Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM JANUARY 2024 53 and renown nationally grew in the early 1920s, his summers became filled with working at one- and two- week coaching schools held at col- leges across the country. At some, he took a position of guest instructor for football in already established summer programs; at others, he built standalone coaching schools, where he guided local high school, prep school and college coaches in the finer points of the game. Rockne's annual coaching school at Notre Dame was highly popular and drew attendees from across the Midwest and sometimes further, but it was his work at places like the International YMCA College in Springfield, Mass., the College of Wil- liam and Mary in Williamsburg, Va., and Oregon Agricultural College in Corvallis that cemented his sphere of influence with young coaches nationwide. At Corvallis, Rockne was enamored with the fresh air, the open spaces and opportunities to enjoy moments away from the coaching school in the great outdoors. Further, he appreciated the eagerness to learn shown by his pupils. Football in the Northwest was not yet as firmly established as it was in other parts of the country, so Rockne's instruction was met with enthusiasm and intrigue. At the formal sessions — which of- ten featured Rockne physically demon- strating the point at hand — at meal- times and at late-night bull sessions, the rising coaches picked the brain of the master leader in their midst. And he reveled in their apt atten- tion, and dedication in taking what they were learning to influence the young men in their schools. And, of course, the Corvallis camp gave Rockne a chance to re- connect annually with great friends such as Dolan, Butler and Schissler. After coaching, Dolan spent 30 years on the OAC engineering fac- ulty, and was a longtime college ref- eree, including officiating several Rose Bowl games. Schissler went on to become an NFL coach and ex- ecutive and helped create the Pro Bowl. In 1927, Butler left Oregon Agri- cultural College to become track coach and football trainer at the University of Detroit under another legendary Notre Dame figure — Rockne's friend and quarterback Gus Dorais. ✦ Rockne's annual stay in Corvallis allowed him to catch up with his track mentor Michael "Dad" Butler, left, and fellow football coach Paul Schissler, right, both Oregon Aggies coaches. PHOTO COURTESY OREGON STATE For more informa on, please visit: www.RockneSociety.org Throughout 2024, the Knute Rockne Memorial Society will remember and celebrate the centennial of the 1924 Notre Dame na onal champions, featuring Coach Rockne, The Four Horsemen and The Seven Mules. Watch for updates! Jim Lefebvre is an award-winning Notre Dame author and leads the Knute Rockne Memorial Society. He can be reached at: jim@ndfootballhistory.com