Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 23

9 Contract Signs Already at Work on Hons? No Miracle DETROIT FREE PRESS Friday, February 20, 1948 23 Start of a New Grid Era in Detroit I Gridii Oriairon Predicted by McMillin ixoie iNOtning new to ivnivimm rmressiona Years Ago, Later Beat NFL's Best at Own Game Bo Made Good as Player 26 McMillin took one fast glance, a couple of other way like 2 to 4 Years of Hard Work Ahead, He Says BY BOB LATSHAW Colorful Bo McMillin officially started to grin and then rolled down his sock to reveal a tightly trained frogs. "After the third jump, Griggs (This is the first of a series telling the life story of Alvin (Bo) McMillin, new head coach of the Detroit Lions.) packed roll of greenbacks. stopped and with his eyes blaz became the general manager and "One time he came into the open and there was just me between him and the goal line. Well, he jumped one way and I jumped right with him. He jumped the other way and I hopped over with him again.

Then we both jumped the "Got S3.000 in that wad," he coach of the Detroit Liona said, "and the safest place to carry it was in my sock ing snarled: 'Well, make up your mind and do something, you blamed so-and-so Thursday noon, when he signed a contract at the Detroit Uiuo. BY LYALL SMITH Frrfi Pres Sports Editor Alvin Nugent McMillin looks like a southern-style Casper Those were the days of get BO KICKED UP quite a dust cloud as a pro player, but he Although McMillin said that he hnH nirpadv started working" on paid before the kickoff" in the pro ventures that were being Milquetoast. He talks real softlike with a right pleasin' drawl. yK Ay brings even a more modern background of professional com stirred up around the Midwest. his new job, there was one technicality to be overcome.

Bo must obtain a release from his seven-year contract with the University And the cagy McMillin didnt take long to find it out. of Indiana. "I'll telephone the university board of trustees right away, McMillin said. "I don't think there's anything to worry about. HE LEARNED to collect his money in advance and then secret it somewhere on his per Fact is, he picked up $23,000 back in 1922 as a play-for-pay performer when the professional game was a barnstormer's delight.

He came out of tiny Centre College with the status and press clippings of an All-America quarterback. He needed money just as he had needed it ever since he had been forced to drop out of school when he was 11 years old to help support his family down in Fort Worth, Tex. His first pro game was with Milwaukee against the famed Canton Bulldogs. "They had a right smart back-field," Bo recalls. "Three of them were Indians Jim Thorpe, Joe Guyon and Pete Calac.

The fourth was a fellow Texan, Cecil Griggs, who was the fastest of the lot. "Tins GRIGGS was one of the quickest stop-and-go backs I ever did see," he chuckled. "When a tackier came at him, he'd hesitate, then jump to one I UNIVERSITY officials have In petition into his new job in Detroit. He is the only collegiate coach whose teams hold two victories over the champions of the professional National Football League in the annual All-Star Game in Chicago. Bo was head coach of the Stars in 1938 and defeated the Washington Redskins, 28 to 16.

son while he played the game. dicated that McMillin would pe And that brought to mind the released to assume his new auues time he was tackled hard, low with the local pro football team under a contract reported to call for $30,000 a year for five years. He drinks nothing stronger than water. He doesn't smoke. His strongest expletive is an occasional "Lawdy Lawdy." His coaching background is strictly collegiate 26 straight years of it.

"Seems almost a shame to toss a quiet little fellow like that into this dog-eat-dog professional football league, doesn't it?" murmured the photographer who had been shooting Bo's arrival in Detroit. BUT THE LOOKS of 53-year-old Bo McMillin are deceiving. So is the cold hard type on the record books, which chronicle only his 144 victories against 87 defeats and 13 ties. In his first press conrerence McMillin gave no indication or foolhardy optimism. and viciously.

Bo's leg buckled under him and he couldn't get up. One of his teammates wandered over for a look and suddenly blinked his eyes at the way Bo's sock bulged sharply just above the ankle. "Take it easy, Bo," he gasped He came back to pilot the collegians again in 1946 and turned in a 16-0 triumph over the title- winning Rams. "It probably will take two, three or even four years before the Lions can compete on an even basis with every other team in the league," McMillin said. In Bo's agreement with the For a "pore li'l country boy" Bo is doing all right.

(Saturday: "McMillin Goes to I.thtftfli""'!!' urn "It looks like you've busted your leg. Look at the bone sticking BO THE PLAYER IN 1922 out He was Centre's star back then side and take off like a streak, Bo is no novice in pro football. Detroit Football Co. is a Clause notifying the board of directors, stockholders and other Interested parties that the process of rebuilding the team will be slow. lest Cooley to Give Northern THE STATUS of other mem bers of the staff is still pretty much in the air.

