University of Virginia Library

Newcomer Noted

Patton's Efforts Lauded

By Paul Larsen

Whenever a sport of competitive
nature launches into a new season
it generates a renaissance of excitement
and brings with it a myriad
of questions, expectations, and
predictions.

There is probably no source of
more new season hope and concern
in any athletic organization than
the rookie, or in University terms,
the second-year man. Having, in
most cases, spend a year of maturing
and learning on the freshman
team, the University "rookie" is
now given the chance to prove his
worth.

For some the chance ends in
frustration and agony, and for

others it is a beginning to a successful
career.

First Game Praises

In his initial appearance as a
Cavalier, linebacker Tom Pan
cared the praise of his coaches
and the respect of his teammates
by his outstanding play, and nervous
mistakes all seemed to pass
by Patton as he continued the
hard-tackling and play-breaking he
was so noted for on the first-year
team of last year:

Patton, a husky, 6-0, 205
pounder from New Castle,
Pennsylvania is no newcomer to
the gridiron. In high-school Tom
starred as an offensive tackle as
well as a defensive stalwart.

Honors, Career

His reputation as one of the
fiercest competitors in the East
resulted in an abundance of college
interest. Besides Virginia, Patton
received offers from such football
powers as Georgia Tech, Mimi
of Florida, Army, Navy, West
Virginia, and Colorado.

As a result of his performance
at West Point, Tom has received
many accolades from the press
and fans. But perhaps no more
fitting is head-coach Blackburn's
appraisal of his new linebacker,
"Tom took over the position last
fall and hasn't been dislodged
since. In the Army game we got
a remarkable performance from
him.

"He is a very severe competitor
and enjoys the game of football
immensely. He, Pete Schmidt, and
Al Sinsky graded particularly high
in the films of the Army game."

In regard to the Buffalo game,
Blackburn said, "Buffalo has an
altogether different offense than
Army and I believe Tom will adjust
to it real fine."

Coach Helps

The soft-spoken, blonde
cruncher sees as his biggest aid
"the coaching of Coach Lawrence.
He has made the defense really
believe in itself and has helped all
of us newcomers to varsity ball
incredibly. As far as Buffalo is
concerned, I think the biggest job
of the defense will be in containing
their option play."

With number 38 in the defense,
the task will be greatly lessened
for the Wahoos.