Saturday, October 24, 2009

No football at Linfield (then called McMinnville College) 1906-1921








Photos: Linfield 1922 football, left. Below (top to bottom) Thodore Roosevelt and Leonard Riley.


A PRINTED LINFIELD FOOTBALL PRESSGUIDE:
1906-1921
"Football suspended by action of the Board of Trustees in the summer of 1906. No football that year or until it resumed in 1922."
BACKGROUND HELPING EXPLAIN WHY LINFIELD TRUSTEES SUSPENDED FOOTBALL:
"President Theodore Roosevelt ordered a cleanup of the game in 1905 and used the bully pulpit of the White House to pressure the Presidents of Harvard, Yale and Princeton to change college football rules after the deaths of 18 players during college games in 1905. The American Football Rules Committee changed the culture of football overnight with rule changes with included the banning of mass formations and gang tackling, increasing the distance for a first down from five to ten yards and the introduction of the forward pass."
LINFIELD MAGAZINE WINTER 2007 ISSUE INCLUDES:

From the annals
Leonard Riley on football


While celebrating his presidency’s 10th anniversary at the local First Baptist Church, on March 1, 1916, McMinnville College President Leonard Riley delivered the following judgment on football:
“When I was a lad in the country school there was one game which we played from morning until night, season in and season out....That game was football played in the old fashioned way when kicking the ball was the main part of the game, and the running involved developed both muscle and lungs.The following year the change was made to the modern method of playing the game. I went out with the rest of the boys and practised (sic) the new methods, and then I said to them:‘Boys, you’ll have to excuse me; I think too much of my face, my limbs and my life to run the risk of having them ruined in any such game as that.’

“What I have seen of the game since that time has but strengthened my conviction that the modern game of football has no more place in a Christian institution, or a civilized country, than has bull baiting and prize fighting. One of the first recommendations I made to the Board of Trustees of McMinnville College was that the game of football as then played should be prohibited. It was unanimously adopted; and Professor Northup, who has been with the College for more than a quarter of a century, insists that few, if any, of the actions of the Board of Trustees during this decade, have done any more for the improvement of the moral tone of the institution than has the elimination of this game with its spirit of rowdyism and brutality. In this respect I have seen another of my ideals of College life in such a way that neither the Trustees nor the Faculty would for one minute consider a reinstatement of the game in McMinnville College.”

One “modern method” that distressed Riley was gang tackling, eliminated by rule changes demanded in 1906 by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt. As Roosevelt’s reforms took hold, the game’s image was bolstered. Its revitalized boosters included McMinnville College’s male students, who regularly lobbied to reinstate football. Their wish was granted in an announcement at chapel on Jan. 10, 1922. This welcome word was superseded that day by even better news in the announcement of Mrs. Linfield’s bequest and the name change for the college.
Given the timing of its reinstatement, the opponents of football, including Riley, may have focused as much on its cost as its morality. Still, in Riley’s defense, Roosevelt’s reforms did eliminate much “rowdyism and brutality” from the game.

–Marvin Henberg
(Editor’s Note: This vignette is a glimpse back through 150 years of history as Linfield approaches its sesquicentennial in 2008. Marvin Henberg, professor of philosophy, is writing an illustrated history titled “Inspired Pragmatism: An Illustrated History of Linfield College.” Barbara Seidman, dean of faculty, is editing the text and will write an afterword for the book. The book will be available this fall.)


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'Popular Mechanics magazine' - Jan 1906

"'SOCKER" FOOTBALL.— The appalling list of 19 deaths and 132 serious accidents during the American football season of 1905, has called forth the demand from press, public and college presidents for an immediate and radical change. "Socker" football is suggested as much less strenuous."

(Comment from 2018: Spelled "socker" then, it's "soccer" now.).
...............






Monday, October 19, 2009

Vote for Linfield's Joe Smith as football 'Coach of the Year'


Posted 10/19/09

Vote for Linfield head football coach Joe Smith as college football 'Coach of the Year.' The link through which to vote is below.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

DVD sale supports Paul Durham Endowed Fund for the Support of Athletics at Linfield College


Oct. 11, 2009

Contact:
Ray Olson, Linfield Class of 1954
Vancouver, Wash.
360-896-3023
brolson@pacifier.com



McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Paul Durham was head football coach at Linfield College for 20 seasons, 1948-1967. Ray Olson is among the hundreds who played for Durham says Durham’s influence is never ending.

A 1954 Linfield graduate, Olson played four years for Durham. “Coach was a role model without peers. I am forever grateful to have had him as a coach and as a friend,” said Olson, a three sport athlete enshrined into the Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame in 2002.

During the later years of his life, Durham traveled from his home in Honolulu to the Linfield campus for a summer lunch reunion with former players and friends. After Durham died in 2007 the reunions continued. A final reunion in September 2009 was the spark Olson needed to complete a DVD on which he had been working for several years.

The 82-minute DVD is “Apples Don’t Fall Far from the Tree: The Legacy of Linfield’s Paul Durham,” sells for $25 each. All funds raised by its sale support the Paul Durham Endowed Fund for the Support of Linfield Athletics, which Olson and the Durham Summer Luncheon Committee created in 2005.

