The shivering fans at snow-swept Mewata Stadium saw the Eskimos eke out a one-point win. Both teams scored converted touchdowns, and the margin of victory was a rouge scored by Edmonton after a kick by FB Rod Pantages.
EDMONTON - 6 0 7 0 - 13
CALGARY - 0 0 12 0 - 12
1st - EDM - Normie Kwong, 5-yard pass (Bob Dean convert) EDM 6-0 3rd - CAL - Eddie Macon, 51-yard pass from Eddie LeBaron (Tom Miner convert) TIED 6-6 3rd - EDM - Single, Macon rouged on Rod Pantages kick EDM 7-6 3rd - EDM - Jackie Parker, 50-yard run (Dean convert) EDM 13-6 3rd - CAL - Rupe Andrews, 86-yard punt return (Miner convert) EDM 13-12
HAMILTON 45, Ottawa 0 (9300) - Hamilton exploded for a stunning win and the biggest score of the Big Four season. Their seven majors were divided equally among seven players. Hamilton moved into sole possession of second place, while Ottawa saw their playoff hopes all but eliminated.
OTTAWA - 0 0 0 0 - 0
HAMILTON - 8 12 13 12 - 45
1st - HAM - Safety, Jim Root tackled in end zone by Vince Mazza HAM 2-0 1st - HAM - Bernie Custis, 14-yard pass from Butch Songin (Jack Logan convert) HAM 8-0 2nd - HAM - Merle Hapes, 5-yard run (Logan convert) HAM 14-0 2nd - HAM - Lou Kusserow, 3-yard pass from Songin (Logan convert) HAM 20-0 3rd - HAM - Vito Ragazzo pass from Songin (Logan convert) HAM 26-0 3rd - HAM - Red Ettinger, 23-yard interception return (Logan convert) HAM 32-0 3rd - HAM - Single, Dick Schnaible rouged on Hapes kick HAM 33-0 4th - HAM - Dick Brown, 8-yard run (Logan convert) HAM 39-0 4th - HAM - Ronnie Howell, 21-yard run with lateral from Bobby Flippin (Logan convert) HAM 45-0
Montreal 30, TORONTO 12 (20710) - Sam Etcheverry threw for 371 yards and two TDs to lead Montreal to the win before a record Toronto crowd. Toronto was in the game briefly in the opening quarter when Gene Wilson ran 85 yards on a pitchout to tie the game.
MONTREAL - 12 6 0 12 - 30
TORONTO - 6 0 0 6 - 12
1st - MON - Harold Patterson, 84-yard pass from Sam Etcheverry MON 5-0 1st - MON - Single, Bill McFarlane rouged on Tex Coulter MON 6-0 1st - TOR - Gene Wilson, 85-yard run (Norb Hecker convert) TIED 6-6 1st - MON - Etcheverry, 7-yard run (Ray Poole convert) MON 12-6 2nd - MON - Chuck Hunsinger, 2-yard run (Poole convert) MON 18-6 4th - MON - Hunsinger, 4-yard run (Poole convert) MON 24-6 4th - TOR - Billy Cross, 62-yard pass from Nobby Wirkowski (Hecker convert) MON 24-12 4th - MON - Alex Webster, 24-yard run with lateral from Poole (Etcheverry convert) MON 30-12
MON OCT 4
WINNIPEG 24, British Col 6 (15273) - A crowd of blanket-wrapped fans sat in 30-degree weather and watched the Bombers sink the Lions' hopes of catching a playoff berth. BC has now been eliminated from the first two positions.
BRITISH COL - 0 0 0 6 - 6
WINNIPEG - 7 6 6 5 - 24
1st - WIN - Floyd Huggins, 3-yard run (Buck Rogers convert) WIN 6-0 1st - WIN - Single, Neil Ferris rouged on Ray Pelfrey kick WIN 7-0 2nd - WIN - Billy Bye, 68-yard pass from Jack Jacobs (Rogers convert) WIN 13-0 3rd - WIN - Pete Thodos, 15-yard pass from Bye (Rogers convert) WIN 19-0 4th - BC - John Mazur, 5-yard fumble return (Al Pollard convert) WIN 19-6 4th - WIN - Thodos pass from Geoff Crain WIN 24-6
EDMONTON 21, Calgary 6 (17000) - Edmonton moved into sole possession of third place by overcoming an early 6-0 deficit with three converted touchdowns and a field goal. Normie Kwong and Jackie Parker sparked the Eskimo running game, which totaled 204 yards against Calgary's 117.
EDMONTON - 0 12 0 9 - 21
CALGARY - 6 0 0 0 - 6
1st - CAL - Howie Waugh, 10-yard run (Tom Miner convert) CAL 6-0 2nd - EDM - Bill Briggs, recovered Eddie Macon fumble in end zone (Bob Dean convert) TIED 6-6 2nd - EDM - Bernie Faloney, 2-yard run (Dean convert) EDM 12-6 4th - EDM - Dean, 15-yard field goal EDM 15-6 4th - EDM - Rollie Miles, 17-yard run (Dean convert) EDM 21-6
STANDINGS - IRFU WIFU
Montreal 6 1 0 12 150 48 Saskatchewan 7 3 2 16 174 161
Hamilton 4 3 0 8 123 90 Winnipeg 7 3 2 16 156 141
Toronto 3 4 0 6 98 106 Edmonton 6 4 0 10 139 112
Ottawa 1 6 0 2 49 176 Calgary 5 7 0 10 196 123
British Columbia 1 9 0 2 76 204
SAT OCT 9
Edmonton 16, WINNIPEG 5 (18538) - Edmonton ground down Winnipeg with a 203-yard assault on the ground, and a 16-7 edge in first downs. HB Jackie Parker was the individual scoring hero with a pair of touchdowns for Edmonton, one on a 3-yard pass, one of the few Eskimo aerial thrusts.
EDMONTON - 1 6 6 3 - 16
WINNIPEG - 0 5 0 0 - 5
1st - EDM - Single, Pete Thodos rouged by Earl Lindley on Jackie Parker kick EDM 1-0 2nd - EDM - Parker, 3-yard pass from Rollie Miles (Bob Dean convert) EDM 7-0 2nd - WIN - Floyd Huggins, 7-yard run EDM 7-5 3rd - EDM - Parker, 2-yard run (Dean convert) EDM 13-5 4th - EDM - Dean, 30-yard field goal EDM 16-5