With McMillin assuming the role of general manager, Lew Cromwell, who served in that capacity for the last four i Annunciation Hems In St. Charles Player 2 Quintets years, will now Become Dusiness manager. WMWIIIItIJIIIIlWllll.W)IIIWIII:-'MI.JIJl.ll""'l''. 1 1 rs Take Titles Annunciation and St. Andrew Triumph Joe Bach, who has two years left on his contract as line coach, "may fit into the picture," according to McMillin.

He said that he had not had a chance to talk with Bach, but thought highly of his ability as a coach. There is a possibility that Bob Winslow, backfield coach last year and also holding a contract with a year to go, will also be assigned some duties with the McMillin regime. It is quite likely that BO McMILLIX LYLE FIFE Lions' president watches new coach sign contract Cardinals Eye Upset Southwestern, Miller in Other Semifinal BY GEORGE PUSCAS Northern High School's bid for top ranking among Michigan basketball teams will receive its toughest test of the-season Friday in the semifinals of the City League's championship playoffs. Althoue-h Coach Eddie Powers' Annunciation and St. Andrew clinched sectional basketball championships Thursday in the 7T 1 Catholic League.

Annunciation whipped St, Indiana on opo Charles. 48 to 36. to sew up the Winslow will assume the role of a talent scout and assistant coach. East Side crown in the parochial loop's Second Division. The Cougars will face Shrine, West Side champion, in the divisional piayoii Feb.

28. unbeaten quintet rules as favorite, the Eskimos are not expected to Since McMillin has declared that he plans to bring one or possibly two assistants from Indiana, the Lions coaching staff would be the largest in the club's history, a five-man affair. Under present plans McMillin will offer line and backfield Jobs to Carmel Temerario and Owen Cochrane, long associated with Bo in those capacities. "That will all have to be worked ST. ANDREW turned back All Saints.

44. to 29. to walk off with JL for Grid Coach Brown, Frnka Among Candidates Mentioned for MeMillin's Post BLOOMINGTON, Ind Indiana University needed a new head football coach in a hurry after the professional Detroit Lions announced they had signed Alvin N. (Bo) McMillin, con- int his release from a 10-year Hoosier contract. have easy going against Cooley's rejuvenated Cardinals.

the Third Division West Side title The triumph was the 53rd In a row for St. Andrew. Chester The teams ciasn at a p. m. the neutral Central court.

j- t'A ft i Krawczak tossed in 21 points to pace the winners. St. Hedwig: defeated Sacred Heart, 39 to 30, in a contest that mit McMillin said. "There will be an announcement along those MILLER AND Southwestern, two old hands in playoff competition, clash in the other semifinal engagement. Both teams have been hard hit by midseason personnel losses, and they are had no bearing on the Third Di lines in about 10 days." vision title race.

tiuhnw i With spring- football practice AJfN'UNC'TIOV f48 ST. CHARLES 36 A A i AS FAR AS McMillin getting his release is concerned, several members of Indiana's board of trustees have indicated there will SC Teams Drkr.f 4 19 Mirhaels.f 1 2 Kulirk.f 4 2 10 Hrullrn.f 2 4 Srhaffner.e 4 13 McBride. 2 Waters. 6 12 Mareo.K 7 31J be no trouble. Lotzar.c lKiver.c rated even.

Their contest will be played on the Cooley court, following the reserve-team championship playoff between the same schools. The preliminary gets under way at 7 p. m. Kept Busy Totals SO 8 48 Total 1 4 36 Score at half: Annunciation '42. St.

Charlea 14. coming up, Indiana wu to start an intensive search for McMillin's successor. Everybody on the campus had suggestions. The board of trustees was expected to name a committee to begin winnowing the names. ONK INDIANA official was reported to have said that the office of athletic director probably would bo made separate again.

It was riven to McMillin a year and a half ago after the retirement; ot Z. G. Clevenger. T5aPhnM Coach Paul (Pooch) Free Press Photo I 'i i iifiii i.iiiM.riifiiin.)i- riiwnnrrmiT West Siders Currently ranked third in the State hv the Free Press, Northern Swimmers, Wrestlers and Boxers in Action EAST LANSING Michigan State's undefeated swimming team will face the University of Cincin C. Walter McCarty, publisher of the Indianapolis News and a member of the board, said "unofficially, there seems no reason why McMillin would be held to his contract." Most of the board members were reluctant to let the veteran Indiana mentor go, but wouldn't hinder his advancement.

