Fall, 1922: Gridiron Club formed at Phillips University to foster a hearty relationship between athletes and students.
   Fall, 1933: Phillips University drops football but Gridiron continues as first men's social service club on Phillips' campus.
   Fall, 1998: Phillips University closes its doors forever.
   This site is dedicated to the eight decades of Men of Gridiron lest we “forget the bond that binds us heart to heart.”

This site was last updated on: November 16, 2008

Phillips University Club Challenge Update Show Your Support for Gridiron Today!!   Donate online at www.pulf.org/donate  or email giving@pulf.org or call (580) 237-4433

Phillips University Legacy Foundation 810 W. Maine Street Enid, Oklahoma 73701

Cecil Williams '34

Cecil R. Williams, 96, Professor Emeritus of Zoology at Phillips University passed away October 4, 2008, in Edmond, Oklahoma, following a brief illness.  He was born Sept. 4, 1912, in Hydro, Oklahoma, to Marie G. and Sewell E. Williams, MD.

Phillips University was a central influence in his life. He graduated in 1934 and was a member of Gridiron.  He met his wife of 74 years, Lucile Stetler at Phillips and served on the faculty for 27 years.  He earned an M.A. from the University of Wisconsin and Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma. 

He and fellow Gridiron member Vernon Baker co-founded Phillips Science Camp, located in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, and directed it for 25 years.  “Williams Peak” will be dedicated by the United States Forest Service to Cecil’s memory.  It overlooks his family cabin and the science camp. 

He is survived by his wife, Lucile; daughters, Linda Treat of Anthony, N.M., and Judy Ewing, MD, of Durango, CO; brother, Randal Williams of Albuquerque, N.M.  He had six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

He will be remembered by many as a good friend and an outstanding teacher.

Joe N. Record 1928-2008

The Phillips University staff regrets to inform you that Joe N. Record, a Phillips University coach and physical education professor for 30 years from 1951 - 1981, died this past Saturday, September 20. A memorial service celebrating his life will be at 10:30 AM, Friday, September 26, 2008, at David Allen Memorial Ballpark in Enid. Arrangements are by Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 7 - 9 p.m., Thursday, September 25, 2008 at the funeral home.
 
Please share this e-mail with other alums and friends who knew Joe and would like to be aware of his memorial service. For those who played basketball or baseball under his tutelage, please make sure fellow athletes are aware.
 
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home, 2800 N. Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703 for the benefit of 4RKids.

Condolences may be made online at www.ladusauevans.com or email your condolences and memories to the PU office at events@phillips.edu and we will forward them to the family. 
 
Joe's obituary may be viewed at www.pulf.org. Editor's Note: Joe was not a GUS, but he was an integral part of the Phillips Experience for many of us.  I have received this article from several GUS and it is reprinted here in Joe's honor.

Hiram Speaks:

MEN OF GRIDIRON

 Sorry to take so long to report on the Phillips reunion last month. 

 ATTENDANCE.  The total turn-out was pretty sparse, but that was expected after the huge numbers the year before.   Trips to Enid in successive years was a bridge too far.  GUSes attending one or more of the functions: Don Angle, '55; Leon "Eli" Whitney, '60; John "Fox" Martin, Mike "T.A" Dickey and yours truly, '68; Pat "Univac" Novak, '71 and Erik "Milkman" Thomas, '95.

 PHILLIPS TRADITIONS PROJECT.  Don, John and your reporter lead tours of the soon-to-be Cherokee Strip Heritage Center, with its Phillips Gallery.  It was not until being briefed on the lay-out of the heritage center that your reporter realized that (1) the Phillips Gallery will be the largest of the permanent displays and (2) the center will become the digital repository of Phillips alumni records.

  Tom "Hiram" Walker '68 and John "Fox" Martin '68 lead a tour of the under construction Cherokee Strip Heritage Center and are being interviewed for TV news coverage.

The clubs have been in an informal competition to raise money to support the Phillips Gallery and and alumni records repository.  I was EMBARRASSED to learn that Gridiron, the oldest and largest, has NOT donated the most.  In fact, we are a dismal third, behind the v-boys and Tenth Muse.  As of the annual meeting, we had contributed only $21,000, compared to their $67,000 and $37,000.  We CAN and SHOULD do better than that.  What are the first two stanzas of our song?   "We're MEN OF GRIDIRON; we'll fight for our Phillips U."  " We'll stand behind her in all that she strives to do." 

Well, we've really dropped the ball on this one.  However, all is not lost.