Calgary 13, BRITISH COL 6 (18555) - Stampeder RB Howie Waugh picked up more than 200 of the 260 yards ground out over water-logged Empire Stadium by Calgary compared to the net total of 24 yards rushing picked up by the Lions.
CALGARY - 3 3 6 1 - 13
BRIT COL - 0 0 0 6 - 6
1st - CAL - Tom Miner, 18-yard field goal CAL 3-0 2nd - CAL - Miner, 28-yard field goal CAL 6-0 3rd - CAL - Lynn Bottoms, 4-yard pass from Eddie LeBaron (Miner convert) CAL 12-0 4th - CAL - Single, Miner kick to deadline CAL 13-0 4th - BC - Len Meltzer, 3-yard pass from Gerry Tuttle (Al Pollard convert) CAL 13-6
HAMILTON 34, Toronto 6 (15000) - Tip Logan kicked his 101st consecutive convert and Hamilton steamrolled the Argonauts to take the first of their home-and-home Thanksgiving Weekend Big Four doubleheader. Logan kicked five converts and added a second quarter touchdown of his own for a 10-point day.
TORONTO - 0 0 0 6 - 6
HAMILTON - 16 6 6 6 - 34
1st - HAM - Single, Johnny Fedosoff conceded on Cam Fraser kick HAM 1-0 1st - HAM - Bernie Custis run (Jack Logan convert) HAM 7-0 1st - HAM - Single, Ulysses Curtis downed in end zone with recovered fumble HAM 8-0 1st - HAM - Safety, Nobby Wirkowski tackled in end zone HAM 10-0 1st - HAM - Lou Kusserow, 2-yard run (Logan convert) HAM 16-0 2nd - HAM - Logan, 38-yard pass from Ed Songin (Logan convert) HAM 22-0 3rd - HAM - Ray Truant, 28-yard interception return (Logan convert) HAM 28-0 4th - TOR - Curtis, 9-yard run (Norb Hecker convert) HAM 28-6 4th - HAM - Custis, 9-yard run (Logan convert) HAM 34-6
Montreal 25, OTTAWA 11 (9155) - Although they fashioned two spectacular touchdowns, Ottawa couldn't muster enough punch to stay within striking distance of Montreal. The attendance at Lansdowne Park was the smallest in seven years.
MONTREAL - 7 6 6 6 - 25
OTTAWA - 0 5 0 6 - 11
1st - MON - Single, Bob Simpson rouged on Ray Poole missed field goal MON 1-0 1at - MON - Joe Pal, 6-yard pass from Sam Etcheverry (Poole convert) MON 7-0 2nd - OTT - Gene Roberts, 1-yard run MON 7-5 2nd- MON - Alex Webster, 6-yard run (Poole convert) MON 13-5 3rd - MON - Red O'Quinn, 30-yard pass from Etcheverry (Poole convert) MON 19-5 4th - OTT - Avatus Stone, 40-yard interception return (Roberts convert) MON 19-11 4th - MON - Chuck Hunsinger, 5-yard run (Poole convert) MON 25-11
MON OCT 11
SASKATCHEWAN 12, Edmonton 2 (14778) - The Riders won their fifth in a row over the Eskimos, including two at the end of the 1953 program. The crowd saw Saskatchewan cap three long marches with a touchdown and a pair of field goals.
EDMONTON - 0 0 1 1 - 2
SASKATCHEWAN - 3 6 0 3 - 9
1st - SASK - Joe Aguirre, 20-yard field goal SASK 3-0 2nd - SASK - Larry Isbell, 21-yard pass from Frank Tripucka (Aguirre convert) SASK 9-0 3rd - EDM - Single, Isbell rouged on Rod Pantages kick SASK 9-1 4th - EDM - Single, Isbell rouged on Bob Dean missed field goal SASK 9-2 4th - SASK - Aguirre, 20-yard field goal SASK 12-2
CALGARY 42, British Col 6 (12500) - Lynn Bottoms and Eddie Macon led the Stampeders to victory with two touchdowns each. Howard Waugh and rookies Ivan Livingstone and Alex Yakunin added majors to keep Calgary's playoff hopes alive.
BRIT COL - 0 0 0 6 - 6
CALGARY - 12 6 6 18 - 42
1st - CAL - Howie Waugh, 41-yard run (Tom Miner convert) CAL 6-0 1st - CAL - Eddie Macon, 45-yard interception return (Miner convert) CAL 12-0 2nd - CAL - Lynn Bottoms, 3-yard run (Miner convert) CAL 18-0 3rd - CAL - Bottoms, 4-yard run (Miner convert) CAL 24-0 4th - CAL - Ivan Livingstone, 2-yard run (Miner convert) CAL 30-0 4th - BC - Jack Hutchinson, 13-yard pass from Gerry Tuttle (Al Pollard covert) CAL 30-6 4th - CAL - Macon, 23-yard run (Miner convert) CAL 36-6 4th - CAL - Alex Yakunkin, 19-yard run (Miner convert) CAL 42-6
MONTREAL 24, Ottawa 6 (12865) - Montreal became the first team to clinch a playoff berth thanks to three touchdowns by Alex Webster and one by Hal Patterson. The Alouettes ran for 346 yards in the rain and mud, while holding Ottawa to 155 yards on the ground.
OTTAWA - 0 6 0 0 - 6
MONTREAL - 1 11 6 6 - 24
1st - MON - Single, Don Pinhey rouged by Hal Patterson on Tex Coulter kick MON 1-0 2nd - MON - Alex Webster, 14-yard pass from Sam Etcheverry (Ray Poole convert) MON 7-0 2nd - MON - Webster, 13-yard run MON 12-0 2nd - OTT - Bill Sowalski, 18-yard pass from Jim Root (Gene Roberts convert) MON 12-6 3rd -MON - Patterson recovered Pinhey's end zone fumble of Poole's field goal attempt (Poole convert) MON 18-6 4th - MON - Webster, 8-yard run (Poole convert) MON 24-6
Hamilton 22, TORONTO 13 (16050) - QB Ed Songin moved Hamilton 93 yards through the air in four plays for a payoff touchdown that opened the gates to their fifth straight win. The Argos, needing a win to keep in the playoff race, dropped their fourth straight.
HAMILTON - 3 6 1 12 - 22
TORONTO - 0 6 7 0 - 13