Narrating the DVD is Craig Singletary, Linfield Athletics Hall of Famer and public address “voice” of Linfield home football games at Maxwell Field.

Interviews in the one of the DVD’s nine chapters -- "Paul Durham: Gentleman, teacher and coach – includes the following from three of his Linfield football players:

-- “Coach Durham … he was just a person you could like. As soon as you met him he always had a nice thing to say, he always embraced you.” Odis Avritt

--“He was an excellent teacher, he was a coach that you respected, I never heard this man use a foul word.” Mike Stelman

--“ I have been associated with some very distinguished people in the business, none of them are any better men or better at what they did than that Lincolnesque guy sitting over there.” Fred vonAppen

Buy the DVD for $25 each in the Linfield Bookstore, Riley Student Center, Linfield College, McMinnville OR 97128. Orders to the bookstore by phone (503-883-2240), U.S. Mail or through the bookstore Website, www.linfieldbookstore.com, will be $30 each to cover shipping and handling. The DVD is also available by e-mailing Ray Olson at brolson@pacifier.com or calling him at 360-896-3023.

A graduate of Dallas, Ore., High School, Olson earned a bachelor’s degree from Linfield in 1954 and a master of science degree in sociology in 1968 from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He retired in 1994 from College of DuPage in Illinois, where he taught sociology for 25 years. His interest in East Asia led to two Fulbright scholarships in Korea (1992) and China (1994). In retirement he studied filmaking and produced two documentaries on China for social science and humanities teachers. After Linfield won the NCAA III National Championship in 2004 he produced the film A Dream Fulfilled: Linfield’s Incredible Stagg Bowl Journey.

For more information, contact Olson, 360-896-3023, brolson@pacifier.com.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Linfield at Oxy football 19 Sept 2009 & more



Still photos taken on Oxy campus in Eagle Rock, Calif., except the photo directly below, taken in Claremont, Calif.




Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Football: Hardin-Simmons at Linfield Sept. 12, 2009


"Welcome to Wildcatville"


Dave Hansen, radio 'Voice of the Wildcats'

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Linfield 'Hello' Video

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Roy Helser, Beaver pitcher & Linfield coach, dies at 83

The Oregonian, Wednesday, October 26, 1994


By KEN WHEELER (a Linfield grad)
of The Oregonian staff

WHO:
Former Portland Beaver pitcher and Linfield baseball coach

QUOTABLE:
“He was one of God's gifted people.” – Paul Durham, classmate, coaching colleague and friend.

The Portland native starred for his hometown baseball team, then added a national baseball title while coaching at his college alma mater

Roy Helser, a man who pitched with distinction for the Portland Beavers for more than a decade half a century ago, then later made a name for him­ self as a coach at his alma mater, Linfield College, died at his McMinnville home Tuesday.

Helser, a native of Portland and graduate of Benson High School, was 83. Death was attributed to causes re­lated to age.

Helser, a left-hander, was a top pitch­er with the Beavers from 1942 to 1952 and was a member of Portland's 1945 Pacific Coast League pennant winning team.

It was an era when the Beavers played in old Vaughn Street ballpark and rode a wave of popularity that saw them draw nearly half a million fans 1947.

Later, Helser coached at Linfield for 21 years, then served as athletic director at the school for four years before retiring in 1972. The baseball field at the college was named after him several years ago. “He was one of God's gifted people,” said Paul Durham, who was a classmate, coaching colleague and friend through the years. “I can't say enough wonderful things about him. I'm limited.”

Durham, who lives in Hawaii, and Helser were classmates at Linfield from 1932 to 1936. Durham returned to Linfield as football coach in 1949 and Helser joined him the next year.

The two served as co-coaches of the basketball team for four years while Helser also was the baseball coach. Helser then took over the basketball duties alone and continued as the baseball coach and also as an assistant on Durham's football staff.

During his 21 years as baseball coach at Linfield, the Wildcats won 14 Northwest Conference championships, and his 1966 team won the NAIA national championship.

One thing that marked Helser throughout his career was his competitiveness.

In 1956, four years after Helser left the Beavers, the team moved from Vaughn Street into what was then called Multnomah Stadium. A staple of the time among fans was Rollie Truitt's Beaver Scrapbook, and in that 1956 edition there still was a picture of No. 25, Roy Helser, beneath which was written, “One of the fiercest competitors ever to wear ' a Beaver uniform.”

Helser's pro baseball career started at Waterloo, Iowa, in 1937. Later, he pitched for the Salem Senators of the Northwest League in 1940 and 1941, and then signed with the San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast League in 1942. Late that season, he was acquired by the Beavers.

At first, it was part time. Helser also pitched for a team in the Albina Shipyards League in 1943, before settling in as one of the Beavers’ top pitchers for the next several years. He had three consecutive 20-win seasons, going 20-16, 20-14 and 20-16 from 1944 to 1946. He also made a mark as a semi-pro player and manager in a time when that carried considerable weight, first with the Silverton Red Sox, then with the Drain Black Sox.

“He was one of the greatest competitors that I have ever known,” said Ad Rutschman, former football coach and current athletic director at Linfield who played both baseball and basketball for Helser at the school.