First, the time for the challenge grant has been extended.  A donor will match any contribution dollar-for-dollar.  The contribution can be either a one-time donation or a pledge to be paid over time.  Second, many GUSes contributed, but did not identify themselves as being in GC.  Thus, we did not get the credit.

 PLEASE, do one of two things.  If you have not already donated, do so and identify yourself as being a GUS.  Second, if you have already donated, but did not identify yourself as being in GC, contact the Phillips Legacy Foundation office and ask that Gridiron be credited for your donation.  That past donation will be eligible for the matching grant, but GUS can get the credit.  Donations should be to the Phillips University Legacy Project AND be designated as being for the Phillips Gallery.  GUS gets the credit and you get the tax deduction.  We lost the fight to save our university.  Let's not lose the fight to preserve her heritage.

 PHILLIPS ALUMNI REUNIONS.  Your reporter and Erik Thomas were elected to the Board of Directors of the alumni association, bringing to four the number of members of GC on the board.  One of the issues facing the board is the timing and frequency of alumni reunions. 

 Because the association is a non-profit corporation, the law requires at least one meeting of the members each year.  Traditionally, that has been the first weekend in August and included other activities, making it a "reunion" also.  That date if often in close proximity to the Disciples of Christ annual meeting, posing a substantial financial hurdle for those who want to attend both.  In addition, for those not living nearby, Enid is a difficult destination, involving a long drive or the cost of a flight and rental car.

 One suggestion being considered is having a "reunion" less frequently than in conjunction with the annual meeting.  Some favor every other year; some favor every five years.  There are pros and cons to both suggestions, as well as maintaining the status quo. 

 The other two GC board members are Don Angle and Pat Novak.  PLEASE, contact one of us and let us know your pleasure.  Phillips was a special time for all of us.  It was more than just an academic education, it was an lesson in humanity.  The loss of our beloved campus is a sad reality.  BUT, the enduring Phillips spirit is happy reality.  The board needs and wants your input so we can perpetuate that happy reality.

 GUS REUNIONS.  After a long hiatus, GUS held a reunion in OKC in 2005 and another last year in Enid, at the Phillips Centennial Celebration.  We need to decide what to do in the future.  An annual reunion is not practical.  The interest in getting together that frequently does not exist.  So, the first question is "How often?"   Two suggestions have been advanced - two years and five years.  Both have merit.  Which is both desirable and practical?  I don't know.

 The second question is "Where?"  Nostalgia dictates Enid.  However, is that practical?  As the organizer of the last two get-togethers, my sense is that it is not.  However, I may be way off the mark ,and folk do not mind the inconvencience of a trip to Enid.  If my assessment is correct, maybe a compromise is OKC one time and Enid the next.  Again, I don't know

 I am open to suggestions on both counts.  Give me your thoughts - how often and where.  I do not mind doing the work if the interest is there.

 FINALLY.  Don't forget the website - www.menofgridiron.org.  Our webmaster, Steve "Gross" England, is always on the look-out for ways to improve the sight.  Check it out and make your contribution - send Steve your stories and your photos.

 One addition is in the works.  If the archivist will ever get off his duff, he plans to starting adding all the club photos.  We have the charter year, but none of the remaining 76.  But, has his grandmother used to say, "The road to hades is paved with good intentions." 

 

GUS!

Tom "Hiram" Walker

Class of '68

Wendell Johnson '44

Wendell died on August 26, 2008.  His obituary has been added to "In Memoriam."

A letter from Takashi Aoki '97

Hello.

My name is Takashi Aoki, I was in pledge class in '94 same class as Brian Hinrichs. 

I  just found the web site "menofgridiron.org" and also found my name is misstyped.  In the web site, my name is wriiten "Ooki, Takashi", but my correct name is "Aoki, Takashi" 

Let me introduce myself.I am now 38 years old, have wife, Yoko and twin daughters.  I attached the photo of my family.  This photo is taken last November at the Japanese traditional 3 years daughter's celebration. 

I am now running the travel agency with my friend from P.U.  This agency is specialized for fishing trips to all over the world. Also, introducing fishing in Japan to visitors from foreign countries.  I, myself am traveling to many places every year.  Check out my web site. http://www.troutandking.com/eng/

I saw some photos of Brian Hinrichs, Sean Brannon, Erik Thomas and Justin Phillips whom I know well. I missed all members very much, hope to see them some day.

Please keep in touch.  Best regards,

Takashi Aoki

Sheldon Shirts '43  Jerry Thompson '54

Sadly, obituaries for Professor Shirts and Jerry Thompson have been placed "In Memoriam."