This was followed by the cane rush the next afternoon. The freshmen marched
confidently into the same arena, and lined up facing the sophomores. Beldon Elliott was the
freshman chosen to hold the cane with Lobdell holding for the sophs. When the whistle blew
each side raced in trying to tear as much clothing as possible from their opponents as they
sought to get to the cane. After the final whistle had blown, and hands on the cane were counted
officially, the sophomores had beaten the freshmen by the score of 18 to 15.
Freshmen Banquet.
On the night of September 25, 1920, the freshmen banquet was held in the
Daniels Hotel at Prescott, Ontario. This was a big success because it caught the sophomores so
by surprise that they did not get to Ogdensburg in time to get to the ferry across the river. For
unrelentingly tormenting the freshmen, one sophomore, Eugene Daly, or Pat, as he was known
to his chums, was especially "invited" to the banquet. Not wanting to go peaceably, he was tied
hand and foot, carried into the banquet hall, and set up in the corner where he was forced to just
sit and watch.
Truman L. Hamlin.
Joining the faculty as chairman of mathematics, "Andy" Hamlin was born
in Sweden, Maine, a direct descendant of Hannibal Hamlin, Lincoln's vice president.
Graduating from Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, with a major in mathematics
and a minor in Latin, he obtained his master of science degree at the University of Missouri in
1902 before becoming director of the Jackson Military Academy in Missouri. Seven years later
he joined the faculty at the University of Maine, and then in 1917 he left to teach at Union
College for three years before coming to Clarkson.
In 1936 Clarkson awarded him an honorary doctorate for his work in teaching
mathematics. One of his outstanding students was Lynn Merrill '24, who returned to Clarkson
as director of graduate studies and professor of mathematics in 1948. Hamlin turned over his
duties to Merrill, semi-retired in 1950, and continued his service to Clarkson as a teacher even
though he had been appointed as professor emeritus. When Merrill left for Stevens Tech in
1953, Hamlin returned as acting head of the department for two years, retiring fully in 1955.
Hockey Rink.
In hopes of starting a hockey team, some of the students wanted to build a rink.
After Sigma Delta offered the College the use of its front lawn for such a rink, and the area was
found to be too small, the students built a rink on the former playground at the rear of Public
School Number 8. It had an area of 15,000 square feet. It was lighted for nighttime use.
This location in the central part of the town made it accessible to all the Tech students
who wished to use it when the team was not practicing. A shack nearby was fitted up with a
stove and benches, thus providing a comfortable place to change shoes and get warm.
Football.
In the fall, the football team under Coach Reed finally overcame the lack of spirit and
the divisiveness caused by "abominable" fraternity politics, and fielded a team with spirit.
However, it was swamped in every game but two. Hobart won the first game 23-0, scoring one
touchdown through the ignorance of a Clarkson player who knew so little about the game that
he refused to fall on the ball. Later, Norwich beat Clarkson 38-0.
Two games were played against St. Michael's. Clarkson outplayed them at every point
in the first game; even though St. Michael's made only one first down, the game ended in a
scoreless tie. Clarkson won the second game 28-0.
