NAME NO POS HGT WGT COLLEGE YR PR AG G HOW ACQUIRED
Frank Balazs 35 B 6- 2 215 Iowa 1 1 21 5 1939 Draft-18th round
John Biolo 32 G 5-10 191 Lake Forest 1 1 23 1
John Brennan 37 G 6- 1 204 Michigan 1 1 26 3
Charley Brock 29 C 6- 1 195 Nebraska 1 1 23 10 1939 Draft-3rd round
Hank Bruder 5 B 6- 0 200 Northwestern 9 9 31 10
Larry Buhler 52 B 6- 2 204 Minnesota 1 1 22 3 1939 Draft-1st round
Larry Craig 54 E 6- 0 205 S. Carolina 1 1 23 11 1939 Draft-6th round
Tiny Engebretsen 34 G 6- 1 240 Northwestern 6 8 29 11 FA-Brooklyn (1934)
Milt Gantenbein 22 E 6- 0 195 Wisconsin 9 9 29 11
Buckets Goldenberg 43 G 5-10 222 Wisconsin 7 7 27 9
Tom Greenfield 56 C 6- 4 209 Arizona 1 1 21 8 1939 Draft-15th round
Arnie Herber 38 B 5-11 200 Regis 10 10 29 10
Clarke Hinkle 30 FB 5-11 195 Bucknell 8 8 30 11
Don Hutson 14 E 6- 1 185 Alabama 5 5 26 11
Cecil Isbell 17 B 6- 1 190 Purdue 2 2 24 11 1938 Draft-1st round
Harry Jacunski 48 E 6- 2 197 Fordham 1 1 23 11
Ed Jankowski 7 B 5-10 195 Wisconsin 3 3 26 11 1937 Draft-1st round
Paul Kell 41 T 6- 2 217 Notre Dame 1 1 24 10
Warren Kilbourne 58 T 6- 2 217 Minnesota 1 1 23 4
Jim Lawrence 51 B 5-10 190 TCU 1 4 24 5 FA-Chi Cards (1939)
Joe Laws 24 B 5- 9 185 Iowa 6 6 28 11
Bill Lee 40 T 6- 3 225 Alabama 3 5 27 11 FA-Brooklyn (1937)
Russ Letlow 46 G 6- 0 212 San Francisco 4 4 25 11 1936 Draft-1st round
Allen Moore 55 E 6- 2 218 Texas A&M 1 1 30 5
Carl Mulleneaux 19 E 6- 4 206 Utah St 2 2 22 11
Baby Ray 44 T 6- 6 240 Vanderbilt 2 2 23 11
Herm Schneidman 51 B 5-10 200 Iowa 5 5 25 1
Charles Schultz 60 T 6- 3 230 Minnesota 1 1 22 10 1939 Draft-20th round
Ernie Smith 45 T 6- 2 220 USC 4 4 29 6
Frank Steen 36 E 6- 1 190 Rice 1 1 25 3
Earl Svendsen 53 C 6- 1 185 Minnesota 2 2 24 10 1937 Draft-4th round
Clarence Thompson 50 B 5-11 170 Minnesota 1 3 24 2 FA-Pittsburgh (1938)
Pete Tinsley 21 G 5- 8 205 Georgia 2 2 26 10 1938 Draft-9th round
NAME NO POS HGT WGT COLLEGE YR PR AG G HOW ACQUIRED
Francis Twedell 62 G 5-11 220 Minnesota 1 1 22 4
Andy Uram 42 B 5-10 187 Minnesota 2 2 24 11 1938 Draft-4th round
Dick Weisberger 33 B 5-10 205 Williamette 2 2 24 4
Gus Zarnas 63 G 5-10 225 Ohio State 1 2 25 5 FA-Brooklyn (1939)
Dick Zoll 57 G 6- 1 223 Indiana 1 3 25 1 FA-Cleveland (1938)
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
1939 PACKERS DRAFT (December 9, 1938)
RND SEL NAME POS COLLEGE
1 9 Larry Buhler B Minnesota
2 No choice
3 24 Charley Brock C Nebraska
5 39 Lynn Hovland G Wisconsin
6 49 Larry Craig E South Carolina
7 59 Francis Twedell T Minnesota
8 69 Paul Kell T Notre Dame
9 79 John Hall B Texas Christian
10 89 Vince Gavre B Wisconsin
11 99 Charley Sprague E Southern Methodist
12 109 Traded to Brooklyn Dodgers
13 119 Dan Elmer C Minnesota
14 129 Bill Badgett T Georgia
15 139 Tom Greenfield C Arizona
16 149 Roy Bellin B Wisconsin
17 159 John Yerby E Oregon
18 169 Frank Balazs B Iowa
19 179 John Brennan G Michigan
20 189 Charles Schultz T Minnesota
21 194 Willard Hofer B Notre Dame
22 199 Bill Gunther B Santa Clara
BOLD ITALICS - Played for the Packers
1939 IN REVIEW
In the middle of a game with the Lions, Curly Lambeau made a switch which added a few years to Don Hutson's career. Lambeau assigned rookie Larry Craig, a 205-pound bruiser, to play blocking back on offense and end on defense, freeing Hutson to use his speed at safety. His new secondary post spared Hutson the pounding of defensive line play, and left him more energy for his pass-catching on offense. Passes from Cecil Isbell and Arnie Herber kept Hutson busy, while the running corps gained enough yards to make the Packers the top offensive team in the NFL. The foundation for the attack was a solid line featuring guards Russ Letlow and Buckets Goldenberg, all of which combined to give Green Bay a return trip to the championship game.
THE PENNSYLVANIA KEYSTONERS
(SOURCE: Wikipedia) The Pennsylvania Keystoners was the idea thought up by then-Pittsburgh Pirates owner, Art Rooney, in 1939 to have a single NFL franchise based in both Pittsburgh
and Philadelphia. The team would play half of its home games in each location. The idea for the Keystoners still exists with the most convoluted in sports history. During their early histories,
the Pirates and the Eagles were among the weakest in the league. In his first eight years of operating the Pittsburgh franchise, Pirates founder Art Rooney was estimated to have lost
$100,000. Neither the Eagles nor the Pirates-Steelers had posted a winning record in their first eight years of existence. Losses on the field were compounded by the combined loss of
about $190,000 in Depression dollars. The Steelers were so bad that Rooney sold them at the end of the, 1940 season to Alexis Thompson, a 26-year-old steel heir from Boston.
Thompson renamed the Steelers the Ironmen, but he planned to move the franchise to Boston and play games in Fenway Park. Eagles owner Bert Bell brokered the deal, which also
involved the trade of 11 Steelers to the Eagles and eight Eagles to the Steelers. Meanwhile, the Eagles were owned by a syndicate headed by Bell, however the team lost $80,000 and 21
games in its first three seasons. Soon all of the team's investors left the franchise, and by the end of the 1935 season Bell had the Eagles to himself. Rooney and Bell had become close
friends, and soon after he sold the Pittsburgh franchise, Rooney bought a half interest in the struggling Eagles operation. The two owners planned was to field a combined Philadelphia-
Pittsburgh team called the Keystoners that would play home games in both cities. The original proposition was that Thompson would buy the franchise and take the Pittsburgh club to
Boston and Bell and Rooney would pool their interests in the Eagles to form a Philadelphia-Pittsburgh club, splitting the home games between Forbes Field in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia's
Municipal Stadium. The Pittsburgh Pirates were supposed renamed the Boston Iron Men, however Thompson's move to Boston fell through. The Rooney/Bell idea to have one franchise with
Games in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh was vetoed by the league as well. However Rooney had second thoughts about leaving Pittsburgh for Philadelphia, he caught Thompson at the right
time and the two men changed their plans. As a result, Rooney and Bell would take their Philadelphia operation back to Pittsburgh and rename it the Steelers while Thompson, could
move Rooney's original franchise to Philadelphia and play as the Eagles.
Joe Laws
Packers Alternate Uniform
1939 PRE-SEASON RESULTS (2-0-1)
AUGUST (1-0-1)
25 G-PITTSBURGH PIRATES (Game 1) T 7- 7 0-0-1 9,416
25 G-PITTSBURGH PIRATES (Game 2) W 17- 0 1-0-1
SEPTEMBER (1-0)
4 SW College All-Stars (at Dallas) W 31-20 2-0-1
1939 REGULAR SEASON RESULTS (9-2)
SEPTEMBER (2-0)
17 G-CHICAGO CARDINALS (0-1-0) W 14-10 1-0-0 11,792
24 G-CHICAGO BEARS (1-0-0) W 21-16 2-0-0 19,192
OCTOBER (3-1)
1 G-CLEVELAND RAMS (0-2-0) L 24-27 2-1-0 9,988
8 M-CHICAGO CARDINALS (1-3-0) W 27-20 3-1-0 18,965
15 X-at St. Louis Gunners W 31- 0 11,000
22 G-DETROIT LIONS (4-0-0) W 26- 7 4-1-0 22,558
29 M-WASHINGTON REDSKINS (4-0-1) W 24-14 5-1-0 24,308
NOVEMBER (3-1)
5 at Chicago Bears (4-3-0) L 27-30 5-2-0 40,537
12 at Philadelphia Eagles (0-5-1) W 23-16 6-2-0 23,862
19 at Brooklyn Dodgers (4-4-1) W 28- 0 7-2-0 19,843
26 at Cleveland Rams (4-4-1) W 7- 6 8-2-0 30,691
DECEMBER (1-0)
3 at Detroit Lions (6-4-0) W 12- 7 9-2-0 30,699
1939 POST-SEASON SEASON RESULTS (2-0)
NFL CHAMPIONSHIP - DECEMBER
10 M-NEW YORK GIANTS (9-1-1) W 27- 0 32,279
EXHIBITION GAME - JANUARY 1940
14 MFL All-Stars (at Los Angeles) W 16- 7 18,000
G-Green Bay M-Milwaukee X-Exhibition
to play his "first love" - football - does not doom his future chances in pro basketball, but in all probability he will abandon any thoughts he had of pursuing that sport and give his undivided attention to football...GARDNER IS FAN: While Coach Lambeau, according to reports, did not assert himself in asking McGroarty to sign a contract, it was believed the famous Packer mentor acted on recommendations of various football authorities who had seen the Hilltop back perform. Among these was Milton L. (Moose) Gardner, former Northland coach, who was a teammate of Lambeau when the present Green Bay mentor was a star with the Packers. Gardner, who played with the Packers five years, was a fine performer of repute at Ashland high school and the University of Wisconsin. So illustrious were McGroarty's performances game after game for Northland that all-opponents' teams selected by Hilltop foes each year Ed was at Northland invariably put the Milwaukeean at the fullback spot. Often termed the peer of fullbacks among players at smaller Wisconsin colleges, McGroarty played virtually every minute of every football game in his three years at Northland - and missed a total of five minutes in all the basketball games contested by the Hilltops in the last three years. Arthur L. Gemme, present Northland college mentor and coach of McGroarty during his local athletic career, has been widely praised for the heights reached by the ace performer...DEVELOPS UNKNOWN STARS: The Packers' mentor, in signed McGroarty, sustained his reputation of ignoring the size of colleges in selecting his material. Green Bay teams have come to the fore annually, developing practically unknown college stars as top rank professional satellites. Coach Lambeau told McGroarty that the Milwaukeean will understudy famed Clarke Hinkle, great Packer fullback, and that after a little seasoning, he should be ready for regular service in pro ranks...OPENS DRILLS AUG. 5: After receiving his Ph.B degree from Northland at commencement exercises this month, McGroarty will go to his home in Milwaukee to remain until Aug. 5 when the Packers go into training at Green Bay.
GREEN BAY PACKERS SEEM TO HAVE MONOPOLY ON FULLBACKS
JUN 10 (Green Bay) - One of the most unusual squads in history will enter training here when the Green Bay Packers assemble in August for the NFL championship race. Fifteen of the 45 players ordered to report are fullbacks. It is not unusual for Notre Dame to have 12 fullbacks. Notre Dame's squad generally consists of 12 teams. But it is extraordinary and constitutes some kind of a record for one-third of a pro squad to be assigned, or have had experience in major competition at one position. Green Bay's fullback squadron is led by the veteran Clarke Hinkle, regarded by many authorities as the greatest football player of all time, surpassing in all around ability and team value even the famous Jim Thorpe and Bronko Nagurski. Immediately behind Hinkle, the All-National league fullback, come Eddie Jankowski, formerly of Wisconsin, who is an established Packer star, and Frank Balasz of Iowa, obtained in the draft last winter. These men will handle Green Bay's fullbacking in the championship race. The 12 others are men who played the position in college, or in the National league, but because of specialized talents have been assigned to other places in the lineup. They include veterans Hank Bruder and Herman Schneidman, quarterbacks; Buckets Goldenberg, Swede Johnson and Pete Tinsley, guards; Brute Mulleneeaux, center; and Cecil Isbell and Dick Weisgerber, halfbacks. Rookies under contract who have had major college experience at fullback, but who will be made over into professional halfbacks are Larry Buhler of Minnesota; Bill Gunther of Santa Clara, Ed McGroraty of North College in Ashland, Wisc., and John Locke of Fordham. Locke reported last fall with a knee injury and was ordered to remain idle for a year. Fullback for years has been the proving ground of some of the game's outstanding stars. College coaches more than those in the National league switch players between fullback and guard. The recent trend toward putting out guards to lead interference has increased this practice. Fullbacks must be versatile players, accomplished in blocking and possessed of extreme ruggedness. These requisites make them excellent guard prospects, especially in the modern game where guards are also utilized extensively as secondary defenders against forward passes. Mike Michalske, former Green Bay star and one of the outstanding guards of all time, was a former fullback. Guard Joe Zeller, who for years was the Chicago Bears' most reliable pass defender, also moved into the line from fullback. Bree Cuppoletti, the Chicago Cardinals' veteran guard, is a former fullback, and, like John Del Isola of the New York Giants, backs up the line on defense. Their performances refute the football axiom that a guard is just a fullback with brains battered out.
ASK LAMBEAU'S ADVICE ON NEW STADIUM IN MILWAUKEE
JUN 11 (Green Bay) - Coach Curly Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers will submit suggestions for a football layout at the proposed Milwaukee municipal athletic stadium, but that does not mean his football team will play any more games in the Beer capital than it does now. Henry Bendinger, president of the Milwaukee Brewer baseball club; Rudy Schaffer, Brewer secretary, and Lambeau met with the special common council committee appointed to consider development of a municipal stadium this week, and the chances are pretty good that the idea will bear fruit. Bendinger and Lambeau will submit plans suitable for both football and baseball...STADIUM BADLY NEEDED: "Anyone who ever has attended an athletic contest of any kind in Milwaukee knows how badly a stadium is needed there," Curly pointed out while packing and unpacking between trips. (The Packer coach returned from Milwaukee one night and started north the next day to continue a traveling pace that would leave a Cook's tour guide green with envy.) "We never have had a satisfactory football setup there, although State Fair park has been greatly improved for our purposes in the past few years," he continued as he forward passed his soiled shirts into the laundry hamper. "And as for Borchert field...Green Sox park is magnificent by comparison." The Packer coach gave a little thought to that comparison, and then went on: "Well, maybe the difference isn't that pronounced, but it's a shame to call Borchert field a ball park."...CAPITOL AT HOLTON: The new stadium would be located on E. Capitol at N. Holton street, and the 15-acre site is considered ideal. The plant would be financed as a park and PWA project, with the city of Milwaukee providing part of the cost by issuing short term revenue bonds if present plans materialize. With a great residential district within a radius of two or three miles, the setup would be similar to that of Wrigley field in Chicago. Extensive parking space is available, and traffic problems would be a minimum. Curly was at the council committee's meeting in a purely advisory capacity as probably the man best fitted to help straighten out the football end of the project. He hopes that in three years the Packers' two Milwaukee games will have the benefit of the new stadium...TAKES TWO SEASONS: "We'll be at State Fair park for at least two more season," he said while adjusting his fedora. "It probably will take that long to complete this project. But after that, we may have a real place to play our Milwaukee games, and Milwaukee will have its first suitable stadium for football and baseball." As he pressed the button for the elevator, a sudden thought bubbled to the surface. "Don't let that give you the idea that we plan to any more games in Milwaukee than the present allotment of two," he warned. "Our real purpose is improving City stadium here for the home crowds, and we are doing that, but something to play on was badly needed in Milwaukee."
BUD SVENDSEN MAY RETURN TO PACKERS
JUN 11 (Green Bay) - There is a possibility that Earl (Bud) Svendsen, outstanding center, may again snap the ball for the Packers this season. Bud played with the Bays in 1937 and returned to the squad last fall for the championship playoff game with the Giants in New York. Svendsen had a coaching job with the Kirksville, Mo., Teachers. The former Minnesota center has been in several huddles with Coach E.L. Lambeau.
LIONS MAY LOSE CADDEL, STAR BACK
JUN 11 (Detroit) - According to reports from Detroit, Ernie Caddel, who has been a thorn in the side of the Packers for several season, may not return to the Lions' football battle front this fall as he recently has landed a "fat" automobile job in California. Executives of the Detroit club, however, are pulling some string to help get the crack backfielder a leave of absence from his motor firm connection at Sacramento and there is still a chance that Caddel could be in the Lions' lineup when the Detroiters come here to face the Packers October 22.
PACKERS REMINDED OF AUGUST 5 REPORTING DATE
JUN 11 (Green Bay) - Coach E.L. Lambeau has issued a bulletin to his Green Bay Packers candidates calling attention to the August 5 reporting date. This is considerably earlier than in other years. Packer gridders who are playing daily baseball and others who are in the pink of condition will be given permission to report a week later, August 12.
LOOKING UP IN THE REALM OF SPORTS
JUN 16 (Green Bay) - His first, but by no means his last visit to Green Bay, was paid this week by Jack Brennan, husky University of Michigan guard, who signed his 1939 Packer contact some weeks ago and dropped in to get a line on summer employment prospects. Hugely personable, with an intelligent attitude towards professional football, the good-looking Brennan is certain to catch hold with the fans the moment he makes Green Bay his place of residence. A native of Racine, Brennan played high school football as fullback and center at Carl Schurz school in Chicago. At Michigan his freshman year he played tackle and end, as a sophomore remaining at wing as an understudy to Captain Matt Patanelli. This was stiff competition, and Coach Harry Kipke moved him over to guard, a position he has head ever since. For three seasons Brennan played opposite Ralph Heikkinen, his Phi Gamma Delta roommate, who was one of the most highly publicized guards in the country on both sides of the line. Heikkenen, who hails from Bessemer, Mich., has accepted a coaching job and won't play pro football. Brennan likes the idea of spending a few years in the National league. He wants to save his money and then go into the teaching game, a profession for which he is well qualified. His B average at Michigan enabled him to graduate this year with a B.A. degree in education. He had a chance to coach and teach at Clearwater, Fla., ("which you'll admit doesn't sound bad"), but he turned it down to sign his Packer contract. He weighs 201 pounds, is tall and powerful, and Coach Curly Lambeau doesn't conceal his enthusiasm. At Michigan, both Brennan and Heikkenen established a record for durability. Each averaged 59 minutes of playing time out of the 60 possible per game, and neither was bothered by injuries. Brennan usually played the strong side guard at Michigan, with Heikkinen handling the weak side, although as mentioned they often shifted positions. One of their opponents was Michigan State, and Brennan was impressed greatly with the work of halfback Johnny Pingle, Spartan ace, who has signed with the Detroit Lions. "He's a lot of football player," said Brennan. The new Packer guard is married, and expects that his wife will remain at their home in Ann Arbor during the coming football season. Brennan went one semester to Washington Park High school in Racine, when Tom Hearden, present Green Bay East coach, was tutoring there, but he did not participate in any sports under Hearden. Football was his only athletic activity at Michigan, although he played high school baseball, and during the summers has performed with the Ann Arbor city nine as an outfielder. He worked his entire way through the university.
WORLD CHAMPIONS
The 1939 Green Bay Packers - 10-1-1 (1st-Western Division)
Head Coach: Curly Lambeau
PRO FOOTBALL LEAGUE HAS BEST CAMPAIGN IN HISTORY - JOE CARR
JAN 5 (Columbus, OH) - The 1938 National Professional Football campaign was the most successful in the league's history, from the standpoints of artistry, attendance and spectacular play, and I am looking forward to an even better season in 1939. Climaxed by a storybook game in which the New York Giants defeated the Green Bay Packers to take the championship, the season presented practically everything witnessed on a gridiron. The fans, responding to the hard fought and spectacular play, thronged the parks in such numbers that the attendance was more than 1,100,000, an increase of 15 percent over 1937. The championship was witnessed by 48,120, a new single game high mark for the playoff...VERY CLOSE: So evenly balanced was the league this year that any of the teams in the lower brackets, given a few breaks, could have emerged with the title. Our selective system, permitting the lower berth clubs first chance to negotiate with graduating college players, will maintain that balance. The selective system, now in its fourth year, started showing results last season, and as time goes on will tend to keep the competition on a more even plane. For next season we are planning more pageantry, more colorful uniforms for the teams and officials, entertainment of various kinds for the intermission between halves and the hottest football games in the land. Rule changes will be few. The goal posts will stay on the goal line, and passes will be allowed from any spot back of the scrimmage line. We'll continue to play wide open ball, with the emphasis on forward and lateral passes and kicking, for the fans like to see the ball at all times and don't want it hidden under masses of players...CITES PACKERS, GIANTS: I don't believe a team will ever dominate our league to any great extent. In 1938 Green Bay won the western division title with eight victories and three defeats, while New York's Giants lost two and tied one in 11 contests. The league teams tossed 2,030 passes during the season, and completed 824 for a 40.5 percentage. The 10 teams tallied 1,484 points. Gaynell Tinsley of the Chicago Cardinals caught a pass from Doug Russell for a 98-yard touchdown gain, and Don Hutson of Green Bay caught nine touchdown passes. Ward Cuff of New York and Ralph Kercheval of Brooklyn kicked five field goals each. Our friendly relations with the colleges will continue. We will sign no players until their class has graduated, thus guaranteeing colleges the use of players until the last possible minutes. We don't want players who are willing to desert the classroom.
