PAGE TWCI
Fred's Day
This is a day for "Fred." In his 27 years on
campus, Leo Houck called everybody "Fred."
and everybody reciprocated. Oldtimers, boxers,
coaches, students—all were "Fred" to Leo, and
Leo was "Fred" to them.
WHEN OLDTIMERS SPEAK of "Fred", the'
mention Houck as the "uncrowned champion,"
for Houck's ring exploits added many thrilling
chapters to boxing history. They remember •
that he fought over 200 bouts in a career
stretching from 1902 to •1923. They marvel that
he fought in every weight division although
he never weighed more than 176 during his
fighting days. They reminisce about his fights.
with 12 different world champions, including
Gunboat Smith, Harry Greb. Battling Levinski •
and Gene Tunney. But despite all his successes
'—he won 85 per cent of his fights, they' say—
he never got a shot at the middleweight• title
when in his prime. That's why the oldtimers
dub Houck the "uncrowned champion."
When coaches speak of "Fred," they re.
member that two of his Niftany proteges
later achieved success in the ring, Middle•
weight Billy Soose and Heavyweight Steve
Hamas. They say that "Fred's" formula for
success in the ring was perhaps oversimpli
fied, but it seemed to work. "Keep your left
working in his face," "Fred" would advise.
"and belt him with your right when you get
a chance," These coaches also cite "Fred" as
turning Out 'yen team champs and 48 indi
vidual titlisx. at Penn State.
When "Fred's" boxing students speak of him,
they say' there was nothing showy about his
classroom manner. Watching his , boxers from
the ring apron, he was taciturn, soft-spoken,
unobtrusive. Now and then ,he'd step into the
ring to demonstrate a point. Handball in Rec
reation'-Hall kept him trim at the . age of 60, but
he pulled on a glove for •the • last, time during
Steve llamas' collegiate career. He had no
wish to play fast and loose with his expensive
gold dentures, his boxers say.
WHEN STUDENTS SPEAK of "Fred," they
remember he -was• a connoisseur of two-dollar
words. They know that his polysyllabic ad
monitions ate liked to look up high-brow words
and use them for a laugh) have become a Penn
State legend. They recall that as recently as
last summer he ruled the I- stove league at
Graham's- candv store, squ. rig argumenta
tive and boisterous students ~vlth a soft warn
iatgr don't get obstreperous."
.aid when students talk about 'Trod." they
also recall that they--or their predecessors
as Men on the Mall--;-clubbed Leo Houck "the
good, Doctor." helping usti:Onscio' :lusty to mold
Houck into a Nittany tradition.
When students speak. of "Fred," they ,fancy
him inside the boxing• ring while in his fight
ing prime. They scan his record and are prob
ably most impressed by the two no-decision
battles with Gene Tunney.. But not Houck.
"Those bouts," he'd whisper, "were extraordin-
Qrily
When student's in Rec Hall speak of "Fred."
they may wonder what he'd . say about all
this—the "Leo Houck Night" and the cam
paign to raise $5,000. •As someone has noted.
"Fred" would probably say proudly:
"It's a philanthropic benevolence."
Penn State has an, enrollment of nearly
11,000. At Wisconsin students number close. to
21,000. Penn State has an athletic arena which
seats 4600. The' Wisconsin field house seats
25,000. Everybody at Wisconsin can be admit
ted to athletic events!
Mg* Elaity Collegian
Successor to THE FREE LANCE. . est. 188?
Published Tuesday through. Saturday mornings in.
elusive during the College year by the ata of The Daily
Collegian of The Pennsylvania State College.
Entered as second-elaas stutter July 5. 1934. at the State
College, Pa.. Post Office under the act 44 Starch 3, 1879.-
Business Manager
Marlin A. Weaver
Editor
Torn Morgan
Managing Ed.. Wilbert Roth; News Ed., Jack Reen:
Sports Editor. Elliot Krone; Edit.' Dlr.. Dottie Werlim
ich; Society Ed., Commie Keller; Feature Ed., Sylvia Oehner:
Asst. News Ed., Jack Senior:. Aest. Sports Ed.. Ed Watson
Asst. Society Ed., Barbara Brown; Promotion Co-Mgr.
Charlotte Seidman; Photo Ed.. Ray Renter: Senior Board
George Vadase, Albert Ryan. Bob Kotzhauer, Myrna Tea
Roy McHenry: Stale Cartoonist. Henry M. Progar.