“He was just a great competitor, and that rubbed off on everyone. The quality of his programs was always outstanding.”

Ted Wilson, who succeeded Helser as basketball coach at Linfield and worked with him there for 11 years, said: “When we speak of Roy Helser, the first thing I think of is a great competitor. He was like a brother to me. We had a great time working together. When I think of Roy, I think of honesty, strength, integrity, and compet­itiveness. It's very difficult to realize he’s not going to be with us any longer.”

Helser is survived by his wife, Dorothy; sons, J. Dennis Helser of Salem, and Roy Helser Jr., of Portland; daughter, Susan Peterson of Tualatin; brother, Morris Helser of Tigard; nine grandchildren and one great grandchild.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the First Baptist Church at McMinnville. The family has requested that remembrances be made to the Roy & Dorothy Helser Baseball Scholarship Fund at Linfield.
...........
The Volga Germans in Portland, Oregon
Click here for this story.
Roy Helser was a top pitcher with the Beavers from 1942 to 1952 and was a member of Portland's 1945 Pacific Coast League pennant winning team.

Later, Helser coached at Linfield for 21 years, then served as athletic director at the school for four years before retiring in 1972. The baseball field at the college was named after him several years ago. “He was one of God's gifted people,” said Paul Durham, who was a classmate, coaching colleague and friend through the years. “I can't say enough wonderful things about him. I'm limited.”

Roy Helser was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1981.

http://www.volgagermans.net/portland/roy_helser.html

Linfield Athletics Newsletter of Nov. 10, 1969

LINFIELD COLLEGE
ATHLETIC NEWSLETTER
NOV. 10, 1969

Dear Friends of Linfield Athletics:
We were very optimistic here at Linfield upon the writing of the first newsletter back in September and now have reason for new hopes. The building program, which is going on down below us right now, is hopefully drawing to a close, the football Wildcats are back in a familiar spot – first place – and Ted Wilson’s hoopsters have begun a new season with practice, Nov. 1. Since losing the season opener to Portland State, 26-21, Ad Rutschman’s ‘Cats have taken five of their past six games and are riding a three-game winning streak going into this weekend’s College of Idaho tilt. The Wildcats need only to take the game in Caldwell to cinch at least a tie for the conference title. Rutschman came through with another thriller, Saturday, as his troops reared back from a 17-7 halftime deficit to squeak by Willamette 20-17. Linfield’s only league loss has come at the hands of Pacific Lutheran, 27-21, in a game in which the Lutes denied Linfield in a brave last ditch come back attempt. Other Northwest Conference victories include a 15-3 decision over Pacific, 17-7 over Whitman and 14-0 over Lewis and Clark. As you can see, the games have all been closed with the ultimate decision virtually hanging to the last seconds in some.

It cannot be denied that Ad had produced another fine foot
ball team in his second year at Linfield. The Wildcats have been getting their share of publicity out of the season also. OF note was an article in the Sunday Oregonian (Nov. 2) on Linfield’s tough defense. Many thanks go to Chuck Humble, student sports information director, and Tim Marsh, who held the job last year and is assisting Chuck. The have both had a busy fall with the football brochure, game programs and a million other details that crop up from time to time in covering Linfield football. We’ve received excellent publicity in the local newspapers (Salem) and even in some others, further away. A clipping of a story written by Kenn Hess, Sports Editor, of the Coos Bay World, filtered across my desk a few weeks back. Also, articles have appeared to our knowledge in the Milwaukie Review, McMinnville News-Register, and North Bend Sun and News besides our regular news outlets. For the first time in Linfield sports history, radio KMCM is broadcasting all home and away football games. Dick Bacon, local businessman, and Frank Molek, Linfield grad and former student body president, are handling the coverage for KMCM. Dick has already left for the Hawaii game as he is combining both business and pleasure on this one!

A rather hectic few days face Ad and his Wildcats. The make their two longest trips of the season on back-to-back weekends. Following the trip to Caldwell, from which they arrive back on Sunday afternoon, they leave again Wednesday morning from Portland International Airport via Northwest Orient Airlines for Honolulu. Some of you may be making this trip with the team and we wish to extend out hopes for both a good game and a pleasurable vacation. Local travel agent, Peter VanLeerdam, is handling the tour and will accompany the team and fans. He is also in charge of basketball trip to Honolulu in January and anyone interested in going with the team at that time could make arrangements through The Travel Bureau (503) 472-5127 in McMinnville. Peter has done an outstanding job in helping get Wildcat teams where they have wanted to go and was a major factor in helping the Wildcat basketball team log over 6,000 miles last winter mainly on trips to Alaska and Kansas City.

Several of the alums in Hawaii are anxiously awaiting our visit there. I wrote to Kenny Ling, who is working for Palama Settlement in Honolulu. Kenny and the rest of them are anxiously awaiting the football team and we are looking forward to a very happy time with members of the party. We have a luau planned for that Sunday night and he has a lot to do with getting it together. Kenny in past years has been a great deal of help to our football team in transporting the team to different places and making arrangements for different functions in the Islands. It will be nice seeing him again.

