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Show Support The Parsons Not too long ago Westminster College played in an athletic league that included Utah and Idaho's junior college teams. That was an ignoble enough standing, but the junior colleges added insult to injury by continually beating the Parsons on the football field. Thus it was that snickers were heard around the state when Westminster announced in the fall of 1953 that it was withdrawing from the junior college league to play only other four-year college in an accelerated athletic program. "What," the sceptics asked, "business did Westminster have playing a full intercollegiate schedule when it couldn't beat the junior college teams?" Westminster had the answer. The school hired Al Mercer, former Cyprus high coach who was then at Palo Alto, California high to return to Utah as head football coach and athletic director. It was a brilliant choice, Mercer arrived on the campus just two weeks before the season opened. He had a team that finished last in the ICAC the season before. To supplement what material he had held over he brought in a crop of green freshmen. This caused even louder snickers. Sport fans around the state waited in amusement for the Parsons to have the roof fall in. It never felL Instead, Mercer's greenlings racked up a six won and two lost record. One loss was to the veteran Ricks team and the other to College of Idaho. Included in the victories was a win over Western New Mexico, one of the country's top small school elevens. . From that time on there have been no grins of amusement at any announcement from Westminster. In fact the admiration has grown by leaps and bounds. Following that first successful season.school officials, disappointed dis-appointed by lack of a following among local patrons, decided to abandon football. But the students would not have this. They had tasted victory and after many years of defeat the taste was sweet indeed. They raised the money to keep football at the school And last fall that effort was rewarded when Westminster West-minster went undefeated attracted national attention, received a bowl bid and had a player named to the Associated Press first Little All-American team. But it has been tight all the way. A fight for support Bouncing from an unknown to a winner isn't easy. Without fan support it is almost impossible. But Westminster has turned the trick and next fall has prospects for one of the best seasons ever turned in by a Uta heleven. What does this mean at this time? Simply this. Friday afternoon after-noon members of the Westminster Intercollegiate Knights will canvas merchants in this area trying to sell season tickets to next fall's games. The tickets cost $5.00. They are good for six home games If the merchants cooperate to the extent of purchasing one ticket at each business the campaign will be a success and next year's team will get to walk onto the field. The Parsons have traveled a long, hard road on the way to football success. They have proven themselves, both the team on the field and the students in support. Now the. merchants have a chance to show their backing for the school's athletic program. By selling ONE, just ONE, ticket at each house the Parsons will be assured of enough backing to play football injhe fall. That isn't too much to ask. Let's back the Parsons! |