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: August 21, 2010

Men of Gridiron

 

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 Bill Kirton

I had previously indicated that I would be coming to the reunion gathering on June 19. I regret that I will not be able to come due to the death of a dear friend, for whom I will be officiating at the memorial service on the 19th. I am a retired Methodist pastor. I hope to see all of you at the next reunion.

 

Bill Kirton

Gridiron President '62 - '63

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

Sad News

Two GUS have recently passed on; Harold "Mac" McNiff  '55 and Don Johnson '74.  Their obituaries follow:

Harold Allan "Mac" McNiff was born on September 7, 1933 to Harold Matthew McNiff & Elsie Coker of Los Angeles, CA and went to be with our Father in Heaven on April 21, 2010.

Mac graduated Lawton High School in 1951 and got his Bachelor's Degree from Phillips University in Enid, OK in 1955. He then began his employment with Oklahoma Natural Gas Company where he was employed for the next 38 years and retired as a Commercial Marketing Consultant.

In April of 1960 he married Patsy Mae Brobst. They moved to OKC in 1964 and then to Bethany in 1968 where they remained for the rest of their lives. He received the De Molay Legion of Honor. Mac served on the Board of Directors of Cerebral Palsy, and was serving on the Board of Directors of Office of Disability Concerns and Reliant Living Centers of OK. He was very involved with the CB world as "Big Hoss". These clubs raised funds for various charities for over 35 years.

He is survived by his son, Lester McNiff and his wife Connie of OKC, daughter, Piper Pfister and her husband Rusty of Bethany, OK, and his companion of 6 years, Mary Kay Fisher of Bethany, OK, 3 grandchildren, Megan McNiff of Yukon, OK, and Kenna & Seth Pfister of Bethany, OK, and 2 step-grandchildren, Shawn & Mindy Johnson of Mustang and Dawn Johnson of OKC.  A sister also survives him, Cynthia Frederick of Calabasas, CA and a brother-in-law, Art Michener of Sun Valley, CA.

 

The memorial service for Kenneth Don “KD” Johnson, 57, was held in Houston, fon Saturday, April 10, 2010, in Enid at Weldon Park. He was born March 13, 1952, in Frederick to Donal McHarold and Berneice Catherine Goble Johnson and died Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, in Houston.

He attended Frederick schools and graduated from Frederick High School in 1969. He later moved with his family to Enid, where he attended Phillips University. He married Lyn Williams May 25, 1975, in Enid. They later moved to Houston, where he worked as a courier.

Surviving are his wife, Lyn, of Houston; one son, Cody of Houston; and two brothers, Charles M. “Mike” Johnson and James S. “Jimmy” Johnson, both of Enid.

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.

 

 

2010 REUNION SCHEDULE

Men of Gridiron:

The next GUS function will be in conjunction with the Phillips alumni reunion next month.  We will gather Saturday night (June 19th) at the Ramada Inn in Enid.  It is located on West Owen Garriott Road (Lahoma Road to those my vintage and older).   

The social hour will begin at 5:30, with dinner at 6:30.  The cost is $12.00 per person.  PAY AT THE DOOR only - please, do not pay in advance.  Spouses and significant others are welcome.  Club jackets, if yours still fits, are optional! 

To help me plan for the right amount of food, please, RSVP. 

ALSO, I need to update the GUS email list.  You can help by sending me the email address of any members that you have. 

At last year's Phillips reunion, GC had more members register and attend than any other club.  The same was true in 2005, '06, and '08  (The Camelots edged us out in '07).  Hopefully, we can top the charts this year. 

The following GUSes attended last year's luncheon:

Bill Briggs '44

Jim Strain '45

Jim Lowell '49

Dick Castle '53

Don Angle '55

Tom Jaworsky '68

Tom Walker '68

Lowell Baker '69

David Bishline '71

Pat Novak '71

Matt Price '91

Bob Hutchins '91

Justin Phillips '92

Matt Nelson '94

Erik Thomas '95 

I'm looking forward to seeing you next month.

GUS!

Tom Walker

Class of '68

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