ISBELL, LETLOW AND SMITH WORK OUT WITH ALL STARS
JAN 5 (Los Angeles) - New York's Giants, 1938 champions of the NFL, and an All Star team, selected by a fan poll from rosters of other league teams and the two local squads, the Los Angeles Bulldogs and the Hollywood Stars, are hard at work preparing for their combat. The game, the only post-season game permitted under league rules, will be contested next Sunday, Jan. 15, at Wrigley field, which has been enlarged to accommodate 30,000 customers for the occasion...COACHED BY HENDERSON: The All Stars, under the direction of "Gloomy Gus" Henderson, newly appointed coach of the Detroit Lions, and Ray Flaherty, coach of the Washington Redskins, have been working out daily at Griffith park since last Tuesday. The Giants, with Coach Steve Owen in command, are training at the Riviera Country club. They also assembled Tuesday. Henderson is well pleased with his squad's progress and confident the team has enough stuff to beat the Giants. "Coach Flaherty and I feel that our squad is strong enough to whip the Giants," Henderson said. "The team has speed, size, power, and all-around passing, kicking and running ability in the backfield. Our big problem is to coordinate our talent into a unit.." In the backfield, the All Stars will have the sort of players that ever coach dreams about, but seldom sees perform together. Ace Parker, all-American pro quarterback from Brooklyn, will pilot the All Stars. Parker gave local fans a tipoff on what they can expect from him by performing brilliantly in practice against his alma mater - Duke - before the Rose Bowl game. Sammy Baugh, Washington's passing wizard, who has shaken off the injuries that hampered him during the season, will alternate with Parker. Cecil Isbell, Green Bay's triple-threat star, and Gordon Gore, spearhead of the Bulldog attack, will also perform with the All Stars. Clarke Hinkle, Green Bay's all-American fullback and the league's leading scorer, is also expected to join the team. In addition, such crushing blockers as Ernie Pinckert, former Trojan All-American from Washington; Lloyd Cardwell, Detroit Lion star, and John Drake, Cleveland's battering ram fullback, are also available for duty...ERNIE SMITH AT TACKLE: The ends are well fortified, with Gaynell Tinsley, Bob McChesney, Bill Moore and Perry Schwartz on the job. Tinsley, the Chicago Cardinals' two-time all-American, is rated football's greatest pass receiver, but, in Moore, the Bulldogs' sticky-fingered flanker, he will have a worthy running mate. McChesney performed for Washington last year and Schwartz, who played with Brooklyn, was an important cog in California's 1937 championship team. A quartet of behemoths, headed by Ernie Smith, former Green Bay and Trojan star, will man the tackles. Joe Stydahar and Del Bjork of the Chicago Bears and Bruiser Kinard, Brooklyn's all-American, will share tackle duty with Smith. Ernie's field goal kicking ability gives the All-Stars an offensive threat to match Ward Cuff, the Giants' placekicking expert. Byron Gentry of Pittsburgh; Russ Letlow, Green Bay's all-American; Bill Radovich of Detroit and Pete Mehringer of the Bulldogs will take care of the guard posts. Phil Dougherty of the Chicago Cardinals and Johnny Wiatrak of the Cleveland Rams will share the center position.
LOOKING UP IN THE REALM OF SPORTS
JAN 5 (Green Bay) - Packer football fans read with dismay that Larry Buhler, the team's No. 1 draftee for 1939, was cracked up in a St. Paul automobile accident, when he skidded and wrapped his car around a post in much the same manner he is expected to wrap himself around professional football pigskin toters next fall. But now everyone can relax, for the latest word from St. Paul has it that Buhler, giant Minnesota fullback, has left the hospital and announced his intention of playing pro football this year. The auto mishap prevented him from playing with the Eastern All Stars in the annual Shrine charity game at San Francisco Jan. 2. More grid notes: Bernie Scherer, Packer end, has returned to Nebraska, his alma mater, to continue his studies for a degree.
GIANTS FACING FEDERAL COUNT
JAN 6 (New York) - An eight-count information against the New York Football Giants, Inc., was filed by Jesse Moss, assistant United States attorney, today charging the sale of eight tickets for admission to the championship game between the Giants and the Green Bay Packers Dec. 11 at prices in excess of the printed face value of the tickets. Conviction on the information, which carries the same force as an indictment, would involve a maximum penalty of fines totaling $2,400...TWO ARE CITED: In addition to the corporation, the information cited Helen Mara, niece of John Mara, president of the Giants, and Charles Chaplin, a clerk. Federal agents said an investigation of the Giants' book would be started next week under an order issued by Judge Alfred C. Coxe.
FORMER AMERICAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE WILL REORGANIZE
JAN 9 (Pittsburgh) - Representatives from six cities today reorganized the old American Professional Football league and announced plans for resuming play next fall. Jack McBride, who said he would stage the games of his New York Yankees in Yankee Stadium, predicted ten clubs would participate in the 1939 campaign. Shortly after the reorganization session McBride held a long conference with Marshall (Biggie) Goldberg, and said he was confident Pitt's great star "will be playing in the Yankee Stadium next fall." "I had a very satisfactory conference with Goldberg," reported McBride. "We discussed various terms. He's very receptive. I am confident I will be able to satisfy Goldberg financially. He is certain to be a terrific drawing card in Gotham." Goldberg already has been drafted by the Chicago Cardinals of the National league. Reports had it that Card officials had interviewed him regarding his services next fall and that he turned down a $4,000 offer from the Windy City club. Drafting of Goldberg by the Cards did not prevent him from negotiating with clubs outside the National league, commented McBride. The American magnates said they held a draft of their own today and that they would proceed with plans to bid for any player they thought worthwhile. Those who reorganized the American circuit insisted they would keep the official name of the American Professional Football League, Inc. They said they had obtained a charter in August 1936 at Boston and that claims made last week by a midwest league which used the name American League in 1938 would be disregarded. The old American League operated in 1936 and 1937. McBride said the league would be divided into eastern and western divisions with a playoff between the two at the close of the season. He said Providence, Boston, New York, Pittsburgh or Buffalo and Newark or Atlantic City would be included in the east and Pittsburgh or Buffalo, Cincinnati, Kansas City, St. Louis, Louisville or Nashville or Indianapolis and possibly Los Angeles in the west. Club representatives attending the reorganization session in addition to McBride were Dana King, Cincinnati Bengals; John Slovan, Kansas City; Earl Seick, Buffalo; Myer Saul, who will operate either in Atlantic City or Newark; Richard Guy, Al Gormley and Dr. Jess Quatse, Pittsburgh Amerks. Wires inquiring about franchises were received from Providence, Boston, Louisville and St. Louis. The circuit's next gathering is scheduled at New York on Feb. 5. Goldberg denied tonight he had received a definite offer from the Cardinals. "Met Charley Bidwell, owner of the team, in Chicago recently but we did not discuss terms," he asserted. "I am listening to the various offers but have not even decided to play pro ball. Everything is indefinite yet."
NEW PRO LOOP FACES TROUBLE
JAN 13 (New York) - Anybody hoping to start a professional football club on a substantial basis now should have $100,000 to spend. He also should make sure that the league with which his outfit is affiliated will survive. So says George Halas, the old Illinois man who heads the Chicago Bears and is a professional football pioneer. Halas suspects that the newest move to reorganize the American Football league to operate in competition with the National will suffer from a shortage of bankroll rather than any shortage of players. There are plenty of athletes to go around. The American league tried in 1926 and folded up. They took another whirl in 1937 and failed to make the grade. The last movement to organize an American league outfit in New York was launched with a bankroll of about $30,000, as Halas remembers it. The speed with which that amount disappeared practically set an American league record.
TWO AMERICAN LEAGUES PRO GRID PUZZLE HERE
JAN 15 (Pittsburgh) - Are there two American Football Leagues, Inc., and will both have Pittsburgh elevens playing in the 1939 season? The answers are yes and no, or possibly sure and maybe. Richard Guy, head of the Pittsburgh Americans of the 1936 and '37 seasons, claims to have the franchise for Pittsburgh in the American Football League, Inc. R.D. Payne, Swissvale, claims to have an option on a franchise for a Pittsburgh district team in an American Football League, Inc., that is an entirely different circuit than the one in which Guy and the Amerks played in 1936 and '37. Guy's circuit held a meeting here last week, a gathering attending by club officials from New York, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Buffalo, Atlantic City, Newark and Pittsburgh. They declared themselves to be the American Football League, Inc. The secretary of Payne's American Football League, Inc., who is James C. Hogan of Cincinnati, meantime wrote the Swissvale sportsmen this explanation: The old American Professional Football League was not incorporated. That league, after operating in 1936 and '37, disbanded in 1938. The Mid-West Professional Football League (Payne's group, in operation during 1935, '36 and '37) changed its name in 1938 to the American Football League, Inc. and has themselves incorporated. The new American Football League, Inc. (Payne's group) is comprised of Cincinnati (the Blades eleven), Louisville, East Chicago, Dayton, St, Louis, and, if favorable action is taken on Payne's option, Pittsburgh. This comes from Hogan, secretary of one of the circuits, and throws some light on the mystery of the two American Football Leagues, incorporated or not.
FIRST PACKER CONTRACT SET
JAN 16 (Green Bay) - The first Green Bay Packer contract for the 1939 season was forwarded to President Joe F. Carr's office today, Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau announced in a telegram from Los Angeles. The pro gridiron recruit is C.M. (Slats) Wynick, left tackle on the U.C.L.A. eleven the last season, who makes his home in Oklahoma City...REALLY LOOKS GOOD: "This boy really looks good," Coach Lambeau wired. "This year our policy is to personally contact all prospects before offering them contracts. In the past many men were signed without our seeing them, and often we were disappointed when they reported. Often the weight of the players was off by as much as 20 pounds. I personally contacted six players in the last two weeks and this boy was the only one who looked good enough to sign." Wynick is 23 years old, six feet, three inches tall, and weighs 225 pounds. He is married and has one child. Big and raw-boned, he is a smart looking boy and has also had experience at end in addition to tackle, Lambeau reports. He was not selected on the draft list...ERNIE SMITH COMING BACK: Coach Lambeau witnessed the game between the New York Giants and the All Stars at Los Angeles Sunday and following the game reported that Ernie Smith played one of the best games on the field, and "I feel sure he will be back with us next fall," he writes. "He should be one of the best tackles in the league, using him 10 minutes a quarter." Coach Lambeau is leaving Los Angeles today to contact players at St. Mary's and Santa Clara. It is the start of a recruiting trip which will cover about 7,000 miles and end in Green Bay early in February.
AUNTHER SIGNS WITH PACKERS
JAN 18 (Green Bay) - The name of Bill Aunther was engraved in the records of the Green Bay Packers today as the second recruit to sign a contract for the 1939 season with the Western division pro champions. Aunther is a big, heavy fullback who played the last three years with the Santa Clara varsity in California. He is the second boy to be signed by Coach E.L. Lambeau on his recruiting tour through the Pacific coast, and he is the second who has met all of Lambeau's personal contact requirements...PLAYED 60-MINUTE BALL: "Bill has an attitude much like Hinkle, though he is taller and heavier," Coach Lambeau wired. "With the exception of one game he has played 60 minutes in every Santa Clara game for three years, and was the backbone of a great defensive club." Coach Lambeau indicated that Aunther may be used as a blocking back "as Schneidman may not return this season". Aunther scales a total of 210 pounds and he is about six feet, one inch tall. His age is 21 and his home is at San Jose, Calif.
SHERMAN SIGNS WITH PACKERS
JAN 20 (Green Bay) - Assistant Coach Red Smith confirmed today the report that Willard (Bid) Sherman, 200-pound center from Whitewater State Teachers' college, has signed a 1939 Green Bay Packer contract. Coach Smith made a special trip to Whitewater this week to confer with the lineman, who comes highly recommended from teachers college conference circles, and Sherman wired Smith late yesterday that his signed contract was in the mail...ALL-CONFERENCE MAN: Sherman has won all-conference honors and a reputation as the greatest gridder ever turned out at Whitewater. He was first recommended to the Packers by Eddie Kotal, coach at Central State Teachers at Stevens Point, and Kotal's recommendation was backed up by Buck Agnew, coach at Whitewater. The new Packer recruit comes from Milton, Wis. He can play either center or tackle. Sherman's signing brings the list of 1939 Packers to three, two others having already been signed by Coach E.L. Lambeau on the Pacific coast. They are C.M. (Slats) Wyrick, U.C.L.A. tackle, and Chester Gunther, fullback from Santa Clara who was on the Packer draft list. The names of both these men were inadvertently misspelled previously, having come through garbled on wires from Coach Lambeau...ON RECRUITING TRIP: Lambeau is at present on a 7,000-mile trip from California through southwestern states on his way back to Green Bay, during which time he expects to contact a number of players. He will return here in the early part of February.
LOOKING UP IN THE REALM OF SPORTS
JAN 24 (Green Bay) - Coach Johnny Blood is a current Green Bay visitor, but Johnny, not true to his usual form, was non-committal about everything in general. In fact he was a much different Johnny than the Vagabond who announced what he was going to do in the NFL after getting his coachship here about this time last year. His quietness, and the gray hairs beginning to sprout just above his sideburns, may attest to the fact that Johnny found things a bit tougher than he expected in the big-time circuit the past fall. He said the Pirate draft list was "fair". The first two men picked were sold before they were selected, he said, including Sid Luckman of Columbia, whose rights went to the Bears. "But Luckman isn't going to play anyway, is he?" we asked. "They all say that in the spring," Johnny replied. "In fall it's different." "Does that apply to Whizzer White, too?" we asked. "White's riding a bicycle around Oxford now," Johnny replied, but he didn't have anything to say about whether he would still be doing so next fall. "No, I won't have much news until after the league meeting in Chicago in February," Johnny averred. He added that he didn't think the pro football magnates will go through with the idea of having longer schedule. "Until every club has its own park and doesn't have to play in baseball parks we won't be able to start any earlier," he concluded...Hank Bruder says he'll never say never again. "I'll never announce my retirement from the pro game again," he said. "I can't quit. I found that out last fall. I had my mind made up, but I couldn't stick to it." Hank said he'd be playing with the Packers until his services were no longer valuable. Right now he's all wrapped up in the Packer basketball team, which has an unusually large list of bookings this winter. They had three men on the floor at Sturgeon Bay who hadn't touched a basketball in years, but with a few more games and some practice Hank predicted they'd be winning more regularly. Bruder, Herber, Goldenberg, Becker and Fitchett provide a good nucleus who have been playing together for a number of years now. Larry is carried as a "utility man" but he's really one of the team's mainstays.
STEEN, RICE END, SIGNS WITH BAYS FOR 1939 SEASON
JAN 27 (Green Bay) - Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers stopped off in Houtson, Tex., yesterday to pay a visit to Cecil Isbell, star Packer halfback, and while there signed one of Cecil's best friends to a 1939 pro football contract. He is Frank Steen, right end, who played three years at right end on the Rice university varsity. Steen graduated last June but signed a Cardinal baseball contract and didn't play pro football last season. He has given up baseball, however, and wants to try his hand at the pro grid game...WEIGHS ABOUT 200 POUNDS: Steen stands six feet, two inches tall and weights about 200 pounds. He is 24 years old and lives in Houston. Steen was highly recommended by Lon Evans, Packer guard, last year after Evans played in an exhibition game against the Washington Redskins with Steen. Isbell introduced Lambeau to Steen and also praised the Rice boy to his coach. He thinks he is a great end and should fit the Packer system perfectly. Lambeau added that Isbell is leaving Houston, his hometown, for Purdue Sunday to finish work for his degree. Steen is the fourth Packer to sign for the 1939 Packer season.
a delegation from Dallas will appear and ask the league's consent to the Packers' appearance...PROS ALWAYS BEATEN: The Dallas All Star game has been conducted for four years, and the professionals have yet to snare a victory. The first two years the Chicago Bears did the league honors, and last year the Washington Redskins fought the Southwestern All Stars, but unsuccessfully. Dallas expects to have 34 of the players drawn on National league draft lists signed up for the Sept. 4 struggle, guaranteeing the northern visitors all varieties of trouble. Lambeau predicts a brisk four-day session at Chicago, with the selection of the 1939 schedule one of the highlights. It is probable that Green Bay's game at City stadium will be against the Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, Chicago Cardinals and Cleveland Rams. The Milwaukee games are likely to be against Washington and the Cardinals, while the road games will take the Packers to Chicago (Bears), Cleveland, Detroit, Philadelphia and Brooklyn...WON'T PLAY GIANTS: According to the league rotating schedule, the Packers will not play the New York Giants in 1939. As soon as the league meeting ends, the Packer coach will start another and shorter swing to contact players. He wants to interview Buhler, fullback; Elmer, center; Schultz, tackle, and Twedell, guard, all of the University of Minnesota; Brennan, Michigan guard; Kell, Notre Dame tackle; and five others not on the Green Bay draft list, but highly recommended as professional prospects. Frank Balazs, Iowa university fullback who agreed to terms yesterday, drew the highest praise of the Packer chief, who interviewed him at Iowa City yesterday. Balazs (the name is pronounced to rhyme with Palace) stands six feet two inches and weighs 210 pounds. He is a great ball carrier and a flawless blocker. During a long run against U.C.L.A., he knocked out three would-be tacklers merely by the method of traveling from one side of them to the other without observing the formality of going around. Extremely rugged looking, he saw little service last season because of an injury, from which he now is recovered, and he is anxious to play pro football.
LOOKING UP IN THE REALM OF SPORTS
FEB 3 (Green Bay) - There's a lot more to selecting professional football players than merely drawing them in the draft, according to Coach Curly Lambeau of the Packers, who today is back in Green Bay following an extensive motor trip to the Pacific coast. "Not a day went by but that I had an opportunity to talk with and visit some college or university football player, who either was anxious to cast his lot with the Packers, or who had been recommended as an outstanding pro possibility," Curly said. "I found out that some of the men we drafted at New York last fall do not appear good enough to make the grade with the Packers. I also found out that some of the men drafted by other professional clubs don't, either. The contacts we were able to make are certain to bear fruit later on. For one thing, the team will save preseason expenses by not asking a lot of useless material to report. The men who work out with us late in the summer, for the most part, will be sure-fire material. Incidentally, we're in a position to do a little trading." Curly also was able to pick up a wealth of material concerning prospects for 1940. He is very enthusiastic about the men he has signed to date, including a few whose names aren't ready to be announced, for reasons involving further amateur competition. One of the toughest, Curly believes, will be 210-pound Frank Balazs, University of Iowa fullback, who shows prospects of bringing considerable durability to his pro football career. In Iowa City, where the Packer coach signed Balazs, the town was buzzing over that individual's most recent exploit, which involved the saving of an eight-year-old boy's life in a nearby river. The kid popped through the loose ice under a railroad bridge and his pals started sliding planks along the ice for the youngster to grab pending the arrival of further aid. Up skated Balazs, observed the boy's plight, and without further delay he ripped off his jacket, kicked off his shoes and plunged into the icy water, hauling out the victim by the back of his neck. Then Balazs seized a plank, wriggled onto safe ice, and supervised the planting of the chattering kid into an ambulance.The ambulance driver wanted to take to the football player, too, but Frank waved him away, walked to his car and drove home. He didn't get so much as a sniffle from his experience. Lambeau was introduced to Balazs by Joe Laws, veteran Packer halfback, who was picked up by the coach at Colfax, Iowa, his hometown.
LOOKING UP IN THE REALM OF SPORTS
FEB 4 (Green Bay) - Jim Farley will not be czar of professional football, and nobody will pay him $75,000 for the job, despite the rumors flying around the country under the impetus of George Marshall, owner of the Washington Redskins, and George Richards, ditto of the Detroit Lions. While it is a possibility that eventually a nationally known figure (Grantland Rice's name has been mentioned frequently) may be drafted to serve as commissioner of pro football, in a capacity which will not interfere with the activities of League President Joe F. Carr, the league will not take any wildcat steps calculated to disturb its balance. Pro football, under the National league standard, aims to improve itself steadily, but soundly, and the idea of hauling in a publicity figure at $75,000 comes as close to the ridiculous as you may venture safely. The attitude of Packer Coach Curly Lambeau is that both Richards and Marshall are not maintaining the proper relationship between the three most important elements of pro football - business, showmanship and sport. "Marshall, a former actor, has displayed a keen sense of showmanship, but has not followed through with the business end," Curly remarked. "He still is at a loss financially with his Redskins. Richards has business ability, and certainly has been a showman, but both of the men have lost sight of the fact that football is a sport. Neither was an athlete himself. Richards said in his United Press interview with Henry McLemore that three years was all a man should play pro football - that he should quit and look for another job. Well, I'd like to have most of the men who have played three years with the Detroit Lions, if Richards is through with them. He forgets that a great many men love to play football, and would appear in pro uniforms even if they were independent financially. You can't buy spirit, and the players have to have it if they are to be champions. Of course pro football is growing, but we want to keep it on a sound basis. We don't want to make those jumps too large. I don't know how much good Jim Farley would do us as 'czar' of the game, but the figure mentioned is absurd anyway." Richards and Marshall, incidentally, both have mentioned in National league circles that they favor the idea of the Green Bay Packers becoming exclusively a traveling team, playing none of its games at home...Ask Curly how many of last year's Packers will report for practice next summer, and he'll tell you that right now there appear to be only three who definitely won't play, and he isn't certain about one of those. Herman Schneidman, blocking quarterback, decided to quit football and enter business but lately he told Joe Laws that he is reconsidering. Bernard Scherer, end, will receive his physical education degree at the University of Nebraska in June, and plans to go directly into coaching. Eddie Jankowski, fullback, may not be back. Badly injured two season ago, Eddie told Lambeau on the Pacific coast recently that he was not satisfied with his play during th4e 1938 season, and planned to retire.
PRO FOOTBALL LEAGUE MEETS
FEB 7 (New York) - The officers of the newly-formed American Professional Football league announced yesterday that franchises had been issued to New York, Rochester, N.Y.; Frankford, Pa.; Baltimore, Newark, Buffalo, Kansas City and Pittsburgh. Bids for franchises from Cincinnati, Nashville, Memphis, St. Louis, Boston and Los Angeles are being held in reserve until it is decided whether the league will be split into an Eastern and Western division...PLAYERS FREE AGENTS: The league adopted a ruling to prohibit tampering with any player under contract to a National league club, but will regard players drafted by such teams as free agents and will feel free to negotiate with them. The 1939 schedule will not be drawn up until that of the National league has been released, in order to avoid any conflicts in dates. The league appointed a temporary executive committee with John McBride of the New York Yankees as chairman.
LAMBEAU OUTLINES CODE ON OFFICIATING FOR MEETING
FEB 8 (Green Bay) - Pity the poor sports officials. "We wuz robbed...Moider the referee" and "Kill the ump" are familiar cries from the prize ring to the baseball diamond. The gridirons of the NFL are not an exception. In fact officiating in football's greatest circuit has come under so much censure, both from club managements and the fans, that Coach E.L. Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers started for the league meeting in Chicago determined to something about it. The meeting opens Thursday at the Congress hotel, but Curly left today, and with him went a resolution that, if it is adopted, should go far toward remedying many of the existing evils...SET PHYSICAL STANDARD: Higher and uniform pay, a physical standard to be met, and a complete understanding on all rules by the officials and club and league representatives all are proposed in the Lambeau resolution which, he stated, will receive support from several other coaches. "Such rapid strides have been made in professional football in the past few years that the game has passed the officials," the Packer coach pointed out. "It is partly the league's fault...Officials were not given a chance to keep up with the speedy progress of the game." Curly explained that while officials are paid and assigned by the league, remuneration for their services has a wide variance, and many get as little as $30 or $40 per game. He proposes that referees in all games receive $100, and that the head linesman, umpire and fields judges should receive $75 each...MEET IN SUMMER: To pave the way for competent officiating, Lambeau suggests that sometime in June or July, at a time designated by the president of the league, all officials employed by the league and applicants for jobs as officials should meet in some centrally located city such as Cleveland, Pittsburgh or Columbus. The rules committee of the league, and a delegate from each club which is not represented on the committee would be present. The meeting would serve the double purpose of proving the qualifications of the officials and new candidates, and ironing out any points of controversy in the rule book. Carl Stork, highly regarded league treasurer, would preside. Principal points in the physical examination under Lambeau's plan would be a thorough test of eyesight, and a speed trial. Curly believes that to keep up with the play, all National league officials should be able to run 60 yards in 10 seconds or less...UNDERSTAND ALL RULES: To avoid conflicting interpretations Curly would keep the group in session until mutual understanding was reached on all rules. He urges that as much as possible the officials should work in teams, and that all assignments should be made prior to Aug. 15 of each year. Decisions on who should work during the season, and where, would be left to Stork and President Joe Carr. The resolution stipulates all complaints by coaches and club owners should be made to Stork, and that officials should answer to him in writing. His decision would be final. Lambeau's draft of the resolution was rough. He had just drawn it up, and some changes may be made, probably in the way of additions, before final presentation at the meeting. But the general idea will remain the same, and it represents a constructive step - one of the first in several seasons - toward cleaning up a situation that is beginning to threaten the prestige of the game...MEET WITH APPROVAL: Lambeau's choice of Stork as chairman of the proposed summer meeting should meet with approval all around the league. "His heart is in the league," Curly said in telling why he believed the man was better fitted than anyone else for the job. "He is honest, capable and has the respect of coaches, club owners and players." Stork was owner of the old Dayton Triangles in the league,. His team played the Packers in 1925, 1926, 1928 and 1929. He has been associated with the league ever since.
