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SYRACUSE HERAUVAMERICAX, Sunday, Pftemfer 30, 395g 29Jim Brown First Gridder Chosen Athlete-of-YearOrange Ace Will Be DinedBy FRANK WOOLEVEK Back in September of 1954 when tiie Orange Book of football statistics was prepared for publication, James N. Brown, 19,sophomore, of 51 Chase St, Hempstead, L. I., was listed sixth string left halfback.It was a meteoric rise to the top of the athletic heap in two short years for “Big Jim’* since today he is hailed as the “Athlete-of-the-Year” In the annual poll of the Herald-American, Herald* Journal newspapers.The latest honor follows on the heels of the almost unanimous choice of All-Atnerlea football ratings in sports writers’ polls and individual selectors. Jim has been the toast of college pals and listened to the applause of diners av banquets where he was an' honored guest.Ready For Top Try The “Athlele-of-the-Year” designation could top off his collegiate days or prove just another vvedg In Brown’s rags-lo-riches story For the bone-crushing giant ha hopes lashed‘to a raft for a Cot ton Bowl paddle two days hone which could bring long lasting _ national fame and fortune.Big J im has been quietly grooming for this final Orange effort against Texas Christian Univer sity on New Year's Day. He has appeared before television audi' cnces on other occasions but never for an assembly of millions certain to have eyes following every move of the performers in the Dallas moleskin show.Archbold Stadium fans have enjoved the tremendous efforts of the rugged Long Island boy. They have watched him wear opposition down lo the frazzle stage, powcrhousing his way through enemy lines week after week without a letup.Another one of his superman performances some 48 hours hence will lift Brown into the all-time All-America £lt;S3 as far as Orange enthusiasts are concerned. Nation rtl all-time grid acclaim is not outside the realm of possibilities.Early Straggle Jimmy conies from a union of hard working but poor parents. It was a struggle on their part to keep Uibir boy in high school where his tremendous athletic ability attracted the attention of Kenny Molloy, Syracuse University graduate.The metropolitan barrister who once promoted professions' boxing and wrestling at the Brighton theater and MacArthur Stadium in company with Tony Bersani,'has strong devotion for his alma mater and his old lacrosse coach lioy Simmons.There ware other loyal alumni like Molloy from rival colleges who sought to Interest Brown in higher education. But it was the Orange old grad who won out and Broun was placed aboard a plane and shipped to Hancock Airport.The boy had sparkled in football, basketDOll and track on the Island but he proved no ball ol fire in Syracuse freshman livery. H? drew the call for kickoffs and the tries for points after touchdown®, but saw little service otherwise.Far Down on List So It was when the 1954 “Future Book” was compiled on Alt. Olympus the list of left halfbacks with designation in regards to ability read like this: Sam Alexander. Lyle Carlson. Ed Ackley, Bill ilicho, Dick Jackson, Jim Brown,The book had been compiled during tile summer months under, the direction of ine coaches. U was probably in the hands of the printer before Jimmy enrolled in the national decathlon event at Atlantic City against some of the strongest, lastcst and most agile physical specimens to be found in Uncle Sam’s domain.The College Kid from Syracuse, a nobody in .AAU ra amazed the track world by ishing 10th in that stanlt; Jersey field. It could be Jinn terrific showing in the gruelling 3 0-cv en t carnival awakened; Coach Ben Schwartzwalder and his retinue of assistants that one Mr. Brown needed a more thorough checkup regarding football skill than accorded m yearling days.Others say Brown did not emerge into Orange prominence until the Cornell game at Ithaca on Nov. 6 of 3954. Final iigurcs for the ’51 campaign reveal Big Jim scored but 25 points while gaining 439 yards in T5 attempts.Then Came Glory But if freshman and sophomore seasons were heartache years for‘ORANGE EXPRESS.’ Big Jim Brwinner at Syracuse University sincei, the first four letter sports Konstanty turned the trick in 1939, has been selected as the “Athletc-of-the-Year” by the Herald-American, Uerald-Journal sports staff. Brown's letters eame for football, basketball, lacrosse and track. For his senioryear Jimmy will pUy only football Marc Guley of the Orange eourt squat All-America back to report for bask are finished.although Coaeli wiil attempt to persuade the ilball after pigskin activities'this year.For the last four months the big MKiw, os Confusius might have said, could do no wrong. The opposition sol up roadblocks to stop the “Orange Express” but Brownie ran through the boobytraps with neatness and dispatch. He was unstoppable Maryland, West Virginia, Army, (Concluded on Page 30, Col J) ltii
Newspaper Details
Syracuse Herald Journal
Syracuse, New York, US
Sun, Dec 30, 1956
Page 35
Full Page
Clipped by
Sarah K.
NA, 19 Oct 2023
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