STAFF THIS ISSUE
Night Editor
Assistant Night Editor
Copy Editor L. D. Gladfelte‘
Assistants Jean Berg, Doris Golub, Carl
Huber, Dick Martz
Advertising Manager Martha Ross
`3sistants Ed Singel, Al Adelman, Dale
Johnson, Al Chieppor
fliZ DAILY COLLEGIAN, STATE COLLAGE, PENNSYLVANIA
UTTLE NUN ON CAMPUS
RANDY GRAHAM—"I have known Leo for 27 years and during
that time he had become my very best friend. Every night during
that time he used to come into the store and bring with him some
of the tales for which he is so well noted. He's the first guy alumni,
returning to the College, inquire about. It never fails, they all want
to know how, `Fred' is."
DR. A. •H. GRIESS—"Foi the past ten years I was highly honored
to have been associated with Leo and his boxing teams. -He has
friends everywhere, he commands their respect and admiration.
Unquestionably he is the dean of collegiate boxing coaches. His
fatherly guidance has launched many boys on their way to sucess
ful careers in all walks of life. We will sorely miss his friendly com
pany, and advice."
808 HICKS—"I've known Leo since I went to high school; he only
lives eight blocks from wherel do. He has always been one of the
most respected men at Lancaster as well as Penn State. His friends
are too numerous to be counted. I'm very happy to be lucky enough
to know him and to have absorbed some of his wisdom."
• From A Boxer
808 KELLER—"If it hadn't been for Leo I would never have re
ceived the campus prominence that I have achieved. His . advice
and teaching have been instrumental. in all my thinking and actions
since I have enrolled at State. He saw something in a kid that shad
nothing and within a year, after many hours of work, he changed
my complete outlook. I'll brace all. my college memoirs back to
Leo."
GEORGE VADASZ—"During the past two boxing seasons I had to
contact Leo daily to help spread his gospel to the outside world.
Never have I met a greater coach, gentleman or sportsman, never
has one 'man who has represented Penn State risen to greater
heights and received More laurels than Leo. Few will ever achieve ,
as great a following of friends as he did." ' /
From A Coach
CHARLIE SPEIDEL—"Leo has been missed these past months, not
only by his Recreation Hall compatriots _whom he has consistently
beaten in handball -or battered with his 'two-dollar' words, but by
his friends of students, faculty and townspeople who dubbed him as
ruler of the hot stove league at Graham's. His homespun philosophy
of sly humor has captivated everyone. The soft-spoken gent who
worked his boxers next to my wrestling mats for many years has
my deepest admiration, both as a coach and friend." •
From. An Administrator
WALTER HOSTERMAN—"Leo is a friend to both young and old.
He'll,treat you with respect whether you are a youngster or an old
timer. But what I'll remember him most for is his diligence in
answering mail. During the war years he religiously wrote to many
home-sick Penn Staters and gave them the necessary: 'lift' which
was needed at the time. As a fellow worker he was 'TOPS'."
Safety Valve...
TO THE EDITOR: I just read the article in the Daily Collegian
nn the investigation by All-College Cabinet of the selection of the
campus Personalities. Not only am I of the opinion that the selec
tion was. a poor one but I am also of the -opinion that the La Vie
gaff has fallen dwn in another area—this being the choice of La Vie
Belles.
What I'd like to, know is just what is La Vie's definition of
.ulchritude?
In some of the past years, beauty when they saw it.
Jhotographs of the prospective The selection this year is a
Belles were displayed to the stu
downright shame. If these girls
lent body and from these, after
various opinions were polled, the are , the, lest of Penn State
final selection was made—and I beauty, l'dThEite to see tile, - worst
might add the final selection , that State has to offer
proved the La Vie staff knew • Name Withheld
Bill DetweilE
... Ron Bon
-.!
I t -1111,
. . . 9 feet 11 inches. Is that enough, Elmer?"
On HourkLsm
From A Student
From A Sportswriter
Is This The Best?
From A Friend
From A Doctor
Safety. Valve...
by Kibler
. . . ,
La Vie Answeks,
TO THE.EDITOR; You have heard the Cabi
net's side, now hoyv about La Vie's.
• My, impression o£ the conduct of this investi
gation leaves me with the same feeling I would
get if I read about our national Congress in
vestigating Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
for leftist leanings.