PACKER COACH PLANS TRIP TO EUROPE, COMMENTS ON SIGNING OF GREENFIELD, ARIZONA CENTER
FEB 8 (Green Bay) - The approach of the NFL meeting in Chicago, the signing of Tom Greenfield, veteran University of Arizona center, and a prospective European trip occupied the time of E.L. Lambeau, Green Bay Packer coach today. The league session opens at the Congress hotel in Chicago tomorrow, when leaders of all clubs will gather for what is expected to be an epochal conclave...SIGNED AT TUCSON: Greenfield, who signed his contract at Tucson late yesterday, is a 212-pound center, standing two and a half inches above six feet, who Lambeau hopes will be a further addition to the Green Bay pivot corps. "He looks like a man who has a lot of football in him," the coach commented. Greenfield is only 21 years old and is unmarried. He was drafted by the Packers, and was contacted by Lambeau as the latter drove through Arizona recently en route to Green Bay from the Pacific coast. He is a teammate of Nielson, a fullback who No. 1 on the New York Giants' draft list...SET ON CENTERS: "We are beginning to get fairly well set on our center strength," Lambeau added. "The group will be headed by Greenfield and Charlie Brock of Nebraska for certain. We hope to sign Dan Elmer of Minnesota next week, and I believe Bud Svendsen will be back permanently next fall. Bunny Schoemann also will be ready for service, as his leg injury has healed completely." Lambeau wasn't sure about the availability of Frank Butler, Lee Mulleneaux and Ookie Miller, all of whom performed withe Packers last fall. The Packer coach will sail for Europe in March, and plans to visit England, France, German and Italy.
PRO FOOTBALL LEADERS MEET
FEB 9 (Chicago) - Football's ivory mart opens today as officials of the NFL clubs begin four days of rules discussions which may wind up the briskest trading session in years. All the rule changes scheduled to come up could be settled in a half hour, leaving nearly four full days to bicker over prices and trading material. Every club in the league reportedly has a player deal in mind. The two new collegiate rules involving ineligible pass receivers likely will be adopted, but the pros have an even more important problem of their own to iron out...HALAS IS MAD: Stalling hit a new high last year and became so bad in one game the man who first tried it became disgusted. George Halas, owner-coach of the Chicago Bears, admitted he first had his players claim fake injuries in final minutes of a game two years ago so the officials would grant him extra time out periods after his own allotted number had expired. "We tried it in a few games last year and once we almost beat Cleveland in those extra seconds. But that sort of football should be legislated again. Either we can increase the number of legal time out periods or put teeth in the present rule which allows the referee to determine whether a player is able to continue." Halas is chairman of the rules committee...GIVEN THIRD OPTION: One other proposal was advanced by Earl (Dutch) Clark, new coach of the Cleveland Rams, who suggested the team scored upon be given the third option of changing goals. Coach Earl (Curly) Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers, one of the four delegates who have been present at each of the 19 previous sessions, brought with him a demand for better officiating. Joe F. Carr, veteran president of the league who missed last year's business sessions because of illness, called the first meeting to order at noon today. Only routine business was scheduled in the opening meeting, although officials of the Los Angeles Bulldogs may present an application for membership...MAY EXTEND SEASON: In two other meetings, a proposal to pick a league commissioner and a move to extend the season until late December may come up. Sentiment apparently is against both. Most schedule makers, who will complete their 1939 cards sometime before Sunday, indicated they preferred to end their season by Dec. 1. Every club in the league could use one or more players and there may be plenty of trading. Sid Luckman, Columbia's great forward passer, is the current "Whizzer" White. He says he won't play professional football, but Halas, who secured his services in the draft, hopes he will. Both the World Champion New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers want Luckman to play in New York. Halas needs his passing arm, but he needs linemen, too, and expects to talk trade...DRAKE SOUGHT AFTER: Of the veterans, Cleveland's John Drake may be the most sought after. Drake for two years has been the hardest running back in the league. For two years Cleveland has turned down offer after offer but Clark is in charge now and may use Drake to more new players for rebuilding purposes. Pittsburgh also was said to be after three former Pitt stars now the property of the Chicago Cardinals. Marshall Goldberg and Bill Daddio came to the Cards in the draft and Frank Patrick, former Pitt fullback, made good in the National league last year.
PACKERS OWE RISE TO LAMBEAU
FEB 9 (Chicago) - There is one thing you can be sure the coach of the Green Bay Packers will be doing in his spare moments - plotting new forward pass plays. And that's just the way Curly Lambeau occupied himself while he waited for the opening of the annual National Professional Football league meeting. Lambeau is the man who created the Green Bay Packers 20 years ago. They call Green Bay the biggest little city in professional football - a city of 44,000 souls. And, athletically speaking, it was Lambeau and his revolutionary theories of forward passing that made Green Bay what it is today. Fresh out of Notre Dame where he was a star passer under Knute Rockne, Lambeau went home to work for a meat packing concern in 1919. Football was in his blood, and he soon convinced his employers that they should sponsor a football team. That's how the Green Bay Packers were born. Formation of the team marked the start of a new era in football, an era that was to witness the evolution of the forward pass from something that was used only in a desperate, last-ditch attempt to score into an offensive weapon. Lambeau didn't adopt the passing game because he wanted to; he did it because he had no choice. "We had to use passes," he said, "because all our opponents were bigger and heavier. We always favored a passing game and we've done pretty well." Pretty well? So well that passing brought the Packers world championships in 1929, 1930, 1931 and 1936. It almost brought them a fifth league title last fall when they lost the playoff to the New York Giants because a last-minute pass fell incomplete by a fingertip. Passing succeeded so well at Green Bay that college and high school teams have copied the serial offense. Passing made Green Bay the nation's professional football capital. Lambeau was the first of a succession of great Packer passers. From 1919 through 1927, he served as player-coach and was the team's No. 1 marksman. Then, when Curly retired from the field to do his coaching from the bench, his passing tradition was kept alive by the likes of Red Dunn, Bobby Monnett, Arnie Herber and Cecil Isbell. And the best of these, according to Lambeau, is Herber. "That Herber is the greatest forward passer I've ever seen on any football field anywhere," he said. "There never was a long passer like him. He throws them pretty accurately up to 35 yards, but he has no equal when it comes to heaving 'em from 35 to 60 yards. His accuracy is uncanny. He throws perfect strikes and on the dead run, too, mind you." If Lambeau decided to advertise for a passer, he would write an ad like this: PASSER WANTED - Prefer tall man who doesn't throw sidearm, but raises the ball well over his head and throws overhand. Must be cool-headed, quick thinking and have a good wrist action so he can put snap into his throw. Those whose records show frequent interceptions need not apply." So if you want a nice job in a nice town, those are the standards you must meet.
REELECT CARR FOR 10 YEARS
FEB 10 (Chicago) - Club officials of the National Professional Football league indicated today that they don't want a governing commissioner at any price. In the first session of their four day conference, they shelved talk of player trades and re-elected President Joe F. Carr of Columbus, Ohio, for a 10-year period. The long appointment was said to be their answer to talk of a high commissioner. Carr and Carl Storck of Dayton, Ohio, the vice-president and treasurer of the league, both were reelected in the only piece of official business ground out on the first of four days the professional officials are scheduled to meet...HOLD ROUTINE BUSINESS: There was so much routine business was at hand, the traders had little chance of reaching anything more than the sounding out stage. One major player trade between Gus Henderson, new coach of the Detroit Lions, and Earl (Dutch) Clark, who resigned at Detroit to take over the Cleveland Rams, appeared and quickly dissolved. Clark tried to land Jack Johnson, Detroit tackle and an assistant coach under his regime. Both the resolution and schedules committees were expected to meet for the first time today, as well as representatives of the various all-star game in New York, Chicago and Dallas. No major rule changes were expected. The schedule makers may have considerable trouble, however, since there is some opposition to an early ending of the league season. Most coaches have agreed to schedule several night games in order to end the regular playing season by December 1...PLAY PRO STARS: The resolutions committee was expected today to approve a proposal to send the National league champion against an all-Star professional team at Los Angeles in January. Sentiment on other similar resolutions was not reported. Ernie Nevers and Dutch Clark both were the chief target of the traders. Nevers, new coach of the Chicago Cardinals, has three expert passers - Pat Coffee, Jack Robbins and Dwight Sloan - and no climax runner in his backfield. Clark, new coach at Cleveland, reportedly wants tackle Jack Johnson from Detroit and refuses to part with either Corby Davis or John Drake.
LAKE FOREST STAR SIGNED
FEB 10 (Lake Forest, IL) - E.L. (Curly) Lambeau has signed up a guard developed by a former rival mentor, Ralph Jones, who coached the Chicago Bears to their 1932 professional championship. John Biolo, star guard and 195 pound captain of the 1938 Lake Forest (Ill.) college undefeated and untied grid team, is the new Packer who will play for Green Bay next season. Biolo, whose name is in Iron Mountain, Mich., was a big factor in gaining the 1938 Illinois college conference title for Lake Forest last season, just as he was a big factor in Iron Mountain high school's Northern Nine championship in 1933. At the close of last year's collegiate schedule, he was chosen for the Collier's Eye Little All-American team and named to an Associated Press all-conference squad...LAKE FOREST PRODUCT: His two high school coaches, Frosty Ferzacca and Lars Thune, both now are at Green Bay West high school. Ferzacca also is a Lake Forest product, having graduated in 1931. Another Lake Forest football captain, Ferzecca also was a basketball and baseball star, and in his sophomore year was chosen the most valuable man on the grid team. It is reported that Lambeau is depending on the new man for a regular berth, in view of his consistency for three years of varsity ball at Lake Forest as a powerful offensive blocker and excellent defensive player...HAS FAST START: After watching him in a year of freshman competition and coaching him in three years of varsity play, Coach Jones says that "John Biolo is the best guard Lake Forest college has ever seen, and one of the fines undergraduate linemen I have ever seen anywhere." Lambeau's new charge was one of the fastest starters in the line which Jones calls his "greatest small college line." The new Packers was one of the principal reasons for Lake Forest's victory over Carroll, which snapped a 20-game winning streak for the Pioneers. It was the first time in 13 years that the Foresters had beaten Carroll, and although Biolo suffered a twisted knee in the game, he played the full 60 minutes and was just as tough when the curtain went down as he was at the opening whistle. In defeating James Millikin university, Biolo was partially responsible for setting back the opposition for a total yardage for the game of minus 26.
RETAIN SETUP IN GRID LOOP
FEB 11 (Chicago) - The barnstorming days of big leaguers in professional football are over. The National league, in annual session here Friday, sanctioned one postseason game for pro football. For the next five years it will be a contest between the current league champion and a collection of pro all-stars, picked in a newspaper poll, in Los Angeles...NOT GIVEN PERMISSION: Heretofore, players could engage in games here and there if given permission by League President Joe F. Carr. It is reported several played without permission in a game in San Francisco last month. Carr said if his investigation of that game revealed league men participated without permission, the penalty would be automatic suspension for a year. The pro champions each year will continue to appear in the annual preseason game at Chicago against the college senior all-stars. A Dallas committee composed of Matty Bell and Jimmy Stewart of Southern Methodist university, have asked the league to allow each year's runnerup to compete in a similar game against southwestern all-stars. Ken Strong, former New York Giant star, is back in the good graces of the pro game. He was reinstated Friday, four years after he repudiated a contract with the Giants to join another pro circuit. He will be eligible to play this fall with New York. The league voted unanimously to hold the membership to 10 teams, ignoring recurrent reports that some of the cities in the league may be represented in proposed rival organizations. Cincinnati, St. Louis, Buffalo and Los Angeles have been among the cities reported anxious to join the league, but Carr said he had received no formal applications for franchises.
In 1937, he was regarded as one of the country's finest centers, and a certain candidate for all-America honors. That year the highly publicized Alex Wojciechowicz of Fordham took most of the mythical team honors, and Brock was forced to wait until 1938. Last season, however, he ran into tough luck when Nebraska came up with a mediocre team, which received comparatively little national publicity. Despite the handicap of playing with a poor eleven, Brock distinguished himself throughout the season, and won wide recognition throughout the midwest. Columbus, Neb., is Brock's hometown.
LAMBEAU STOPPED BY HEAVY SNOWS
FEB 1 (Green Bay) - Coach E.L. Lambeau, who left Lincoln, Neb., yesterday en route to Green Bay from the Pacific coast, got as far as Iowa City, Iowa, before being stopped by a blizzard, he notified Leland H. Joannes, president of the Green Bay Packers, Inc., by telephone last night. Lambeau said he was planning to leave Iowa City today, weather permitting, and would drive to Green Bay via Madison. Joannes and Lambeau will attend the annual meeting of the NFL, which opens at the Congress hotel, Chicago, Thursday, Feb. 9. The annual schedule will be drawn at that time.
physically all right and should not be handicapped next fall. He will enter the University of Minnesota in the second quarter each year he plays with the Packers until he receives his degree...TERROR OF BIG TEN: Buhler was the terror of Big Ten gridiron opponents last season, and was selected as No. 1 man on the Green Bay draft list. He is a powerful, bruising type of player, much preferring contact to elusiveness in his attack, and is said to be without a defensive flaw. Lambeau added that he expects Dan Elmer, Minnesota center, to sign his contract within two months. Elmer is six feet one inch in height and weighs 212, being 23 years old.
CHARLES SCHULTZ, TACKLE FROM MINNESOTA, SIGNED
FEB 20 (Green Bay) - The signing of Charles Schultz, University of Minnesota tackle, was announced today by Coach E.L. Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers, as he returned from a series of consultations with prospective pro football players in Minneapolis and Chicago. Schultz is a 23-year old, 235 pound lineman who stands three inches above six feet, and who makes his home in St. Paul. Lambeau regards him as a fine professional candidate...BRENNAN NOT SIGNED: The Packer coach denied published press association reports that he has agreed to terms with Jack Brennan, Michigan State guard from Racine, with whom he talked in Chicago Sunday. "Brennan expressed an interest in playing professional football," he said, "but he did not sign a contract and we did not agree to terms. He is a promising looking boy." There were rumors that Schultz, who was drawn on the Green Bay draft list, would not play pro ball because of a knee injury. Lambeau checked this story in Minneapolis and found that the Gopher veteran, in his junior year, did have trouble with a torn ligament, and last season he played creditably with a brace on the injured member...BRACE FOR PROTECTION: "An assistant coach and Schultz himself told me," Lambeau added, "that Schultz used the brace in 1938 merely for protection and not because of a recurrence of his injury. At the present time he is playing without any brace at all."
LOOKING UP IN THE REALM OF SPORTS
FEB 21 (Green Bay) - Word concerning the talents of Mr. John Biolo, who has played a lot of guard for Lake Forest college and has been signed with the idea of doing the same thing for the Green Bay Packers, comes from Willis Ludeman, West High school co-captain in 1937, who is a freshman at that Illinois institution. Of course, you never know what these prospective Packers are going to do before they get out there with the squad. Maybe they are all-Americans, and their reputations will fold up with a study squish once they face the blocking and tackling of men who haven't read about their exploits. Maybe they're just guys named Pete from little liberal arts colleges, but they'll get in there with all the scrap and fire in the world, with the result that when the season is half over, you suddenly realize that the boys are still on the roster, and what's more give every indication of hanging around for lo these many seasons. Now our newly acquired Mr. Biolo is no all-American, although he was picked on the Little All-America squad, and we won't know what he's got, first hand, until Coach Curly Lambeau reassembled the Green Bay team in August. But the folks who have seen him play are giving him much verbal support. Ludeman says that Biolo is a natural. They played against each other in scrimmage last fall, when the former Green Bay gridder was a member of the Lake Forest freshman squad, and Ludeman confides that the Iron Mountain husky was a hard man to dislodge. Upper Michigan fans will be pleased if Biolo makes good in the National league, as that sector is a hotbed of Packer enthusiasm. Sportswriters will be delighted; you can make that name fit in any kind of headline. (Just try and get Buckets Goldenberg or Tiny Engebretsen in anything short of a seven-column streamer.) The acquisitive trend of the Packer roster thus early in the game would seem to indicate that Lambeau plans most of his replacements in the line, and between the ends at that. This may be only because of coincidence, as the Green Bay coach has said several times that he is eyeing a number of talented ends and backs. One of the latter may be Obbie Novakofski of Lawrence college, a Paul Miller type of halfback who ran wild in the Midwest conference for the last two seasons. Novakofski conferred with Lambeau last week, and it is possible he'll report on a tryout basis.
COACH LAMBEAU OFF ON EUROPEAN TRIP
FEB 23 (Green Bay) - Coach E.L Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers left Green Bay today on an eastern recruiting trip which will land him in New York next week, from where he will sail for a trip through Europe. Coach Lambeau will make stop-overs in Chicago, Pittsburgh and Boston before he reaches New York to contact several pro prospects. He sails on the Queen Mary March 3 for London, from where he will go to Paris, thence to Italy, back to Berlin, through the Netherlands and home again. He expects to be back in Green Bay sometime in the latter part of April.
JACK BRENNEN IS NEW PACKER ACE TO SIGN FOR '39
FEB 25 (Green Bay) - Signing of a great Big Ten guard prospect, Jack Brennen of the University of Michigan, was announced last night from Chicago by Coach E.L. Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers. Coach Lambeau interviewed Brennen in Chicago last Sunday, and was much impressed with his spirit. Brennen agreed to terms at that time, and put his name on a contract in Chicago yesterday, where Lambeau stopped over on his way to New York to sail on a European trip...PRAISED BY COACHES: While the Michigan guard didn't receive as much publicity as his teammate, Ralph Heikenen, or the Minnesota product, Francis Twedell, Coach Lambeau was told by opposing players and coaches in the Big Ten who saw him in action that he was just as good as these other two. Brennen did receive a lot of publicity after the football season was over, however, when he was elected "queen" of the Michigan winter carnival as a campus joke. "That's a laugh," said Lambeau, "he's the most unfeminine looking boy I ever saw. He's a handsome kid, but he's a real fighter." Brennen is 23 years old and graduates this June after three years of varsity ball. He weighs 205 pounds and six feet, one inch tall. He is built a good deal along the same lines as Charley Brock, great Nebraska center signed by the Packers, and looks a lot like him, Coach Lambeau says...SMART BALL PLAYER: Brennen is rated a smart ball player. He called Michigan's defensive signals last year and had the job of plugging the holes while Heikenen played a roving game. Coach Lambeau said he particularly liked Brennen's attitude, and added that he would like to locate permanently in Green Bay. Brennen is a native of Racine, and played high school football there, his family later moving to Michigan. He is the ninth player to sign with the Packers for the 1939 season.
DUTCH CLARK RETIRED FROM ACTIVE PLAYERS' GRID LIST
FEB 26 (Cleveland) - Earl "Dutch" Clark, the perfect football player, has played his last game. Thomas E. Lipscomb, president of the Cleveland Rams, announced today that Clark will devote himself exclusively next fall to coaching and rebuilding the Rams for their third season in the NFL. Clark resigned as coach of the Detroit Lions on Dec. 16 and signed a two-year contract with Cleveland...COULDN'T DO JUSTICE: "Under normal circumstances," Lipscomb said, "I do not believe a playing coach can do justice to himself as a player, or to the team, as a coach. It would be difficult in Cleveland where we are attempting to build a championship contender. We asked Clark not play. He has agreed." Clark, six times all National league quarterback, sought to retire as a player two years ago when he succeeded George "Potsy" Clark as coach of the Lions. At the end of the 1937 season, he announced that he was through, but he was prevailed upon by the Detroit owner, George A. Richards, to remain on the active list last fall and participated in six of the Lions' 11 games...PLAYED LAST GAME: He made his last appearance in competition Dec. 4 when, needing a victory to tie the Green Bay Packers for the Western division championship, the Lions were beaten, 21 to 7, by the Philadelphia Eagles in the most astounding upset of the season. Clark's retirement removes from the active list one of the most colorful and respected figures in football. Since he broke into the league with the old Portsmouth Spartans in 1931, he has been regarded as football's greatest quarterback. In addition to being a great field general, the Dutchman was a superb ball carrier, matchless drop kicker, and a brilliant defensive player. National prominence first came to Clark in 1930 when he was named on the Associated Press' All-American team. This was the only collegiate all star team he made and his selection was a surprise to football fans as only those in the vicinity of his alma mater - Colorado college - had heard of him...HOLDS SCORING RECORD: Shortly after he joined the Spartans, who later became the Detroit Lions, Clark became the league's ranking quarterback. He led the circuit in scoring in 1932, 1935 and 1936 and hold the all-time National league scoring record of 305 points accumulated on 31 touchdowns, 65 points after touchdown and 18 field goals. His consistently brilliant performances made him the most publicized pro player since Red Grange. Clark's appearance belies his profession. Of medium height and build, he is a scholarly appearing chap of 32, who wears spectacles off the field and moves unnoticed through throngs of hero worshippers...WON 14 - LOST 8: Clark's record as a National league coach is 14 victories against eight defeats. The Lions won seven of 11 games under him in 1937 and again in 1938 to finish second in the Western division each year. Cleveland handed Detroit its first defeat last season, a stunning upset. The Lions lost their second game to Washington, 7 to 5. The other defeats were administered by the Green Bay Packers, whom the Lions beat earlier in the season, and the Philadelphia Eagles. In addition to the Packers, Detroit beat the Chicago Bears and Cards twice, whipped Cleveland and also was victorious over Pittsburgh.
