The Times

Thursday, November 10, 1960, page 21 (of 23)

← Earlier issue Later issue → Download this page

The page

You can also pinch or scroll to zoom, and drag to move around.

The text of this pageRead by computer from the scan, so some words may be wrong. The page picture is the original.

Homecoming Has Brought Joy To Grads For 31 Years

UM's annual Homecoming celebration has brought joy to the hearts of its students and tears to the eyes of its alumni for 31 years. In 1930, about 35 grads got together, formed an Alumni Association and suggested that a Homecoming "tradition" be established. It was. Although UM was founded in 1926, there had been no Homecoming previously because, as Dr. X. James O'Brien ('29), 12100 SW 60th Ct., explains, "There was no one to come home; they were all here!" On Nov. 25, 1931, the first Homecoming football game was played. The Hurricanes beat Erskine College (S. C.) 9-0 for their first win of the season. Having lost five straight previously, everybody figured UM to lose by no less than 21 points. That was Homecoming's happy start. Battle To Draw The freshmen and sophomore classes also battled to a draw on the Burdine Stadium (now Orange Bowl) turf in their annual tug-of-war. The Homecoming formal, held that night in the Biscayne Blvd. Shrine Temple, featured "Blue Lou" Merlin, an early Miami radio disc jockey. The winners of the dance contest received a 27-inch high loving cup. By 1937 Homecoming had ballooned to a two-day affair, but Miami lost to Drake, 7-0. In 1958 President and Mrs. Bowman F. Ashe gave the first alumni reception at their home. Miami beat Bucknell 19-0. Students danced in the streets of Coral Gables and around a victory bonfire in 1939 as "extra-special" sky rockets decorated the sky. But the fireworks backfired for the football team, beaten 13-0 by Florida. Muddy Defeat The "Fabulous Forfies," the 10 phenomenal years of growth which UM honors for Homecoming 1960, cam flooding in as Miami played Mississippi in a driving rainstorm. Those who could see the scoreboard reported the final score as 27-7 with the Mississippians muddy but victorious. Less than a month later, the war broke out. Homecoming activities for 1941 were therefore "severely curtailed;" and so were UM's gridders, again losing to Florida, 14-0. Some pride was salvaged however for alumni as their "All Stars" defeated the Fraternity All Stars in a touch football game, 38-25. That was also the year that a chaotic Pep Rally was held in Bayfront Park with the combined UM and Florida student bodies and alumni frantically trying to out-cheer each other. Come To Live The Homecoming issue of the campus newspaper, Hurricane, also carried a full page ad by the City of Coral Gables urging all grads to come home for good—and live in the Gables. It was signed by Mayor Joseph M. Whilley. The admission to the 1942 Homecoming Dance, held at the Coral Gables Country Club, was the purchase of three or more 10-cent war stamps. The administration had suggested discontinuing the celebration for the duration, but students and alumni objected violently. "Giving up luxuries in war-time is one thing," a Hurricane editorial noted, "Refusing to try to keep up traditions on the ground that they couldn't be as glorious as they were in peace is another." Heartened by the decision, alumni and students turned out by the thousands to see UM beat South Carolina 13-6 in football and Francisco Segura beat Don Budge in an exhibition tennis match. Administration Wins The administration, plus gas and rubber rations, won in 1943, however. There was no Homecoming that year. Things seemed to be going uphill again the following year, so UM tried Homecoming again—and lost to Florida again, 13-0. The celebration was held in September to combine it with freshman orientation. There was much discussion as to whether the price of the dance tickets was too high—$1.20 per couple. Hurricane Assistant Sports Editor Dick Gerstein wrote the lead story in the 1945 Homecoming issue. Now State Attorney, Gerstein exercised careful legal form in urging fans not to become confused just because Miami (Fla.) was playing Miami (Ohio) that year. He later reported that Miami had won, 27-13—Miami of Florida, that is. "Everything's back," alumni noted approvingly of the 1946 Homecoming celebration. Dances, banquets, parades and pep rallies were back in more profusion than ever. Back also were hundreds of alumni from the armed services. They saw Miami lose to Louisiana State, 20-7. They danced to the music of the "Blue Waters" at the dance, held at Richmond Field. Honored guests was the then, and now, Governor of Louisiana Jimmie Davis, who refused either to sing hillbilly songs or play his guitar. Spoil Sports Up until that time all frosh caught without their