• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1960-12-09_Vol26_No11_04

Guest Editorial By Nancy Harmon Assistant Sports Editor Gudgermen Set For Swing Through Florida Cats Win One, Drop Two Winter quarter is now about one twelfth over; basketball season is well underway, and some of you (who probably aren't reading this anyway) have already forgotten about Catamount football 1960. However, to a squad of 35 players, three coaches, and several Western Carolina sports writers, the outcome of the gridiron season made a lasting impression. In reviewing all the things that happened last season, this reporter can only ! quote Dickens: "It was the best of times; it was the worst of times."! And the "worst" is what remains a mystery. The Cats bounded into the season rated by the coaches and sports writers of the North State Conference as the main contender for the North State Championship. They had depth and experience—were number one in total offense, number one in total defense, had four All Conference boys, nine juniors and ten seniors. Yet the win-loss record ended up at 6-5. As Coach Robinson put it while speaking of himself and the team, "We had a golden opportunity to make a big step forward and then blew it!" But WHY? With the intention of attempting to find the' answer to this gigantic question, this roving writer requested and obtained an appointment with Coaches Robinson, Varney, and Young for a joint interview on the Monday after WCC's final victory over Guilford. The questioning at first was basically incidental in regard to the question WHY; nevertheless, the answers were quite interesting. When asked "What in your opinion was the high light of the year?", Robinson puffed his cigarette and said, "Our loss to Appalachian." Young's answer was "The over all picture of homecoming." And when the question finally got around to Varney, he propped one red sock clad foot on the desk and replied, "The 41-6 homecoming victory over Elon." The Coaches seemed to agree on some other generalities such as their opinions that Lenoir Rhyne was the toughest opponent; that the Catawba win was the biggest upset; and strangely enough that the "lack of ability to respond to challenge" was the most disappointing aspect of the team. Then without even having to ask the coaches WHY the ball didn't exactly bounce in Catamount favor this year, they attempted to explain the reason. Varney began by saying, "Well, several of the boys didn't reach their expected heights." Robinson, the head mentor, sat quietly for a while; then, exploded! "I think we've done a hell of a lousy job. The team, and I as well, have let the school down, and we've shot the best opportunity we've ever had!" The question still was not answered though; so then, I asked him WHY? He didn't know the answer either but said "It's a complex problem, but it's one to which we're going to find the answer." He concluded by saying that screening boys for next year's team would begin immediately; that standards would be very high; and that there definitely would be more team dedication. By Paul Jones Thus far this season, the lack of experience has taken its toll on the 1960-61 version of the Western Carolina College basketball team. After getting off to a fine start by dropping Guilford 66-62, the Cats bowed in their next two encounters to Carson-Newman and Piedmont. In the opening contest of the season the Gudgermen edged Guilford with apparent The Cats jumped to a quick second half lead, after having to fight nip-and-tuck all the way during the first stanza, and coasted home to victory. The Quakers' biggest threat came in the closing minutes of the game when they cut the Catamount lead to four points. Melvin Gibson held the Catamount attack together by dropping in 27 poin In the Carson-Newman battle iptlsts outscored WCC 96- 79. Gudger was optimistic about this loss because he stated that "We were in the fight all the way and played a good ball game." C-N had seven returning lettermen and had the edge over the Catamounts in experience and depth. Danny Tharpe, a crackerjack guard, dumped in 21 points to lead the Catamount five. When asked about the Piedmont game, Coach Gudger, who is first to recognize his team's mistakes, gave no excuses. "They just beat us," he said. "They played a deliberate, slow type of basketball and they played the way their coach told them. We had a chance to blow the game wide open during the opening minutes of the last half," Gudger explained, "but when we should have been increasing our lead we were making mistakes." Gudger pointed MELVIN GIBSON, SOPHO- more guard for the Catamount cage squad, has already begun another season with a big bang. Melvin now has scored 41 points in three games for a 13 point per game average. Gibson is also leading in assists with nine. Last year as a freshman, Melvin was a starter and held his own against the older members of the team. In the game against Guilford this year, Melvin helped the winning cause by bucketing 27 points to lead the team. Gas For Less at Sylva Hi-Way Service — Tires — Tubes — Wash — — Grease — Batteries — Oil — Dave Stevens—owner Sylva, N. C. Fashion Wise College Women Shop from our Outstanding Wardrobe Collection made by America's Best Known Fashion Houses! For Special Occasions or Sports Wear You'll Find That You Can Get the Best For Less Here, that is destined to win many admirers. SHOP WITH US . . . The Towne Shop Main Street Sylva out that, "The officiating was great. If I had this kind of referees the whole season I would not mind playing on the road." Gudger thinks that if the team can cure the loss of ball habit he would have a different club with which to work. He also likes the way Tharpe, Murray and Lavelle are progi but thinks that Seal and i have not reached the potential of which they are capable. 