1st - HAM - Single, Jack Logan kick HAM 1-0 1st - HAM - Single, Logan kick HAM 2-0 1st - HAM - Single, Cam Fraser kick HAM 3-0 2nd - HAM - Logan, 11-yard pass from Ed Songin (Logan convert) HAM 9-0 2nd - TOR - Gene Wilson, 4-yard run (Norb Hecker convert) HAM 9-6 3rd - TOR - Ulysses Curtis, 1-yard run (Hecker convert) TOR 12-9 3rd - HAM - Single, Logan kick TOR 12-10 3rd - TOR - Single, Gerry Doucette kick TOR 13-10 4th - HAM - Bernie Custis pass from Songin (Logan convert) HAM 16-13 4th - HAM - Ray Ramsey, 6-yard pass from Songin (Logan convert) HAM 22-13
STANDINGS - IRFU WIFU
X-Montreal 8 1 0 16 199 65 Saskatchewan 8 3 2 18 186 163
Hamilton 6 3 0 12 179 109 Winnipeg 7 4 2 16 161 157
Toronto 3 6 0 6 117 162 Edmonton 7 5 0 14 157 129
Ottawa 1 8 0 2 66 225 Calgary 7 7 0 14 251 135
X-Clinched playoff berth British Columbia 1 11 0 2 88 259
SAT OCT 16
SASKATCHEWAN 19, Calgary 8 (14000) - The Riders smashed a desperate late game Calgary offensive to defeat the Stampeders and enter the playoffs. Joe Aguirre kicked two field goals for the Riders to set a WIFU record with 16 in a season.
CALGARY - 1 6 1 0 - 8
SASKATCHEWAN - 12 1 3 3 - 19
1st - SASK - Ken Carpenter, 40-yard pass from Frank Tripucka (Joe Aguirre convert) SASK 6-0 1st - SASK - Tripucka, 1-yard run (Aguirre convert) SASK 12-0 1st - CAL - Single, Larry Isbell rouged on Eddie LeBaron kick SASK 12-1 2nd - CAL - LeBaron, 3-yard run (Tom Miner convert) SASK 12-7 2nd - SASK - Single- Lynn Bottoms rouged on Isbell kick SASK 13-7 3rd - SASK - Aguirre, 33-yard field goal SASK 16-7 4th - CAL - Single, Stan Williams rouged on Miner kick SASK 16-8 4th - SASK - Aguirre, 22-yard field goal SASK 19-8
EDMONTON 31, British Col 3 (15000) - Edmonton jumped into a second place tie in the WIFU by trouncing the Lions. Jackie Parker and Rollie Miles scored twice for the Eskimos, while Bob Dean converted all five majors to boost his season point total to 46.
BRIT COL - 0 3 0 0 - 3
EDMONTON - 12 7 0 12 - 31
1st - EDM - Rollie Miles, 26-yard run following lateral from Jackie Parker (Bob Dean convert) EDM 6-0 1st - EDM - Jackie Parker, 1-yard run (Dean convert) EDM 12-0 2nd - EDM - Single, Neil Ferris conceded on Dean kick EDM 13-0 2nd - EDM - Miles, 6-yard run (Dean convert) EDM 19-0 2nd - BC - Al Pollard, 29-yard field goal EDM 19-3 4th - EDM - Glenn Lippman, 15-yaes pass from Bernie Faloney (Dean convert) EDM 25-3 4th - EDM - Parker, 58-yard run (Dean convert) EDM 31-3
MONTREAL 46, Hamilton 11 (21066) - Sam Etcheverry fired five TD passes as the power-laden Alouettes thumped Hamilton in a Big Four game tabbed as a playoff preview. The 24-year-old threw for 586 yards, believed to be an all-time high. No quarterback had ever surpassed 400 yards in Big Four recent history.
HAMILTON - 0 9 1 1 - 11
MONTREAL - 0 11 18 15 - 46
2nd - HAM - Merle Hapes, 45-yard run (Jack Logan convert) HAM 6-0 2nd - MON - Red O'Quinn, 41-yard pass from Sam Etcheverry HAM 6-5 2nd - HAM - Logan, 16-yard field goal HAM 9-5 2nd - MON - Larry Grigg, 2-yard run (Etcheverry convert) MON 11-9 3rd - MON - Hal Patterson, 95-yard kickoff return (Etcheverry convert) MON 17-9 3rd - HAM - Single, Joe Pal conceded on Cam Fraser kick MON 17-10 3rd - MON - O'Quinn, 35-yard pass from Etcheverry (Etcheverry convert) MON 23-10 3rd - MON - Alex Webster, 31-yard pass from Etcheverry (Etcheverry convert) MON 29-10 4th - Grigg, 1-yard run (Etcheverry convert) MON 35-10 4th 0- MON - Patterson, 105-yard pass from Etcheverry (Etcheverry convert) MON 41-10 4th - HAM - Single, Tex Coulter recovered Hamilton-fumbled ball in Montreal end zone MON 41-11 4th - MON - O'Quinn, 26-yard pass from Etcheverry MON 46-11
Toronto 27, OTTAWA 11 (8909) - Nobby Wirkowski tossed two touchdown passes and set up another major with his aerials as the Argos won easily. Toronto jumped out to a 12-0 first half lead before the smallest Ottawa crowd of the post-war era.
TORONTO - 6 6 6 9 - 27
OTTAWA - 0 5 6 0 - 11
1st - TOR - Billy Cross, 50-yard punt return (Norb Hecker convert) TOR 6-0 2nd - TOR - Gene Wilson, 13-yard pass from Nobby Wirkowski (Hecker convert) TOR 12-0 2nd - OTT - Tom McHugh, 1-yard run TOR 12-5 3rd - Wilson, 25-yard run (Hecker convert) TOR 18-5 3rd - OTT - Bill Solwaski, 28-yard pass from Jim Root (Gene Roberts convert) TOR 18-11 4th - TOR - Johnny Fedesoff, 50-yard pass from Wirkowski (Hecker convert) TOR 24-11 4th - TOR - Hecker, 13-yard field goal TOR 27-11
MON OCT 18
Calgary 12, WINNIPEG 11 (17240) - Calgary came from behind to eke out a 1-point win over Winnipeg to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. The Stamps rallied for two converted majors in the second half, the final convert by Tom Miner being the difference, in their final game of the Western season.
CALGARY - 0 0 6 6 - 12
WINNIPEG - 0 11 0 0 - 11
