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 03, 2011

 

 

Men of Gridiron Reunion 2011

 

The Men of Gridiron gathered at the recent Phillips reunion in Enid.  Attending at least one event were Don Angle, ‘55, John Bundren, ’49, Kendall Barber, ‘66, Phil Combs, ’63, Steve England, ’68, Dick Galusha, ‘54, Jim Goodness, ’49, Jim Holland, ’68, Tom Jaworsky, ’68, Ken Keifer, ’66, Matt Nelson, ’94, Pat Novak, ’71, Erik Thomas, ’95, Mike Turley, ‘94, Tom Walker, ’68, Jack Weston, ‘55, and ’82-83 Sweetheart, Tracey Black.  Take a look at our website and Facebook page to see photos.

 

At the conclusion of the GUS luncheon, we discussed plans for 2012, which will be Gridiron’s  90th anniversary.  Current plans call for celebrations in Enid, Denver, Dallas-Ft Worth and either Oklahoma City or Tulsa, or both.  I thought about Kansas City, but doubt if enough alums live in the area to make it worthwhile.

 

Classmate John Martin and I, along with Matt Nelson, will spearhead the Enid event.  Mark Ahlmquist and Mark Pumphrey volunteered to help with the effort in Denver, and Dave Gray will do the same in the Dallas-Ft Worth area.  If anyone is willing to help with any, or all, of the events please let me know.   For those close enough, let me know your preference for OKC or Tulsa or both.

 

Unless either there is overwhelming support for OKC, or someone in that area steps up to the plate, I will probably pick Tulsa.  OKC is only an hour and fifteen minutes from Enid, and a Tulsa event will catch NE Oklahoma and NE Arkansas, SE Kansas and SW Missouri.

 

On a somber note, I just learned that GUS E.C. “Gene” Theimer, class of ’53, passed away in late April.  I sent a condolence to his widow on behalf of GC.

 

I need two pieces of information for the website.  I managed to learn the names of all of our Sweethearts except two, the one for 81-82 and 97-98.  Second, the website includes a list of members and Sweethearts who had active duty military service.  When you have a moment, please take a look at it and let me know any names that are missing.

 

 

 

2011 Reunion Attendees @ Pasttimes: Front Row l to r; Bruce Kiefer, Tom Jaworski, Steve England, Dick Galusha, Don Angle. Back Row  l to r; Pat Novak, Matt Nelson, Tom Walker, Phil Combs, Kendall Barber, Jim Holland, Erik Thomas.

 

 

Tracey Black, GUS Sweetheart '82-'83

 

 

 

Thanks to Roy Lacey '75 for this photo of GUS Roundup ticket from 1972.

 

Editor's note:  If any GUS has other photos, memorabilia or memories of any Roundups, please contact www.menofgridiron@yahoo.org.  See Gridiron Roundup for more information on this event.

 

Men of Gridiron Reunion 2010

 

GC met for fun and fellowship during the Phillips alumni reunion.  Fifteen members and their guests attended.  Members attending were

 

Don Angle ‘55

Barry Baker ‘64

Bill Briggs ‘44

Dick Castle ‘53

Mike Dickey ‘68

Steve England ‘68

Jim Holland ‘68

Tom Jaworsky ‘68

Keith Johnson ‘64

Ken Kiefer ‘66

John Martin ‘68

Matt Nelson ‘94

Pat Novak ‘71

Tom Walker ‘68

Jack Weston ‘55

 

Special guests were two members of Red Peppers from the 1940s – Sue Briggs Mayberry and Lorraine Hood Briggs.  Bill and Lorraine had the distinction of getting married on D-Day, while he was on leave from the Navy.  Bill pointed out that General Eisenhower had neglected to check with them before deciding on June 6^th as the date for the invasion!  The Master of Ceremonies also noted that Bill had another distinction.  He received his degree from Phillips in absentia – he was in the battle for Okinawa on the day of graduation.

 

John Martin and Don Angle gave a progress report on the completion of the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center and its Phillips Gallery.  The grand opening is planned for November this year.

 

The highlight of the evening was recognition of Don Angle, Class of ’55, and his wife Barbara Danforth Angle for their magnificent efforts to preserve the memories of Phillips.  They have spent literally thousands of volunteer hours to locate and identify Phillips artifacts.  Many will be displayed in the Phillips Gallery of the Heritage Center.  They were presented with an engraved plaque by reunion chair Tom Walker. 

 

 

 

 

 

Once again, more GUSes attended the Phillips alumni association reunion than any other club.  The same was true in ’05, ’06, ’08, and ’09.