The board will be polled by telephone whenever McMillin requests his release. close in. Kirlik finally tied up McBride. Annunciation won, 48 to 36, and the East Side Second Division title in the Catholic League. can greatly strengthen its bid for tvio Nn 1 srot bv notching its Gene McBride (52), St.

Charles forward, tries to figure out some means of getting rid of the ball as Jack Kirlik (left), Annunciation forward, and an unidentified teammate Gain Edge 10th straight triumph. FOR COOLEY, victor in eight in Consolations 4-UNDER-PAR 67s DO IT norroit nnr! Basketball Coach of 10 starts, a spot the semi Leafs Fail finals has furnished added incen r.rarrh McCracken were men West Side basketball teams won tive pnd enthusiasm in what naa tinned for athletic director before McMILLIN INTENDS to take been one of the "deadest" DasKei- four of six City League consolation games, pitting schools which either failed to make the playoffs over runtime operation or ms hall schools in the league. to Tie Wings Lions job March 1. If business In the Dlavoffs for the first time in thpir 20-vear history, the Car New Orleans Open Pace Is Set by Local Talent NEW, ORLEANS (U.R) Fred Haas, and Frank Champ, ir nf native sons, shot four-under-par 67s to lead a McMillin's appointment. There was speculation that the trustees might name an athletic director first and that he and the athletic committee would begin hunting a new football coach.

Tncsibilities rossiped about in nati at Cincinnati Friday mgnt. The Spartan tankers then will hop to Columbus for a meet Saturday against Ohio State. The Michigan State boxing team also is on the road this week-end. The mitters will face the University of Virginia at Charlottesville Saturday. Three teams will be In action here.

The Spartan basketball team will engage Ohio State Saturday, while the fencers will oppose Illinois and the wrestlers engage Cornell (Iowa) College, the defending National Collegiate champion. Masonic Lead dinals look somewhat like a little affairs in tsioomington snouiu keep him away longer than March 1, Bo will commute to Detroit to start things moving. bov in his first pair of long pants. or were eliminated in the first round. Pershing turned In the only East victory.

Paced by Earl Johnson's 18 points, the Doughboys stopped Chadsey, 45 to 27. WESTERN and Southeastern battled to a 39-39 tie. Southeast- Montreal Wins, 3-1 24 Penalties Called MONTREAL (JP) The Mont first-round field of 138 in the $10,000 New Orleans Open golf tournament. I Never have they resembled a title contender, but newfound zest for the cage sport may supply the spark that could blast all Northern's dreams. Miller's defending City cham real Canadiens downed the Toronto Maple Leafs, 3 to 1, a xsiauonai eluded Paul Brown, now coach of the Cleveland Browns in the All-America Conference and former Ohio State coach.

OTHERS INCLUDED Henry Frnka, of Tulane; Sid Gilman. of Miami, and John Majrnabosco, Ball ern's Sam Smith captured scoring Haas, a local star who knows ehring Approved Hockey League encounter nign-lighted by 24 penalties. A crowd of 11,218 watched the game. i i the tricky Metairie Country Club course where his father is pro, Dions, boasting: a recoru oj. j.

for UCLA Post "I intend to give all my energies to making the Lions the most talked of team in the National League," McMillin said. 'They'll be a fighting team." Because of four children in school in Bloomington, the McMillin family will not move to Detroit until the end of the term. Then Bo will become a fulltime Detroiter. 'T hope to have the help of everyone to make this a successful civic enterprise," McMillin declared. "Everyone will have to put his shoulder to the wheel, just as Tm going to do." victories, one tie and one defeat (by Northern) in their last shot, three birdies going out lor a two-under-par 33.

He duplicated the feat on the back nine for a 34. honors with 15 points. U. of D. erased 'a one-point halftime deficit and dropped Hamtramck, 45 to 38.

Central walloped Northeastern, 42 to 29. After leading, 26 to 6, at half time. Mackenzie coasted to a. LOS ANGELES (JP) The Retained by Robinson starts fares a dreaded foe in UCLA Athletic Board approved Southwestern. The defeat prevented the Leafs from moving into a first-place tie with the idle Detroit Red Wings.