'Our only problem is channeling our potential and getting experience," Gudger said, "and with this freshman team it is going to be an interesting jub. The only thing that I can guarantee this si get exi The team journeys south this week end to take on Ja. ville Ul Jacksonvill the strongest team in Florida. Monday and Tuesday nights the Catamounts will part, in the Citrus Tourney, and be back home the following Saturday to host Pfeiffer in Asheville. The headmaster of the Catamounts was well pleased with the attendance and spirit shown at the opening game. Gudger, along with the team, hopes that the student body will support the Cats throughout the season. Win, lose or draw, REMEMBER THE PASS WORD. Catlstics Pnts. Rbnds Seal Murray Lavelle Gibson Tharpe Padgett Gustafson Peterson Green 21 29 40 41 34 7 5 14 8 18 45 42 11 7 3 2 2 4 Asst. 8 5 3 9 7 1 1 3 Av. 66.7; pet. 38.7; free throws 71.2. Volleyball Schedule For Dec. 12-16 7:15 7:15 7:45 7:45 8:15 8:15 8:45 3rd Buchanan Delta Sig 1st Buchanan 1st Reynolds 3rd Reynolds N 3rd Robertson Boodleville TKE Court 1 2nd Buchanan Court 2 Faculty Court 1 2nd Reynolds N Court 2 2nd Reynolds S Court 1 3rd Reynolds S Court 2 2nd Robertson Court 1 Trailer For Sale 8' x 30', one bedroom, first class condition Information at Cullowhee Hi-Way Service Station Good Buy at $1,600 THE TOWNE HOUSE "Beside the Post Office" Fountain Service — College Supplies Breakfast — Hot Lunches — Sandwiches — Cosmetics — OPEN: Weekdays: 7:30 a.m. — 11 p.m. Sunday: 2 p.m. — 11 p.m. ■— ii Photo Developing" Highlands Cleaners and Laundry "Good Cleaning Gives Smarter Appearance" Deluxe Finishing Tailor and Seamstress JU 6-4314 Sylva PROFESSIONAL DRUG STORE Nationally Advertised Drugs And Cosmetics WELCOME STUDENTS to THE COLLEGE SHOP All Your College Needs Sandwiches — School Supplies Next To Joyner ..dividual Intramural Champs By Ray Muller SNOW, AN ENGLISH AND SOCIAL SCIENCE major.from Natural Bridge, Va., was the winner in the intrant b.idminton program this fall quarter. It was a double elimination tournament with Jim going undefeated through four games. Jim, a transfer student from Bridgewater College in Harrisonburg, Va., attended Natural Bridge High School where he played three years fff varsity football. He enrolled at Western Carolina College in the fall of 1958. Progressing through his first two games of the tournament with relative ease, Jim entered the semi-finals with his opponent being his roommate and last year's winner, Ken Lamb. It was a hard fought contest, but Jim won, 21-15. Now in the final game, Jim's last obstacle was Jim Penland. The game oroved to be exciting, with very few mistakes being made by either player. At one point Jim was down 14- 8, but rallied in time to win the game 21-18. He will receive a nold cup with his name engraved on it to signify his victory. Intramural Volleyball Results Winners Losers Kappa Sigma Kappa 3rd Reynolds North 3rd Buchanan 2nd Reynolds North* Day Students ynolds South TKE 3rd Robertsi n Delta Sig 3oodleville . 1st Buchanan 3rd Reynolds South 2nd Buchanan 2nd Robertson .... Faculty (♦forfeit) AM3, A FAMILIAR NAME AROUND THE IN- tramural circle, has again won another honor. This time he was winner in the intramural ping pong program. Ken fought his way through nine straight games without tasting defeat. In his nine victories, Ken swept past four different oppo- ihe ijst o^ie, Ken won the best two out of three games with two consecutive wins. In the final game, he' beat Stokes Sheehan in three straight games. Ken ii a Physical Education and Social Science major from Chesnee, S. C He is active in the PE Club and NEA, and a member of Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. Attending Harris High School in Harris, N. C, Ken was an all around athlete, winning varsity letters in baseball, basket- and football. It la for this reason we can see why he has accomplished so much in our intramural program. Intramural Stars In Intramural Volleyball competition it is hard to have a running report on the games as in football, baseball and basketball. However, there were outstanding players on the teams that deserve some recognition. Outstanding players for the winning teams in the first week of action are as follows: 1st Reynolds—Buddy McCon- nell. 3rd Reynolds N—Doyce Cannon. 2nd Reynolds N—Ron Whitaker. 2nd Reynolds S—Jim Py- thyon. 3rd Robertson—Roy Tharpe. Boodleville—Ed McLean. 3rd Reynolds S—Olin Sisk. 2nd Robertson— Ron Crisp. 2nd Robertson—Ron Crisp. The participation in Intramurals so far hag bi standing. To keep it going like it is, it is up to each individual to see when his team is scheduled to play again. Intramural basketball activity is due to begin right after the Christmas holidays. Cannon Shell Service While Downtown—Get Your Car Serviced At Our Downtown Station—Fast, Complete Service! BARBER SHOP Sylva (Under Velfs) AM SHEPAItD^ RESTAURANT Waynesville* N, C. Enjoy PIZZA at the Catamount's Den also Italian Spaghetti Submarines COME ONE COME ALL OPEN WEEKENDS 7:00 — 12:00 MEAD CORPORATION Sylva Division HENSLEY AND HOOPER Recapping—Used Tires—Wheel Balancing NATIONWIDE GUARANTEE O.K. RUBBER WELDERS Phone JU 6-2619 Visit The F & P Super Market Groceries — Fresh Meats — Frozen Foods OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 7:00 A.M. — 9:00 P.M. Cullowhee Road at Cope Creek Intersection Padgett McCoy

The Western Carolinian is Western Carolina University’s student-run newspaper. The paper was published as the Cullowhee Yodel from 1924 to 1931 before changing its name to The Western Carolinian in 1933.

• Creator
  • Western Carolina Teachers College
• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Date
  • Date original: 1960-12-09;
  • Date digitized: 2017-09-25
• Extent
  • Dimension: 21.5" x 16"
  • Pages: 4 pages
• Subject - Topic
  • College student newspapers and periodicals
  • Cullowhee (N.C.) -- Newspapers
  • Universities and colleges -- North Carolina -- Cullowhee -- Newspapers
• Location
  • Jackson County (N.C.)
  • Cullowhee (N.C.)
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Source Collection
  • WCU Students Newspapers Collection
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1960-12-09_Vol26_No11
• Repository
  • Western Carolina University Hunter Library