"THE FATHER OF AMERICAN FOOTBALL"

WALTER CAMP, 'NOTED ATHLETE,' FOUND DEAD IN HOTEL BED 

New York City (JFK+50) On March 14, 1925, United Press reports the death of "noted athlete" Walter Camp* today here in New York.  Mr. Camp was in the city attending the yearly football coaches meeting.

The former Princeton University all star and coach was "found dead in bed" at the Hotel Belmont by Coach Bill Roper**.  It is Roper's opinion that Camp passed away of a heart attack sometime during the night.

*Walter Chauncey Camp (1859-1925) was born in New Britain, Connecticut & played halfback at Yale University, 1876-1881 & coached at Yale & Stanford.  WCC was a successful sports writer & is known as "The Father of American Football."  His coaching record is 79-5-3 & he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951.

**William Winston Roper (1880-1933) played 3 sports at Princeton 1899-1902 & coached football at Princeton 17 years.  His record is 96-28-17.  WWR was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951.

SOURCE

"Walter Camp Is Discovered Dead," The Indianapolis Times, March 14, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Walter Chauncey Camp

1910

Yale University Manuscripts & Archives

"TUNE EVERY HEART & EVERY VOICE"

 WILSONS SERENADED BY PRINCETON GLEE CLUB

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On March 30, 1923, the Evening Star reports former President Woodrow and Mrs. Wilson "were serenaded last night at their home" located at 2340 S Street here in the Nation's Capital by the Princeton University Glee Club*. 

Songs included the "most famous and enduring" Princeton alma mater (since 1859) "Old Nassau." 

The fifty members of the musical group stood out in the street in front of the Wilson home and sang selections of Princeton college songs.  The group, on their way to a concert in Hot Springs, Virginia, decided to swing by the Wilson home on their way through Washington.

*PUGC is the oldest & most prestigious choir of Princeton University in New Jersey.  It is composed of 100 mixed voices & tours internationally.

JFK+50 NOTE

In February 1890, Mr. Wilson was appointed to the chair of Jurisprudence & Political Economy at Princeton.  He served as president of the college from 1902-1910.  JFK's national security adviser McGeorge Bundy wrote...

"Wilson was right in his conviction that Princeton must be more than a wonderfully pleasant and decent home for nice young men, it has been more ever since his time."

SOURCES

"Old Nassau," Princetoniana, www.princetoniana.princeton.edu/

"PUGC," Princeton University Glee Club, www.princetongleeclub.com/

"Wilson Given Serenade by Princeton Club," The Evening Star, March 30, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Nassau Hall

Princeton University

Photo by Ken Lund (2019)

www.flickr.com