Referee Kingr Clancy handed out the hiring of William (Dutch) BOBBY LOCKE, South African ON THE VERGE of making his Robinson retained first place Fehring, former Purdue star tackle and Oklahoma line coach the last two years, as assistant football 43-21 triumph over Cass. Don Hasse counted 18 points for the 23 of the 24 penalties in the first third successive appearance in the finals. Coach Will Robinson has in the Greater Masonic Bowling League by sweeping four points from Alcona in a battle for top star who was playing in a threesome with Haas, said that Haas had played a "great game." Locke, an early co-favorite with Haas to Stags. coach. only a revamped quintet to send two periods.

Bill Ezimcki, or tne Leafs, and Butch Bouchard, of the Canadiens, drew the only majors. TnnnvTd Ml MONTREAL (3) honors Thursday at Olympic Rec AND LES PATRICK AGREES ON CHOICES nMrt r.nnl Dnrnan Robinson turned back the chal-2852-2660. The setback against his cross-town nvai. Graduation and Ineligibility have taken all five members of the quintet Robinson possessed less than a month ago. The sly Trojan mentor has come up with reserves, however, and 'there's no telline what can hap Adams Booms 4 Wings as All-Sfars HrnnnPd Alcona from the runner Mort-on Thomson LP Bouchard K.nnrdr IMrn Meeker RW Richard Lrnn 1W Plamondon Toronto pare itanowski.

Watson. iMrts. Bentley. App. Eiinickl.

8mith. Klu- win the tournament, was form and shot a one-over-par 72. Champ, who lives at Lake Charles, found the difficult court to his liking and snatched the early first-round lead away from the veteran Jimmy Thomson. Thomson had 68. up spot, into fourth place behind State College coach, former Indiana fullback and one-time developer of state high-school champions at Clinton.

The name of Pete Rucinski, of East Chicago Roosevelt, state high-school grid champion the last two years, also cropped up. Rucinski is another Indiana alumnus. It was pointed out that Brown jumped straight from high-school coaching to the Big Nine after his Massilon team had dominated Ohio high-school gridirons. Another possibility was Charles (Chuck) Bennett, another Hoosier star nearly two decades ago who now is football coach at LaGrange High School in Illinois. Basketball THURSDAY'S RESULTS HIGH SCHOOL Annuclation 48 St.

Charles 36 St. Andrews 4 Sacret Heart 24 Kenton Har. 33 Muskegon II. 29 COLLEGE Wilson and wesuoi. of the finest goal tending shows Barilko.

iAiirl snares Rlooelle. I. or as. Har right wing and Buddy O'Connor (New York) or Max tsenuey To mon. FiUion.

Chamberlain, Rear. MosdelU Carveth. llter. Dussault. pen in the usually unpredictable BY MARSHALL DANN Special to the Free Pres NEW YORK A political band of the year at Madison Square Garden in the Wings' 3-1 triumph.

Lumley kicked out 30 shots for ronto) at center. playoff games. WILSON GRABBED three points from Powell, 2S07-2722, to move into second place. Westlof shut out Lincoln Park, 2824-2659. pan Hntran and Lloyd Mangrum FIRST PERIOD: 1 Montreal.

Richard fl4Wh-Plamondon. 2 Toronto. Meeker (Kennedy 14. Penaltiea 9 Kniufiv Meeker. Barilko.

Lvnn. wagon to elect four Detroit Red third with 69s. Hogan went the victory that boosted uetroit Southwestern also has been hard hit by graduation. Coach Lyle VanDeventer has had success back into undisputed first place. Bouchard 3.

Reardon. Kiukay, Ezi- nickl. Broda. SECOND PERIOD: 3 Montreal. Rear Wings to the Mationai league All-Star team is rolling today.

Manager Jack Adams gave it a out strong with a two-under-par 33, but could only break even on the back nine with a 36. Dr. Carv Middlecoff, Memphis LINDSAY GOT the important Parisclean and Roger were forced into an extra frame to decide their match, Parisclean finally winning three points, 2873- with his new combination, but its nnlv test came in the first don. 18:22. Penalties Reardon.

Bouchard. Lynn. Carveth. Chamberlain 2. Barilko.

nM KlnkaT. The New York experts previously were unanimous in the case of Lumley. They arrived at the luncheon still panting from lengthy efforts of writing up Lumley for his work of the evening before. They credited Harry with one healthy shove, and men iouna first roal, while Gordon Howe rjiavoff round, where it beat Cass unexpected help from the New Torm rfpntist: Al Brosch, Gar THIRD PERIOD: 4 Montreal. Dassault and Don Morrison added the other 2872.

Gentle tooK tnree ironi. a Tech. 34 to 30. Ca rveth). 14:01.