 

During the “business” portion of the meeting, the reunion chair announced planning had begun for GUS’s 90th anniversary reunion in 2112.  Tentatively, there will be a minimum of three events, one in Enid and two others in “hub” locations, possibly OKC and Denver.

 

Tom Walker, Class of '68

From Barry Baker '64

Old Gus Members- Had a nice long phone conversation with Keith Johnson Gus 65  in Enid.  He and his wife Mary are both retired.  Mary taught at the same school from 1966-2002.  No Children but lots of Cats Keith said.  Keith has horrible Health problems over the years.  He has had 6 major back surg.  Uses a walker. Neuropthy in both lower legs.  I am going to pick up Mary and keith for the reunion Dinner on the 19th.I shall pay for their dinner.  I want Keith there.  Keith has also had a MI, 4 vess heart bypass, and stent placement to improve circulation to his lower legs.  After talking to Keith, I for one will never complain about my knees hurting ever again.  I can assure you as a RN, I know this man has and is in living hell.  Please put Keith and Mary on your daily prayer list.  He has not much quality of life.  I am passing his complete contact data.  Please email/call/go see/pray/ encourage Keith and Mary.  I'm sure they could use it.  Keith and Mary Johnson/ 1512 West Broadway/ Enid, Okla 73703/ H-1-918-580-234-1476/ lkjohnson73703@yahoo.com.  I am looking desp for a jacket emblem of Gridiron.  If you have one, I would like to borrow it to see if I can get about 30-40 made for those who want.  Email me about the patch, and I'll get it on the 19th, or give you my mailing address.  Hope all of you are well. see you at the reunion, or in Pairadise some day.  Best wishes-Barry

More from Barry

This info for you and encouragement for some of the Bro's  to email you their correct addresses/phone #/ Childrens lives/etc.  Jimmy Wiley Gus 1960-1965 Has lived around Ventura Calif for years.  Retired Social Worker for the State of Calif, and has loved horses ever since we were young kids in OKC together.  His Sister Sara May Gibson and Husband Don talk and see Jimmy rarely.  Jim lives on a horse ranch and still plays Cowboy.  Has no computer/ PO Box 4595, Ventura, Calif 93007/ a cell ph that doesn't work well 1-805-340-5452/  he has also been single all these years.  Jim is 69. 

I am trying to find a good jacket emblem to see if a tailor friend here in Tulsa can reproduce for those who want one.  I promise to be careful with it.  I saw pic of 2005 reunion with Jim Holland and Leo Johnson with theirs on, but unable to find them.  Contact our webmaster asap with your current info, and hope to see you on the 19th.  I am bringing that old favorite raw beef liver soaked in avidity-yummy !!  Best to all-Barry

Origin of the Name “GUS” Part Two 

Thank you to Winnie Oliver, Zonta '68, for taking this photo of the Gus Hollander House. Please click here for the rest of the story.

 

Origin ? of "Little Stinker" the PU Skunk

Editor's Note:  While updating obituaries for "In Memoriam" I came across the following.  It seems GUS {Bob Kieschnick '50) may be the originator of the unofficial PU mascot.  It is also noted that Bob roomed at "Hollander House," one of the possible sources for the nickname "GUS".

Bob Kieschnick died July 13, 2009 at his home in Dallas.  He had been in failing health for several years. He was a Phillips student from 1946-50.  During his first semester in seminary his father became ill and Bob returned to Dallas to help with the family business.  During his undergraduate years he was an excellent student and leader.  A member of GC, he roomed with Jack Forstman at Hollander House.  As a cheerleader he brought a deodorized skunk onto the gym floor.  It met with controversy but on the cover of the 1949 Yearbook is a little polecat.  Bob was All School Friendliest in the '49 Yearbook.

A Letter to Gridiron:

Dear Mr. Walker,

I was doing a little web search on the Garfield County Daily Legal News and Macfarline Printing Co., Inc. and came across the obituary of LG Macfarline, Jr., October  2007.

 I worked with LG and his father, Lee George and Delores in the early 1970's as a typesetter/typographer. I learned a lot while working with LG's father, and also assisted Delores (Editor of the Garfield County Daily Legal News). I see she passed on in 1990.

I am so saddened to learn of his passing. He was such an energetic person and it was always so much fun to work with LG and David. He was such a hard worker and a perfectionist. They always produced high quality products. I remember LG was an only child and his parents and his mother's sister were so devoted to him.

I'm so sorry I had lost touch with them. They helped me through a difficult divorce and after Lee George passed on I left Enid and a year later I returned to Kansas City to be with my mother who died of cancer.

Just thought I'd mention that I was devastated to learn of his passing. We were both born in 1945. I appreciate your memorial and recognition.

Warm regards,

Mrs. Richard (Betty) Jacobs