1st - WIN - Bud Grant, 11-yard pass from Jack Jacobs (Buck Rogers convert) WIN 6-0 1st - WIN - Grant pass from Jacobs WIN 11-0 3rd - CAL - Tom Miner, 8-yard pass from Eddie LeBaron (Miner convert) WIN 11-6 4th - CAL - Howie Waugh, 1-yard run (Miner convert) CAL 12-11
Edmonton 22, BRITISH COL 0 (13136) - Edmonton showed scoring power on the ground and in the air before its smallest crowd of the season at Empire Stadium, and clinched a playoff berth. Edmonton picked up 282 yards rushing and 19 first downs, while the Lions ran for 144 yards and had 9 first downs.
EDMONTON - 7 9 0 6 - 22
BRIT COL - 0 0 0 0 - 0
1st - EDM - Single, Len Meltzer rouged on Rod Pantages kick EDM 1-0 1st - EDM - Bernie Faloney, 5-yard run (Bob Dean convert) EDM 7-0 2nd - EDM - Dean, 23-yard field goal EDM 10-0 2nd - EDM - Rollie Miles, 27-yard pass from Faloney (Dean convert) EDM 16-0 4th - EDM - Glenn Lippman, 12-yard run (Dean convert) EDM 22-0
STANDINGS - IRFU WIFU
X-Montreal 9 1 0 18 246 76 X-Saskatchewan 9 3 2 20 205 171
Hamilton 6 4 0 12 190 155 X-Edmonton 9 5 0 18 210 132
Toronto 4 6 0 8 144 173 Winnipeg 7 5 2 16 172 169
Ottawa 1 9 0 2 77 253 Calgary 8 8 0 16 271 165
X-Clinched playoff berth British Columbia 1 13 0 2 91 312
SAT OCT 23
EDMONTON 24, Saskatchewan 19 (18236) - Jackie Parker scored three touchdowns as Edmonton just about decided the bye in the WIFU playoffs. With one game to play, all Edmonton has to do is win to clinch first place - they hold the tiebreaker goes to the Eskimos based on the head-to-head record.
SASKATCHEWAN - 0 12 4 3 - 19
EDMONTON - 6 6 6 6 - 24
1st - EDM - Jackie Parker, 48-yard run (Bob Dean convert) EDM 6-0 2nd - SASK - Stan Williams, 16-yard pass from Frank Tripucka (Joe Aguirre convert) TIED 6-6 2nd - EDM - Parker, 13-yard run (Dean convert) EDM 12-6 2nd - SASK - Mac Speedie, 25-yard pass from Frankie Tripucka (Aguirre convert) TIED 12-12 3rd - EDM - Parker, 18-yard lateral from Rollie Miles (Dean convert) EDM 18-12 3rd - SASK - Aguirre, 35-yard field goal EDM 18-15 3rd - SASK - Single, Miles rouged on Aguirre kick EDM 18-16 4th - SASK - Aguirre, 23-yard field goal SASK 19-18 4th - EDM - Bernie Faloney, 1-yard run (Dean convert) EDM 24-19
Winnipeg 18, BRITISH COL 0 (17061) - Winnipeg scored three touchdowns in the first half to roll to the easy win. The Bombers racked up 291 yards on offense and 10 first downs, while holding the Lions to 100 yards and 5 yards.
WINNIPEG - 6 12 0 0 - 18
BRIT COL - 0 0 0 0 - 0
1st - WIN - Gerry James, 23-yard run (Buck Rogers convert) WIN 6-0 2nd - WIN - Dick Huffman, 28-yard pass from Jack Jacobs (Rogers convert) WIN 12-0 2nd - WIN - Lorne Benson, 1-yard run (Rogers convert) WIN 18-0
HAMILTON 25, Ottawa 17 (9300) - Hamilton took another step in the direction of a Big Four playoff spot. Ray Ramsey, former Chicago Cardinal back, and Lou Kusserow paced the Ticat attack with two touchdowns each. Gene (Choo Choo) Roberts scored two majors for the Riders.
OTTAWA - 5 6 5 1 - 17
HAMILTON - 6 1 18 0 - 25
1st - HAM - Ray Ramsey, 45-yard pass from Ed Songin (Jack Logan convert) HAM 6-0 1st - OTT - Gene Roberts, 10-yard run HAM 6-5 2nd - HAM - Single, Cam Fraser kick HAM 7-5 2nd - OTT - Roberts, 1-yard run (Ron Baker convert) OTT 11-7 3rd - OTT - Tom McHugh, 79-yard run OTT 16-7 3rd - HAM - Lou Kusserow, 90-yard interception return (Logan convert) OTT 16-13 3rd - HAM - Kusserow, 24-yard pass from Songin (Logan convert) HAM 19-16 3rd - HAM - Ramsey, 14-yard pass from Songin (Logan convert) HAM 25-16 4th - OTT - Single, Avatus Stone kick to deadline HAM 25-17
TORONTO 30, Montreal 24 (16400) - The Argos blew an 18-point lead, then won the game on a Nobby Wirkowski pass to Al Pfeiffer off a triple reverse "hot potato" play. The Als rallied with three converted majors to tie the score with less than two minutes to play.
MONTREAL - 0 6 0 18 - 24
TORONTO - 6 6 12 6 - 30
1st - TOR - Dick Shatto, 5-yard run (Norb Hecker convert) TOR 6-0 2nd - MON - Joe Pal, 23-yard pass from Sam Etcheverry (Etcheverry convert) TIED 6-6 2nd - TOR - Shatto, 1-yard run (Hecker convert) TOR 12-6 3rd - TOR - Gene Wilson, 4-yard pass from Nobby Wirkowski (Hecker convert) TOR 18-6 3rd - TOR - Oattem Fisher, 97-yard fumble return (Hecker convert) TOR 24-6 4th - MON - Alex Webster, 1-yard run (Etcheverry convert) TOR 24-12 4th - MON - Red O'Quinn, 27-yard pass from Etcheverry (Etcheverry convert) TOR 24-18 4th - MON - Hal Patterson, 28-yard pass from Etcheverry (Etcheverry convert) TIED 24-24 4th - TOR - Al Pfeiffer, 54-yard pass from Wirkowski (Hecker convert) TOR 30-24
MON OCT 25
EDMONTON 21, Winnipeg 12 (19000) - Despite Edmonton's win, the 1954 Western race ended in a fog. The win guaranteed the Eskimos a tie with the Roughriders. When Commissioner Sydney Halter awarded Saskatchewan the win at Vancouver, the ruling gave Edmonton the official WIFU bye in the playoffs.
WINNIPEG - 0 12 0 0 - 12
