Chronological History of M Club Actions Apr 1950 - Feb 1960 April 1950 - February 1952 Joseph H. Deckman served as president during this period. Dr. Cory resigned as treasurer after 22 years of superior service. He was replaced by Dr. John E. Faber. Our first newsletter, the "M News" was published in June 1950. The M Club was incorporated in the state of Maryland on May 28, 1951 as the "M Club, University of Maryland, Inc." Dr. Byrd raised over $1 million to build a new Byrd Stadium. It opened on September 20, 1950 with a 35-21 win over Navy. The inaugural spring alumni-varsity football game was held on April 27, 1951, under the auspices of the Alumni and Varsity M Clubs. It was founded by Honorary Member Coach Jim Tatum, Joe Deckman and Judge Ralph Shure. This event was held annually through 1965 with all profits (ranging from a low of $699 in '62 to a high of $4,472 in '65) going to the M Club's Scholarship Fund. Our scholarship grants increased to $1,300 annually. No banquet was held in '51. Instead it was shipped off campus to Baltimore's Sheraton Hotel on February 9, 1952 under Chairman Ford Loker. It was designated as our first Annual Sports Awards Banquet, and included an award for our first Distinguished Citizen, Senator Herbert O'Connor. We also inaugurated awards for All-Americans to those Maryland athletes selected on 1st, 2nd or 3rd teams or equivalent under NCAA rules. Treasurer Jack Faber reported our assets were $6,822 in fiscal '51. February 1952 - January 1953 Dr. Ford Loker was elected President. The second Annual Banquet was again held at Baltimore's Sheraton Hotel on January 30, 1953 under Chairman Sam Silber. The Distinguished Citizen Award went to Melvin Baker, chairman, National Gypsum Co. The M Club and campus M Club provided funds to equip an "M" Room in the Administration Building in old Byrd Stadium. Joe Deckman was appointed to serve as our first official representative on the Alumni Association. We awarded the campus M Club $100 for operating expenses. Dr. Faber reported our assets totaled $5,547 in fiscal '52. January 1953 - January 1954 Judge Ralph Shure was appointed president. Charles Ellinger served as chairman of the 3rd Annual Banquet held at Baltimore's Emerson Hotel on January 30, 1954. The Distinguished Citizen Award went to Governor Preston Lane. Members of the 1917 through 1920 football teams were honored at half-time of the Alumni-Varsity game. Our annual scholarship grants increased to $1,500. Dr. Faber announced that our total assets in fiscal '53 were $6,364. January 1954 - February 1955 Sam Silber was named president, and Robert C. James replaced Al Heagy as secretary. Milt van den Berg chaired the 4th Annual Banquet on February 11, 1955 at the Emerson Hotel. Maryland's president, Dr. Wilson H. Elkins, received the Distinguished Citizen Award. Three new awards were added for student-athletes: (1) Talbot T. Speer Award (for leadership, scholarship and all-around ability); (2) Charles P. McCormick Award (to a Baltimore senior contributing the most to athletics); and (3) A.V. Williams Award (to a football player who has exhibited outstanding and conspicuous sportsmanship). Dr. Faber reported that our annual scholarship grant increased to $2,000, while our assets jumped to $14,204. February 1955 - February 1956 Al Heagy was elected president, and Joe Deckman replaced Dr. Faber as treasurer. Hanlon Murphy chaired the 5th Annual Banquet at the Emerson Hotel on February 4, 1956. Gen. Carlos Romulo of the Philippines received the Distinguished Citizen Award. We published a quarterly "Sports Letter" highlighting reports by coaches, plus information on the M Club's special events. The M Club founded the State of Maryland's Athletic Hall of Fame under the leadership of Joe Deckman, Charley Ellinger and Charles Allen. An Associate M Club was established consisting of selected golfers using the Maryland Golf Course. They paid $50 annual dues, all of which went to our Scholarship Fund. An M Club banner was purchased for use at all of our special events. Joe Deckman announced that the annual scholarship grants rose to $3,000, with assets reaching $16,470. On December 22, 1955, basketball games shifted from Ritchie Coliseum to the new William P. Cole Student Activities Building. February 1956- February 1957 Charley Ellinger was named president. Frank Cronin founded an All-Maryland Golf Day on May 18, 1956 at the Prince George's Country Club. This event replaced the Baltimore Golf Outing. President Ellinger arranged for free reserved parking at football games for all dues-payers. The first members of the State of Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame were inducted at the M Club's 6th Annual Banquet on December 13, 1956 at the Lord Baltimore Hotel. Bucky Miller served as chairman, and Dr. James E. Salk, the inventor of the flu vaccine, was the recipient of our Distinguished Citizen Award. The office of historian was eliminated and replaced by the office of second vice president. Joe Deckman reported that our assets increased to $17,161. February 1957 - February 1958 The Board elected George Knepley president. Our first outside promotion was initiated by President Knepley - a basketball game between the Harlem Globetrotters and a College All-Star team at Cole Field House. The M Club received $2,500 and the Athletic Department $1,000. The boxing program was discontinued due to safety factors. Robert Boucher served as chairman of our 7th Annual Banquet at Washington's Statler Hotel on December 14, 1957. General Curtis Le May, Commander USAF, was named our Distinguished Citizen. We also selected the first recipient of the Guckeyson Memorial Award, named after Maryland's greatest all-around athlete. Our annual scholarship grants increased to $3,600, while our assets moved up to $17,884. February 1958 - September 1958 President Bill Larash named George Knepley as our paid promotions director. Jim Kehoe was elected secretary, a position he would hold until 1969 when he became athletic director. The University's Golf Course opened on August 22, 1958 with the M Club's Shotgun Social being the inaugural event. The cost was $8, including greens fee and dinner. Coach Frank Cronin was the motivator for the construction and development of the course. He served as the director, golf coach, and head pro for 33 years. President Larash was unable to complete his full term since his job transferred him out of town. He was replaced by Hotsy Alperstein. Our annual scholarship aid increased to $4,500 during fiscal '58 with assets rising to $18,930. September 1958-February 1960 President Alperstein served a 15-month term. The associate golf members increased to 107. The following promotions were sponsored: East-West College Basketball game; the Jack Kramer Pro Tennis Group; Paul Hahn Golf Exhibition and a pro basketball game. Charles Herbert chaired our 8th Annual Banquet on June 17, 1959 at the Emerson Hotel. Bob Boucher and Dr. Lawrence Smallwood co-chaired our 9th Annual Banquet on December 5, 1959 at the Statler Hotel. John Shapiro, Owner, Laurel Raceway and USAF Lt. Gen. Bernard Schriever respectively were named our Distinguished Citizens. We also sponsored a new award beginning in 1959 - the Jim Tatum Memorial Award to go to Maryland's best tackle. Our assets continued to rise, reaching $22,340.