Following his three-day tournament, Ted Wilson has begun formal practices. Ted has nine letterman returning and four of those are starters. We are looking forward to another outstanding season in which the ‘Cats will be seeking to repeat as Northwest Conference champions for the sixth time. The conference has cut its schedule from 18 games to 12 this year giving us many more non-conference games. Therefore, Ted has put together an outstanding schedule which includes such outstanding teams as Central Washington. Last year, CWSC finished third in the NAIA tournament after Linfield had split wit them on the regular season. Other top opponents include Humboldt State, Portland State, the University of Hawaii and St. Martin’s College. Returnees to Wilson’s squad include all-conference choices Dan Beeson, Gary Donnell, and Pat Smithey. Other lettermen are Keith Shriver, Bobby James, Jim Sims, Ross Peterson, Terry Miller, and John Venemon. Ted kicks off his season with the annual tip-off tournament being held at Willamette and Lewis and Clark, Dec. 4-6.

Anyone who happens to pick up a Converse Basketball Book may notice the team picture of Linfield’s 24-4 past season on page 19. The ‘Cats are also listed among teams in the nation with the fewest losses.

The Cross-Country team coached by Hal Smith is winless, meet-wise, but finished sixth in the Northwest Conference meet held last week in Salem. Top performers for the Wildcats are freshman Jim Williams from Albany, Jerry DeVore from San Leandro, along with lettermen Mike Westfall and Tim Marsh. Newcomers who have helped Hal’s team include Jim H. Rich, Dan O’Brien and Bob Bogardus. Westfall, after breaking his finger, has been forced to run in several meets with a cast. He is also a top performer on the Wildcat track team in the spring.

Speaking of track, Keith Shriver finished fifth in the NAIA Tournament in the 200 yard dash. The meet was held in Billings, Montana on its all-weather track. Keith’s points allowed the ‘Cats to tie for 46th in team standings. He is also a basketball letterman and has high hopes for another outstanding track campaign.

Dave Kernan, swimming coach, has been organizing his team for the winter season. The team will again use the McMinnville Municipal Pool for its practice sessions and home meets. Men turning out for the team include: Ken Roberts, William Brenner, Edward Bird, Glen Shepard, Dennis Wiley, Shawn Fisher, Emerson Wood, Kim Vannatter and Dale Croy. Women turning out are Billie Marsh, Connie Hermen, Jan Beesley, Sheryl Bartel, Angie Chinn, Nancy Schonfeld, Heidi Harrison, Anita Hunt and
Kathy Howard.
About the construction of the new student center in Riley Hall which has directly affected us, it is expected now to be completed about the first of January and reading for the students to use when the second semester begins in the middle of January. Already, the book store has moved to where out old offices were. Bookstore manager John Dillin has found the new smaller space causing him some problems but has made the move with a minimum of difficulty and inconvenience. The trophy case which was removed with the moving of the post office across the hall will be rebuilt, (and is nearly complete now) on the wall straight ahead as you enter Riley. It will be a little smaller that the old one but will provide a nice place of attention for our athletic awards. The rest of the student center is just beginning. The large patio on the west side of the building has been done for some time, but delays in wiring and heating equipment have caused the postponement of completion time.

Speaking of new things, the new baseball diamond is looking very good. Both the infield and outfields have been planted and the hope now is that winter rains do not cause a serious settling of the areas which contain the drainage tiles. I plan to play all our varsity games there this season if it comes along satisfactorily.

On behalf of gifts, our heart-felt things go to the Autzen Foundation of Portland for its $3000 grant to purchase a universal gym. The equipment will make a great contribution to our physical education program and physical fitness area.

From the mail we hear that Dave Lum, Linfield alum, is the new co-owner of Toyota of Astoria and recently he and two other partners held their grand opening.

Tom Caspell, private first class United States Army, has been awarded the bronze Star Medal for heroism not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. While under heavy enemy fire, he gave aid to the medical team with treatment of the wounded and aided the evacuation operation until he was seriously wounded. His courageous professionalism and selfless concern for his comrades and instrumental in saving soldiers’ lives.

Terry Picknell, class of ’59, is at home recovering from an operation to remove some growths. The major surgery was done at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eugene, but it has helped Terry to expect to return to a normal life. He is expected to be fully recovered in about a year’s time. He would like to hear from friends and you may write to 224 Raymond Road, North Bend, Oregon. Terry was an All-Conference tackle under Paul Durham in ’57-’58 and graduated in business administration and has worked for Pape Bros. Implement Co. in Eugene, Coos Bay and North Bend.

Russ and Bonnie Hollinshead from Bend, a couple of alums from a few years back, stopped by after the PLU game. Unfortunately, I wasn’t in, but they left a card saying they saw a real great ball game.

George Murdock, former sports information director and good buddy of the athletic department, has been named vice-principal at W.F. West High School. He joined the Boosters Club and said his new school has topped the 800 student mark and is busy on a million dollar building program. He has bought a home about four miles south of Chehalis. His new address is Rt. 5, Box 564, Chehalis, Washington 98532.