EDMONTON - 0 9 6 6 - 21
2nd - WIN - Tom Casey, 1-yard run (Buck Rogers convert) WIN 6-0 2nd - EDM - Bob Dean, 33-yard field goal WIN 6-3 2nd - WIN - Jesse Thomas, 37-yard pass from Jack Jacobs (Rogers convert) WIN 12-3 2nd - EDM - Rollin Prather, 11-yard pass from Jack Jacobs (Dean convert) WIN 12-9 3rd - EDM - Jackie Parker, 10-yard pass from Rollie Miles (Dean convert) EDM 15-12 4th - EDM - Bernie Faloney, 1-yard run (Dean convert) EDM 21-12
Saskatchewan 15, BRITISH COL 9 (10775) - Len Meltzer ran 112 yards for a BC Lions touchdown in a game called with just over six minutes remaining due to a thick fog. Meltzer's run came off a Joe Aguirre missed field goal. HB Ken Carpenter scored both Saskatchewan majors.
SASKATCHEWAN - 6 3 0 6 - 15
BRITISH COL - 0 0 9 0 - 9
1st - SASK - Ken Carpenter pass from Frank Tripucka (Joe Aguirre convert) SASK 6-0 2nd - SASK - Aguirre, 22-yard field goal SASK 9-0 3rd - BC - Al Pollard, 12-yard field goal SASK 9-3 3rd - BC - Len Meltzer, 112-yard return of missed field goal (Pollard convert) TIED 9-9 4th - SASK - Carpenter, 7-yard pass from Tripucka (Aguirre convert) SASK 15-9
STANDINGS - IRFU WIFU
X-Montreal 9 2 0 18 270 106 Y-Edmonton 11 5 0 22 255 163
Hamilton 7 4 0 14 215 172 X-Saskatchewan 10 4 2 22 239 204
Toronto 5 6 0 10 174 197 X-Winnipeg 8 6 2 18 202 190
Ottawa 1 10 0 2 94 278 Calgary 8 8 0 16 271 165
British Columbia 1 15 0 2 100 345
Y-Clinched first place X-Clinched playoff berth
SAT OCT 30
MONTREAL 41, Toronto 13 (19125) - Sam Etcheverry completed 18 of 32 passes for 436 yards and six touchdowns, two each to Alex Webster and Chuck Hunsinger, as the Alouettes showed a hometown crowd why they are being considered one of the strongest Big Four teams in history.
TORONTO - 1 6 6 0 - 13
MONTREAL - 0 7 10 24 - 41
1st - TOR - Single, Bruce Coulter conceded on Alex Ponton kick TOR 1-0 2nd - MON - Hal Patterson, 58-yard pass from Sam Etcheverry (Ray Poole convert) MON 6-1 2nd - MON - Single, John Fedesoff conceded on Poole FG attempt MON 7-1 2nd - TOR - Ulysses Curtis, 38-yard pass from Dick Shatto (Norb Hecker convert) TIED 7-7 3rd - MON - Chuck Hunsinger, 78-yard pass from Etcheverry (Poole convert) MON 13-7 3rd - TOR - Al Pfeiffer, 28-yard pass from Nobby Wirkowski (Hecker convert) TIED 13-13 3rd - MON - Poole, 31-yard field goal MON 16-13 3rd - MON - Single, Fedesoff conceded on Tex Coulter kick MON 17-13 4th - MON - Hunsinger, 39-yard pass from Etcheverry (Poole convert) MON 23-13 4th - MON - Alex Webster, 5-yard pass from Etcheverry (Poole convert) MON 29-13 4th - MON - Red O'Quinn, 30-yard pass from Etcheverry (Poole convert) MON 35-13 4th - MON - Webster, 44-yard pass from Etcheverry (Poole convert) MON 41-13
Hamilton 30, OTTAWA 9 (8422) - Hamilton whipped the Rough Riders to clinch a Big Four playoff berth. Lou Kusserow scored three touchdowns and Ray Ramsey added two more for the Ti-Cats. The win was marred by a break in Tip Logan's record of 84 straight converts when his first attempt hit the goal posts.
HAMILTON - 12 6 0 12 - 30
OTTAWA - 0 3 6 0 - 9
1st - HAM - Lou Kusserow, 4-yard run HAM 5-0 1st - HAM - Single, Bob Rumball conceded on Cam Fraser kick HAM 6-0 1st - HAM - Ray Ramsey, 24-yard pass from Ed Songin (Tip Logan convert) HAM 12-0 2nd - OTT - Gene Roberts, 33-yard field goal HAM 12-3 2nd - HAM - Kusserow, 35-yard pass from Songin (Logan convert) HAM 18-3 3rd - OTT - Bob Simpson, 18-yard pass from Al Dekdebrun (Roberts convert) HAM 18-9 4th - HAM - Ramsey, 87-yard pass from Bernie Custis (Logan convert) HAM 24-9 4th - HAM - Kusserow, 12-yard pass from Songin (Logan convert) HAM 30-9
STANDINGS - IRFU WIFU
X-Montreal 10 2 0 20 311 119 Y-Edmonton 11 5 0 22 255 163
X-Hamilton 8 4 0 16 245 181 X-Saskatchewan 10 4 2 22 239 204
Toronto 5 7 0 10 187 238 X-Winnipeg 8 6 2 18 202 190
Ottawa 1 11 0 2 103 308 Calgary 8 8 0 16 271 165
British Columbia 1 15 0 2 100 345
Y-Clinched first place X-Clinched playoff berth
SAT NOV 6
MONTREAL 19, Hamilton 15 (19127) - Red O'Quinn and Bill Bewley each scored touchdowns as Montreal overcame a 15-7 Hamilton lead. Alex Webster scored Montreal's first major, running his total to 16 for the season and tying the mark set by Ulysses Curtis of Toronto in 1952.
HAMILTON - 6 0 8 3 - 15
MONTREAL - 6 1 0 12 - 19
1st - HAM - Pete Karpuk, 80-yard interception return (Jack Logan convert) HAM 6-0 1st - MON - Alex Webster, 9-yard run (Ray Poole convert) TIED 6-6 2nd - MON - Single, Dick Brown conceded on Tex Coulter kick MON 7-6 3rd - HAM - Lou Kusserow, 10-yard pass from Ed Songin (Logan convert) HAM 12-7 4th - HAM - Logan, 26-yard field goal HAM 15-7 4th - MON - Red O'Quinn, 12-yard pass from Sam Etcheverry (Poole convert) HAM 15-13 4th - MON - Bill Bewley, 14-yard run (Poole convert) MON 19-15
