FOOTBALL The 1955 season marked; two important events in Portland State's athletic program. The first was the elevation of P.S.C. to four-year status; the second was the appointment of a new head football coach, the second in the school's history. Although Portland State in the past had been recognized as a full-fledged institution athletically, it could not plan for highly organized and competitive athletics for long periods of time because it was impossible to know what talent and personnel would be available from one season to the next: Under present conditions, our institution has no alternative but to become one of the major powers in Northwest athletics. From all indications of present growth and development, it would not be far-fetched to suppose that within ten years the Pacific Coast Conference will have added another member, Portland State College. The head coaching duties of the '55 campaign were turned over to Ralph Davis by Athletic Director Joe Holland, who replaced himself with his former assistant so that he eQuId devote more time to the important job of directing the school's total athletic picture. Assisting Davis in his new position were Merritt McKeel, Howard Westcott, and Gordon Bigler. In opening the season, the Vikings traveled to Coos Bay, followed up with a Shrine benefit game with Linfield College in the Myrtle Bowl. This classic turned out to be Portland State's best showing of the year, as they notched a 20-13 victory. From this point on, the local aggregation was able to garner only one other win, that being an 18-14 count over Oregon Tech. Defeat met the Vikings five times before the season's end. These losses were at the hands of O.C.E., E.O.C.E., S.O.C.E., Pacific University, and the Seattle Ramblers. Although at the expense of a dismal season, the "Green and White" gridiron machine indoctrinated itself to a multiple-type offense, composed of single-wing, split and straight T, and short punt formation. The building and reconstruction period of Coach Davis deserves a rewarding good season in the fall of '56. Portland State lost only one senior through graduation, Kirby Hall, a three-year letterman and an outstanding guard. Teom Monoger DICK LAUGHLIN Most Inspirotionol Ployer JACK KNUDSEN ________ ___ • _ ...: __ f ",. - --- • 215
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