University of Virginia Library

Player Of The Week

MacGregor Inspires Team

By Bob Cullen
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Everybody concerned with the
1967 Cavaliers deserves credit for
the fine finish and 5-5 record
produced by the team, but perhaps
none more than captain Mal
MacGregor, this week's player of
the week.

Leadership is a difficult quality
to define, but it is sometimes easy
to recognize. This was the case
with MacGregor. His leadership
was perhaps more important than
the contribution he made through
his steady and effective play from
the linebacker position.

MacGregor literally never rested
during a game this year. He -
turned the responsibility for calling
the signals in Coach Don
Lawrence's new defensive system,
and they were executed properly
often enough to make the Virginia
defense a respected unit for
the first time in several years.

But it was off the field that MacGregor
set an example for those
that will follow him as captain of
football. Whenever, the defense
came off the field, MacGregor
never sat down, preferring to spend
the time pacing up and down, exhorting
his team to a greater
effort the next time the opposition
got the ball.

He contributed to the entire
team's unity in a hundred little
ways every week, bringing them
together for prayer meetings before
the games, prodding slackers, and
generally keeping the players
psychologically keyed up.

In light of his leadership, it's
easy to overlook the fact that the
201 pound fourth-year man from
Glen Ridge, New Jersey is also
a fine football player.

From his post at linebacker
MacGregor demonstrated his ability
to stop both the inside and outside
run, due to his mobility and
innate sense of knowing where the
ball was going to be.

He will be hard to replace.

Photo by Murray

Back To The Camera, But Facing The Action Mal MacGregor Awaits The Action

From His Linebacker's Spot The Wahoo Captain Led Virginia To A 5-5 Season