TORONTO 18, Ottawa 12 (11273) - Toronto QB Nobby Wirkowski played most of the game with vision in only one eye as he tossed two TD passes. Club physician Dr. L.A. Eckert said that he expected Nobby to regain his vision and play in the season finale. The injury was caused in part by lime powder from a yard marker.
OTTAWA - 6 0 6 0 - 12
TORONTO - 6 6 6 0 - 18
1st - TOR - Al Pfeiffer, 21-yard pass from Nobby Wirkowski (Norb Hecker convert) TOR 6-0 1st - OTT - Jim Root, 1-yard run (Gene Roberts convert) TIED 6-6 2nd - TOR - Gene Wilson, 3-yard run (Hecker convert) TOR 12-6 3rd - TOR - Pfeiffer, 33-yard pass from Wirkowski (Hecker convert) TOR 18-6 3rd - OTT - Roberts, 3-yard run (Roberts convert) TOR 18-12
STANDINGS - IRFU WIFU
Y-Montreal 11 2 0 22 330 134 Y-Edmonton 11 5 0 22 255 163
X-Hamilton 8 5 0 16 260 200 X-Saskatchewan 10 4 2 22 239 204
Toronto 6 7 0 12 205 250 X-Winnipeg 8 6 2 18 202 190
Ottawa 1 12 0 2 115 326 Calgary 8 8 0 16 271 165
British Columbia 1 15 0 2 100 345
Y-Clinched first place X-Clinched playoff berth
SAT NOV 13
HAMILTON 15, Toronto 7 (9000) - Merle Hapes and Dick Brown scored the Hamilton majors, as the Tiger-Cats warmed up for the playoffs. Al Pfeiffer scored the only Argonaut major, while Toronto was hurt by eight fumbles and three interceptions.
TORONTO - 6 0 1 0 - 7
HAMILTON - 1 7 6 1 - 15
1st - TOR - Al Pfeiffer run (Norb Hecker convert) TOR 6-0 1st - HAM - Single, Cam Fraser kick TOR 6-1 2nd 0 HAM - Single, Fraser kick TOR 6-2 2nd - HAM - Dick Brown run (Jack Logan convert) HAM 8-6 3rd - HAM - Merle Hapes run (Logan convert) HAM 14-6 3rd - TOR - Single, Alex Ponton kick HAM 14-7 4th - HAM - Single, Fraser kick HAM 15-7
OTTAWA 14, Montreal 12 (9370) - Ottawa's win, the first of the year at home, brought a happy final note to an otherwise dismal season. Montreal ended the season with three losses, one from each of the other league clubs.
MONTREAL - 6 0 0 6 - 12
OTTAWA - 0 5 3 6 - 14
1st - MON - Jacques Belec, 1-yard run (Ray Poole convert) MON 6-0 2nd - OTT - Bob Simpson, 15-yard pass from Jim Root MON 6-5 3rd - OTT - Gene Roberts, 12-yard line OTT 8-6 4th - OTT - Avatus Stone, 5-yard run (Roberts convert) OTT 14-6 4th - MON - Joe Pal, 63-yard pass from Sam Etcheverry (Poole convert) OTT 14-12
STANDINGS - IRFU WIFU
Y-Montreal 11 3 0 22 341 148 Y-Edmonton 11 5 0 22 255 163
X-Hamilton 9 5 0 18 275 207 X-Saskatchewan 10 4 2 22 239 204
Toronto 6 8 0 12 212 265 X-Winnipeg 8 6 2 18 202 190
Ottawa 2 12 0 4 129 337 Calgary 8 8 0 16 271 165
British Columbia 1 15 0 2 100 345
Y-Clinched first place X-Clinched playoff berth
WIFU SEMI-FINAL (Winnipeg won the total point series, 27-25)
SAT OCT 30
WINNIPEG 14, Saskatchewan 14 (T) (15479) - Pete Thodos tried a running catch on a punt at his six-yard line. He fumbled, and Sully Glasser grabbed the loose ball and scored. Joe Aguirre kicked the convert for a 14-13 Bomber lead. Three minutes later, Larry Isbell booted a single to deadlock the game.
SASKATCHEWAN - 6 1 0 7 - 14
WINNIPEG - 1 1 6 6 - 14
1st - WIN - Single, Ken Carpenter rouged on Buck Rogers kick WIN 1-0 1st - SASK - Frank Tripucka, 1-yard run (Joe Aguirre convert) SASK 6-1 2nd - WIN - Single, Carpenter rouged on Rogers kick SASK 6-2 2nd - SASK - Single, Pete Thodos rouged on Larry Isbell kick SASK 7-2 3rd - WIN - Gerry James, 8-yard run (Rogers convert) WIN 8-7 4th - WIN - Tom Casey, 68-yard pass from Jack Jacobs (Rogers convert) WIN 14-7 4th - SASK - Sully Glasser, 6-yard fumble return (Aguirre covert) WIN 14-13 4th - SASK - Single, Thodos rouged on Isbell kick TIED 14-14
MON NOV 1
Winnipeg 13, SASKATCHEWAN 11 (13700) - Lorne Benson plunged four yards for the clinching major, as Winnipeg won the two-game series 27-25 on points. The Riders had to go without QB Frank Tripucka, who broke the WIFU passing record for a single game this season, with a hip injury.
WINNIPEG - 7 0 0 6 - 13
SASKATCHEWAN - 6 1 4 0 - 11
1st - WIN - Single, Ken Carpenter rouged on Jack Jacobs kick WIN 1-0 1st - SASK - Bobby Marlow, 5-yard run (Joe Aguirre convert) SASK 6-1 1st - WIN - Gerry James, 87-yard kickoff return (Buck Rogers convert) WIN 7-6 2nd - SASK - Single, Pete Thodos rouged on Larry Isbell kick TIED 7-7 2nd - SASK - Aguirre, 13-yard field goal SASK 10-7 3rd - SASK - Single, Isbell kick to deadline SASK 11-7 4th - WIN - Lorne Benson, 6-yard run (Rogers convert) WIN 13-11
WIFU FINAL (Edmonton won, 2 games to 1)
SAT NOV 6
EDMONTON 9, Winnipeg 3 (19817) - Edmonton waited 56 minutes to score a touchdown at Clarke Stadium - and it was good enough to guarantee them a victory over the Blue Bombers in the first game of the best-of-three Western Conference finals, before a record Edmonton football crowd.
WINNIPEG - 0 0 0 3 - 3
EDMONTON - 3 0 0 6 - 9
1st - EDM - Bob Dean, 22-yard field goal EDM 3-0 4th - WIN - Buck Rogers, 34-yard field goal TIED 3-3 4th - EDM - Jackie Parker, 1-yard run (Dean convert) EDM 9-3