PACKERS, PIRATES IN NIGHT GAME AT STADIUM, AUG. 26
FEB 26 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Pirates will meet under the lights at the City stadium Saturday, Aug. 26. Coach E.L. Lambeau of the Packers completed arrangements for the preseason contest while in Pittsburgh over the weekend. The Packer coach staged several huddles with President Arthur J. Rooney of the Pittsburgh club who finally approved the contest. At the recent league meeting in Chicago, the pro football executives revamped the rules so that any clubs not playing each other during the regular schedule could "match up" in preseason contests...LAMBEAU WORKED FAST: This change in code as "made to order" for the Packer-Pirate setup and Coach Lambeau lost little time in making the best of the opportunity. The Pittsburgh club will train at Two Rives, so-called "Cool City" of Wisconsin. According to tentative plans, Coach Johnny Blood will have some 40 odd players in training and he will bring them all over here for the fracas with the Packers...GOOD TEST FOR GRIDDERS: The Pittsburgh encounter will enable Coach Lambeau to test all his gridders under fire and the contest should greatly help prepare the Bay squad for the game in Dallas Sept 4, with the Southwest All Stars and the National league opener with Ernie Nevers' Chicago Cardinals here on Sunday, Sept. 17. It was deemed best to play the Pittsburgh game under the lights as it was figured that the temperature would be much cooler at night and what is more the players would not be bothered by a blazing late August sun...MANY STELLAR COLLEGIANS: The Pittsburgh club will exhibit some of the outstanding collegians of 1938 in the game here. Among the topnotch whom the Pirates caught in the draft are: Manders of Drake; Boyd of Baylor; Nelson of Michigan State; Cochrane of St. Louis, Peters of Washington and Clary of South Carolina. The scheduling of the Pirates here Aug. 26 gives the Packers five at home game with league clubs.
PITTSBURGH ADDED TO PRO GRID LOOP
MAR 1 (Cincinnati) - A Pittsburgh club was added to the American Professional Football league today as plans were laid for expansion of the loop next fall. Roland D. Payne was granted a franchise at a meeting of club representatives here yesterday, with the provision that he arrange a schedule which would not conflict with the Pirates of the National league. President George J. Heitzler said other teams which may complete were the Cardinals of Kenosha, Wis.; Ashland, Ky., Armcos, Cincinnati Bengals, and an Indianapolis squad. Members of the league last year were the Dayton Rosies, Louisville Tanks, Nashville Rebels, Chicago Indians, Cincinnati Blades and St. Louis Gunners. Heitzler said these teams, with the exception of the Blades, would be entered this season. Franchises will be considered at a meeting in St. Louis April 23.
LOOKING UP IN THE REALM OF SPORTS
MAR 6 (Green Bay) - Carl Mulleneaux, Packer end and one of the outstanding rookies in the NFL last season, is back in town. Expects to land a job and locate here permanently. With his characteristic modesty in talking over the new Packer recruits, Carl says, "I hope Curly signs up some great ends for next year." Carl says his brother Lee is still out in Los Angeles. He had lots of praise for Frank Steen, Rice end already signed. "A great ball player," Carl said...Billy Patterson, sensational Baylor university backfield star, has already been the technical property of the three NFL teams, despite the fact that he has not yet signed a contract. To begin with, the Pittsburgh Pirates selected Patterson in the league's annual draft. The Pirates traded their draft rights on him to the Detroit Lions for Ace Gutowsky, veteran fullback, and quarterback Vernon Huffman. Subsequently, the Detroit club cancelled the trade and Patterson again became Pittsburgh property. Last week, the Pirates again traded their draft rights on the brilliant Baylor back, this time to the Chicago Bears. The Bears agreed to give the Pirates Sam Francis, former All-American fullback from Nebraska, for Patterson. The deal was made with the understanding, however, that Francis remains with the Bears in the event that Patterson decides not to play pro ball.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAMS HEAD NORTH FOR TRAINING
MAR 11 (Chicago) - NFL teams will undertake extensive training trips for the first time this year, similar to those that have become traditional with major league baseball teams. Four of the league's 10 teams - the world's champion New York Giants, the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Washington Redskins and the Chicago Cardinals - already have made definite commitments to train in the north next fall. Green Bay, the circuit's northern outpost, does not have to move the Packers outside its corporate limits to qualify as a northern training base. Thus, half of he major professional football teams will train in the north next season. The Giants, who will represent the league in the annual preseason classic with the graduated collegiate All Star team at Solder field, Chicago, early in September, have made tentative arrangements to train at Superior, Wis. The Pirates will make their preparations for the 1939 season at Two Rives, Wis. Washington will undertake the most extensive trip, as the Redskins' owner, George P. Marshall, has completed arrangements to prepare his team for the championship race in far-off Spokane, Wash. Duluth, Minn., will be the training base of the Chicago Cardinals...DRIVEN TO NORTH: Unseasonable weather, the impediment that forced major league baseball teams to set up conditioning camps below the Mason-Dixon line and on the west coast, is the factor that is driving pro football teams into the northland. Major league baseball teams train in the south to escape the cold and pro football teams, plagued by a reversal of the difficulty, are moving northward to elude the heat. John "Blood" McNally, head coach of the Pirates, pioneered the idea of moving National league teams northward for training purposes. A year ago, McNally predicted that league teams eventually would be forced to train in the north as a logical solution of the perplexing heat problem...HARASSED BY HEAT: Ray Flaherty, Washington's coach, was harassed by the heat while attempting to prepare the then champion Redskins for the Chicago All Star game in Arlington, Va., last fall and endorsed McNally's theories because of it. He announced, at the time, that the Redskins would train in the north this year and subsequently designated Spokane as their 1939 training base. Intense heat in August complicates the task of training a group of mature pro football players. They prefer to train in cool weather and play in the heat, rather than swelter while doing both. Here, again, is another reversal of the baseball picture where players do not mind the frigid atmosphere they often encounter in the north in April and May, because they have conditioned themselves in the warm weather of the southland. Pro football players, because of their age, have to work harder than college players to attain top physical condition and, under a blazing sun, they perspire away their stamina and energy. Hot nights, which are not a contributing factor to restorative sleep, add to their dilemma. The temperature in the northern cities selected by the Giants, Pirates, Redskins and Cardinals, and, also, in Green Bay, is from 15 to 20 degrees cooler than it is in other league cities. They offer pro football teams warm days and cool nights, ideal conditions for training purposes. It will be interesting to observe the experiment next fall, with half of the teams training in the north and the old half remaining in the heat zone.
FATHER OF COACH LAMBEAU OF PACKERS PASSES AWAY
APR 12 (Green Bay) - Marcel Lambeau, 62, father of Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers, died unexpectedly last night. His son is in Europe. He had planned to return to America on the Queen Mary last week but cancelled his passage. The senior Lambeau, who succumbed to heart disease, was a building contractor and former city officials. He supervised or contracted for the erection of many Green Bay buildings, including the federal building, courthouse, labor temple and the plant of the Indian Packing Company, which later became widely known because of the team founded by his son.
GANTENBEIN IS HURT IN AUTO COLLISION
APR 24 (Oshkosh) - Milt Gantenbein, former University of Wisconsin football star, and an end for the Green Bay Packers, received hospital treatment Sunday for injuries received in an automobile collision north of here on Highway 41. Mr. and Mrs. G. Olson of Oshkosh, occupants of the other car, were confined to a hospital with injuries regarded more serious than those suffered by Gantenbein.
certain all-American honors. "He is magnificently built," reported Lambeau, "weighing 235 pounds and measuring six feet. He runs like a back, and more than one National league team, including Green Bay, is hoping to draw him in the draft when he graduates." Lambeau saw Cecil Isbell, Packer halfback, on the Purdue campus, and said that the highly publicized individual is expecting to return here next fall. Isbell told the coach that his first season in pro football was "lots more fun than expected." He has been working out with the Boilermaker grid squad, plays golf daily, and is attending classes preparatory to completing work for his degree in June...MONNETT MAY RETIRE: There is a possibility that Robert Monnett, veteran left halfback of the Packers, will not return next fall. He has landed a job as assistant engineer on the Ohio state highway commission, at Bucyrus, his hometown. Lambeau believes that William Abbott, who succeeded Ned Irish as publicity director of the National league, is a fine man for his position. Irish handled publicity both for the league and the New York Giants, which didn't sit well with some of the league owners.
TICKET SALE HELD ILLEGAL
MAY 11 (New York) - The New York Football Giants, Inc., and Helen Mara and Charles Chaplin were convicted in federal court yesterday of violating the amusement and sports events tax law by omitting to stamp on the back of admission tickets, sold above face value, the names of the vendors and the actual sales price. Miss Mara is the niece of John and Tim Mara, sports promoters. Chaplin is a clerk...PACKER GAME TICKETS: The government accused them of selling eight $2.20 tickets for $3.45 each for a game between the Green Bay Packers and the Giants last fall. A jury disagreed April 28 at their first trial. Judge John C. Knox postponed sentence until Monday. The defendants may be fined $100 each on each of the eight counts in the information filed against them.
FINE NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL OWNERS $800
MAY 15 (New York) - The New York Football Giants, Inc., were fined $800 by Federal Judge John C. Knox today - the maximum fixed by law - on its conviction of not recording on tickets the price charged above face value and the names of those selling them. Helen Mara, a niece of John and Tim Mara, sports promoters, who was working as a clerk, and Charles Chaplin, a clerk, were placed on probation for one day. The tickets were sold last December for a game between the Green Bay Packers and Giants.
in Columbus, Oct. 20, 1880, Carr's interest in sports dates from the time he managed a baseball team while in elementary school. When he was 20 year old, the year the American league was organized, Carr, an ardent follower of the White Sox, organized among employees of the Pennsylvania railroad, where he worked, a team know as the "Famous Pan Handle White Sox". The team gained a reputation in semi-professional ranks throughout the country...ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR: About that time Carr went to work as assistant sports editor of the Ohio State Journal, continuing in that position for six years. In 1904, when professional football first was gaining recognition in the midwest, he organized the Pan Handle football team, featuring the six Nesser brothers. This team for many years was the outstanding club in the professional game. In 1906 he became secretary of the Ohio State Baseball league and two year later was made president. The league was disbanded in 1916, because of the war, but in 1922 a disagreement split the old Blue Grass league in Kentucky, and some of the teams joined with the Ohio State organization, Carr was made president of the joint organization....PRESIDENT IN 1921: The NFL had its birth at a meeting at Canton in 1920. Carr was made president in 1921. He was reelected to head the league year after year under his administration it grew to imposing proportions. When professional basketball began to get a foothold in 1925, Carr organized the American Basketball League, with clubs in Brooklyn, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, Rochester, Cleveland, Fort Wayne and Chicago. He induced the Arena corporation, Philadelphia, and the Madison Square Garden corporation, in New York, to install basketball teams. Carr was the league's first president but withdrew after three years because of other business. In the meantime he had become president of the Columbus Baseball club. After operating the team through the season of 1926, the owner, Thomas E. Wilson of Chicago, sold the club to the Cincinnati National league club, and Carr continued as president until the winter of 1931-32, when the St. Louis Cardinals bought the Columbus club and made Larry S. MacPhail, another Columbus resident, its president...MINOR LEAGUE PROMOTER: Since 1932 his baseball activities have centered on promoting minor leagues. He had intended to retire from baseball that year, but when the National association offered him a place in its executive committee to develop a program to rehabilitate minor league baseball, he accepted. In that capacity he has engineered the revival of minor league baseball from the time when only half a dozen leagues were operating, and most of them in danger of folding up, up to last year's successful season for 37 leagues. He expected 40 minor leagues to operate through the 1939 campaign...FINISH COLLEGE CAREERS: He succeeded in establishing the rule that professional football teams would not sign up college player until four years from the time they entered the university. This rule prevented the proselyting of outstanding college players before they had finished their collegiate careers. Carr's last official act as president of the National league was the signing of a contract with the Chicago Tribune, assuring the preeminence of the Chicago All Star game by prohibiting league teams from competing against graduating players withheld from the contest. The widow and two children, Joseph F, Jr., and Mary, survive.
PACKERS SIGN NEW FULLBACK
MAY 27 (Green Bay) - Eddie McGroarty, talented fullback of Northland college at Ashland, Wis., today became the 12th member of the 1939 Green Bay Packer squad to place himself under contract. Coach E.L. Lambeau, in announcing the acquisition of McGroarty, stated that the Northland husky is believed to be the type of the numerous "unknowns" who have made outstanding reputations in professional football...PRAISED BY COACH: The newest Packers is 22 years old, weighs 200 pounds and stands two inches about six feet in height. His coach,. John T. Kendigan, Northland athletic director, wrote concerning him as follows: "In my judgment, McGroarty is the best player I have seen, as a triple threat man in the backfield. He had freshman experience at Marquette university under Frank Murray, and it was a miracle that we were able to get him up here at Ashland. We wouldn't have, had it not been for financial circumstances which made it difficult for him to live at Milwaukee. Moose Gardner (former Packer lineman, now at Ashland) has fallen for him harder than any other man we had here. McGroarty is a 60-minute man, and in the three years he played with us he never was on the bench a minute. He never lost a second because of an injury and had to carry the burden of attack and defense when sometimes we felt it positively abusive to keep using him. "...HAS GOOD INFLUENCE: "His influence as the cleanest living kid I know will in no wise hurt the Packer organization."
GOPHER TACKLE JOINS PACKERS
MAY 28 (Green Bay) - Another tackle was added to the Green Bay Packer line for next fall when Wallen William Kilbourne signed his contract after a conference with Coach E.L. Lambeau at Minneapolis Saturday. Kilbourne, known as "Cleets", is the 13th on this year's Packer roll. The new lineman was recommended by Assistant Coach Richard Smith who received his information from the line coaches at the University of Minnesota where Kilbourne was a member of the varsity for three years. Six feet three inches tall, Cleets weighs 230 pounds, an ideal build for professional play. He is 22 years age, and his home is in St. Paul...OUT OF SPOTLIGHT: Constant moving about in the Minnesota line kept Kilbourne out of the college spotlight despite his size and ability. He played both tackle and guard on both sides of the line, in transfers that marked his three years' play. Smith interviewed him, and then urged Coach Lambeau to sign him. Both coaches talked to him Saturday. Smith was in Minneapolis with the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team. "Because he has been moved about so much, Kilbourne will need considerable work to fit into the spot we have for him," Coach Lambeau said today. "We plan to use him at tackle. He has the size and a keen desire to play. A few weeks' practice and some experience should do the rest for him."..BRIGHT PRO PROSPECT: "Line coaches at Minnesota were enthusiastic about his play, and tagged him as a bright pro grid prospect," he added. Kilbourne was the second new Packer signed by Lambeau on a two-day dash to Minneapolis. The other was Eddie McGroarty, fullback from Northland college at Ashland, who weighs 200 pounds.
LOOKING UP IN THE REALM OF SPORTS
MAY 31 (Green Bay) - A famous college football coach, a few years back, made the remark that if you'd give him a team of fullbacks, he'd turn out a championship/ The coach went on to explain that boys who played the fullback position in high school could be used at any spot on a college team. They could be shoved in the line at any position, could be shifted to blocking quarterback, could be used at half. If that's the case, the Packers are as good as in, because there probably will be no fewer than 15 men on the 1939 Green Bay squad who played regularly as fullbacks in college. Most of them are at other positions now, and some will be changed around when they reach the Packers from collegiate ranks - but all had their start at fullback, so apparently the coach knew what he was talking about. Gunther of Santa Clara, Buhler of Minnesota, Balasz of Iowa are a few of the new men who starred as fullbacks in their recently completed university careers. Tony Falkenstein of St. Mary's, rugged gridder with whom the Packers are dickering, also played that vital position. Lock of Fordham, who tried out with the Packers last year, was released and may get another chance, was a fullback in college. Present Packer stalwarts, all of them fullbacks when toting the ball for dear old Something-or-Other, are Lee Mulleneaux, Buckets Goldenberg, Swede Johnston, Pete Tinsley, Clarke Hinkle, Eddie Jankowski, Dick Weisgerber, Hank Bruder and Herman Schneidman. The most recent fullback to join the roster is Eddie McGroarty of Northland college, whose backers proudly hail him as a man certain to stick in professional football. It's a hard assignment, but maybe he will. Coach Curly Lambeau of the Packers likes to sign fullbacks, because of their adaptability. He can use them as blocking backs, shift them to halves, where their size and strength make them useful in the tough pro grind, or he can leave them where they are.
THESE NEW PACKERS PACK WEIGHT, RATED VALUABLE
JUN 3 (Green Bay) - Football reflections off the summer pavement: Harry Jacunski, the Packers' latest end acquisition, was selected as the most valuable player on the Fordham university football team last fall...and that amounts to a pretty fair honor...the Fordham team was no pushover. Eddie McGroarty, who hopes to do some fullbacking for the Packers next fall, was the second heaviest man on the Northland college team at 200 pounds...the one heftier gridder was Bronko Nagurski's brother, who weighs 223 pounds and plays tackle...the rest of the team averaged about 180 pounds, which meant that the burden rested in no small measure upon McGroarty and Nagurski...both played freshmen football at Marquette. Richard (Red) Smith, Packer assistant coach, confessed to Coach Curly Lambeau at Minneapolis last week that football fever has taken hold...despite his baseball activity as Milwaukee Brewer coach, Red constantly is seeking promising talent for the Packers...Warren Kilbourne, giant Minnesota lineman signed last Saturday, was one of his finds...when the Packers gather for the first time in a couple of months, Red will be on hand. The first Packer practice and training date is Aug. 5, but there is a second, Aug. 12, for veterans who are in good condition...all rookies, and holdovers from last season who are overweight or haven't been training must be present for the earlier date...many are keeping the waistlines down with golf and softball...and at least one of them is skipping rope twice daily. Letters on conditioning have gone out to all players...when they do report it will be on an enlarged, completely fenced practice field...it is in the same location as the other (east of East High school), but its direction had been shifted...new modern training equipment also has been ordered. Don't be too surprised if Earl (Bud) Svendsen is back in the Packer lineup next fall...everything appears to be on the sunny side at Kirksville, Mo., Teachers college where Bud coaches, and they want him back next year, but Bud is tempted to return to a playing role...he and Andy Uram visited with Coach Lambeau on the Minneapolis jaunt. Many fans, and others with even a deeper interest in the game, figure that Uram will be one of the running sensations of the league next season...watch and see...he is only five pounds over playing weight. Confidence and trust note: Clarke Hinkle played the entire last season without an actual contract with the Green Bay Packers...he and Coach Lambeau had a gentlemen's agreement that they never got around to putting in writing...refreshing, to say the least, and probably a severe blow to the cynics who think that anything connected with professional sports must have something of an underworld touch. Don Ullmer, sought by the Packers, will not play professional football next fall...the Minnesota lineman has accepted a coaching job. The familiar visage of Milan Creighton, former Cardinal coach, will be missing around the football stadia in these parts next fall...Creighton has accepted a position with a Sioux City oil company after turning down an assortment of college coaching offers...but football is too much a part of him to keep him on an oil company shelf...he'll probably be back in the picture somewhere in another year.
acceptances and refusals will be rolling in, and the annual job of signing the veterans will be underway. Baby Ray wrote in to Lambeau, asking for practice shoes, a pair of oversized dogs dear to the heart of the ex-Vanderbilt giant. Ray's weight is down to 242, and he is in the pink of condition. Right now it looks as though that left tackle job, more or less monopolized last fall by Champ Seibold, will be a wide open affair among Seibold, Ray, Dick Zoll, and Slats Wyrick, the U.C.L.A. lineman. Zoll is working hard and conscientiously to make the Green Bay team after several seasons at Cleveland. He is a former Green Bay West High and Indiana university tackle. Bunny Schoemann, the Marquette center who looked great until injured in the Cardinal game at Buffalo, will report two weeks early for summer conditioning work. The Cardinals are conducting a campaign to get Frank Balasz, University of Iowa fullback upon whom Lambeau is counting heavily, but the Packer coach has no intention of giving up his contract. Add left tackle prospects - the one and only Ernie Smith, when and if he signs.
TACKLE TALENT PLENTIFUL FOR 1939 PACKER MACHINE
JUN 23 (Green Bay) - More ante bellum chatter is being expended on Packer tackle prospects for the coming season than any other position on the Green Bay grid squad. Somebody once said that as its tackles go, so goes a football team; thus, it is not altogether surprising that when talk runs to touchdowns at pool rooms, soda fountains, bars and women's bridge clubs up with "What about tackles?" The question is reminiscent of a friend, who during a classroom discussion of human behavior, once stopped everything with the questions, "What about an ape?" There was some vague connection between his query and the subject at hand, but while it may have been clear enough in his mind, no one else got the point. So it is with the Packer tackle situation. To answer questions about that particular position one would have to accept the foregone conclusion that something is wrong - that there is a question. Because no one comes up with an analysis to justify questioning tackle play of the past season, and possibilities for the next, a review of the setup may help clear the air. First, it might be well to look to the coach himself. Producing league statistics on the matter, Curly Lambeau laid last season's tackle situation wide open on his office desk yesterday with the comment, "Take a look at it yourself." The "look" disclosed that fewer yards were gained over Packer tackles by their opponents than Packer backs gained over opposing tackles during the last season. The boys on the other side of the line included the all-Americas, Ed Widseth of Minnesota and Joe Stydahar of the Chicago Bears. And that was that. As the figures sank in, Curly said, "Too often our ends didn't come through, and the spectators heaped the blame upon the tackles...Sometimes the fault was with the man on the other side of the tackle, and occasionally the secondary defense was lax."...OFFENSE GANGS UP: The Packer coach explained that because the Packer tackles are big, it was the common practice of opposing teams to put extra men on Ray, Lee, Seibold et al. He pointed out that if an end, a tackle and a wingback all get to work on the defensive tackle, some help must be expected from the defensive end, the man backing up the line, and possible the guard. It is a reasonable request, to say the least. Still, the five Packer tackles of last season, according to their records as a group, were as strong as the similar contingent of any team in the league. Nevertheless, things will be even better next fall. Inasmuch as the purpose of all life is improvement, there will be no exception to this noble aim in the Green Bay Packer line. From last year's squad will come the nucleus. This will include Baby Ray, who already is conditioning himself in Nashville; Bill Lee, who is wrestling out of Memphis; Champ Seibold, who is on the west coast; and Leo Katalinas, who is working in Shenandoah, Penn. Frank Butler will not be back. One of the season's principal additions will be Dick Zoll, a Green Bay product who spent two years in the Cleveland line after graduating from Indiana. Zoll was used at both guard and tackle on both sides of the line with the Rams, and he plugged each gap well. With the Packers he should reach the peak of his effectiveness because he will be used at left tackle only - his favorite position and the one at which he has been outstanding...ROOKIES COMING UP: Rookies, personally interviewed by Coach Lambeau before signing contracts, who will press the veterans for jobs are Charlie Schultz of Minnesota, Cleets Kilbourne of Minnesota and Slats Wyrick of U.C.L.A. Kilbrourne, like Zoll, saw service all over the line. Here he will settle down to one position. Ernie Smith, the veteran from Southern Call, probably will be on hand. He has just about decided to play, and it is just a matter of terms between him and the Packer front office now. Another 225-pounder who shows every indication of joining Packer ranks is Paul Kell of Notre Dame. Ray and Seibold are left tackle, and Zoll will wind up there. Lee and Katalinas are right tackles, and Kilbourne probably will be broken in on the starboard side. Wyrick and Schultz will be placed on whichever side they play best. Smith is one of the greatest left tackles in the business. Kell plays on the right side. All of which should answer the question, "What about tackles?"
the squad, Gantenbein at the same time is one of the most efficient. He has been a veritable stone wall at right end, is flawless both on defense and offense, and is an excellent pass receiver. Built unlike the traditional end, stocky and powerful, the Packer captain has played a furious, conscientious type of game throughout his athletic life. He is a native of La Crosse, and starred at Wisconsin, where he was captain of the Badger varsity. During his long competitive stretch with the Packers he has scored seven touchdowns, ranking 21st with Carl Lidberg and George Henry Sauer on the team's all-time scoring list. Milt scales 205 pounds, is 29 years old, married, and lives in Green Bay. Athletically, he plays softball in the off-season and at present is performing with the Astor Bombers.
