EQUIPMENT WATCHDOG-Popular Henry Hatch (center) is shown performing one of his many
duties as custodian of Wolverine athletic gear. He and his assistant, Beryl Walker, (left) give Guard
Tom Kelsey a new pair of shoulder pads.
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SMALL MAN DOES A BIG JOB:
Winter Sports Multiply Hatch's Duties
By GEORGE FLINT
A small man with one of sports'
toughest jobs will see his cares
and duties multiplied, in this
wintry month of December, simply
because Michigan will be compet-
ing in a number of other sports
besides football.
. He's Henry Hatch, equipment
manager for the Wolverines for
the past 26 years. and as much
of an institution around the ath-
letic plant as Yost Fieldhouse.
FOR HATCH, the end , of the
football season this year means a
multiplication of worries. Instead
of resting from the shipment of
grid equipment to various points
within the middle West and the
East, Hatch now must start figur-
ing what to do about getting ap-
proximately forty football uni-
forms, both game and practice,
out to Pasadena for the dose Bowl
contest.
Advice to Aspiring Wrestlers:
Be Ready for Long, Hard Grind,
By CY CARLTON
"So you want to be a college
wrestler," an old timer asked a
burly youth eyefully watching
Michigan wrestling practice the
other day.
"Sure do, sir," was tbpe young-
ster's quick repLy.
"WELL, BEFORE y o u ever
start," continued the codget,"
"there are a few facts about the
game you should know." At this
the old timer continued without
waiting the lad's reply.
"For one thing if you think
college wrestling is a phoney
sport like the professional circus
act which goes under the same
name, get that idea right out
of your head."
"It's a real tough sport and the
only one here at Michigan that
does require direct physical com-
bat," the old fellow exclaimed.
"WHEN YOU get out there on
that mat you'll be strictly alone
and with your own muscles and
brains to provide the downfield
blocking."
At this point the youngster
ventured a reply which was cut
off in the lad's mouth by the
old man's quaking voice which
continued, "And the training,
son do you realize that those
guys with the blue shorts on
have been working out since
September, and the season's op-
ener is still. a week off."
"And the holds, do you know
that there are more than 100 dif-
ferent grips, pins takedowns and
various other monkeyshines of the
spotts. That is 100 without at least
two or three variations for each."
"AND THE endurance, why my
boy these guys have to use their
muscles for nine straight minutes
wi~i only slight rest in every
match they wrestle."
At this point the old timer
stops breathlessly and the lad
has a chance to say, "Gee, may-
be I'd better start practicing this
week. After all I'll be in college
in only three years.
By this time the old timer had
gone but if present he would have
evorted and in this he would have
been seconded by the Wolverines
great coach'Cliff Keen, "Yea son,
you'd better start working right
now if you want to be a college
wrestler."
* With his assistants, the ven-
erable Beryl Walker and young
Chuck Olsen, Hatch not only
supervises that gargantuan en-
terprise, but must see to the
supplying of equipment for the
various winter sports, i.e., bas-
ketball, hockey, wrestling, etc.
In the realm of Hatch, a caged-
off section on the second floor of
Yost Fieldhouse, speed and effi-
ciency are the watchwords. Proof
of the success of the equipment
room's efforts is offered visibly
every time a Wolverine athletic
team competes.
Spectators see a well-outfitted,
spic-and-span looking group of
athletes when they see a Michigail
team in action. And a'll because of
the yeoman work of Hatch & Co.
* * *
A SPECIAL laundry service at
Yost Fieldhouse handles the de-
tails of keeping the teams' equip-
nent clean and fresh-looking. The
football team's padded gear, shoes,
and helmets, plus the specialized
egipment of other teams, are
sent out to be rebuilt and steril-
ized once a year.
With 300 'and more football
suits, innumerable items of ap-
parel for the other athletic
teams, such as footballs, bas-
ketballs, baseballs, and on ad
infintum, are included in the
list of things over which Hatch
and his crew exercise detailed
administration.
Hank himself is well-loved by all
the athletes who have passed un-
der the famed motto "kwitcher-
bellyachin" which hangs over the
door to the equipment room.
Michigan wouldn't be Michigan
without Hank Hatch. Ask anyone
who has been exposed to the dry
humor and constant goad nature
of the busy little gentleman who
spends a good deal' of his day be-
hind the wire barrier of the equip-
ment cage.
I
U!
El
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The feel of EASE and CONTENTMENT
in this man is easily understood!
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A Christmas Gift from Saffell & Bush is the height
of his ambition. We are extremely proud to
possess a name in Men's Wear that denotes quality
and style leadership the country over. Our ser-
vice and advice are at your disposal this Christma's