THUR NOV 11
WINNIPEG 12, Edmonton 6 (20953) - A record Winnipeg Stadium crowd screamed their delight as the Bombers roared from behind a 6-5 third quarter deficit with a single and a converted major in the final 15 minutes. Winnipeg RB Byron Townsend ran for 105 yards.
EDMONTON - 0 6 0 0 - 6
WINNIPEG - 5 0 0 7 - 12
1st - WIN - Byron Townsend, 11-yard run WIN 5-0 2nd - EDM - Bernie Faloney, 1-yard run (Bob Dean convert) EDM 6-5 4th - WIN - Single, Buck Rogers kick to deadline TIED 6-6 4th - WIN - Tom Casey, 20-yard run (Rogers convert) WIN 12-6
SAT NOV 13
EDMONTON 10, Winnipeg 5 (17000) - For the past four years, the club that took the first game of the WIFU final lost the second two, but Edmonton snapped that jinx for its second Western title in three years. Normie Kwong led the Eskimo attack with 136 yards rushing on 20 carries.
WINNIPEG - 2 0 0 3 - 5
EDMONTON - 1 6 0 3 - 10
1st - WIN - Single, Buck Rogers kick WIN 1-0 1st - WIN - Single, Oscar Kruger conceded on Jack Jacobs kick WIN 2-0 1st - EDM - Single, Bernie Faloney kick to deadline WIN 2-1 2nd - EDM - Jackie Parker, 5-yard run (Bob Dean convert) EDM 7-2 4th - WIN - Rogers, 16-yard field goal EDM 7-5 4th - EDM - Bob Dean, 35-yard field goal EDM 10-5
IRFU FINALS (Montreal won the total point series, 38-28)
WED NOV 17
Montreal 14, HAMILTON 9 (15000) - With less than five minutes to play and trailing by 9-7, Sam Etcheverry hooked up with Chuck Hunsinger on a 59-yard pass and run touchdown play that gave Montreal the win and the total points lead.
MONTREAL - 0 4 3 7 - 14
HAMILTON - 0 3 1 5 - 9
1st - HAM - Single, Chuck Hunsinger conceded on Merle Hapes kick HAM 1-0 2nd - MON - Ray Poole, 35-yard field goal MON 3-1 2nd - GAM - Single, Cam Fraser kick MON 3-2 2nd - MON - Single, Pete Karpuk rouged on Tex Coulter kick MON 4-2 3rd - HAM - Joe Pal conceded on Fraser kick MON 4-3 3rd - MON - Poole, 37-yard field goal MON 7-3 4th - HAM - Ron Howell, 26-yard pass from Ed Songin (Jack Logan convert) HAM 9-7 4th - MON - Chuck Hunsinger, 59-yard pass from Sam Etcheverry (Poole convert) MON 13-9 4th - MON - Single, Dick Brown rouged on Coulter kick MON 14-9
SAT NOV 20
MONTREAL 24, Hamilton 19 (21025) - Sam Etcheverry sparked Montreal to the 10-point total points series win, thanks to a 102-yard touchdown play with Alex Webster and a short toss to Chuck Hunsinger for another major set up by a 79-yard play with Joe Pal. The playoff win was Montreal's first since 1949.
MONTREAL - 6 7 3 8 - 24
HAMILTON - 0 7 6 6 - 19
1st - MON - Sam Etcheverry, 2-yard run (Ray Poole convert) MON 6-0 2nd - HAM - Pete Karpuk, 25-yard fumble return (Jack Logan convert) TIED 6-6 2nd - HAM - Single, Bill Bewley rouged on Cam Fraser kick HAM 7-6 2nd - MON - Chuck Hunsinger, 8-yard pass from Etcheverry (Poole convert) MON 12-7 2nd - MON - Single, Dick Brown conceded on Tex Coulter kick MON 13-7 3rd - HAM - Lou Kusserow,8-yard pass from Ed Songin (Logan convert) TIED 13-13 3rd - MON - Poole field goal MON 16-13 4th - MON - Single, Brown conceded on Coulter kick MON 17-13 4th - MON - Alex Webster, 102-yard pass from Etcheverry MON 22-13 4th - MON - Single, Bernie Custis rouged on Poole kick MON 23-13 4th - HAM - Ray Ramsey, 85-yard pass from Songin (Logan convert) MON 23-19 4th - MON - Single, Karpuk conceded on Polle's attempted field goal MON 24-18
GREY CUP SEMI-FINAL
SAT NOV 20
EDMONTON 38, Kitchener 6 (8000) - In a game panned by most Canadian media, the Dutchmen scored in the first moments of the game, but from them on they never again entered Edmonton territory. This was the last season that the Ontario Rugby Football Union would be allowed to challenge for the Grey Cup.
KITCHENER - 6 0 0 0 - 6
EDMONTON - 7 1 6 24 - 38
1st - KIT - Gerry MacTaggart, 22-yard pass from Bob Celeri (Paul Amadio convert) KIT 6-0 1st - EDM - Single, Bob Dean kick KIT 6-1 1st - EDM - Rollie Miles, 31-yard pass from Bernie Faloney (Dean convert) EDM 7-6 2nd - EDM - Single, Carl Totzke rouged on Dean kick EDM 8-6 3rd - EDM - Johnny Bright recovered blocked punt in end zone (Dean convert) EDM 14-6 4th - EDM - Glenn Lippman, 1-yard run (Dean convert) EDM 20-6 4th - EDM - Miles, 11-yard run (Dean convert) EDM 26-6 4th - EDM - Bright, 10-yard pass from Faloney (Dean convert) EDM 32-6 4th - EDM - Jim Weatherall recovered fumble in end zone (Dean convert) EDM 38-6
1954 GREY CUP (Saturday November 27 at Toronto - 27,321)
EDMONTON ESKIMOS (11-5) 26, MONTREAL ALOUETTES (11-3) 25 - In one of the most controversial finishes in Grey Cup history, the Edmonton Eskimos upset the Montreal Alouettes to send the trophy back West for the first time since 1948. With the Eskimos trailing 25-14 midway through the fourth quarter, Edmonton rallied for two touchdowns in the final eight minutes to steal the title. Glenn Lippman spearheaded