Penalty Keardon. York delegation. a riiT tj Amateur Joe two. tional, 2832-2692. SDeakine at a luncneon or tne hirT- Baton Rouge.

and Adams shocked the New York New York hockey writers, Adams Johnny Revolta, former National writers a bit when he offered the named four Detroiters Harry If's Brief And It's News statement: "You know, we have PGA champion, scoreu uuc-uuuw- a 17-year-old prospect in our par 70s. Hockey Lumley, Ted Lindsay, Bill Quack-enbush and Jack Stewart calling them "the best at their positions Mary Crawford, four -day -old farm system who is better now than Lumley was when he came to us at the same age. in hockey today." GFGAPts. daughter of Jack Crawford, vet liuffalo St 67 Carnegie T. Heidelberg 42 Mt.

Union Jienvon 59 Ashland W. Carolina 57 Atlantic V. Maryland 51 ILamp-Syd'y Caroiina 62 Elon BEFORE THE Broadway scribes Olde, Callan Cue Victors could wave this away as parental 26 IS 9 154 113 61 23 11 IS 144 116 59 17 18 12 189 155 46 17 20 10 129 134 44 15 23 9 106 124 S9 15 28 5 149 180 85 off option. suDDort came from a DETROIT Toronto New York Boston Montreal Chicago 44 36 54 46 52 44 53 55 73 48 56 68 68 Ohio U. 63 Otterbein respected local source.

Marietta Capital eran def enseman or tne isoston Bruins hockey team, died at Boston. Jack Aragon, who caught for the Louisville Colonels of the American Association for the last three seasons, has been named manager of the Fort Smith (Ark.) team in the Western Association. champions will participate in the IC-4-A indoor track meet at New York Feb. 28. They are Tom Foss, of Cornell; Geoffrey Tootell, of Harvard, and Rod Meredith, of Yale.

Stan Spence, former Washington outfielder, has signed his 1948 Boston Red Sox contract. Mrs. Eddie Bush, former Detroit district golf star, and her partner, Paul Bennett of Palm Beach, were eliminated in the semifinals of the Mixed Foursome trnt tournament at Palm Beach. Albany Allegheny Millersville Up jumped Lester Patrick, head of the New York Rangers. He spoke very deliberately.

Roy Olde and Bill Callan each won matches in the State three-cushion billiard tournament at the WEDNESDAY'S RESULTS DETROIT 3, New York 1. Boston 4, Chicago 2. "You'll hear a lot about this he's Terry Sawchuk down on our Omaha farm. I'd have all the confidence in the world in Terry if we had to put him in our nets now and through the playoffs." Missing from the meeting was Coach Tommy Ivan, who left town with his players immediately after Wednesday's game. They are in Toronto where they were scheduled for a practice in preparation for Saturday's crucial clash with Lou Klein will oppose Dick Wallis in the feature bout of the! weekly wrestling card at Arena Gardens Monday night.

The Tuesday mat card at Fairview Gardens will be topped by an Australian team match between Klein and Bert Ruby and the combine of Paul Lortie and Jim Spencer. Ray Murphv of Chicago and Hugh Johnston of Fort Wayne have been awarded belated honors as the most valuable players in the National Softball League in 1947 Clyde Dexter, a pitcher of the Midland (Mich.) Dowa was a runner-up. Sons of three former Olympic Taylor I tica 91 Grove 56 r.loomsburg 68 Oakland Centre 48 ('('XV 51 Mich. Normal 57 lliirh Point 64 Olde beat Transylvania 40 "I agree entirely with Jack that all four of those players should 39 tjk Twis bo to 32 in 85 innings Canisius Albion Guilford Callan topped Larry Shapiro, 50 to 43. Friday's matches will pit Jake AnVrnm against Shapiro at 7 THURSDAY'S RESULT Montreal 3, Toronto 1.

SATURDAY'S GABIES DETROIT at Toronto. Boston at Montreal. Cotton HowelL Texas end, has signed to play professional football next fall with the San Francisco. of 52 54 59 48 53 37 47 mane uie Aii-otai team. THIS PROMPTED the reporters to press Adams for his nominees to the two other berths.

He named Bud Poile (Chicane)) at Wake Forest 66 Clemson Duke 57 Virginia Maryland 60 Richmond Roanoke 49 VMI p. m. and Callan will meet Leon The Bush-Bennett combine lost pcrrv Kirk of and the second-place Maple Leafs. ard Kaplan America Conference. a I -i i mi Miss.

r. -OBJ Ted Berghaus 5 and 4. St. Ambrose 62 Illinois Tech 53.