My old coach Henry Lever, who is now 85 years old, dropped a line the other day. He is one of the great people I have ever met in my lifetime, and I will always remember him. I always remember what he did for me and other people like myself. If it hadn’t been for Coach Lever, I would never be here today. He was reminiscing in a littler about going to Dr. Riley, who was president at Linfield when Coach Lever first came here. He asked for a little tuition help for the athletes which up to that time only students studying for the ministry and were from strong Baptist families were receiving. As his entering argument, he said, “It is harmful to players and to student morale to always lose.” He mentions also that his was probably the entering wedge toward getting some aid for the athletes here at Linfield. Lever now employs seven people at the Henry Lever Real Estate Agency in Madras. Here is another quote from his letter: “I will be 85 next Saturday. I feel the same as many years ago, but will probably collapse when taking a wind sprint some day, and that will be alright also, for my life has been enriched by the wonderful men whose path’s crossed mine in their youth, and have gone ahead and done a wonderful job in life.” Some of you old timers might drop him a card—he’ll be thrilled to hear from you. You can reach him by sending a letter or card to the Henry Lever Agency, P.O. Box 89, Madras, Oregon 9741.

Sp. 4 John Hart dropped a card from Vietnam where he is stationed at 8th Field Hospital in Nha Trang. It is a seacoast town along the central portion of Vietnam. He says the area is relatively pleasant and secure compared to the rest of Vietnam. The only get mortar and rocket attacks once in a while. He says their biggest worry is the “Sapper” attacks in which the VC try to blow up the hospital with satchel charges. John’s address is Sp. 4 John Hart …98th Med. Det. (k.o.), A.P.O. 96240.

Bob Dungan says he’s now at Columbia River High School in Vancouver, Washington as the principal. Bob isn’t a Linfield man but has always been a Booster for the Wildcats.

Before I forget, a couple of “Thank Yours” to Louie King, who flew in from Michigan, and the Robert Harrisons from Alhambra, California, along with many, man others both near and far, who game to McMinnville for the Linfield-PLU Homecoming football game.

Any friends you have who wish to be on our Athletic Department Newsletter mailing list can do so by notifying the athletic department.

Keep smiling.

Best wishes,
(Signature)
Roy Helser
Athletic Director

RH/gt

Add the following name of the Wildcat Athletic Newsletter:

Send this form below to: Linfield Athletic Department, McMinnville, Oregon 97128

NAME
ADDRESS
CITY & STATE ZIP

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Ad Rutschman Baseball Stadium dedicated in Hillsboro



Rutschman gets his due from Hilhi

by Steve Poehler, Hillsboro Argus
Tuesday July 7, 2009, 3:00 AM

A sign at the entrance reads, "Welcome to Hare Field Athletic Complex." Below, two lines say, "Elden Kellar Track" and "Craig Ruecker Stadium."

The latest addition? "Ad Rutschman Baseball Stadium."

Yes, in a tribute that most in attendance said was long overdo, the Hillsboro High School community honored local legend Ad Rutschman with a ceremony Saturday afternoon at newly renamed Rutschman Stadium.

The dedication also included the official unveiling of the field's new electronic scoreboard, which was installed above the left-field wall in early May.

"It's about time we've been able to honor him for all he's done," current Hilhi athletic director Steve Drake told the audience.

Former and current Spartan players and coaches, friends and family came together for a barbecue and the dedication, all to pay tribute to Rutschman.

Earlier in the day, Rutschman served as the grand marshal for the Hillsboro Rotary's Fourth of July Parade that snaked through the streets of downtown.

"I want to thank you very much for this very special and wonderful honor," Rutschman told the crowd.

Following Drake's introduction, five Hilhi graduates spoke about Rutschman.

First up was Larry Binkerd, class of 1961, who had the not-so-easy task of trying to list some of Rutschman's numerous accomplishments.

Rutschman, a 1950 Hilhi graduate, later coached his alma mater to state titles in baseball and football. By the time he left for Linfield College in 1968, his Spartan baseball teams had racked up a 246-79-1 record, and his football squads had gone 58-30-8.

While at Linfield, Rutschman guided the football program for 24 seasons and the baseball program for 13 seasons, and he worked as the athletic director for 25 years.

He retired from coaching in 1991 and as the AD in 1996.

Rutschman was inducted into the hall of fames of the NAIA (1988), Oregon Sports (1993), College Sports (1998) and Linfield (1998). He was also named Oregon's Slats Gill man of the year five times.

"Congratulations, coach, this day is kind of for you," Binkerd said.

Bob Mewhinney (1970), Greg Lord (1967), Dan Rickard (1967) and Ron Webb (1968) also got a chance to tell stories and talk about the impact of Rutschman and his wife of 57 years, Joan.
Mewhinney said he's never met a man that he respected more or a better person than Ad.

"This is where coach Rutschman taught us to be a man," said Lord, referring to the baseball and football fields at the Hare Complex.

Said Rickard: "I never played for a better coach, and I've never known a better person than coach Rutschman."

Drake said the $40,000 scoreboard wouldn't have been possible if not for the generous donation of time, money and labor by the Hillsboro baseball community, Ken and Roman Gratteri and the Hoffman family, among others.

