Fox's Corner

John Gunn is a former U.S. Marine Corps combat correspondent who now keeps in touch with  Marines, past and present, via a newsletter that keeps tabs on Corps alumni who have been active in all areas of sports--college, pro, service, athlete and/or coach.   An article in Gunn's recent column caught Old Fox's eye: "Western Illinois Leathernecks."   Well aware that Uncle Sam's Marines are known as "Leathernecks," I was also aware that Western Illinois' "Leathernecks" will visit Lincoln, Nebraska for a September 4th football game with the Nebraska Cornhuskers.   Curiosity got the best of me, so I called Western Illinois sports information director Jason Kaufman and asked, "What's the story behind your team's "Leatherneck" nickname?"   I confessed to being married in Dress Blues 53-plus years ago, as he laughed, "We get asked that a lot and I'm happy to tell you the story."  Fair enough, and here's what Jason revealed:   "We are the only non-military NCAA school authorized to have its nickname originate from a branch of the service.    " It goes clear back to 1927 when our coach was Ray " Rock" Hanson.  Rock was a decorated World War I hero and a good friend of Notre Dame's Knute Rockne. He was football , basketball and basedball coach, athletics director and headed the physical education department.    Ray had enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1917 and after a year at Western Illinois, he received permission from the Marines to use their official seal, their Bulldog mascot and their nickname. He was also honored in another way--our mascot is named "Rocky."   Coach Hanson also saw action in World War II and returned to his positions at WIU in 1946 and was a leader in improving basketball rules. He retired in 1964 after serving WIU for 38 years, during which the Fighting Leathernecks' athletic teams won 29 diffrerent conference championships. He died in 1982 at age 86, leaving a dual legacy of outstanding military service and leadership in college athletics.          Gunn's column also may be of interest to Nebraska fans.  He reports that Western Illinois attendance of 77,426 last year was the highest ever, and the average attendance of 12,904 was second highest in school history.   Western Illinois athletic director Dr. Tim Van Alstine told Gunn, "We were really proud of last year's record attendance.  Many people experienced Leatherrneck football for the first time and came back for a second or third game, and we're positioned to give them an even better experience this season."   Leatherneck Gunn didn't note that Western Illinois' Leathernecks would open their 2004 season on Sept. 4th in Nebraska's Memorial Stadium where 61,000 fans watched the Huskers' final spring practice, but he did report their home schedule that would follow the trip to Lincoln.   Gunn wrote: "The Leathernecks, coming off back-to-back quarterfinal appearances, will host five regular-season games in 2004, including Homecoming, Oct. 9, against Indiana State and Family Weekend, Nov. 6 against Youngstown State.  The home opener is scheduled 11 Sept., against Cheyney, followed by nearby Quincy on 25 Sept., and  Illinois State visits Hanson Field 16 Oct."   SID Kaufman offered no bulletin board material about 2004 prospects for the Div. I-AA Leathernecks.  "We honestly don't know at this time what kind of a team we will have, but our coach and the players are looking foward to the trip to Nebraska."   Nebraska fans, as always, will look forward to the opening of the football season and will provide a friendly welcome for the Leatherneck team  and Western Illinois fans.     One last report on the Huskers' opening opponent next fall:  Apparently, the Marine Corps Commandant in 1920 drew the line on extending any additional honors for Rock Hanson, other than a nickname for Western Illinois' teams, the Bulldog mascot and the anchor and globe emblem.   The WIU sports information office confirmed, "We don't use the "Marine Corps Hymn" as our fight song."

  "Semper Fi," as we say.