First Yale Coach at Harvard Thinks Harlow's Staff, Offense Unexcelled

As the first Yale graduate to assume coaching duties at Harvard, Al Colwell, assistant Yardling grid mentor, admitted he was "on the spot" but refused to take notice of any jinx.

The "spot," as he termed it, was being interviewed on the relative merits of the Crimson and Eli coaching staffs, spirit, and material.

Before coming to Cambridge, where he is studying at the Business School in addition to holping Skip Stahley as Freshman backfield and kicking coach, Colwell earned three letters on Yale football elevens as one of the best kicking fullbacks in the school's history.

Praises Harlow Staff, System

While cautious to avoid any reflections on either University, Colwell was enthusiastic about his job and the staff here. Speaking on the Harlow system as one has had experience opposing it, he said that the Crimson offense was the hardest of any he had faced as a backfield man.

Surrounded by members of the Freshman staff in the locker room. Colwell jokingly tossed bouquets to all present including his immediate superior, Stahley and to Clark Hodder who is also assisting with the Yardlings this fall.

"But seriously," he added later, "this coaching staff at Harvard is swell; in fact, there is none better."

Denies Indifference

As for spirit, Colwell says that as far as he can see there is no truth in the Harvard reputation of indifference. "It's just about the same as at Yale. The kids will go out there and work until they're half dead from fatigue."

Especially he lauded the feeling between players in Harvard-Yale encounters. You get hit harder than in any other game, but there's never any bad blood."

Silent on Crimson Freshmen

Like Stahley, Colwell refuses to say anything about the present Freshman squad, although field house rumors are to the effect that it's the best Yardling team in several years and will virtually form the complete 1939 Varsity.

Of the Eli Freshmen, Colwell was uninformed, but was obviously disheartened at the Blue Varsity's defeat by Columbia. "You can't lose four men from your backfield and one of the best centers in the east and look good in the opening game. But they'll make trouble for somebody this season," he added.