Ad & Joan Rutschman Hillsboro 4th of July parade grand marshals

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/argus/index.ssf?/base/news/1246384247281380.xml&coll=6

Music features add spirit to Saturday July 4 Rotary Parade

Tuesday, June 30, 2009
The Hillsboro Argus

From the White House in Washington, D.C., for the Presidential Inaugural Parade, to Main Street in Hillsboro for the Hillsboro Rotary Club 4th of July Parade….

Later, the story says:

= “Hillsboro native and sports icon Ad Rutschman as grand marshal will be up near the front of the parade along with his wife Joan. His selection fits well with the parade theme this year of "Teamwork Wins." Former players he has coached will come right behind them, plus a team of 11- to 12-year-old players, reflecting Ad's interest in an early start for ball players… =
…………

http://blog.oregonlive.com/hillsboroargus/2009/07/hillsboro_ready_to_celebrate_i.html

Hillsboro ready to celebrate Independence Day
Posted by The Argus July 03, 2009 13:00PM

Hillsboro native and coaching icon Ad Rutschman is the grand marshal of the parade and will be near the front of the parade lineup with his wife Joan. Former players Rutschman has coached will be right behind the grand marshal's car.

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Linfielder Bob Walker retires as a Roseburg High football coach


Coaching career ends for Roseburg's Walker


By TOM EGGERS/The News-Review, Roseburg, Ore.- July 10, 2009

Talking football, even if high school and college practices are still a month away:Roseburg won't have a familiar coaching face around when it begins daily doubles in late August. Bob Walker, a member of Thurman Bell's staff the past 23 years, has ended his coaching career dating back to 1975.

Walker, 56, coached the offensive line and worked with the defensive ends. Known as “Elliott” around the coaches' room, Walker was part of the most successful 10-year stretch in school history.Roseburg won state titles in 1995 and 1996, and was a co-champion in 1990.

The Indians finished second from 1987-89. Roseburg had a terrific run of talented linemen during that time, and Walker got the most out of them.“It's been great ... all the people,” said Walker, who plans to teach health and physical education at RHS the next two years.

“The coaches, the kids, the community. I always enjoyed going to practice after getting out of the classroom.“It's been fun. It exceeded what I thought it would be.”Walker had been thinking about retiring from coaching for a couple of years.

He said last year was a struggle for him physically.“It was a rough year,” he said. “I was so banged up and tired by the end of the year. My knee wouldn't bend. My back started hurting, and both shoulders started acting up.”Walker served the third-longest time on Bell's staff, trailing Ron Goodell (33 years) and Mark Engle (28 years). Bruce Walker (no relation) is entering his 23rd season as an assistant.

“Elliott was with us for a long time and did a wonderful job,” Bell said. “He was a technician ... a great Xs and Os guy, and knew the offensive line inside and out. He wasn't a rah-rah coach. He did an excellent job of working with the kids who were highly motivated.”Walker was in the press box on Friday nights, giving Bell his input on which plays to run when the Indians were on offense.“That was where he was at his best,” Bell said.

“He had a pretty cool head.”Walker coached the likes of tackles Heath Howington (1987-89), Brad Simmons (1988-90), Matt Morrow (1995-96), Sandon Duncan (1995-96) and Robin Knebel (1997-99), guards Chris Gibson (1995-96) and Matt Brock (1997-99), and centers Greg Harris (1987) and Toby Johnson (1996). Howington (Oregon), Knebel (Oregon), Gibson (Oregon State) and Brock (Oregon State) all became starters on the Division I level.

“I could give you hundreds of names,” said Walker, who politely refused to name an all-time top five list of best blockers. “It's tough to remember when everyone played. There were other kids (aside from the all-staters) who were amazing, to play like they did.”

Walker — a 1970 graduate of Grants Pass and former Linfield College player — came to Roseburg after 11 years of coaching under Ad Rutschman at Linfield.

Bob says he'll spend more time on the golf course this fall. He added a vacation with Laurie, his wife of 25 years, is in the works for later this year.“My golf game is bound to get better,” he said.

“It can't get any worse.”

BEAVERS. All reports out of Corvallis say the Rodgers brothers — James and Jacquizz — should be 100 percent by the time OSU's fall camp begins on Aug. 10.

Saturday, May 09, 2009

Articles by Linfielder Howard Graves



This story below is by reporter Howard Graves, who attended but did not graduate from Linfield. After graduating in spring of 1944 from Robinson, Ill., High School (also known as Robinson Township High School or R.T.H.S.), he went to work for weekly (issued on Thursdays) Robinson Argus newspaper.

Howard recalls he was paid 10 cents per column inch to report on high school sports. The Argus was in competition with the Robinson Daily News, which had a full time sports writer and a Saturday edition. That might explain the reasons The Argus story is long and detailed. By the way, Howard joined the U.S. Navy on Nov. 28, 1944. Thus, this article was one of the last he wrote before going into military service.

This story was published in the (issued on Thursdays) Argus. It describes a Armistice Day high school football game –- Robinson vs. Marshall -- in 1944. Armistice Day that year was Saturday, Nov. 11. Perhaps the game was played that night or perhaps it was played Friday night, Nov. 10? Howard thinks it was played on Friday, the typical day then (and now) for a high school football game.


See story here about a visit with Howard and his wife, Audrey.