identifying hats, "dinks," at Homecoming were thrown into the campus fish pond. The tradition was discontinued last year when an alligator was discovered in the pool. "No longer may erring frosh be tossed into our fish pond," the Hurricane noted sadly, "without murder charges following well nigh immediately." In 1947, UM maintained tradition by losing to Florida, 7-6. The parade through the cities of Coral Gables and Miami, however, was labeled the "biggest and ever best." Eight hundred cars and 26 floats clogged traffic in both cities for hours. It was for this reason that the City of Miami refused UM a parade permit the next year, 1948. Coral Gables said "OK," however, merely urging that "cars and trucks pulling floats should have a sufficient gas supply." Tex Beneke and his band played at three week-end dances for alumni and students. When Miami lost to Maryland 27-13, Hurricane sports writer Eddie Storin asked, "How Good is Gus?" Coach Gustafson and his squad answered the next year by going out and trouncing Florida for a change, 28-13. Alumni were ecstatic. That 1949 Homecoming is called "the greatest" by many— The Right Touch Dr. Ashe lent "just the right touch of academic splendor" by leading the Homecoming parade in a Model T—hundreds blushed as a frosh lost his pants climbing a greased pole at the class games... Freddy Martin played at the Homecoming Dance... Coral Gables Mayor W. Keith Phillips proclaimed a "University Day"... the first Main Campus classroom building, Merrick, was completed and dedicated after standing as a shell for 23 years... and Coach Gus was carried off the field by his triumphant players—on their shoulders. In 1950 things weren't much more subdued as a float which was supposed to show an Iowa football player blowing smoke rings caught fire instead. Miami Mayor William Wolfarth proclaimed "UM Day" and Miami upset Iowa, 14-6. UM's Silver Anniversary was celebrated in 1951 with, among other things, the presentation by the Navy of a bronze bell to be rung each year opening the celebration. The then-Senator from Florida Claude Pepper gave a speech at a banquet and Johnny Long and his orchestra gave out with the music at the Homecoming Dance. Miami beat Florida, 21-6 and alumni were most pleased. Building Dedicated The highlights of the 1952 Homecoming celebration were the dedication of the Ashe Administration Building and the last recorded panty raid on campus. But Vanderbilt caught Miami, 9-0. A time capsule containing tape recordings of the 1953 Homecoming events, plus copies of University publications was lowered into a steel vault marked—"Do not open until 1976." That will be UM's golden anniversary. This occasion caused several pundits to remark that the man leading the Homecoming Parade, Gov. Charlie Johns, might also be of historical value. Miami beat Florida, 14-10. Miami trundled past Alabama 23-7 in 1954 and Claude Thornhill played for the Homecoming dance. Jackie Hart, Homecoming Queen for 1955 so impressed the U.S. Navy that they named a helicopter after her. There was a torch light parade through the Gables that year, Ralph Marterie played at the dance, and footballers Whitie Rouviere and Joe Kolut went on TV to explain how the Hurricanes would beat Boston College. BC was not tuned in; they lost, 14-7. In Grand Style UM's 30th birthday was celebrated in grand style in the 1956 Homecoming Week. Queen Kathy Hammock was crowned on TV, letting local viewers in on the festivities from the start. Film stars Constance Bennett and Robert Strauss treated alums and students to a "Best of Steinbeck" presentation. The campus mourned the imminent graduation of two of its heroes, All-American fullback Don Bosseler and Miss Majorette of America, Janis Wadsworth Wyatt. Both did well in their national TV debuts, but the nation saw Miami fall to Pitt, 14-7. Homecoming and Armistice Day coincided in 1957, bringing the Hurricane comment: "With each toll of the (Homecoming) bell, a three-fold story is being told; the World Wars, I and II, and the peace and joy of a collegiate festival." But even with four bands playing continuously at the Homecoming dance, the week lost joy when the "Terrible Terps" of Maryland crept leisurely past Miami, 16-6. In an effort to break a two-year Homecoming losing streak, the 1958 planners named the cheerleader captain Lonnie Robinson, their Queen and proclaimed the day of the game, "Victory Day." But Miami still lost to Houston, 37-26. A squad of UM debitors saved some glory by defeating Oxford University of England on the subject of Nuclear Weapons Banning. And then it was just last year with the Hurricanes finally coming out of it to beat South Carolina, 26-6. It was the largest Homecoming Parade in a decade. And this year? The Hurricanes face the Irish — and who knows?

