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If Ara had the support that Fitz has from the university now, would he have stayed? In an alternative universe, would there be a T
I was in the stands for that wonderful crushing of ND in 1962. The score was 35 -6. One got the impression that the Irish would do whatever it took to get Ara on board so they could avoid that sort of thumping in the future. Ara was a terrific coach, and so was Alex Agase. The players had tremendous respect for both of them.If Ara had the support that Fitz has from the university now, would he have stayed? In an alternative universe, would there be a T
Thanks for the memories, Chores. I have many memories of Parseghian, including the game in 1955 (I was 9 at the time), when he came to Evanston with Miami of Ohio to face the Lou Saban-coached Cats. Parseghian poor-mouthed his squad beforehand, saying he hoped NU wouldn't beat his boys too badly. He then proceeded to rout them something like 37-6. Note of course the symmetry with the 1962 game you mentioned. Almost identical scores, and in each case, Ara gets hired by the guys he's thumped.I was in the stands for that wonderful crushing of ND in 1962. The score was 35 -6. One got the impression that the Irish would do whatever it took to get Ara on board so they could avoid that sort of thumping in the future. Ara was a terrific coach, and so was Alex Agase. The players had tremendous respect for both of them.
Great story! (I was 12 in 1955.). Obviously your memory is better than mine because you have the advantage of youth.Thanks for the memories, Chores. I have many memories of Parseghian, including the game in 1955 (I was 9 at the time), when he came to Evanston with Miami of Ohio to face the Lou Saban-coached Cats. Parseghian poor-mouthed his squad beforehand, saying he hoped NU wouldn't beat his boys too badly. He then proceeded to rout them something like 37-6. Note of course the symmetry with the 1962 game you mentioned. Almost identical scores, and in each case, Ara gets hired by the guys he's thumped.
I grew up less than a mile from Dyche Stadium and practices were open then. One of my proudest kid moments was when Ara yelled at me, "Kid, get off the field!"
My father was at that game. We had just moved to Evanston and he could walk to the games. I was 2. He didn't bring me. Geez.Thanks for the memories, Chores. I have many memories of Parseghian, including the game in 1955 (I was 9 at the time), when he came to Evanston with Miami of Ohio to face the Lou Saban-coached Cats. Parseghian poor-mouthed his squad beforehand, saying he hoped NU wouldn't beat his boys too badly. He then proceeded to rout them something like 37-6. Note of course the symmetry with the 1962 game you mentioned. Almost identical scores, and in each case, Ara gets hired by the guys he's thumped.
I grew up less than a mile from Dyche Stadium and practices were open then. One of my proudest kid moments was when Ara yelled at me, "Kid, get off the field!"
My father was at that game. We had just moved to Evanston and he could walk to the games. I was 2. He didn't bring me. Geez.
Hahahaha! Maybe because when he'd come home I'd ask,So I guess your Dad din't think much of you as a fan.
Did not see Ara coach at NU but did see Alex and he was a solid coach and had us going places. Administration back then was terrible in its support of the program.I was in the stands for that wonderful crushing of ND in 1962. The score was 35 -6. One got the impression that the Irish would do whatever it took to get Ara on board so they could avoid that sort of thumping in the future. Ara was a terrific coach, and so was Alex Agase. The players had tremendous respect for both of them.
if the administration had kept Ara at NU, there would never had been "the dark ages" or that long losing streak. Still think he was the best coach in NU history. Wish him well.I was in the stands for that wonderful crushing of ND in 1962. The score was 35 -6. One got the impression that the Irish would do whatever it took to get Ara on board so they could avoid that sort of thumping in the future. Ara was a terrific coach, and so was Alex Agase. The players had tremendous respect for both of them.
Did not see Ara coach at NU but did see Alex and he was a solid coach and had us going places. Administration back then was terrible in its support of the program.
My dad said he would have and was mad as hell at NU when he left.
if the administration had kept Ara at NU, there would never had been "the dark ages" or that long losing streak. Still think he was the best coach in NU history. Wish him well.
Probably still would have happened; Strotz would have made sure of that.
1962? Holy crap. Wait a minute, I was there also.I was in the stands for that wonderful crushing of ND in 1962. The score was 35 -6. One got the impression that the Irish would do whatever it took to get Ara on board so they could avoid that sort of thumping in the future. Ara was a terrific coach, and so was Alex Agase. The players had tremendous respect for both of them.
That may be, but the players had a very very high regard for Alex, including my roommate, Jack Cvercko, who went to see him before he died. Alex was a good guy, an excellent coach and a first rate human being.As I heard it, it was A.D. Stu Holcomb's jealousy regarding Ara's popularity that drove Ara into the arms of the Irish. Agase wasn't a bad coach, but he was no Ara. Still remember the 7-0 loss at Michigan in 1972 where we punted with a 4th and 2 at midfield with 4:00 left and never saw the ball again. That year was really the start of the Dark Ages despite some really good players we had left over from some good years in 1970 and 71. It was a different era back then, but Alex was way too conservative on offense.
Coach Agase was also a Marine in WWII and fought on Iwo Jima and Okinawa ; received a Purple Heart. An excellent man.That may be, but the players had a very very high regard for Alex, including my roommate, Jack Cvercko, who went to see him before he died. Alex was a good guy, an excellent coach and a first rate human being.
For whatever reason there was animosity toward football, and maybe athletics in general (although we did have a good tennis team) from many academics at NU. At the time they were mostly just a bunch of wannabes, so probably jealous.Alex was definitely old school and recruited some excellent players. He coached the last NU team to win Columbus and the winning score of a 14-10 game was a 6-minute fourth quarter drive that was three yards and a cloud of dust all the way down the field (with several 4th and 1 conversions, I believe). NU had some great defenses in 1970 and 71 but could have used some of Ara's dynamic offensive expertise. Agase left NU for Purdue after that disappointing 1972 season, probably for the same reason Ara departed: lack of institutional support.
I remember my dad taking me to a game when I was too young; maybe I was 4 or 5. Of course I was bored before the game even started. The only thing that would keep me from squirming and whining was food. So every time he got the chance, he would buy me a hotdog or popcorn or what ever he could get when the vendors came by or on the many trips I insisted I needed to take to the bathroom.Hahahaha! Maybe because when he'd come home I'd ask,
"Did Go-U-Northwestern win?" I was a stupid kid.
Great story. Some of the older fans vomit at games occasionally, too.I remember my dad taking me to a game when I was too young; maybe I was 4 or 5. Of course I was bored before the game even started. The only thing that would keep me from squirming and whining was food. So every time he got the chance, he would buy me a hotdog or popcorn or what ever he could get when the vendors came by or on the many trips I insisted I needed to take to the bathroom.
I vomited eventually and we went home. I would have vomited sooner had I only known that is what it took.