Chronological History of M Club Actions Apr 1923 - Nov 1930 April 1923 - November 1924 The M Club was founded in April 1923. Its eight founders were: Dr. H.C. "Curley" Byrd, William B. Kemp, George F. Pollock, H. Burton Shipley, Geary F. Eppley, Reginald V. Truitt, Burton Ford and William G. Morris. An organizational meeting was held on November 12, 1923 attended by 100 letter winners out of a possible 250 members. At that meeting, the control of the Club's business was vested in our first elected officers and sports representatives. Dr. Byrd was elected president. The other officers were: Dr. Kemp, vice president; Mr. Pollock, secretary; James McQuade, treasurer; Charles Sylvester, historian; and sports representatives: Eppley (football); Truitt (lacrosse); Shipley (basketball); Ford (tennis); Dr. Daniel Jennifer (baseball); and Kenneth Grace (track). A constitution and by-laws, prepared by Dr. Kemp's committee, was approved at the first meeting. Dues were set at $1. The M Club founded the University's first Homecoming Day during the dedication of a new football stadium located east of Route 1 near Ritchie Coliseum. Dr. Byrd raised $69,500 to build the 5,000-seat stadium. He was the football coach (1911-34), and the stadium was subsequently named "Byrd Stadium." The Homecoming plans, set by Mr. Truitt and his committee, established a general pattern for future Homecomings. November 1924 - November 1926 Burton Ford was elected president for a two-year term. Geary Eppley was named secretary-treasurer, a position he held for four years. A standard "M" lapel pin and an official certificate of membership was adopted. Dr. Byrd authorized us to sell life memberships in the Athletic Association (comprised of three faculty members and student officers) to raise funds to help pay for the new football stadium. A song writing contest was inaugurated. Mr. Lou Jones was voted the winner by writing a song entitled "Sons of Old Maryland." 360 letterwinners were eligible for membership of whom 107 paid dues. Assests for fiscal '26 were $164. November 1926 - November 1928 Gilbert Dent served as president for this two-year period. Ridgeley Apt replaced Geary Eppley as secretary-treasurer in November 1927. The treasurer's report showed a balance of $366 in fiscal '27 and $388 in fiscal '28. November 1928 - November 1930 George Pollock was elected president for a two-year term. Dr. Ernest Cory replaced Ridgeley Apt as secretary-treasurer in November 1928. Dr. Cory continued in this position for 20 years and as treasurer for another two years until 1950. A banquet was held on campus honoring all varsity letter winners and the Athletic Association (now the Athletic Council). A constitutional amendment was approved to elect honorary members, limited to not more than ten (10) percent of the active membership. Don Adams was named chairman of the Scholarship Committee. His committee raised scholarship funds from Homecoming dance profits and proceeds from an annual Varsity-Alumni basketball game. These projects were the first step in developing the M Club's athletic scholarship program. The first two scholarships were awarded in 1930 to football players Al Woods '33 and Ray Poppelman '33. They were both subsequently elected into the University's Athletic Hall of Fame. Cross country was added as the seventh varsity sport.