In Coral Gables The SLACK SHOP

2337 Ponce de Leon Blvd. One Block No. of Miracle Mile OPEN MON. & FRI. TIL 9 P.M. MAKING ROOM FOR SUIT DEPT. ALL SLACKS REDUCED FOR CLEARANCE Asstd. 9.95. Gro-p NOW 6.95 LARGE GROUP 12.95 SLACKS DACRON — WOOL DACRON — ORLON NOW 8.95 Large Group REG. TO 16.95 FLANNEL—ORLON WOOL—SHARKSKIN NOW 12.95 ASSORTED 22.95 Group TROPICALS WORSTEDS GABARDINES NOW 18.95 NO CHARGE For Expert Fitting & Ttailoring IN COCONUT GROVE Cunningham's "HOUSE OF SLACKS" 3004 GRAND Ave. Opp. Kwik Chek

COMPLETE POOL SERVICE

• Maintenance & Repairs • S.W. Representatives Swim Pool Equip. Co. Weekly Cleaning Including All Chemicals $25 Per Month Free Home Delivery All Pool Chemicals MO 5-3803 Office Showroom 7190 BIRD ROAD

FOR RELIABLE TV OR RADIO REPAIR

Call Us We Are PHOTOFACT-EQUIPPED ELECTRONIC TECHNICIAN WE UNDERSTAND YOUR SET BEST We're fully equipped with a SAMS PHOTO FACT Library The world's finest TV-Radio Service data. We have the complete manual covering the very set you own. That's why we understand your set best. Member of Miami Chamber of Commerce & T.E.S.A. ROY'S RADIO & TV 5527 SW 8th St. MO 1-0823 Open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

the finest GIFTS

Exclusive But NOT Expensive CHRISTMAS GIFTS From All The World! • Florentine Boxes • Music Boxes • Hand Carved Nativity Sets • Danish Lanterns Unique Imported Christmas Cards The GIFT QUESTERS 162 Giralda Ave. HI 8-4103 Coral Gables, Fla.

NEED A PLUMBER?

THEN CALL RAY BALL HI 5-2461 LICENSED PLUMBERS Radio Dispatched Trucks 4251 S.W. 8th ST. RHEEM ELECTRIC WATER HEATERS with 10 yr. warranty 20 GAL. $43.50 30 GAL. $49.00 Glass Lined 20 GAL. $59.00 30 GAL. $68.00 RHEEM GLASS-LINED GAS WATER HEATERS 20 GAL. $62.00 30 GAL. $69.50

NEW! Only 28" High Quaker DECORATOR "Cool Cabinet" unvented gas wall heater

Hangs on the wall like a picture! Ordinary Heater NEW QUAKER Requires NO Floor Space! ■ Takes no floor space, eliminates the unlivable zone. ■ Easy to hang on wall ... in 3 to 5 minutes. ■ Super Safe! No danger of scorched furniture, draperies or walls. ■ Cabinet always cool to your touch. ■ Cabinet can be painted any color to match walls. ■ Modern styling blends with any interior. ■ Porcelain heating chamber guaranteed 20 years against rust-out or burn-out. ■ "Deep Port" burner guaranteed 20 years. Insures against flashback or popping. ■ For all gases: natural, mixed, manufactured, and LP. ■ Simple add-on thermostat controls (optional). $4995 PAUL'S HARDWARE Ph. MO 7-9301 2511 SW 67th Avenue Miami, Florida