British Columbia Lions (1-15)
Head Coach: Annis Stukus
Leading Rusher: Al Pollard (431)
Leading Passer: Gerry Tuttle (991)
Leading Receiver: Dick Christiansen (41-545)



Toronto at Winnipeg Preseason Program (August 16th 1954)


Ottawa Citizen (August 30th 1954)

Vancouver Province (August 30th 1954)

Vancouver Sun (September 20th 1954)

Ottawa Citizen (October 4th 1954)

Vancouver Sun (October 5th 1954)

Montreal Star (October 19th 1954)

Edmonton Journal (October 26th 1954)

Regina Leader-Post (November 2nd 1954)

Vancouver Sun (November 15th 1954)

Ottawa Citizen (November 18th 1954)

Edmonton Journal (November 22nd 1954)

Edmonton's Jackie Parker (No. 91) throws on the run during the 1954 Grey Cup in Toronto.

Jackie Parker races 90 yards to the end zone after scooping up Chuck Hunsinger’s fumble in the 1954 Grey Cup game. Trying for the tackle is Montreal’s Sam Etcheverry, while Parker’s teammate Johnny Bright trails the play.

an 85-yard scoring drive, capped off by his 14-yard run to the end zone. With a five-point lead and time running out on the Eskimos, the Alouettes were on the Edmonton 11 and driving. Montreal’s Chuck Hunsinger took the handoff and started moving to his left. Rollin Prather had him pinned for a loss, but before he was tackled Hunsinger let go of the ball. It landed at the feet of Edmonton’s Jackie Parker, who picked up the ball and returned it 93 yards for a touchdown. The Alouettes contended that it was a forward pass. The officials ruled that it was a fumble, and the touchdown counted. Bob Dean’s convert won the game for the Eskimos. Edmonton took a 6-0 lead in the first quarter when Rollie Miles got off a four-yard pass to Earl Lindley in the end zone. Red O’Quinn tied the score before the end of the quarter when he made an overhead, one-handed grab of a short pass, then outran three defenders for a 90-yard touchdown. Bernie Faloney restored the lead for the Eskimos, scoring on a goal line run to finish an 86-yard scoring drive. Dean’s 37-yard field goal put the Eskimos up 14-6 in the second quarter. Montreal’s Sam Etcheverry then went to work, moving the Alouettes 101 yards in 12 plays, hitting O’Quinn for his second touchdown of the game. Chuck Hunsinger put the Alouettes out in front on an eight-yard run. Montreal’s Joey Pal scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter when he hauled in a 13-yard pass. The Alouettes also scored another major before the Eskimos’ amazing rally. Montreal’s Bruce Coulter intercepted a pass intended for Prather, and returned it near midfield. The offensive drive was stalled on the Edmonton seven-yard line. A third down pass in the end zone bounced off O’Quinn, ending the Montreal threat. The Eskimos then turned around to score their first of two late touchdowns for the win. O’Quinn set a Grey Cup record with 316 receiving yards in the contest.
EDMONTON - 11 3 0 12 - 26
MONTREAL - 6 12 1 6 - 25
1st - EDM - Earl Lindley, 4-yard pass from Rollie Miles (Bob Dean convert) EDM 6-0 1st - MON - Red O'Quinn, 90-yard pass from Sam Etcheverry (Ray Poole convert) TIED 6-6 1st - EDM - Bernie Faloney, 1-yard run EDM 11-6 2nd - EDM - Dean, 37-yard field goal EDM 14-6 2nd - MON - O'Quinn, 14-yard pass from Etcheverry (Poole convert) EDM 14-12 2nd - MON - Chuck Hunsinger, 8-yard run (Poole convert) MON 18-14 3rd - MON - Single, Ray Poole 17-yard missed field goal MON 19-14 4th - MON - Joe Pal, 13-yard pass from Etcheverry (Poole convert) MON 25-14 4th - EDM - Glenn Lippman, 14-yard run (Dean convert) MON 25-20 4th - EDM - Jackie Parker, 90-yard fumble return (Dean convert) EDM 26-25


Vancouver Sun (October 26th 1954)