Lqs,talk..- about Harry Kondourajian, who
adinitted to—me—that , he was unprepared to
make a statement such as he made. He told me
someone told him to bring it up the same after
noon of the night of Cabinet meeting. I .think
that j.s' a, wonderful way for our governing body
to gO abOut things. What I mean is, 'bring some
thing up, boy; we'll put your picture in Colleg
ian whether. you know anything about it or
licit. Kondourajian later made a motion
'that Cabinet should have the power of selec
tions • concerning personalities. This motion
was defeated unaminously. In other words
Kondourajian voted against his own proposal.
Now about . the Collegian article which I
belieVe was-written 'a la Keller attacks Cabi
net' . .
1. Personality selections have never been an
nounced. in the past until the day the yearbook
was dith.ributed . . . Now in view of that, I ask.
under what obligation was, or is, the 1950
senior board to announce this year's selections?
None, I say.
2. May 14 is not the deadline as stated• in the
Collegian, but January 31 is. May 14 is . the day
distribution of. LaVies usually begins.
.., •
3. Why doesn't Collegian say something
about the underground methods used by the
people interested in the obtaining the names
on the personality list? I told Cabinet the whole
story Thursday, night and I see no reason why
the whole student body shouldn't lino* about
it.
4. Our selections were chosen under the
rules set forth by the constitution ,of. LaVie In
c or porate d. I feel that we have fulfilled jthe ob
ligation to the student body of Penn State
under those rules.
Cabinet doesn't tell Elmer Gross •who ; to use
in his starting line-up. Cabinet doesn't say
whether some athletic managerships .should be
legacies, or whether they should ,be earned.
Cabinet doesn't tell Players what. per Son can
portray Romeo ,best on the stage. Why should
Cabinet attempt to tell LaVie who .to include
in the yearbook? -
Let's keep politics out of 'LaVie. Let's keep
LaVie the good publication it has always been.
Since this whole question has* been taken up by
the LaVie Board of Directors, and will ,be dis
cussed and probably changed at the •neXtmeet
mg, why not let LaVie take care of its own
problems? The LaVie Board of Directors in
cluded three members of All-College Cabinet,
two members of the LaVie staff, and six faculty
and 'administration members. Sounds like a
capable enough list, doesn't it?
Gazette . . . .
• Sunday, January 15
ALPHA RHO OMEGA, Home Economics
'Living Center, Home Economics Building, 7
p.m.
SENIOR BOARD Edit, Daily Collegian,
C.H., 1:15 p.m.
COLLEGE. PLACEMENT
Further information concerning interviews and Job place.
vents can be obtained .in 113 Old Main.
'National ;14etid ,Company, Jan. 20. February
and June grads at PhD., M.S., and B.S. levels
In Chem, ChemE, and Metallurgy interested in
research hi fiela::"bt 'titanium chetnistry. High
stholastic standing is essential.
The General Electric Atomic Energy Plant
it fianford, Wash., Jan. 18, 19. February and
June grads ire Chem And ChemE for develop
ment work." - Applicants must have 1.8 or better
average.
Dupont. Co.. .Jan. 18, 19, 20. February and
June PhD. candidates in Chem, ChemE, ME,
Bact,. Biochem, and Phys.
The General Electric Co., Jan. 16. February
grads with accounting backgrounds, for their
business training program. Applicants must
nave 2.0. o}• better, average and be between 21
{' and •26 , years of
North American Insurance Co., Jan. 19.
February grads in AL, CF, ME, EE, and
McMillen 'Feed Mills, Jan. 17, 18. February
and'Ane.grads,in Ag courses or any men with
''farm backgrounds, for sales positions.
June grads in IE who are interested in gen
eral ,industrial engineering work with The
Arms*rong, Cork Co. should report to 112 Old
Main at once to fill out preliminary applica
tions.
June. grads. in ME and IE who are interested
in sales. engineering positions with The Indus.
trial Insulation• Division of the Armstrong Cork
Co. sholild report to 112 Old Main at once to
fill mit .preliminary applications. •
The: Fidelity 'Mutual. Co., Harrisburg Agency,
Jan. l 3:. February grads for careers as life
agentS' in coUnties. around Harrisburg. Inter
views can be arranged for. other dates if neces
sary.
Col6aieLPalmolive-Peet Co., Jan. 20. Febru
ary and June B.S. and M.S. candidates in Chem.
Applicant's must have 1.8 or better average.
SATURDAY; JANUARY 14, 1950
—Ray • Saul
Editor of LaVie