PACKER NOTES
JUL 13 (Manitowoc) - Almost every day brings word of additions to the Green Bay Packer fold. Latest to sign is Nick Miketinac, former St. Norbert college guard, who played four varsity seasons for the Green Knights. At the start of last season the Hermansville, Mich., boy joined the Packers and began the stiff assignment of breaking into pro ball. At mid-season he was released and returned to St. Norbert, where he coached freshman football and basketball teams. Now he's back for another crack at the pro league. He weighs between 205 and 210 pounds, is extremely strong and is anxious to make good with the Packers.
Lambeau and his "brain trust" have traveled far and thought much in an effort to plug the weak spots of last year's team - a team that was good enough to get the Western division championship in the NFL...HAVE FIVE CENTERS: "We have five centers, for one thing," he announced, "The team was rather weak in that department the last season. These five men should fill that hole most effectively." Ten tackles are on the 1939 roster, filling another department that let the Packers down several times in 1938. There are eight guards, eight ends and 17 in the backfield. The Packer board of strategy realizes that Green Bay is the smallest city of the 10 that have NFL teams, Coach Lambeau stated. "Personally, I feel that we will always have a team in the first league, but I also know that in order to do so, we must continue to finish in the first division. Once we get in the second division, we are on the way out. As long as we have drawing power in the big cities, just so long can we stay in the league."...THREE-WAY NEED: Professional football, the coach asserted, is a combination of showmanship, business and sport. Every team must have all three, if it is to last, but some emphasize one more than the other. The sport angle, he said, has been stressed in Green Bay. "It seems highly probable that the Packers will pay a little more attention to showmanship in the future, never forgetting, however, the sport element. Just what form this will take is a problem that will have to be worked out." Coach Lambeau interviewed all prospects before signing them for the coming season, he continued. Often a man does not do well in pro football, and at other times he has been overcolored or misjudged by enthusiastic, self-appointed press agents. The Packers have attempted to provide permanent employment for their players, but Lambeau believes that more can be done in this regard. "We now have an employment committee, and are taking in the whole state in our search for positions. Wisconsin as a whole has adopted the Packers, and is taking a personal interest in the men."...HIGH SALARIES PROBLEM: "High salaries paid by some of the other teams is one of our problems. If we can give the employment of men full consideration, we can help win this battle." Coach Lambeau also spoke briefly of his recent trip to Europe. "You don't hear much war talk over there. I believe that the newspapers and the radio, especially the radio, are overplaying the subject in a search for drama." Gratifying, Lambeau said, was the friendliness the Germans feel toward the United States. They fear Hitler, he admitted, but apparently do not go with him as much as many would have Americans believe.
PACKER NOTES
JUN 27 (Manitowoc) - New addition to the Packer colony - it's a boy at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Milt Gantenbein...A football fans' association at Ironwood, Mich., has reserved 300 seats for the Detroit-Packer game in Green Bay on October 22...The Packer practice field east of City Stadium is to be completely enclosed this fall so that Curly Lambeau can hold secret practice...Eddie Jankowski has arrived in Green Bay to start work in a manufacturing plant and Coach Lambeau greeted him with open arms, a contract in one hand...An important date on Lambeau's desk calendar is July 29 when the NFL meets in Pittsburgh to talk over the troublesome question of officiating. Curly has a few things he'd like to get off his chest.
JOHN LOCK WILL TRY FOR REGULAR PACKER POSITION
JUN 28 (Green Bay) - With the business of negotiating new contract arrangements with former players now under way, Coach E.L. Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers today announced that John Lock, former Fordham fullback who performed half of the 1938 season here, will try for a regular spot on the 1939 team. Lambeau has sent out contracts to all of the 1939 players he wants to report Aug. 5, the official opening date of the Packer practice season. A couple have been returned unsigned, but he has yet to hear from most of the men. If all report who are invited, their total, with the first year men expected, will be 48 - the largest squad in Green Bay history. Lock will be used at the blocking back position next fall, the Packer coach said. He reported last year highly recommended by Coach Jimmy Crowley, but he carried with him a leg injury acquired in an Eastern All Star game. With this handicap he was unable to stick on the Green Bay squad, and was shipped back East. He took a layoff of several weeks and then played excellent football with the New York Yankees in the American league, all of which led to his signing for 1939. He is the first veteran Packer to send in his name. Lock weighs 210 pounds, and stands an inch and a half under six feet in height...TIME MARCHES ON: Packer news is beginning to buzz around town, despite hot weather and the length of time remaining before the opening kickoff against the Pittsburgh Pirates Aug. 26. Crowley will have another candidate on the 1939 squad - husky Harry Jacunski, an end who allegedly is the pro football type. Incidentally, the Fordham coach will arrive here within a few days, and will spend the month of July at an Ephraim cottage with his mother and wide. Bunny Schoemann and Tom Greenfield, centers from Marquette and Arizona, respectively, will arrive earlier than the main guard, and will undergo conditioning work in anticipation of the season...SVENDSEN MAY RETIRE: Lambeau believes that the center corps also will be strengthened by the return of Bud Svendsen, although he has made no definite announcement concerning that young game, star of the 1938 playoff game with New York and currently coach at Kirksville State Teachers college, Missouri. The Pittsburgh-Packer game at City stadium Aug. 26 will be a non-league engagement played under the lights. The Packers then will play a Texas All-Star crew at Dallas Labor Day night, and will be home to launch their National league season against the Chicago Cardinals Sept. 17.
BRUTE MULLENEAUX SIGNS PACKER CONTRACT FOR 1939
JUN 30 (Green Bay) - Lee (Brute) Mulleneaux, one-time center on University of Arizona teams, has signed to play with the Green Bay Packers again this fall, Coach E.L. Lambeau announced today. Mulleneaux, a brother of Packer end Carl Mulleneaux, was obtained by the Packers in mid-season last year after his release by the Chicago Cardinals, and turned in some pretty good performances for the Western division champions. He was handicapped all the way by a bad ankle, but his part in maintaining the battered Packer center corps at full strength was not unimpressive, and in the opinion of Lambeau, deserved another try...CLOSE TO 220: Mulleneaux weighs close to 220 pounds, stands an inch over six feet, and revels in the nickname of "Brute". During the winter he was employed at Los Angeles, where he lived with his family, and in a recent letter to his brother, Carl, he stated that never in his life did he feel more enthusiastic about playing football.
PACKER NOTES
JUL 1 (Manitowoc) - Clarke Hinkle, Green Bay Packer fullback accompanied Coach E.L. Lambeau to Appleton recently when Lambeau addressed the Lions club. Clarke went along for the ride and operated the projector on which the movies were shown which set the stage for Lambeau's best crack of the evening: "When a man has played as long for us as Hinkle, we let him run the machine"...Dane rumor has it that wedding bells will soon ring for Johnny Howell, Nebraska backfielder who was a freshman with the Green Bay Packers in 1938. Howell is now engaged in the real estate business at Bethesda, Maryland, and he recently queried a Green Bay jeweler about the price of rings and other things.
WEISGERBER WILL REJOIN PACKERS FOR 1939 SEASON
JUL 5 (Green Bay) - Another member of the Green Bay Packers' 1938 football brigade, which won the Western division championship of the NFL, was back in the fold today, as Coach E.L. Lambeau announced today the signing of Dick Weisgerber, former Williamette fullback. Wiesgerber, who didn't win his spurs as a regular last year, due to the presence of the squad of Clarke Hinkle and others of comparable talents, was rated a back with a lot of potentialties, and Lambeau predicts for him a successful season. Big and powerful, aggressive and intelligent, he is believed capable of developing into a National league veteran, and he certainly is slated for a greater amount of action in 1939 than he received previously. Weisgerber actually put in little playing time in 1938. The rigorous Packer schedule demanded the presence of experienced hands, and the former West Coaster spent most of his Packer hours in a practice uniform, or on the bench. Nevertheless, he had his moments...SHIFTED TO QUARTERBACK: He is an excellent punter and so good a blocker that Lambeau, for a time, shifted him to blocking quarterback, in one of a series of experiments, involving that position. Furthermore, he is a burly ball carrier, and his season of experience in the Packer backfield, exclusive of league appearances, gave him defensive work which may bear fruit next fall. He weighs above the 200 mark, and is starting his second year with Green Bay. Coach Lambeau expects him to report a day or two before the official opening of practice, Aug. 5.
LOOKING UP IN THE REALM OF SPORTS
JUL 5 (Green Bay) - When the Green Bay Packers moved into Rhinelander, equipment and all, in 1935 for a training period at the northern Wisconsin resort city, the entire community went quietly nuts about them and had more than a little fun doing it. The Packers had the run of the town, although they were kept well confined and completely busy,, and the townspeople experienced all varieties of fun watching them practice, getting their autographs and reading about their antics in the local newspaper. To bring the setting closer home geographically, Two Rivers, Wis., is preparing to undergo the throes of a similar visitation, with the definite word from Johnny Blood, coach of the Pittsburgh professional football Pirates, that his Black Battalion will descend upon that municipal icebox Saturday, Aug. 5, for a period of calisthenics and gridiron brain work. The occasion may pass almost unnoticed locally, for the Packers, sturdily reinforced since the end of the 1938 season, will shove off on their own practice efforts the same day, and most Green Bay fans will concentrate upon the local event, putting the presence of the Pirates into the back of their heads for future reference. Later, they may drive over to Two Rivers and see what Blood is doing to his rascals, who are billed to storm the Packer ramparts at City stadium Saturday evening, Aug. 26, in an exhibition game. But in Two Rivers, the community will boil around the Pirates for several weeks. Good, staunch Packer fans may find their loyalty wavering in the face of the Pittsburgh decision to choose Two Rivers in its stamping grounds. After meeting the potent Pirates, and talking with the colorful Blood, the Two Rivers fans, among the most loyal the Packers possess, may decide to cast their votes with Art Rooney's team in the National league race. Of course, the Packers will win them back later, for the Pirates will be temporary, and Two Rivers, after all, is subject to the heat of the Packer territory. The guess is, however, that a good portion of that community's citizens will hit the trail to Green Bay Aug. 26, with the idea in mind of witnessing a triumph for their adopted gridders.
ENGEBRETSEN, LETLOW IN FOLD FOR 1939 SEASON
JUL 6 (Green Bay) - Two husky guards, both thoroughly experienced in the ways of professional football, have affixed their names to Green Bay Packer contracts for 1939, Coach E.L. Lambeau announced today. They are Paul (Tiny) Engebretsen, former Northwestern university lineman, and Russell Letlow, who starred for the University of San Francisco. The contracts of the veterans are now beginning to come in to the Packer office, and most of the first year men already are signed. The result already has given Lambeau cause for optimism, and he expects that most of his 1938 personnel will be in line before the opening of the practice season Aug. 5 - four weeks from next Saturday. Engebretsen has had a remarkable career with the Packers. Although a lineman, and ponderously built, he ranks 20th on the Green Bay all-time scoring list, with 47 points, achieved on 20 points after touchdown and nine field goals. He has booted more of the latter than any other Packers except Clarke Hinkle and Cub Buck, who have 12 apiece, and only five men - Hinkle, Bob Monnett, Buck, Ernie Smith and Red Dunn - have outscored him in extra points. Engebretsen is one of the most cold-blooded and nerveless athletes ever to play with the Packers. In a tight game, with three points vitally needed from the field, there are few men the fans would rather see attempt a placement. None who witnessed the feat will forget the last minute field goal, which beat the Detroit Lions at City stadium in 1936, 20 to 18, and he came through with another late kick which saved the day against the Chicago Cardinals at Buffalo last fall. The big fellow weighs 240 pounds, and stands an inch above six feet. He has played six years of pro football, four and a half of them with Green Bay...WEST COAST VETERAN: Letlow's excellent guard play last fall earned him a position on the first all-league team, one of three Packers so honored. The others were Hinkle and Don Hutson. The chunky, powerful ex-San Francisco ace weighs 212 pounds and is six feet tall, possessing the strength and speed so vital in guard performance. Russ will be starting his fourth year as a Packer and his coach expects it to be one of his best. In a considerable measure he has taken over the reputation built up by Texas Christian's Lon Evans during his years of service here.
CLARKE HINKLE IS READY FOR HIS EIGHTH PRO YEAR
JUL 7 (Green Bay) - William Clarke Hinkle, who starred nearly a decade ago with Bucknell university in its Eastern gridiron ward, today came to terms with the Green Bay Packers for his eighth season of professional football. The super-durable Hinkle, one of three Packers who won positions on the official all-league team last fall, is among the first of the veteran Green Bay stars to sign his 1939 contract, Coach E.L. Lambeau announced. Last season Hinkle was a holdout until shortly before the practice season opened, but he found his teams acceptable several weeks earlier this year. If there are any Packer fans who do not rank Hinkle among the greatest football players in the nation, they never have made themselves audible. The second highest scoring back in Packer history - ranking second only to the great Verne Lewellen, whose total he is overhauling rapidly - Hinkle has been a true all-American professional and has been recognized as such for several seasons. He launched his Green Bay career in 1932, and he never has played with any other club. In his seven league seasons he has scored 239 points (Lewellen made 301), and he made them in every way possible. His topheavy point list includes 30 touchdowns, 23 points after touchdown and 12 field goals. He and Cub Buck (1922-25) are tied for the most field goals in Packer history. Only Bob Monnett, Buck, Ernie Smith and Red Dunn kicked more extra points than Hinkle. Only Lewellen, Johnny Blood and Don Hutson scored more touchdowns. He is one of five Packers who attained more than 100 points for Green Bay, the others being Lewellen, Blood, Hutson and Lambeau. Clarke excels in every branch of the game. He is one of the best punters on the squad, and is perhaps its most effective blocker. He is a terrific ball carrier, a flawless man on defense, a fair forward passer. To these characteristics he brings a flaming competitive spirit, and although he has placed seven bruising years of pro football behind him, last season was his greatest. He weighs 203 pounds, and stands an inch under six feet.
PETE TINSLEY, SOPHOMORE GUARD, REJOINS PACKERS
JUL 8 (Green Bay) - The signed contract of Pete Tinsley, former University of Georgia guard who was a Packer freshman last fall, has been received by Coach E.L. Lambeau, he announced today, ready to resume training with the rest of the Packers Saturday Aug. 5. Tinsley, a husky, stocky individual who weighs 205 pounds and stands five feet eight inches in height, is built perfectly for the guard position, and saw a lot of service last year, his first as a professional. Before that, he performed for three varsity seasons at Georgia. Pete is a native of Spartanburg, Ga., but at present is employed in Green Bay. He is inclined to be quite, is a hard worker and a conscientious performer both in practice and during competition. He is the third regular guard to be signed for the 1939 season, the others being Tiny Engebretsen and Russ Letlow.
PACKER NOTES
JUL 9 (Madison) - Dr. W.W. Kelley, Green Bay, was here Friday in connection with his duties as a member of the State Board of Health. As a sideline, Dr. Kelley is the medical adviser for the Green Bay Packers and one of the organization's strongest boosters. He says that 48 men have been signed up, and that the Packer coaching staff is particularly enthusiastic about a star end from North Carolina. Wisconsin's star guard, Lynn Hovland, has not signed - he wanted too much money. Dr. Kelley says that Buckets Goldenberg is expected to have one of his greatest years as a running guard and that he will be the outstanding guard in the pro circuit.
JOHNSTON TO REJOIN BAYS
JUL 10 (Green Bay) - Chester (Swede) Johnston, the fullback and blocking quarterback who was transplanted to the guard position, will be back in harness with the Green Bay Packers this fall. Coach E.L. Lambeau announced today that Johnston has accepted terms for 1939. Chet is an Appleton product, and in days gone by starred at fullback for the Terrors. He is remembered as one of the greatest athletes in Fox River Valley conference history, and his broad jump of 22 feet 1 inch still stands as the Valley record. After leaving high school and dabbling in a couple of colleges, Johnston launched a pro football career which included competition both with the Packers and the St. Louis Gunners. At one time he was traded to Cleveland, but he didn't report, and at the end of last season he was back in a Green Bay uniform, playing a creditable game of guard for the Western champions. Lambeau believes that Johnston will be useful at his new position. He is built close to the ground, weighs 202 pounds, and is one of the hardest and most conscientious workers on the squad. There is no better team man on the Packer roster. He will be starting his fifth season here.
MIKETINAC BACK IN PACKER FOLD
JUL 11 (Green Bay) - Nick Miketinac, former St. Norbert college guard who leaped into prominence nationally during the 1938 All-Star football poll, will be back in a Green Bay uniform this fall, trying for a regular spot with the Western championship team, Coach E.L. Lambeau announced today. The Packer squad is beginning to take shape, although a number of the veteran performers have not yet signed their contracts, Lambeau has the situation well in hand and expects regular announcements from now until the practice season opens officially Aug. 5. Miketinac started at St. Norbert before that college installed its freshman rule, and thus played four varsity seasons. Under Coach Mickey McCormick, he was a power in the Knight forward wall, and enthusiastic students nominated him for the Chicago All-Star game. Moreover, they gave him a good ride, and his name finished well up on the big list. His hometown is Hermansville, Mich., and he drew much support from the Upper Peninsula. At the start of the pro football season he joined the Packers, and began the stiff assignment of breaking into professional ball. At mid-season he was released, and returned to St. Norbert, where he coached freshman football and basketball teams...HE'S BACK AGAIN: Now he is back for another crack at the pro league, and Lambeau expects that his year of seasoning will stand with him in his sophomore season. Miketinac goes between 205 and 210 pounds in weight, is extremely strong, and is anxious to make good with the Packers. Nick's younger brother, Tony, will be a junior guard at St. Norbert college this fall.
POTSY CLARK SAYS PACKERS WILL REACH PLAYOFF AGAIN
JUL 12 (New York) - Football supremacy will be captured by the East this season. This bold assertion is made by Coach Potsy Clark of the Brooklyn Dodgers. It is confined to the NFL, whose member clubs still are signing numerous stars from last year's foremost college teams. With refreshing candor Coach Clark, whose skill for judging gridiron values is nationally known, figures the championship New York Giants will have the edge in the East; that in the championship playoff game early next December the Giants again will battle Green Bay's Packers, and for the third straight year the league title will come to the Atlantic seaboard...GIANTS STILL YOUNG: "Those Giants are still a young bunch, an upcoming team. Steve Owen is strongly fortified in every position with the exception of center, where the great Mel Hein unquestionably has passed his peak. Furthermore, the Giants will have the confidence and poise that is characteristic of all championship teams," says Coach Clark. "Right on the Giants' heels will be our Dodgers. We have a young squad. We'll have some very powerful newcomers. I reckon Brooklyn will be the championship contender in the East." Potsy's dependence on his recruits is well founded. The Dodgers drew a formidable flock of players in the draft, including Bob MacLeod, Dartmouth's All-America halfback. "The Philadelphia Eagles, with the addition of Davey O'Brien, will be tougher this season," continued Clark. "So will the Pittsburgh Pirates. Washington's Redskins, however, appear to be on the downgrade. They will be a fairly old team, and will continue to miss several key men from their 1937 championship aggregation." The Brooklyn coach believes Green Bay again be the class in the West, followed by the Chicago Bears. The Detroit Lions and Chicago Cardinals likely will be big question marks, while Dutch Clark, Cleveland's new mentor, is making what may prove to be a noble experiment with the Rams. Most of Potsy Clark's gridiron career was spent in the Middle West. He was one of Illinois' greatest quarterbacks and successfully coached National league teams at Portsmouth and Detroit.
ERNIE SMITH RETURNS TO GREEN BAY PACKER SQUAD
JUL 15 (Green Bay) - Ernie Smith, one of the greatest names on the gridiron roster of the University of Southern California, representing a tackle who has made football history both for the Trojans and the Green Bay Packers, will be seen again in Packer lineups next fall. The signing of Smith after a one-year absence from professional football was announced today by Coach E.L. Lambeau, bringing the rapidly expanding Packer squad total to 32. The list includes five ends, six tackles, seven guards, four centers and 10 backs. Ernie Smith put in three strenuous seasons with the Packers before he "retired" at the end of the 1937 season. Last year he operated his insurance trust business at Los Angeles, but found time to play a bit of football on the side, with the Los Angeles Bulldogs and the Pacific Coast All-Stars. He appeared against several Packers, including Clarke Hinkle and Don Hutson in the latter game and played to excellent advantage. Smith is one of the greatest offensive tackles football has produced. Weighing better than 220 pounds, standing two inches above six feet, he is a tower of strength no matter which team has the ball, and he has won all-league recognition for his mighty performances...DEADLY POINT KICKER: In addition, he is one of the deadliest placement kickers in the game. In his short career with the Packers, he booted 41 points after touchdown, more than have been kicked in league competition by any Packer except Joseph (Red) Dunn, who accounted for 46 over a span of five seasons. It was one of Ernie's great disappointments, when he left the Packers that he did not have an opportunity to excel Dunn's record. Now, most likely, he will get his chance to break the mark; and establish a new one many points higher. Smith added six field goals to his scoring record, and has an all-time total of 59 points, which places him 17th on the Packer squad list, only one point behind Cub Buck, Eddie Kotal, Weert Engelmann, Buckets Goldenberg and Joe Laws, all of whom are tied for 12th position with 60 points apiece.
HANK BRUDER BACK WITH PACKER GRIDDERS AGAIN
JUL 17 (Green Bay) - Popular Hank Bruder, the man who can't retire, has signed for another season of professional football with the Green Bay Packers, Coach E.L. Lambeau announced today and the 1939 Packer roster numbers 33 men. Bruder, who is one of the all-time high scorers of the Green Bay team, is ready for his ninth season of pro football, which makes him, with Arnold Herber and Milt Gantenbein, the oldest in point of service on the squad. And his many fans know he'll play until he drops, for it was only last season that Hank decided he was through with football, only to sign up when the urge to play overcame his previous decision. He whipped himself quickly into shape, and was a valuable cog in the Packer machine throughout the season, playing blocking quarterback. Although Bruder was a running and passing halfback at Northwestern university before his postgraduate work started, it has been at the blocking back position that he has been of greatest service to the Packers. He mows down the opposition with sledgehammer effectiveness, and has reduced the art of blocking to a science...SEVENTH HIGH SCORER: Although he has carried the ball infrequently in recent seasons, Bruder is the seventh highest all-time Packer scorer, being topped only be Verne Lewellen, Clarke Hinkle, Johnny Blood, Don Hutson, Curly Lambeau and Bob Monnett. Furthermore, he needs only one more touchdown - just six points - to make him the sixth man in Green Bay history to pass the 100 mark in scoring. Through his National league playing days Hank has scored 15 touchdowns and four extra points, for a total of 94. He is one of the best liked and most genial members of the squad. He is a year-around resident of Green Bay, operating a tire shop.