Maroons Win
Armistice Day
Pigskin Tussle


Down Strong Marshall Team By
Scot of 27 to 6; Victory Over
Oblong On Turkey Day, Nov.
23rd Will Give the R. T. H.S.
Eleven The E.I, and Valley
Championships.


By HOWARD GRAVES
Capt. Jack Kaley, know as the arm to his schoolmates, proved that name against Marshall on Armistice Day in the annual pigskin tussle which the Fighting Maroons came out of top 27-6. For Kaley, his runningmate, Dave Steele, and kid brother “Hoop” put on an aerial attack that has not been witnessed for sometime by local fans. The strong Marshall forward wall stopped the vaunted Maroon running attack so Kaley took to the air to bring victory number eight to the Maroons. Perhaps with this victor came the E.I. and Wabash Valley championships for left on the Maroon schedule is only their cross county rival the weak Oblong Panthers.

On the receiving end of these passes were Lew Olds, Bob Schneider, and when Steele wasn’t pitching he was snagging the pitches of Kaley. Defensibly the Maroons were a little off the ball by past performances. The line seemed weak at times and at other times felt like playing the game. But, the old stalwarts Wayne King and Bob Schneider played their consistent game of stopped any play coming their way. The Maroons left loose another backfield threar in Mike Cauley. Cauley ripped some beautiful holes in the Marshall line and was one of the better players on the field.

The Lions won the kick off toss and took their ball on their 40 after both teams exchanged points and the ball rested on Marshall’s 46 yard line in the Maroons possession. Kaley streaked 54 yards for the opening touchdown. Capt. Kaley also drop kicked the extra point. Kaley intercepted a Lion pass on his 19 yard to start the next series of fireworks. Steele picked up a yard and on 3rd down punted. Vic Bennett, husky Lion guard, broke through the Maroon line and blocked the punt. The Lions recovered on the Maroons 10 to give them their first break of the game. The first quarter Summers picked up 4 yards. English added another yard to bring up the fourth down and five yards to a first down. And then the Lions made a mistake by one that they didn’t make again. Summers took the ball on an end sweep but Schneider brought him down for no gain and the loss of the ball for the Lions. The Maroons took over on their 19. Cauley and Steele gave the Maroons a first down and took them out of the hole but the tough Marshall line braced so Kaley took to the air. V. Kaley hit brother Jack with a pass that netted 23 yards. J. Kaley threw to Schneider for an 18 yard gain and another first down on the Lions 24. The Maroons lost five yards on an offside penalty by Capt. Kaley kept calling aerials and Steele took his hand in the game and hit Olds on the 3. Cauley made the touchdown in two plunges. Kaley made the extra point. Steele intercepted a Loin aerial and the Maroons started another drive. The Kaley brothers took the ball to Marshall’s 32. Here the Maroons could go no farther and the half ended with the Maroons trying to score.

The Lions started the second half with blood in their eye and a determination to grab the game from the visiting Maroons. “Hoop” Kaley returned the kick off to the 28. Steele punted to the 44. With Summers and Maurer totin the ball the Lions advanced to Robinson’s 39. Here the Maroons bucked up a little bit and held for downs. A series of passes gave the Maroons their third chucker. Kaley pitching from the 40 hit Steele who carried the ball for 50 yards to score. The play was good for 59 yards. Kaley’s attempted kick for point was blocked. King intercepted another Lion pass to start the Maroons again on the road to paydirt. With little “Hoop” Kaley using his throwing arm and plunging by Don Shears helped to advance the ball to the Marshall one yard time. Were V. Kaley plunged over. Brother Jack kicked the point.

With Summer and Maurer lugging the Lions started their touchdown drive late in the third quarter. Maurer and Summers toted the ball. To the Robinson 35 and with the help of a roughing penalty got the ball to the 20 from where Maurer slanted between left tackle and end to score standing up. The game ended on Marshall’s 38 in the Fighting Maroons possession.

MaroonsWinbyHowardGravesNov1944.doc
...................
Wildcatville says, when Howard Graves was a Linfield College student writing for the Linfield Review student newspaper, he went to Portland and covered the May 17, 1948, debate of Republican presidential candidates Gov. Thomas Dewey of New York and Harold Stassen, former Minnesota governor. A story he wrote about the debate -- held in the studios of KEX Radio and broadcast nationally -- was printed in the newspaper. Dewey went on to win the Republican nomination and lose to President Harry Truman in the general election held Nov. 2, 1948. Read about the debate in 2011 story 'Dewey beats Stassen: Republicans hold a real debate.' It is written by 1957 Linfield grad Floyd McKay. 

............



Ludington (Mich.) Daily News - Friday, Dec 23, 1966

Two Wyoming Gridders Lost 

By HOWARD GRAVES, Associated Press Sports Writer 

EL PASO,Tex. (AP) — Football practice sessions for Saturday's Sun Bowl game became so secretive Thursday that two Wyoming players got lost. 

And Wyoming Gov. Clifford Hansen and Gov.-elect Stan Hathaway, both Republicans, were run out of the Florida State workout after jestingly being accused as "football spies" by a young coach. 

