Cadet Life

Within five years of its introduction, PMC Polo teams had become a dominant force on the collegiate level. They regularly defeated their opponents, whether they were colleges, universities or area clubs. The 1935 team distinguished itself for its unselfish and honorable actions.

The PMC team, consisting of seniors Jack Young ’30 and Frank Kaiser ’30 and freshman Walter Jones, were playing the Ridgewood Riding Club (NJ). Victory would earn the team the title Eastern Junior Polo champions and make them eligible to play the Detroit Riding Club in the Junior East-West Championship tournament. The very talented Eckford Rufner, a 17 year old, led the Ridgewood team. During the second period, Rufner’s pony lost its balance and he was crushed under the fallen horse. The score at that time was 3 ½ – 2 in favor of PMC Ridgewood did not have a substitute and the title was awarded to P.MC.

The cadets requested that the Eastern Junior Championship be transferred to Ridgewood. The U.S. Polo Association ruled that the accident was unavoidable and PMC must retain the title. The school withdrew from the East-West Championship Tournament. As a final token of their respect, the polo team and the entire Senior Class attended the funeral of Rufner. Colonel Hyatt, Lieutenant Comfort and Captain Schaubel ’30 were also present.

The first college football game was played in 1869 between Rutgers University and Princeton University. Rutgers won by a score of 6 to 4. By the 1890s football was recognized as a major college sport. In the early days, football was uncomplicated. The plays were simple and the strategy was elementary. Tackling below the waist was not allowed and running backs used the straight arm most effectively.

In 1888, PMC fielded a very talented team. They played well as a team and experienced no serious injuries during the season. As important, the Corps of Cadets and their friends attended many of the games. These factors contributed to the cadet squad going undefeated and untied, and even more impressive, no opponent crossed its goal line during the entire 9 game schedule.

PMC continued to field competitive teams. In 1933, under the direction of Coach “Jud” Timm and the play of “Reds” Pollack, the football team was again undefeated. The only team to score on the PMC eleven was West Point. During that game, the Cadets held the undefeated and untied Army eleven to two last quarter touchdowns in what some call the finest football game played by the school.

The PMC Polo team originated when Colonel Frank K. Hyatt, then a captain directing the mounted activities at PMC, envisioned the possibilities of the game becoming a major intercollegiate sport. The cadets played both an indoor and outdoor schedule from 1923 to 1948. By 1928, the PMC team was a dominant force in Intercollegiate Polo Association, which included Yale, Harvard, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania, West Point, Cornell and PMC. That same year, the cadets won the Intercollegiate Polo Championship (national championship), defeating Harvard, Princeton, Yale, and West Point.

1940 was one of the greatest years for polo at PMC. Under the tutelage of Coach Carl Schaubel, ’30, considered by many to be the best polo coach in the country, the team excelled. Led by Buddy Maloney ’41 the team of Jim Spurrier ’40, Buck Wagnon and Emory Hickman ’40 formed one the best combinations in the East. After completing a successful season, the team once again found itself playing in the Intercollegiate Tournament. They beat the Harvard team 12 to 11, in a hard fought match and then faced West Point. After defeating West Point decisively (11 to 7), PMC faced Princeton in the final round of the tournament. Unfortunately, PMC was defeated by Princeton, 14 to 7.

By 1943 it was clear that continuing polo at PMC. was no longer possible. The reasons were the cost, including the equipment, horses, and transportation for players and horses, coupled with the loss of a home playing field due to World War II.

Although polo was only played a relatively short time at PMC, the superior coaching and talent of its teams earned the school a place of respect in the history of the game.

The war years presented PMC with both challenges and opportunities. In 1943, the junior and senior classes were called to active duty. Most of the juniors were near completion of their studies in an accelerated program and graduated with special “War Diplomas.” In June, 325 soldiers reported to PMC for Army Specialized Training.

In 1944, Colonel Frank K. Hyatt reported that the Corps consisted of 100 cadets, about two-thirds of which were preparatory students. The 1944 Commencement exercises were cancelled that year so that PMC could prepare for the arrival of a group of 225 Reserve students. By that time, the cadets had been trained as instructors. The next graduation was held in August 1945, and 1946 witnessed a mid-year graduation for cadets George E. Pranis and Norman J. Stein along with 47 ASTP students. After passage of the G.I. Bill in 1946, PMC began to enroll veterans as day and boarding students.

The first units assigned to PMC in 1943 were offered a standard college curriculum leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in engineering and chemistry. All ASPT students participated in physical training and military instruction, which followed basic R.O.T.C. course.

PMC Alma Mater
Adopted in 1952
Words by Professor Homer Nearing, Jr.
Music by Charles A. Bartlett, ’54