JOE LAWS 34TH PACKER TO SIGN 1939 CONTRACT
JUL 18 (Green Bay) - The 34th Packer to sign his contract for 1939 is Joe Laws, the former Iowa university halfback, who drove into the city yesterday and saw Coach E.L. Lambeau long enough to get set for the coming football season. Lambeau expects that Laws, who has completed five seasons with the Packers, will have one of his greatest years. The husky, stocky former Hawkeye is anxious to get started, and will report in advance of the official opening date, Aug. 5. Laws, a native of Colfax, Iowa, is one of Green Bay's real veterans. A hard runner and effective blocker, he plays the right halfback position and usually is the Packer starter at that post. He possesses a world of courage and is an expert signal caller. Joe is a good man to lug the ball home, as is revealed by his 10 touchdowns for 60 points in National league competition. This mark places him in a tie for 12th place on the Packer all-time scoring list, with Cub Buck, Eddie Kotal, Weert Engelmann and Buckets Goldenberg. Joe is married, and is the father of a son, Jimmy, aged one and a half years. Mrs. Laws and Jimmy will make their home in Green Bay this fall.
DUBUQUE STAR JOINS PACKERS
JUL 19 (Green Bay) - A husky, speedy young halfback with aspirations to win a place on the Green Bay Packer football squad today was signed to a 1939 contract, Coach E.L. Lambeau announced. The new gridiron candidate is Donald (Weenie) Wilson, 170-pound back who started at Dubuque university under Coach Bob Fitzke. Lambeau has never seen Wilson in action, but the young fellow comes highly recommended and will be given every opportunity to make a name for himself in pro football. Coach Fitzke wrote to Lambeau as follows: "Wilson played two years at the University of Wisconsin and one with me at Dubuque, gaining the distinction of being the fastest and most sensational back this part of the Midwest ever has seen. We had just a fair line and no blocking except for Blaha, but still he averaged two touchdowns per game."...CAN GET TOUCHDOWNS: "With any good club which has a good line and blocking halfbacks, this kid can get you a touchdown whenever you give your men the signal to really put on the pressure within scoring territory. Here's what Weenie can do: he punts 60 to 70 yards with little effort; placekicks; passes beautifully far and short; and packs that old apple like Red Grange, only faster, Wilson is a 10-second man. He weighs 170 pounds and stands 5 feet 10 inches in height." Lambeau has accepted the recommendation on its face value, and Weenie will be in the Green Bay lineup when practice opens here Aug. 5.
LOOKING UP IN THE REALM OF SPORTS
JUL 19 (Green Bay) - "You get that football itch at certain periods of the year," explained Joe Laws, who dropped in during a rest period in his apartment-hunting program to talk about the Packers, babies and the Iowa corn crop. Being a proud father during the past year and a half, Joe needs no urging to discuss young Jimmy, who has been a bit unhappy lately due to the actions of a few teeth. The Packer right halfback refuses to predict whether the youngster will play football or not, but he admits Jimmy is a husky kid. Joe lugs around 195 pounds now, which is some 10 pounds better than his playing weight, and he has made a bet with Coach Curly Lambeau that he clip it off by Aug. 1 "I always go around 195 during the offseason," he explained. "I hibernate in the winter, you know," with a laugh. His hibernation consists of operating a pool parlor at his home in Colfax. Iowa. Crops in Iowa, where the tall corn grows, are very good, Joe commented. He added that he has seen a number of the Packers during the off-season, including blocking quarterback Herman Schneidman, who is at his home in Quincy, Ill. "Tiny Engebretsen came in to say hello during the winter," he supplemented. Laws thinks that the coming year, his sixth in professional football, will be his best. While laconic as always, he admitted that the urge to get back into togs was beginning to be a pretty important matter in his life. Laws probably will continue to carry a good slice of the right half burden next fall. Arnold Herber also played that position last year, as did Johnny Howell. Probably one or two of the new men will break in at the spot this fall, but you can bet that the veteran Laws won't be overlooked, not for a minute.
HOVLAND, BEST NEW ASSISTANT U.W. COACHES
JUL 21 (Madison) - Four new appointments have been made to the University of Wisconsin athletic coaching staff, it was announced today by M.E. McCaffrey, secretary of the board of regents. New assistants were named in football, track and freshman basketball. Lynn Hovland, regular guard on Coach Harry Stuhldreher's 1938 football team, was appointed assistant with the grid squad. Hovland's appointment sets aside reports that the Bloomer, Wis. husky would join the Green Bay Packers roster this August. Hovland was asked to become a Packer, but refused when the Green Bay management would not meet his salary demands.
NATIONAL GRID LOOP OFFICIALS HOLD MEET
JUL 21 (Pittsburgh) - The NFL's annual officials meeting opening here Saturday has for its chief purposes clarification of rule interpretations and improved officiating. More than 100 club owners, coaches and game officials are expected to attend. The first day will be devoted to officiating problems with Hugh Ray of Chicago, one of the country's leading authorities, conducting an interpretation session. This will be followed by mental and physical tests for the league's staff of officials...AGILITY IS REQUIRED: Officiating qualifications this year are the strictest in the league's history. Not only must handlers of games be mentally proficient, but also must possess physical ability to keep pace with speedy ball carriers. Sunday the club owners and coaches will try to consummate pending player trades and complete routine league business. One Pittsburgh deal hanging fire would send Clarence (Tuffy) Thompson, speedy halfback from Minnesota, to the Green Bay Packers for Frank Butler, 246-pound tackle who spent one year at Notre Dame but played three years of football for Michigan State.
PACKER NOTES
JUL 22 (Madison) - Champ Seibold, former frosh grid star at Wisconsin and for the past several years a member of the Green Bay Packers, has joined the Chicago police force. Lou Gordon is another former pro gridder, who has joined the force. Lou having passed the exams with the highest grade of any rookie policeman. Chicago has a number of ex-college grid stars on the force and the boys are making good in fine fashion.
CARDINALS MOST IMPROVED PRO GRID TEAM, HALAS
JUL 23 (Pittsburgh) - The NFL opens its 20th season with the greatest array of big name rookies in its history. This, plus an increased interest in football manifested by the tremendous vote being polled in the nationwide contest to select the All-America squad in the Chicago All-Star game, indicates to George Halas, owner of the Chicago Bears, that professional football will enjoy its most prosperous season. Halas has been in the NFL since its
PACKER-PIRATE FOOTBALL DOUBLEHEADER GETS O.K.
JUL 24 (Green Bay) - Two announcements of key importance to Green Bay Packer football fans came out of the meeting, held at Pittsburgh last weekend, of the NFL, Coach E.L. Lambeau reported here today. First, the proposed doubleheader between the Packers and the Pittsburgh Pirates at City stadium Saturday, Aug. 26, has been approved. This means that the Packers and Pirates will collide in two regulation football games, with each squad sending more than four full teams into combat. Second, Tuffy Thompson, hard running ex-Minnesota halfback, who starred at Pittsburgh last season but was dissatisfied with the teams., comes to the Packers in exchange for Frank Butler, giant center and tackle. Lambeau also announced the acquisition by Pittsburgh of Bernard Scherer, former Nebraska end who has played several seasons with the Packers. The officials' class, held for the first time following a resolution by Lambeau, was a great success. Referees, umpire, head linesmen and field judges of the National league attended 100 percent, and many rules interpretations were straightened out. A still examination was given all officials, and each must attain a passing grade to be permitted to work National league games next fall. Another incentive to good officiating was added when salaries of officials were raised by almost 100 percent. Lambeau and Blood's announcement that the Packers and Pirates will meet in a doubleheader caused a sensation at the league meeting, it being the first such gridiron contest in history. Two games of 40 minutes each will be played, and Lambeau returned from the meeting with 10 or 12 reservations, already made by league officials and club owners. Seats will be reserved for the City stadium clash, which promises to draw the largest non-league crowd in the Packers' history. Lambeau believes that Thompson will be potent addition to the Packer lineup. He didn't like Pittsburgh, and was anxious to come to Green Bay, where he will bid for the position left vacant by Bob Monnett's retirement...TAKES HIS CHANCE: Butler has announced that he will not play football this fall, but Coach Blood was willing to take his chance on that angle. Scherer announced several months ago that he was through, but recently contacted Lambeau and asked for a contract. In the meantime the Packer coach has lined up his end corps satisfactorily, so Scherer will be used a trading material. Carl L. Storck, Dayton, Ohio, who has been acting president and secretary since the death of Joe F. Carr, was named to those offices until the annual league meeting next April. The league also voted to continue paying Carr's salary to his widow until April...EAGLES GET IPPOLITO: The Chicago Cardinals purchased Nick Micholson of Pittsburgh from the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Chicago Bears released Tony Ippolito, Purdue fullback, to the Eagles. Charles Bidwill, owner of the Chicago Cardinals, was named to the league executive committee, replacing Homer Marshall, Cleveland, who resigned. Club owners voted to perpetuate the memory of Carr by gaming at the annual best-player trophy the Joe F. Carr Memorial award. Lambeau was the only Packer representative at the meeting, held in the Fort Pitt hotel, as Leland H. Joannes, president, decided against attending Saturday.
NINE TEAMS IN AMERICAN PRO GRIDIRON LEAGUE
JUL 24 (Louisville, KY) - Nine clubs are going after the American Professional Football league title this year. Team representatives, meeting yesterday, accepted the Columbus, O., Buckeyes, Los Angeles Bulldogs, Nashville Volunteers, Cincinnati Bengals as new league members. Other league members are the Chicago Indians, St. Louis Gunners, Dayton Rosies, Kenosha Cardinals, Louisville Tanks. Some of the new teams replaced members dropping out after last season. The club representatives drafted a season schedule starting September 10 and concluding December 10.
BABY RAY WILL RETURN TO PACKER LINEUP THIS FALL
JUL 25 (Green Bay) - Tackle strength for the 1939 Green Bay Packers took a sizeable leap today with the signing of Buford (Baby) Ray, who broke into National league play in impressive fashion last year as a rookie from Vanderbilt university. Accompanying the announcement of Ray's contract was a statement by Coach E.L. Lambeau to the effect that Johnny Howell, back from Nebraska who spent one year with the Packers, definitely will not return. Ray, down to 245 pounds, will report in tip-top condition. The big fellow, who is six feet, six inches tall, has been working out for several weeks, and about a month ago ordered his shoes from Coach Curly Lambeau. Coach Ray Morrison of Vanderbilt, a recent Green Bay visitor who coached Ray for three varsity years at the southern school, stated that he never has seen Baby in better preseason shape. In Nashville, Ray recently opened a liquor store, but has told Coach Lambeau that his business is confined to selling, and not drinking, the product. Ray plays on the left side of the line, and proved to be one of the most valuable first year men on the squad last season. The Packer tackle corps now numbers seven. A total of 38 players have been signed to date.
BUNNY SCHOEMANN SET TO PLAY WITH PACKERS AGAIN
JUL 26 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers' 1939 squad was increased to 39 today with the announcement by Coach E.L. Lambeau that Roy (Bunny) Schoemann, former Marquette center who made a big splash as a freshman with the Packers last season, will be back in togs when practice opens here Aug. 5. Schoemann made a great hit with Green Bay fans in 1938, and was sharing regular center duties until the game with the Chicago Cardinals at Buffalo. He was injured in that contest, and Lambeau, rather than risk permanently damaging a promising grid prospect, paid him his season's salary and placed him upon the suspended list. Bunny returned to Milwaukee, his hometown, and now has recovered completely from his mishap. He is anxious for another season of professional football, and hopes to pick up where he left off last fall. Aggressive and tough, Schoemann scales better than 200 pounds and is strong particularly upon pass defense. Lambeau anticipates that he'll have a great season. Six centers now are ready to go for 1939, the others being Brock of Nebraska, Svendsen of Minnesota, Sherman of Whitewater, Greenfield and Lee Mulleneaux, both of Arizona. The list of Packers still unsigned is dwindling rapidly. Don Hutson will arrive here within a week or 10 days to talk terms, and there is very little difference of salary involved. Others with whom Lambeau has arrived at terms, but who have not signed contracts, are Bill Lee and Leo Katalinas, tackles; Herman Schneidman, blocking quaterback; and Cecil Isbell, halfback. Isbell will be in town to talk business Aug. 1. Eddie Jankowski and Paul Miller, backs; Buckets Goldenberg, guard; Carl Mulleneaux, end; and Champ Seibold, tackle, have been sent their contracts but have not
replied. Andy Uram still is dissatisfied with the terms offered, and Lambeau termed his demands "considerably out of line."
HOVLAND MAY CHANGE MIND, SIGN UP WITH PACKER TEAM
JUL 27 (Madison) - With the possible exception of Lynn Hovland, 230-pound guard who won a place with his teammate, Howie Weiss, on the 1939 All Star football team, it is unlikely that any of the Green Bay Packers' draftees from the University of Wisconsin will play in the paid ranks this season. This was revealed by Vince Gavre, quarterback and spark plug of the 1938 Badger team; Roy Belling, triple threat right halfback; and Hovland. Both Gavre and Bellin have been offered jobs far better than the average college graduate of last spring could hope for, while Hovland has received an appointment as assistant to Russ Rippe, Wisconsin's freshman grid coach. Hovland needs another semester's study to qualify for a degree and thus could attend classes while handling the football tutoring assignment or play pro ball and return to school in the second semester...HAS NOT DECIDED: He has not yet definitely decided which possibility is best for him and hopes that his selection on the All Star squad will afford him an opportunity to demonstrate his ability against the New York Giants in a manner prompting Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau, Packer mentor, to offer him a more tempting contract. Gavre, a serious-minded scholar as well as a brilliant field general, is taking advance courses in vitamin research during the current summer session at the university and plans to accept a position as research chemist or field man this fall with a large drug manufacturing concern in Chicago...WON'T RUSH JOB: Interested though he is in football, Gavre disclosed that he considers the job too great an opportunity to risk jeopardizing it by delaying acceptance. Bellin, too, loves the grid game but does not feel that his prospects in the pro game warrant passing up a sales position which has been extended him by a large Madison battery manufacturer. However, Coach Lambeau gave each of these young men an impressive sales talk on a recent visit here, and should any unanticipated developments cause a last minute change in the their plans, the Packer impressario's efforts undoubtedly would be rewarded.
KATALINAS TO REJOIN TEAM
JUL 27 (Green Bay) - Big Leo Katalinas, who broke in auspiciously at right tackle with the Green Bay Packers last season, will return to the squad when practice opens a week from Saturday, Coach E.L. Lambeau announced today. Katalinas' contract is the last to be signed currently unless several of the veterans turn in their signatures late today, Lambeau said. Katalinas, who scales upward at 230 pounds and stands two and a half inches above six feet, starred for three season at Catholic university. He came to the Packers well recommended, and spent the season as understudy to big Bill Lee on the right flank. He can play either side of the line. With one stiff year of seasoning behind him, Katalinas is believed ready for a regular turn in the pro grid game. He is the 40th Packer to wing into line for 1939.
train at Superior, Wis. They have been ordered to report August 12. Steve Owen, head coach, and his assistant, Bo Molenda, will direct the training activities. The Giants' immediate objective will be the annual preseason football classic in Chicago, with the 1938 graduated college all stars selected by a nationwide fan poll providing the opposition. This game will be played Wednesday night, Aug. 30, at Soldier field. A new coaching staff will greet the Lions when they report, Aug. 12. Gus Henderson, former coach of the Los Angeles Bulldogs, is the new head coach of the Lions and Hunk Anderson will serve as his assistant. Henderson succeeds Dutch Clark. Curly Lambeau, head coach of the Packers since the league was founded in 1920, will, of course, direct Green Bay's conditioning activities. He again will be assisted by Red Smith, former Notre Dame star. The Brooklyn Dodgers will be the last league team to begin training. They are scheduled to assemble Sunday, Aug. 20, at the New York Agriculture school in Farmingdale, N.Y. George (Potsy) Clark again will coach the Dodgers.
LOOKING UP IN THE REALM OF SPORTS
JUL 29 (Green Bay) - Every so often someone comes up with an idea which sounds so plausible that you wonder why somebody didn't think of it before. Such a stunt was the scheduling of the Pittsburgh-Green Bay professional football game Aug. 26 as a doubleheader, to be played under the lights at City stadium. Very probably it will attract a record crowd for exhibition contests here. It takes just some little quirk such as that to sell something to the public. Without the doubleheader feature, the Pirate-Packer game would appear in advance like just another football game - a colorful one, to be true, an entertaining evening - but still just another game. Perhaps three thousand people would have attended it. The throng out there at the stadium three weeks from tonight (sounds close, doesn't it?) will be much larger than that, and the games will be the first doubleheader in the history of the professional sport. Each squad will contain close to 50 men. The games will be regulation high school length, 40 minutes each. Because of the great manpower packed by each club, there will be only five minute waits between halves, and hardly more than that between the two contests. The rival coaches will give every man on the two teams a chance to perform, and many an athlete will be working his head off to cinch a position. Because so many players are involved, no man will have to work longer than the time usually needed for a single game. The vent is already being publicized widely. Press releases of the NFL this week carried the news to every corner of the country, as did press association stories earlier in the week. The surrounding territory should be well drained of fans on the night of Aug. 26...Obbie Novakofski didn't land on the All-Star squad, although he wound up in 16th place among the halfbacks, but he wants to thank all Green Bay and Fox river valley fans who supported him in the recent poll. Obbie wrote: "Now that it is all over I want to thank you for the splendid support given me by the Press-Gazette and the people of Green Bay. Though disappointed in not getting on the All-Star squad, I am gratified to know that I now can devote my entire time with the Packer squad, and will be able to be with that team from the very start. It would be fun at Chicago, but I feel very little would be accomplished, so I am laying my eggs in the Packer basket and hope to benefit thereby."
PACKERS PLAY ALL STARS LABOR DAY
JUL 30 (Dallas) - College grid stars, seniors of last season, will meet the Green Bay Packers in the Cotton Bowl here Labor Day. For the third time since the game was originated in 1936, coaches Leo "Dutch" Meyer of Texas Christian and Matty Bell of Southern Methodist will pilot the All-Stars, whose predecessors turned in three victories against the pros. The Dallas salesmanship club, which sponsors the charity event, said the Packers had agreed to terms. The game will be played at night.
to approval of the Pirate management. If Aug. 25 is rainy, the game will be set back to the original date. It was felt that working hours of many fans Saturday night would prevent them from attending the twin setup. The ticket prices for that game were also changed, with the aim to give fans in low income brackets a chance to see their favorite team in action. All seats in the east horseshoes, totaling some 7,000, will sell for 50 cents. Children will be admitted for 25 cents. All other seats will be sold for one dollar, except box seats on both sides of the field, which will be reserved and sold for $1.50 each. Joannes stated that because of current uncertainty in the WPA project program, the contemplated improvements in the west end of the stadium, involving the addition of seats and construction of an ornamental gateway, have been postponed. It is the hope of the Packer management to push through the project eventually, but there will be no opportunity of getting the work completed before the first game of this season. As usual, the major part of the meeting time was turned over to Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau, who discussed the team's chances for 1939, and answered a hose of questions concerning the Packers' 21st squad. Green Bay enters its third decade of professional football history with the 1939 team...WON WESTERN TITLE: "Because we won the Western division championship last year," Lambeau began, "every team in our division will be ginning for us, and all of them are strengthened. But I feel that we are stronger, too, and although I seem to say the same thing every year, I now feel that prospects never were brighter. We have worked hard to line up a tougher team. Last year we were weak at ends, defensively; we were very weak at center and at the blocking back position, and our weakness on forward pass defense was outstanding. This was due mostly because our backs were short, and opponents struck severe blows by sending tall, rangy ends and backs through our defense for passes." Lambeau added that he believed all the 1938 weaknesses have been plugged for the coming season. He named a dozen or more of his well-publicized first year men, pointing out that most of them stand well over 6 feet and carry the beef necessary for survival of a pro football schedule...SQUAD TOTALS 50: The squad, totaling about 50, will be the largest in Green Bay's history, and it will hold its first official practice next Saturday afternoon at its Joannes park field. Failure of Bob Monnett, veteran left halfback, to return was cited by the coach as a major loss. But, he indicated, there will half a dozen men trying out for his position, including Norman Purucker, a likely candidate from the University of Michigan. "I also expect that Cecil Isbell will have a great season," he continued. "We signed Isbell last year in the expectation that he would be a great passer and a fair runner. He turned out to be a superb runner and only a fair passer, having too many of his throws intercepted. This year I expect him to be a much improved passer." Lambeau also mentioned Tuffy Thompson of Minnesota, recently acquired from Pittsburgh, as a likely candidate to succeed Monnett. Questioned regarding the Packers as yet unsigned, Lambeau said: "We have only five real holdouts - Eddie Jankowski, Buckets Goldenberg, Carl Mulleneaux, Andy Uram and Champ Seibold. We expect to come to terms with the others, including Isbell, Bill Lee, Hutson, Paul Miller and Herman Schneidman this week."...PLAY IN SOUTHWEST: The Packers will play the Southwest All-Stars at Dallas Labor Day night. He believes that this game, and the Pittsburgh doubleheader, will afford the Packers their best chances in recent years to avoid the early season slowness which usually handicaps Packer teams. He praised the work being done by the Packer corporation committee in charge of securing work for football players, saying that "money isn't an object with most of them; they just want employment of some kind to tide them between seasons, leading possibly to eventual permanent employment with the firms."
LOOKING UP IN THE REALM OF SPORTS
AUG 1 (Green Bay) - If there is one subject above all others upon which Coach Curly Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers can hold forth at length, its mental attitude. Curly firmly believes - and has the proof to back up his ideas - that mental attitude is a far greater percentage of a winning football team than many people credit it with being. Before every game he'll say. "I don't like this - the boys don't seem to have the right mental attitude," or, "We're set for this one - the mental attitude is perfect." Invariably he turns out to be right. The Packers never have lost a game when their coach believed that they were perfectly on edge for the contest. Thus it is easy to understand Lambeau's pleasure when he contemplates the steps taken for his four All-Star football players to get in shape with the Packer team before reporting to the College All-Stars this fall. When the nationwide poll ended, four prospective members of the Packer team - Frank Balazs, Iowa fullback; Larry Buhler, Minnesota fullback; Harry Jacunski, Fordham end; and Charley Brock, Nebraska center - won places on the big squad. Brock was named in the starting lineup. At least three of these men will report to the Packers at least a week before they appear with the All-Stars at Evanston, thus getting valuable fundamental information concerning the Green Bay pros. Buhler will report here Thursday of this week; Balasz will be here Friday; Jacunski will pop up Saturday, the official opening day of Packer practice. Brock hasn't replied yet to the coach's query, but he probably will be along, too. Most of the Packer signees will be here Saturday. Lambeau has made exceptions in a few cases, where the men are playing baseball, or doing work which otherwise keeps them in shape. For instance, Don Hutson is working out with the Alabama university freshmen, and Frank Steen, the big end from Rice institute, is playing ball in Florida. Bill Lee and Cecil Isbell, believed to be en route to Green Bay, may arrive today, and Lambeau does not feel that very many Packers will be on the missing list Saturday. Practice will start at 2:30 p.m., all men having been instructed to get their equipment before noon. The All-Stars will work with the Packers until Aug. 12, the day they are to report to the All-Star squad.
