He was influential in the creation of the Big 5, suggesting the idea to Villanova Athletic Director Bud Dudley and Penn AD Gerry Ford as a way of increasing basketball attendance and revenue. However, Paul's greatest memory comes from football -- a Penn-Cornell Thanksgiving Day matchup in 1940. All-American Ray Frick intercepted three passes and All-American Frank Reagan played all 60 minutes and scored three touchdowns in Penn's dramatic, 22-20 comeback win. · The Daily Pennsylvanian: What made it so memorable? Paul: The fact that we started it out [down] nothing to 14, and with Reagan having a tremendous day we beat them in the last quarter. It was the only time I was absolutely limp and couldn't move for at least 10 minutes after the game. DP: How did you end up becoming the SID at Penn? Paul: Gerry Ford, when he took over as athletic director -- he had been director of freshman athletics, starting in '38 when I was in Kite and Key -- I used to take a lot of recruits on Saturdays. When he took over as athletic director he called me up. I was then working for Standard Oil New Jersey. I leapt at the opportunity to come back, which was George Munger's last year [as Penn football coach]. [I started on] August the first of '53. DP: Where were you sitting for the Cornell game? Paul: I had a season ticket for the East Stand Upper. DP: Was the crowd going crazy? Paul: Sure were. DP: Can you estimate the number of games you've seen at Franklin Field? Paul: I've never counted them up, but I remember bragging to ex-President [Sheldon] Hackney once that I think my only distinction is I've seen Penn lose more football games than any other alumnus, because when I was SID we dropped 22 in a row. DP: Was Penn-Cornell 1940 better than any Penn basketball game you've seen? Paul: Oh yes.
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
Donate