"It was all kinda comical," commented Dave Lantz, graduate assistant at FSU, after he had asked Hansen, Hathaway, University of Wyoming President Dr. John King and two others to leave the practice. 

But it wasn't nearly as comical for Wyoming gridders Glen Lybarger, offensive tackle, and Tom Gottfaurg, defensive end. 

They were following the Wyoming team bus in a private car driven by a professional football scout. The car lost the bus at a stop light. The two players and the scout drove for nearly an hour trying to find the high school field where the Wyoming team practiced. 

They never did find it, and neither did Hansen and Hathaway. 

“We went to five different fields," Hathaway said. "Dr. King didn't know where they were. Their secret practice was very well concealed." 

When they showed up at the FSU workout, Lantz and another graduate assistant, Al Conover, asked them to identify themselves. They did and were told they couldn't stay — in a nice way. 

Besides lost players, Wyoming has another problem. The Cowboys have new uniforms for the nationally televised game NBC) which starts at 4 p.m., CST, and they can't make up their minds whether to wear white helmets or gold ones. 

A spokesman said it depends on which shows up better in the game to be televised in color.


















A visit with Linfielder Howard & Audrey Graves of Prescott, Ariz.



Howard & Audrey Graves of Prescott ("pres-kit"), Ariz. Video and photos taken May 2009 at their home and in Jerome and Sedona, Ariz. Click this link to see still photos, four of which are duplicates of what are posted. To see videos, press "play" (arrow to the right) button on each of the three little screens below. Howard attended, but did not graduate from, Linfield. See an article by Howard here.












Postscript - Howard Graves reads McMinnville, Ore., News-Register
on 1/10/2012 in downtown McMinnville.


When Howard Graves was a Linfield College student writing for the Linfield Review student newspaper, he went to Portland and covered the May 17, 1948, debate of Republican presidential candidates Gov. Thomas Dewey of New York and Harold Stassen, former Minnesota governor. A story he wrote about the debate -- held in the studios of KEX Radio and broadcast nationally -- was printed in the Review. Dewey went on to win the Republican nomination and lose to President Harry Truman in the general election held Nov. 2, 1948. Read about the radio debate in 2011 story 'Dewey beats Stassen: Republicans hold a real debate.' It is written by 1957 Linfield grad Floyd McKay. 

Read article:
http://crosscut.com/2011/12/dewey-beats-stassen-republicans-hold-real-debate
OR
http://wildcatville.blogspot.com/2000/05/dewey-beats-stassen-republicans-hold.html

A Thursday, May 20, 1948, Oregonian article, "Dewey Urges Fall 40 Million for McNary Dam," by Al McCready, described New York Gov. Thomas E. Dewey's presidential campaigning in Oregon. The article includes:

--"Dewey was jovial and confident of victory as he spoke in Newberg, McMinnville, Sheridan, Dallas, Independence and Salem on his final bus tour before Friday's election.

--"In McMinnville, the governor was made an honorary member of the Linfield college Press club and received a bulky bag of Yamhill county walnuts."





Here's a photo of Howard Graves -- during a visit by Howard & Audrey Graves to McMinnville on 6/27/2012 -- reading the McMinnville News-Register while sitting inside Serendipity Ice Cream on Third Street in downtown McMinnville.





Howard Graves reading the Arizona Republic on March 11, 2013, in Rock Springs Café in Black Canyon City, Ariz.
..................................

Audrey Graves died Nov. 8, 2012
Prescott, Ariz., Daily Courier 11/15/2012 10:32:00 PM
Obituary

Audrey Gayle Graves passed away on Nov. 8, 2012, while in hospice care.

She was 82 and would have been 83 on Nov. 28, 2012. She had been suffering from leukemia for nearly three years. She was born Audrey Gayle Parsnick in Bismarck, N.D.

She married  Howard Graves on Jun 11, 1955, in Helena, Mont. They moved to Prescott, Ariz. in April 1994 from Aiea, Hawaii.

They also lived in Littleton, Colo., Lake Oswego, Ore., and Albuquerque, N.M. They moved from Lake Oswego to Hawaii, island of Oahu, in 1983.

She was a graduate of Stephens College in Columbia, Mo., and the University of Wisconsin at River Falls.

She was an elementary schoolteacher in Big Timber, Mont., Littleton and Lake Oswego.

In Prescott, she was a volunteer and enjoyed her membership at the United Methodist Church. She also loved playing bridge (cards) every Thursday at the Yavapai Hills Clubhouse and on frequent occasions at private homes with friends. She was a member of AAUW (American Association of University Women) and Delta Gamma Society International. While living in Hawaii, she also served as president of the AAUW chapter.

Survivors include her widower, Howard; sons, Carson of Edmonds, Wash., and Graham of Little Rock, Ark.; her 12-year-old granddaughter, Kate, also of Edmonds; a cousin, Nick Jadinak of River Falls, Wis.; and sister Murla LaVictoria of Anchorage, Alaska.

A private family memorial took place on Nov. 9 at her home in Yavapai Hills.

In lieu of flowers or food, please send memorial donations to Good Samaritan Society, Marley House, 1063 Ruth St., Prescott, AZ 86301-1729; (928) 443-5400; www.good-sam.com. Information provided by survivors