BLOOD RETIRES AS GRID PLAYER
AUG 1 (Pittsburgh) - Johnny Blood has benched himself permanently as a player after 15 years of strenuous competition. The coach of the Pittsburgh grid Pirates said last night barring unforeseen emergency he would manage the club next season from the sidelines. The veteran gridder broke into all but one box score last second, his second as boss of Art Rooney's machine. He played the entire 60 minutes of a bitterly-fought engagement when Green Bay in his hometown...PLAYED AT COLLEGES: Blood crashed the paid pigskin endeavor in 1924 after wearing the colors of Notre Dame, Minnesota and St. Thomas. His first pro job was with Milwaukee. Then he moved to Duluth and before coming here served five years with the Green Bay Packers. After a year here Blood returned to Green Bay for two more terms, then came back in 1937 to succeed Joe Bach as Pittsburgh coach. Blood's team leaves Wednesday for training at Two Rivers, Wis. He is grooming Hugh McCullough, 195-pound Oklahoma star, to fill Whizzer White's place in the backfield next fall.
PACKERS READY FOR FIRST WORK
AUG 2 (Green Bay) - Four prospective members of the All-Star football team, who also hold contracts with the Green Bay Packers, are expected in the city before the weekend to commence training with the Western division champions. Under the arrangement with Coach E.L. Lambeau, the quartet - fullbacks Frank Balasz and Larry Buhler, end Harry Jacunski and center Charley Brock - will work with the Packers for a week before they report to the All-Stars at Evanston Aug. 12...FEW ARE ABSENT: The Packer training season officially opens Saturday, at which time Coach Lambeau expects most of his squad to be in uniform. There will be a few absentees, as some of the players are participating with baseball teams in the South, and there still remains a holdout problem to vex the Green Bay mentor. At Monday night's stockholder's meeting, Lambeau listed only five men as holdouts - end Carl Mulleneaux, tackle Champ Seibold, guard Buckets Goldenberg, halfback Andy Uram and fullback Eddie Jankowski. Today he contacted Uram and Seibold, requesting that both report to him here before Saturday to a further discussion of terms, which have been unsatisfactory to each...WORK IN GREEN BAY: The other three - Mulleneaux, Goldenberg and Jankowski - all are employed in Green Bay. The only others unsigned are end Don Hutson, tackle Bill Lee, blocking quarterback Herman Schneidman, halfbacks Paul Miller and Cecil Isbell. Lambeau expected Isbell and Lee to arrive today. Equipment was handed in the forenoon Saturday, and the first drill will be conducted that afternoon, starting at 8:30.
GOLDENBERG, MULLENEAUX ARE READY FOR 1939 PACKER YEAR
AUG 3 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packer holdout group took a sharp drop today when Charles (Buckets) Goldenberg, veteran Wisconsin guard, and Carl Mulleneaux, second year Utah State end, signed their 1939 contracts. Veterans who are not yet under contract now include Bill Lee and Champ Seibold, tackles; Herman Schneidman, Paul Miller, Eddie Jankowski and Cecil Isbell, backs; and Donald Hutson, end. Of this group, Lee and Isbell are expected in town momentarily to take terms; Seibold arrived yesterday; and Hutson sent word that he will be here Saturday morning. Practice opens Saturday afternoon for all members of the squad except for a few who have been excused by Coach E.L. Lambeau. The first drill has been set for 2:30 p.m., when the Packers, old and new, will report to the Joannes park headquarters. Goldenberg's return for his seventh year of professional football brings one of the Packers' most colorful performers back into line. Having seen extensive service in the backfield as blocking quarterback and fullback, in recent years he was placed in the line at guard. To say that the maneuver was successful is an understatement. He saw a great amount of work at his new position during the 1938 season, and gave the Packers conspicuous service. Stocky and powerful, weighing 220 pounds and possessing a flaming competitive spirit, he fought his way through the entire season with distinction. In his earlier days with the Packers he was a scoring leader, and has chalked up 10 Green Bay touchdowns against National opposition for a total of 60 points. Mulleneaux, a beautifully built specimen who scales 210 pounds and stands three inches over six feet in height, was one of the greatest first year performers in Packer history. Tough and rugged, loving bodily contact and capable of dealing terrific punishment, he became a feared object on he Packer right wing, and also proved to be an exceptional forward pass receiver. He caught three tosses from Arnold Herber and Cecil Isbell over opposing goal lines during 1938, and gained heavy yardage by dragging down Green Bay aerial heaves. Mulleneaux appears to be headed for real professional stardom, and he will report to the squad Saturday afternoon, ready for action.
and this morning are new members of the Packer football team, getting their first glimpse of their foster community preparatory to the opening of the 1939 practice season. Although a number of the men raced through an informal workout at Joannes park yesterday, and some have been working out quietly for more than a week, the real pushoff for the drill season was scheduled for this afternoon at 2:30, when Coach E.L. Lambeau planned to look over his talent for the first time. Several of the Packers were expected to arrive early this afternoon, but Lambeau has seen enough members of his squad to make certain that nearly the entire unit will be on hand. By positions, here is the squad situation:
ENDS - Donald Hutson, as yet unsigned, arrived early next week. Wayland Becker, Milt Gantenbein and Carl Mulleneaux, all residents of Green Bay and all signed, are on hand. Harry Jacunski, the Fordham wingman, arrived yesterday and looks in fine shape. Larry Craig of South Carolina hasn't reported to the coach yet. Frank Steen of Rice, who planned to arrive a week late, changed his schedule and was due here late this afternoon, too late for practice.
TACKLES - Bill Lee, unsigned, expected this morning, in time for the drill. Charles Schultz and Cleets Kilbourne of Minnesota not heard from, probably arriving together. Baby Ray reported for yesterday's workout. Ernie Smith not on hand yet, nor is Slats Wyrick of U.C.L.A. Dick Zoll is a Green Bay resident and will attend practice. Leo Katalinas arrived yesterday and worked out. Paul Kell of Notre Dame still missing, but signed.
GUARDS - John Biolo, Lake Forest, and Jack Brennan, Michigan, both first year men, arrived yesterday. Swede Johnston will come up from Appleton. Russ Letlow has been here several days, looking bigger and tougher than ever. Buckets Goldenberg, now under contract, is a year around resident. Pete Tinsley expected today. Nick Miketinac of St. Norbert is on hand.
CENTERS - Charley Brock of Nebraska, who will start at center in the All-Star game, arrives tomorrow for a week's workout with the Packers. Tom Greenfield, a husky, arrived yesterday, as Bunny Schoemann of Marquette. Bud Svendsen not here yet, but believed en route. Lee Mulleneaux on deck. Willard Sherman of Whitewater unheard from yet.
BLOCKING QUARTERBACK - Hank Bruder always here. Herman Schneidman, latest Packer to sign, in city and ready to work. Dick Weisgerber also on hand.
HALFBACKS - Arnold Herber year around resident of De Pere. Joe Laws on deck and looking fit. Obbie Novakofski of Lawrence expected up from home in Menasha. Norman Purucker finishing summer school at Michigan, won't report until next week. Lambeau hasn't heard from Tuffy Thompson, his acquisition from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Don (Weenie) Wilson of Dubuque is in city. Paul Miller hasn't been heard from, is listed as holdout. Andy Uram arrived last night, but hasn't signed. Cecil Isbell worked out with team yesterday, also is unsigned.
FULLBACKS - Clarke Hinkle here the year around, signed, ready for another great season. Frank Balasz, the All-Star from Iowa, arrived early yesterday looking tougher than nails. Larry Buhler expected today with the Minnesota delegation. John Lock of Fordham, Eddie McGroarty of Northland, both in city. Eddie Jankowski, holdout, has not reported to Lambeau.
However, several important player trades are almost certain to develop when the rival owners and coaches get together and this activity probably will project pro football back into sports page prominence...STORCK TO PRESIDE: Carl L. Storck, acting president, will preside at the meeting. Storck, who has served the league as vice president and treasurer since 1920, was appointed acting president when the venerable Joe F. Carr, president of the league since its organization, died last May. The meeting will be called to order Saturday at 11 a.m. The first day's session will be devoted entirely to officiating problems, with the league's veteran referees, umpire, field judges and headlinesman, and a group of new candidates, recruited by Storck in his drive to improve officiating, meeting with
CHARLEY BROCK SIGNS WITH PACKERS
JAN 31 (Green Bay) - Charles Brock, one of the greatest centers in American collegiate football, ranked high on the draft list of the Green Bay Packers, today signed a contract with Coach E.L. Lambeau at Lincoln, Neb. Lambeau advised the Press-Gazette of his success in signing the University of Nebraska star by long distance telephone. The Packer coach is en route home from the Pacific coast, expected to leave Lincoln for Iowa City tonight, and by taking a circuitous route around the midwestern storm area, expects to reach Green Bay by Thursday...OVER SIX FEET: Brock is 22 years old, weighs 201 pounds, and stands two inches over six feet. He is extremely rugged and durable, and stole the show at the recent East-West game in San Francisco, playing with the West eleven. "I talked to Link Lyman, Nebraska line coach formerly with the Chicago Bears," Lambeau commented, "and he said without reservation that Brock was one of the best centers he ever had seen in his entire football experience." Brock is a pepper-box type of performer, full of fire and life. He is married, and anxious to get off to a good start in the game of professional football...ONE OF FINEST:
PACKERS MAY APPEAR IN DALLAS ALL STAR GAME
FEB 3 (Green Bay) - Bristling with news concerning the still far distant professional football season, Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers was back at his desk today, following an 8,700-mile motor trip which carried him to the Pacific coast, and through a number of points between that section and the Middle West. He brought back all kinds of comments concerning the 1939 prospects of the Packers, including the fact that the team is very likely to appear in this year's All Star game at Dallas, scheduled for Labor Day night, Sept. 4. When the annual meeting of the NFL opens at the Congress hotel, Chicago, next Thursday,
ANNOUNCE PACKERS' FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
FEB 13 (Chicago) - The Green Bay Packers will open their 1939 NFL season at City stadium Sunday September 17, opposing the Chicago Cardinals, Coach E.L. Lambeau announced today upon his return from the league meeting at Chicago. Of high interest to Green Bay fans is the news that Dick Zoll, former West High School lineman, veteran of the Indiana university eleven, and recently with Cleveland, has been traded to the Packers for the draft rights to Dick Yerby, University of Oregon end. Zoll plays either guard or tackle. The projected game between the Packers and the Southwest All Stars at Dallas Labor Day evening, Sept. 4, received the league's approval, Lambeau added. The Packers will play the Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Rams and Detroit Lions at City stadium. They will meet the Cardinals and Washington Redskins at Milwaukee, and on the road they will play at the home parks of the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, Brooklyn Dodgers, Cleveland Rams and Detroit Lions. Green Bay will take the place on the Thanksgiving schedule of the Lions which for several seasons had been occupied by the Bears. The Packer-Lion clash will be staged at 11 o'clock on Thanksgiving morning and will be the last contest on the Green Bay schedule...MEETING IS SUCCESS: Lambeau reported a successful meeting, at times heated, but generally smoother than in many recent years. He will remain in Green Bay for a couple of days, and later this week will conduct a tour of the Minnesota, Wisconsin, Notre Dame and Michigan university campuses, in an attempt to sign football players. The Packer coach believes that the trade which brings Zoll to Green Bay will benefit the Packers. "We have about reached teams with three outstanding ends, each of whom we regard as better than Yerby," he said. "This will place our end corps in an impregnable position. Zoll played tackle at the University of Indiana, although he had been a guard at Cleveland, and he weighs between 220 and 225 pounds. We expect him to be a notable addition to the Packer line."
LARRY BUHLER SIGNS WITH PACKERS
FEB 18 (Green Bay) - Larry Buhler, fullback battering ram of the University of Minnesota, today signed his contract for 1939 with the Green Bay Packers, according to word received from Coach E.L. Lambeau at Minneapolis. Buhler had been recuperating at his home from the effects of painful injuries received in an automobile accident last fall, and Lambeau conferred at length with his doctor, and with the football player himself, before the contract was signed. Buhler's playing weight is 215 pounds, and his height is six feet two inches. He is 21 years old. Since leaving the hospital the Gopher powerhouse has added 27 pounds to his frame and now goes 195. He is gaining weight daily under his mother's diet, and expects to be close to normal within two years. Buhler's physician stated that he is
between the Giants and Green Bay Packers last fall, at $3.45 each, without endorsing the price at which the tickets were sold or the names of the dealer and sales person.
PACKERS GET FORDHAM END
MAY 6 (Green Bay) - The signing of Harry Jacunski, varsity end at Fordham university for three seasons, was announced here today by Coach E.L. Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers. Jacunski, a 23-year old, six foot two, 202-pound husky, was not selected in the Green Bay draft because he had made a positive statement that he would not play professional football. Conditions changed, and of four clubs seeking his signature, Jacunski decided upon the Packers. His work in the annual North-South game was praised highly by teammates and observing coaches...LAUDED BY COACH: James Crowley, former Green Bay and Note Dame athlete, now athletic director at Fordham, describes Jacunski as being of the best ends in the country. Lambeau witnessed motion pictures of several of Fordham's 1938 games, and regarded Jacunski's work therein as highly satisfactory, especially in stopping Pittsburgh's strong attack. Lambeau will return to Green Bay on Wednesday. Jacunski is the 11th Packer to sign his contract to date.
POLICE CATCH UP WITH FOXY HOAX PLAYER; $25 FINE
MAY 9 (Madison) - Police didn't mind Walker Lea, 31, of 2027 East Mifflin Street posing as Cecil Isbell, Purdue University and Green Bay Packers football star, but they did become irate when Lea falsely reported his car stolen after it became mired on a roadway just east of Madison early this morning. Lea was fined $25 in superior court today for disorderly conduct. Lea said a bartender introduced him to Harry DeWitt, former high school football player, as Isbell, and that DeWitt invited him to his home. En route to the DeWitt home, he became separated from DeWitt and got onto the wrong road. The car stalled in the soft road. Lea went hone and reported his car stolen. Police found it and met DeWitt who said the machine belonged to Isbell. Suspecting a hoax, police took DeWitt to the Lea home where DeWitt learned of the hoax.
KENOSHA ENTERED IN GRIDIRON LOOP
APR 27 (St. Louis) - The applications of two new teams for admittance in the American Football league were accepted by officials of the circuit meeting here yesterday. The new clubs will represent Pittsburgh and Kenosha, Wis. The Kenosha aggregation, which will be backed by the Cooper Underwear company of that city, will have its own stadium and is expected to make a strong big for the league title. The Pittsburgh team will be coached by Dave Cook, former Illinois university star. Cincinnati, which played in the circuit last year, and Des Moines, also filed applications, but no action was taken on them. Nashville, one of the contenders last season, was dropped from the league. Other teams in the loop are the Louisville Tanks, defending champions; St,. Louis Gunners; Dayton, Ohio; and the Chicago Steelmen.
JURY DISMISSED IN BAY SCALPING CASE
APR 30 (New York) - A jury failed to agree on a verdict and was dismissed Friday in the trial of the New York football Giants, Helen Mara, and Charles Chaplin, a clerk, who were charged with violating the amusement tax law. They were charged with responsibility for the sale of eight $2.20 (face value) tickets to the championship game
JACUNSKI LIKELY PROSPECT ON PRO GRIDIRON; LAMBEAU
MAY 10 (Green Bay) - Harry Jacunski, of Fordham university, latest addition to the Green Bay Packer football squad, is a player regarded as certain to stick in professional football by his coach, Jim Crowley, Coach E.L. Lambeau said today upon his return from an eastern material hunt. "We were misinformed concerning Jacunski's size," said Lambeau. "He is much larger than we expected him to be, reversing the usual trend. We heard that he was six feet tall and weighed around 188, but he goes two inches over six feet and hits the scales at 203." Lambeau contacted Lynn Hovland, 235-pound Wisconsin guard, and found him interested in professional football. "He didn't sign," said the Packer coach, "but expressed his interest and he looks like a good type for the pro game." The same applied to Paul Kell, Notre Dame right tackle who was drawn in the Packer draft. Sentiment on the Notre Dame campus indicated that Kell was the "unsung hero" of the Irish campaign. He weighs 225 and stands an inch above six feet....KUZMAN IS SENSATION: Lambeau returned from the east singing the praises of a Fordham sophomore tackle named Kuzman, who is heading for
JOE F. CARR, PRO GRID CHIEFTAIN, IS HEART VICTIM
MAY 22 (Columbus, OH) - Leaders in the sports world informed the family of Joseph F. Carr in messages of condolence today that they planned to attend funeral services here Wednesday for the man who devoted most of his life to organized athletics. Carr's unexpected death of a heart ailment Saturday at the age of 58 ended a career that was devoted to sports since shortly after the turn of the century and which carried him to the presidency of the NFL and made him promotional director of the National association of Professional Baseball Leagues...LEAGUE OFFICIALS ATTEND: Among those planning to attend the rites in Holy Rosary church are officials of the football league which Carr headed since its formation at Canton, O., in 1920. They include: Dan Topping of Brooklyn; George Halas of Chicago; C.W. Bidwell of Chicago; Thomas E. Lipscomb of Cleveland; E.L. Lambeau, Green Bay; John V. Mara of New York; Bert Bell of Philadelphia, Arthur Rooney of Pittsburgh, George P. Marshall of Washington, and William A. Alfs of Detroit. Carr, reelected for ten years to the president of the league at the annual executive meeting in Chicago last February, had been ailing for some time. In September of 1937 he was admitted to the Grant hospital in Columbus to undergo treatment for a heart ailment. He recovered sufficiently to resume his duties on a part time basis and presided at the league meeting in Chicago. He suffered a heart attack early Saturday afternoon and was rushed to a hospital where he died several hours later. Born
HE'S BROTH OF LAD, THIS MCGROARTY OF THE PACKERS
JUN 6 (Green Bay) - Durability is a chief characteristic of Eddie McGroarty, Northland college fullback who signed recently with the Green Bay Packers, according to his numerous well-wishers in the Northern Wisconsin area. The Ashland Daily press, writers of which have witnessed McGroarty in action for three years, went overboard in acclaiming the feats of the husky athlete, whose ambition for many seasons has been to join the Green Bay team. The following story appeared in the Press and is reprinted herewith: BY JOHN P. HOGAN: A fitting climax to what has often been termed the most momentous athletic career in Northland college history was applied when Edward John McGroarty, 22-year-old student from Milwaukee, was signed by Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers to perform with Wisconsin's famed representatives in the NFL. McGroarty, whose three years at the Hilltop school have been studded with both football and basketball achievements of note, signed a contract at Minneapolis, where he conferred with Coach Lambeau in Hotel Nicollet. Services of the big fullback, who stands six feet, two inches and scales 205 pounds, were unsuccessfully sought by another member of the pro circuit which started dickering with McGroarty in March. Son of Mrs. Clara McGroarty, of 2416 W. Orchard st., Milwaukee, Ed becomes the first Northland performer in history to gain a berth in the pro ranks. He preferred to negotiate with Lambeau and the Packers because he has long followed the Green Bay eleven, having dreamed of one day playing with the famed outfield while a prep satellite at Boys' Tech High, Milwaukee, where he played in 1930, 1931 and 1932 - gaining all-city honors for his play at fullback in his last two years...WITH HILLTOP FROSH: In 1933, McGroarty distinguished himself with his play with the Marquette university frosh eleven, but his collegiate career was temporarily stubbed the following year when he had to stay out of school due to finances. However, a Northland alumnus who tutored McGroarty in basketball at Boys' Tech, Ed DeBriae, persuaded McGroarty to enroll at Northland in the fall of 1936. That football season marked the start of an athletic career that was destined to make McGroarty an immortal in local sports history. Close observers of McGroarty's performances on the basketball court and the gridiron predicted the Milwaukeean "couldn't miss" in either sport, were he to exhibit his ware in the professional branches. He performed with the Oshkosh All-Stars basketball team in a national tournament at Chicago at the completion of the Hilltop cage season in March and established himself then as worth of future play in pro loop circles. His signing with the Packers
ANOTHER MICHIGAN ACE SIGNED BY PACKERS
JUN 19 (Green Bay) - Green Bay's Packers acquired another triple-threat halfback over the weekend when Norman Purucker affixed his name to a contract in the Northern Building office of Coach Earl L. Lambeau. Purucker, after three varsity years at the University of Michigan, comes to the Packers highly recommended. He was a teammate of Jack Brennan, the Michigan guard from Racine who also will be a Packer rookie. Purucker is the 15th new Packer to sign. Besides punting and passing on a par that reportedly merits professional football play, Norman is a brilliant runner. His speed will make him one of the fastest men in the NFL next season. Purucker, as a varsity track man at Michigan, ran the 100-yard dash in :09.8 and consistently does that distance somewhere between :09.9 and :10 flat. The newest Packer is built along the lines of Andy Uram. He is 5 feet 11 inches tall, and weighs 180 pounds. His age is 21 years. When 180 pounds get moving the length of the field at a 10-second clip, it is handy. And that is just what Coach Lambeau has signed...SEEKS ANOTHER DEGREE: Purucker's home is Youngstown, Ohio. At high school there he was on the football, track and basketball teams, but he forsook the latter sport in college. He graduated from the university this month with a bachelor of arts degree, and now is attending summer school to obtain a coaching and teaching certificate. Eventually, he may enter the law school at Ann Arbor.
LOOKING UP IN THE REALM OF SPORTS
JUN 22 (Green Bay) - Familiar faces are beginning to appear around town, as scattered members of the Green Bay Packers move into the state's professional capital to take up summer employment pending the start of another gridiron campaign. Spotted on the street yesterday were Pete Tinsley, who will start work here within 10 days, and Eddie Jankowski, one of four who will sling cheese boxes for Emil Fischer, starting this week. The others are Jack Brennan, the Michigan guard who visited here a few days back; Captain Milt Gantenbein, veteran end; and Carl Mulleneaux, sophomore wingman who pushed off to a fine pro football start last season. Up in the office of Curly Lambeau, coach, there is equal activity, for the week's mail will carry out the annual contracts to the old guard - men who have performed with the Packers previously and who will be invited to try for positions again next fall. Soon the
PAUL KELL, NOTRE DAME TACKLE, JOINS PACKERS
JUN 26 (Green Bay) - Paul Kell, an oversized tackle with a fine recommendation, was signed by Coach E.L Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers in Chicago yesterday, rounding out the Packer tackle corps for the 1939 season, exclusive of veteran material. Kell was named on practically every all-opponent team among rivals of the Fighting Irish last fall, and Lambeau believes he will be an exceptional pep type. He plays the right side of the line, but has had experience on the left...HE'S NO MIDGET: The Notre Dame veteran stands two inches over six feet,. and weighs 225 pounds. At the South Bend university he was a quite, conscientious type of performer who never worked for the headlines, but acquired high praise of opposing coaches and players. With the date for opening competition beginning to loom nearer, Lambeau expects that there will be regular announcements regarding the Packers during the next few weeks. He has sent out contracts to the veteran players who are being invited to return, and anticipates hearing from them shortly.
PACKERS PLUG VITAL SPOTS
JUN 27 (Green Bay) - Never before have the Green Bay Packers looked so good on paper, and that's the reason why there is some evidence of worry on the brow of Coach Curly Lambeau,. The mentor himself pointed out this paper value of the Packers, and his own affliction, at the luncheon of the Kiwanis club in the Hotel Northland yesterday. Kiwanians attended in full force, since football is spot news even in June in this town. "I'm getting a bit worried," the well-groomed artist of the rough and tumble game confessed. "I wonder if we might not be inclined to ease up a little. Look what happened to the Chicago Cubs."
ARNOLD HERBER READY FOR NINTH PROFESSIONAL YEAR
JUL 12 (Green Bay) - The rapidly-expanding 1939 roster of the Green Bay Packers today bore the name of Arnold Herber, the local boy who made good in the big league. The big, tough Herber signed with Coach E.L. Lambeau and will report for practice Saturday August 5, the official opening date. Twenty-nine years old, and veteran of eight professional seasons, Herber is still the National league's best man at tossing forward passes past the 35-yard mark. His depth bomb charges have won dozens of games for the Packers, and although the former West High school athlete has scored few touchdowns himself, he has pitched goal line tosses to practically every eligible receiver on the quad during the past few years. Herber starred at West High during the late twenties, where he was the school's No. 1 man in football, basketball and track. Several of his records in the discus throw still stand in scholastic competition. On the gridiron, he paired with Joe Quinn, giant end, for the first Herber-to-Someone combination, and upon graduation he entered the University of Wisconsin, where he starred with the freshman team. Later he performed at Regis college in Colorado...TERROR OF LEAGUE: He survived a rocky road in breaking into pro football stardom, but he broke out with a series of blazing performances, and eventually settled into the pitching half of the Herber-to-Hutson combination which scattered terror throughout the league. Most of the tosses, which led to Don Hutson's 30 National league touchdowns, came from the right hand of Arnold Herber. Herber has dabbled in the scoring column himself. In eight seasons with the Packers, he has scored six touchdowns and kicked two extra points for 38 points, giving him 25th place on Green Bay's all-time scoring list. Herber's playing weight is around 200. He hits better than that now, and has launched a reduction campaign, which he says will bring him to the desired heft from next Saturday. Herber is married, and operates a clothing establishment in West De Pere the year around.
MILT GANTENBEIN WILL AGAIN PLAY FOR PACKERS
JUL 13 (Green Bay) - Milton Gantenbein, former University of Wisconsin end, and captain of Green Bay Packers, is ready for his ninth season of professional football. The veteran wingman, one of the best known names on the pro grid, ranks with Hank Bruder and Arnold Herber as the oldest players on the squad. Every minute of his NFL career has been with Green Bay. One of the most popular men on
WAYLAND BECKER LATEST PACKER TO REJOIN TEAM
JUL 14 (Green Bay) - Another former Green Bay high school athlete who made good in the big time - Wayland Becker of East High - will be back for another season with the Packer professional team this fall. Becker's signed contract for 1939 has been received by Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau. Becker performed under Coach Chester Wiley on some of East High's greatest football teams in the late twenties, and he also was an ace in basketball and track. He started at left end in the East-West game of 1928, when the Red Devils won 26 to 0, and at the same position in 1929, when East copped 12 to 7. He scored the winning touchdown in the latter game. After graduation Becker matriculated to Marquette, where he ran through the grind of freshman football and then starred for three years with the varsity. He was one of the greatest pitchers in Marquette history. He left Marquette and became the property of the Chicago Bears, but spent the better part of two seasons with the Brooklyn Dodgers. A trade with the Brooklyn Dodgers brought him to Green Bay, and he is starting his fourth season as a Packer...WELL-KNOWN FAMILY: Becker, who weighs 200 pounds and stands six feet in height, is a member of a well-known Green Bay athletic dynasty, which includes several prominent Beckers. His twin brother Warren starred with him in high school and later played at Central State Teachers college, Stevens Point. Wayland is a tough and rugged wingman. He never has done much scoring with the Packers, his league point list being restricted to a single touchdown, but he is capable of playing at whirlwind speed each time his presence in the lineup is needed. He handles a share of the punting assignment.
GRID LEADERS OUTLINE MEET
JUL 14 (Pittsburgh) - Football, professional variety, will bounce back into the spotlight again next week when NFL officials, owners and coaches assemble at the Fort Pitt hotel here Saturday and Sunday, July 22 and 23, for their annual "officials' meeting". The immediate objective of the confab is to clarify rule interpretations and improve officiating, as the 1939 championship schedule was drawn and adopted at the league's annual meeting, held last February in Chicago.
Hugh Ray of Chicago, generally recognized as the nation's leading authority on football rules. Ray will conduct the interpretation session, which will be followed by a true or false quiz on rules. Also, a series of tests, including 50 and 100-yard dashes, will be held to determine each official's physical fitness for the job of handling league games...PLAN CARR MEMORIAL: Owner George S. Halas of the Chicago Bears will introduce a resolution designed to commemorate Carr's memory. Halas' resolution calls for the designation of the league's annual award to its most valuable player as the Joe F. Carr Memorial award. The unanimous adoption of Halas' resolution is regarded as a mere formality. Carr sponsored the league's most valuable player award resolution, which was adopted in February. Under the resolution, the most valuable player will be determined by a poll of the National Professional Football Writers association membership. Art Rooney, owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and their coach, John Blood McNally, will be hosts to the visiting delegates. The champion New York Giants will be represented by Tim Mara, founder and treasurer; John V. Mara, president; Wellington T. Mara, secretary; and Coach Steve Owen. Lee H. Joannes, president, and Coach Curly Lambeau will represent the Green Bay Packers...LIONS ARE REPRESENTED: William Alfs, vice president; Harry Wismer, secretary to George A. Richards, president, and Coach Gus Henderson will be the Detroit Lions' delegation. Daniel R. Topping, president; Dennis Shea, general manager; and Coach Potsy Clark will be the Brooklyn Dodgers' representatives. Owner Charles W. Bidwell and Ernie Nevers, who has succeeded Milan Creighton as head coach, will look after the interests of the Chicago Cardinals. Besides Halas, Harold (Red) Grange, assistant coach, will represent the Chicago Bears. Thomas E. Lipscomb, president, and Coach Earl (Dutch) Clark will represent the Cleveland Rams and Bert Bell, owner-coach, and his assistant, Jim Mac Murdo, will give the Philadelphia Eagles representation.
LOOKING UP IN THE REALM OF SPORTS
JUL 14 (Green Bay) - The first doubleheader in pro football is a possibility for City stadium the night of Aug. 26, when Johnny Blood and his Pittsburgh Pirates, geared for an assault on the Eastern division ramparts, will engage the Green Bay Packers in practice combat. The doubleheader idea belongs to Curly Lambeau, coach of the Packers, and if accepted by Blood and the Pirates, it will mean that spectators at the night program will witness two regulation gridiron struggles between the Packers and Pirates, each going the distance of a full-length high school game - 12 minute periods all the way. Lambeau reasons thusly: Both the Packers and Pirates will appear loaded with players, each having 40 and more on the roster. Coaches of both teams are deadly anxious to get a line on their material, veteran and inexperienced. As there is no much manpower involved, no one would be overlooked if two games were played instead of one. "If we play a doubleheader," commented Curly, "we would be able to cut the rest periods because of our great manpower, and take only five minutes off between halves. Free substitutions
formation by the late Joe Carr. His association with professional football qualified him as the No. 1 authority on the game which he helped nurse from an idea into a major sports enterprise. Interviewed here at the league's mid-summer administrative and rules interpretations meeting, he checked the rosters of each team and predicted a better balanced circuit than at any time since 1921. "We never have opened a season with so many big named collegians capable of earning starting assignments," he said. "Each team in the league has come up with at least one player who combines the important qualifications of professional stardom - ability and box office appeal."...MUST WATCH PACKERS: Halas expects the Chicago Cardinals to be the most improved team in the league and predicts that Green Bay again will be the eleven to beat in the Western division. In the Eastern division, he foresees a closer race than in recent seasons. "I doubt whether it will come down to a two team race. Washington, Pittsburgh, Brooklyn and Philadelphia have strengthened themselves enough for anyone of them to be a match for the New York Giants. Philadelphia, with Davey O'Brien and Dewell, Southern Methodist's great end, has two of the outstanding players in the country around which to build, and Pittsburgh, with Sam Francis, whom we traded for draft rights to Billy Patterson of Baylor, can be counted upon to have a powerful offense. Brooklyn got box office and All-America football players in both Bob MacLeod of Dartmouth and Dan Hill, the Duke center."...NEILSEN IS STRONG: New York's long search for a good fullback is over when that fellow Nielsen of Arizona reports and the Giants also have Chickerneo of Pittsburgh. Cleveland, with Tarbox of Texas Tech, Smith of Southwestern, and Parker Hall of Mississippi, has three crackerjack halfbacks to team with Drake and Corby Davis, two of the outstanding fullbacks in the game. With Dutch Clark's new system and these new players, the Rams can be counted upon to cause trouble. Green Bay got exactly what it wanted and needed when it took Charlie Brock, the Nebraska center. Detroit, with Pingel of Michigan State and Weiss, Wisconsin's great fullback, could ask for little more and I think the Bears will be batter, now that we have Billy Patterson, a great passer." But the Cardinals are the team to watch, Halas insists. They have signed Stebbins and Daddio of Pittsburgh and hope to come to terms with Marshall Goldberg. With Goldberg and Stebbins to team with Frank Patrick, a former teammate at Pitt, they have the makings of one of professional football's most colorful backfields...CONCERNED OVER RIVALS: The chief reason for Halas' concern over his Chicago rivals, however, is the presence of Vernon Huffman, former Lion star, in the Cardinal backfield and Ki Aldrich of Texas Christian, at center. The trade that sent Huffman from Detroit to the Cardinals for Dwight Sloan, the Arkansas passer, was the outstanding deal of the year in professional football," Halas said. "Huffman is a lot of football player and should be one of the stars in the league with the Cardinals. I expect that the season will witness the return of the double wingback offense to pro football," he continued. "The Pittsburgh boys and Huffman are ideal for this type of attack and Ernie Nevers, their new coach, knows more about a double wingback offense than any man in the country except Pop Warner."...CHANGE IN DEFENSE: Halas also expects that the coming season will see a great change in defensive football. Heretofore, the six-two-two-one defense has been standard for all teams. More stress is being placed on defense in the league, where offensive power abounds and Halas sees every National league team adopting the five, six and seven man lines as standard, jumping from one to the other as rapidly as the offense hurls plays at them. This, he expects, will apply only to the National league. College coaches are not allowed enough time with their squads to permit the mastering of three defenses. They, perforce, must concentrate on one or two. There also will be a more definite trend toward balanced offenses, he said, inspection of team rosters indicating that all coaches except Gus Henderson are assembling ball carriers as well as pass throwers and centers. Henderson, the new Detroit coach, favors open football and Detroit can be counted upon to concentrate on razzle dazzle.
FIFTY: Some or all of these men are expected to sign, which means that the initial Packer squad, largest in team history, may exceed 50 men. Twedell, for one, wrote Lambeau this week, and requested a contract be sent to him. He has been leading the guard candidates in the All-Star poll. Although the coach reports a fine attitude on the part of nearly all his players, none has any better approach to the season than the dynamic Svendsen, one of the most popular centers ever to appear in a Green Bay uniform. He wrote Lambeau this week as follows: "You can say that I'm starting a campaign of my own right now to dethrone Mel Hein (all-league center of the New York Giants) and whether I do or not, I still intend to play better ball than he. I have been looking forward to the coming season and some nights it takes me a long while to get to sleep, just thinking of the season. I've got a lot of gain by playing good football this season, and I hope we wipe up on the league. This year is to make up for the championships we have missed during the last two years. I hope you don't think that I am egotistical about the coming year, but I'm all set to start our first game right now." Bud's signing followed nearly a year of rumors, during which that action was affirmed and denied a dozen times. He is a brother of George Svendsen, former Packer center who now coaches at Antigo High school
LOOKING UP IN THE REALM OF SPORTS
JUL 22 (Green Bay) - There is a big, round vacancy in sight on the Packer football team, and somewhere out of the professional football mists this fall there will come a speedy youngster to fit into the shoes left by Bobby Monnett, one of the most popular and talented left halfbacks ever to appear with the Green Bay team. Coach Curly Lambeau doesn't expect Monnett, who has landed a promising job in Ohio, to sign with the Packers again, which means that the team will lose the man who ranks sixth on its all-time scoring list. Only Verne Lewellen, Clarke Hinkle, Johnny Blood, Don Hutson and Lambeau himself have scored more points for Green Bay than Monnett, whose total fell just one point short of the 100 mark. While with the Packers, Bobby scored nine touchdowns, kicked 28 extra points and booted five field goals, for a versatility record approaching that of the veteran Hinkle. Now, whenever a great little performer like that hangs up his football equipment, there remains a big, gaping hole, which must be filled by someone else. and at present Coach Lambeau doesn't know who that someone else will be. The coach's liking for big backs is well known, but he always carries at least one small, speedy left half capable of giving a slow defensive backfield the jitters. There is Cecil Isbell, of course, but Cecil is big and made a name for himself entirely apart from that carved by Monnett. Perhaps Weenie Wilson, the Dubuque stepper who signed this week, will come up with the class required for professional football. Lambeau will use him at left halfback. Or it may be Obbie Novakofski, the Lawrence back who was adjudged the most valuable man in the Midwest conference last season. Or perhaps it'll be Norman Purucker, the Michigan veteran who will be tossed into the left halfback breach. A Packer left half must be a good ball toter. The right half does all of the signal calling and most of the forward passing. The quarterback blocks exclusively. The fullback plunges and blocks. The left halfback must be versatile, capable of running, kicking, passing and blocking, and that's no easy assignment, when the odds are stacked as high as they are in the pro football game. Isbell has finished his semester at Purdue, and has spent the past month vacationing on the Pacific coach, visiting San Francisco and Los Angeles, among other places. He informed Coach Lambeau that he will be in Green Bay Aug. 1, ready to talk terms regarding his 1939 contract. As the practice session opens officially Aug. 5, this will give the big former Boilermaker plenty of time to discuss salary terms and get settled for the training grind. Isbell always keeps himself in good physical condition, and during the spring worked out regularly with the Purdue football squad.
BUD SVENDSEN SIGNS TO PLAY WITH PACKER TEAM
JUL 22 (Green Bay) - A notable addition to the center corps of the Green Bay Packers was made today with the announcement by Coach E.L. Lambeau that Earl (Bud) Svendsen, formerly of the University of Minnesota, will rejoin the team next month. Svendsen, who was the best man on the field in the Green Bay-New York playoff game last fall, having rejoined the Packers at the shank end of the 1938 season, spent the past season as athletic director of Kirksville State Teachers college, Missouri. He's ready and anxious for another fling at professional football. Here's an attempt to clarify the current Packer picture: Men with whom Lambeau has arrived at terms, but who have not signed their 1939 contracts, are Bill Lee, Dick Zoll, Leo Katalinas and Baby Ray, tackles; Bunny Schoemann, center; Don Hutson, end; Herman Schneidman and Cecil Isbell, backs. Men who has received their new contracts, but have not replied are Eddie Jankowski, Paul Miller and Johnny Howell, backs; Carl Mulleneaux, end; Champ Seibold, tackle; and Buckets Goldenberg, guard. Andy Uram, ex-Minnesota back, was dissatisfied with terms and returned his contract unsigned. In addition, there are several men, drafted by the Packers, who have not signed. These include some who are running well in the Chicago All-Star balloting, such as Francis Twedell, Minnesota guard; Lynn Hovland, Wisconsin guard; Dan Elmer, Minnesota center; Don Hofer, quarterback from Notre Dame; Vince Gavre, Wisconsin quarter; and Roy Bellin, Wisconsin halfback...MORE THAN
10 PACKERS ARE NOT SIGNED FOR COMING SCHEDULE
JUL 28 (Green Bay) - With ten men still on the outside of the squad roster, and 40 under contract in anticipation of the 1939 football season, the Packer situation reached a stalemate today, with no further players to be announced. Coach E.L. Lambeau, while conceding that he had arrived at terms with several men who have not signed, still expressed dissatisfaction over the attitude of several veterans who remain unwilling to sign. "The attitude of nearly the entire squad this season is so fine," he said, "that we are anxious to avoid unpleasantness with any players regarding salary, and we are anxious to stat the season with everyone in the best possible mental attitude."...OUT OF LINE: "Nevertheless, the demands of a few men are well out of line, and we actually would prefer that these several did not play rather than have their attitudes affect those of the rest of the Packers." Don Hutson, veteran end from Alabama, will be in the city next Tuesday, and Lambeau anticipates no trouble in coming to terms with him. The same applies to Cecil Isbell, Purdue halfback, who is en route from the Pacific coast. and is due any minute. Lambeau also believes that he practically has agreed upon terms with Bill Lee, giant Alabama tackle. The ten who are unsigned to date are the following: Hutson and Carl Mulleneaux, ends; Lee and Champ Seibold, tackles; Buckets Goldenberg, guard; Herman Schneidman, Paul Miller and Eddie Jankowski, backs...SEVERAL IN TOWN: Mulleneaux and Jankowski are working in Green Bay; Goldenberg is a year-round resident here; Lee has been wrestling and is believed about ready to head for the Packer community; Hutson and Isbell already are on the way; Seibold, Uram and Schneidman are at their respective homes in Oshkosh, Minneapolis, and Quincy, Ill. The 40 Packers already signed included five ends, eight tackles, seven guards, six centers and 14 backs, most of them fullbacks.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE TEAMS START DRILLS SOON
JUL 29 (Chicago) - If the summer heat has you a bit jittery, the knowledge that NFL teams are already mobilizing for a new championship campaign may be just the sort of antidote you need. Actually, football is just around the corner. Within the next three weeks, every NFL team will be entrenched in its training camp. One of them, the Philadelphia Eagles, already is in training at St. Joseph's college, hard by Philadelphia. The Eagles, with Owner-Coach Bert Bell and his able assistant, Jim MacMurdon, in command, began their training siege last Thursday. Before another week has passed, three more tams, the Chicago Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Redskins will be heading northward to establish their camps - the Cardinals at Duluth, Minn., the Pirates at Two Rivers, Wis., and the Redskins in Spokane, Wash. Ernie Nevers, who is beginning his second regime as head coach, and his assistant, Phil Handler, will direct the Redbirds' training activities. Head Coach Ray Flaherty and Roy (Bullet) Baker, his assistant, will be in command of Washington's football army. John (Blood) McNally again will direct the Pirates...START TRAINING GRIND: The following week, five more teams - the world's champion New York Giants, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears and Cleveland Rams - will establish their training camps. The Giants will train at home, with the Detroiters again returning to the swanky Cranbrook school and Green Bay warming up for the new season in City stadium, starting Aug. 5. The Bears, with Owner-Coach George S. Halas, Harold E. (Red) Grange and Luke Johnsos again making up the coaching staff, will return to St. John's Military academy at Delafield, Wis., for their conditioning campaign. This is the sixth straight season that the Bears have trained at Delafield. Cleveland will train at Baldwin-Wallace college, located at Berea, O. Earl (Dutch) Clark will be beginning his regime as head coach of the Rams when the squad assembles, Aug. 14. Art Lewis, who succeeded Hugo Bezdek as head coach in mid-season last year, remains with the Rams as Clark's assistant...DRILL AT SUPERIOR: The champion Giants will
DATE OF PACKER-PITTSBURGH DOUBLEHEADER IS CHANGED
AUG 1 (Green Bay) - Officers were reelected, routine business transacted and the approaching season thoroughly discussed as stockholders of Green Bay Packers, Inc., held their annual meeting of the Brown county courthouse assembly room last night. Leland H. Joannes was named president again for his ninth consecutive season; Fred L. Leicht again is vice president, with Frank J. Jonet treasurer and George W. Calhoun as secretary...GOOD TICKET SALE: The stockholders charged though routine business with small delay. The treasurer's report, revealing a favorable cash balance, was accepted. The 1939 season ticket sale is proceeding at a highly satisfactory pace. A change important to Packer fans was approved, shifting the date of the Pittsburgh-Green Bay doubleheader from Sat. Aug. 26 to Friday Aug. 25, subject
PACKERS TO HOLD FIRST DRILL TOMORROW; SCHNEIDMAN BACK
AUG 4 (Green Bay) - Green Bay's first glimpse of its 1939 Packer football squad as a unit will be afforded at the Joanne park practice grounds tomorrow afternoon, when Coach E.L. Lambeau calls together his oversized gridiron charges for the initial practice session. As the Packers converged on Green Bay for their opening drill, Lambeau announced the signing of Herman Schneidman, blocking quarterback from the University of Iowa, who is back in uniform for his fifth professional football season. Most of the Packers will be on the field Saturday, although a few, delayed for various reasons, will trail in several days later. Charley Brock, giant Nebraska center; Bill Lee, Alabama tackle; and Frank Steen, Rice end; have been given special permission to report Monday. Don Hutson will not arrive until Wednesday, and Norman Purucker, Michigan halfback who will try out for Bobby Monnett's vacant left half post, is engaged in summer scholastic work at Ann Arbor and may be as much as a week late. Eddie Jankowski and Champ Seibold, Wisconsin fullback and tackle, respectively, are unsigned, being virtually the only men now listed in the holdout class...GUNTHER HAS OPERATION: Bill Gunther, Santa Clara fullback who was slated to try out at the blocking back position, will not report. Lambeau received a wire from him yesterday, sent from San Jose, California, and bearing the news that he recently underwent an operation for appendicitis. Gunther wired that his doctor has forbidden him to play football until later in the season, and possible not until 1940. In the meantime, he remains Packer property. Lambeau was disappointed at the turn of events, as Gunther, who weighs 205 pounds and stands two inches above six feet, was regarded as a likely prospect. Cecil Isbell, who hasn't come to terms yet, will arrive before practice starts, and Lambeau anticipates no trouble in getting his names on a 1939 contract. Andy Uram, Minnesota halfback, is unsigned but has wired that he will report for practice pending a discussion of terms.
GREEN BAY'S LARGEST PACKER SQUAD IS GATHERING IN CITY
AUG 5 (Green Bay) - Andy Uram, fleet halfback from the University of Minnesota, today came to terms with Coach E.L. Lambeau of the Packers and signed his 1939 contract., Lambeau announced this noon. It will be Uram's second season with the Packers...Those bulky, oversized men who have been spotted wandering around Green Bay last night
