Thorpe’s local legacy

DON CANTRELL

From one angle or another, the life of the great American Indian

athlete Jim Thorpe has touched the lives of several harbor area

figures over the years.

Mel Smalley, a Newport Harbor High halfback in 1948-50, once came

to meet Thorpe in the Wilmington area in 1942. Smalley’s uncle drove

young Smalley to Thorpe’s residence and introduced his nephew,

thinking the lad would be impressed.

Although Smalley appreciated his uncle’s efforts, he had never

heard of Thorpe and was a bit speechless, but took the time to shake

his hand. Chances are that the prized Newport fullback Bob Berry, a

superb gridder from 1947-49, crossed paths with Thorpe more than he

knew since his family had first settled in Wilmington before shifting

to Costa Mesa in the mid-1940s.

An outstanding Newport football coach from the early ‘70s named

Don Lent enjoyed one lofty tribute to the late Indian athlete by

dedicating a modern Cypress College structure in the mid-’70s called

the Jim Thorpe House, which became the athletic department’s main

facility.

The event drew considerable attention because Thorpe’s marvelous

daughter, Grace, had traveled a great distance to participate in the

dedication.

And this corner, classified administrator at Cypress, was present

to interview Miss Thorpe and take her photograph at the facility

while a crowd of people welcomed her visit.

In his time, Thorpe was nicknamed “Indian Jim” because of his Sac

and Fox ancestry. He was born and raised in Oklahoma, but made his

collegiate name under a famed coach named “Pop” Warner at Carlisle

Indian School in Pennsylvania.

It has been said that Thorpe followed the athletic prowess of his

great-great grandfather, Black Hawk, who was deemed the best athlete

of his tribe.

Thorpe once said, “I am no more proud of my career as an athlete

than I am of the fact that I am a direct descendant of that noble

warrior.”

Thorpe’s Indian name was Wa-Tho-Huck, which means Bright Path.

The Associated Press voted Thorpe the greatest male athlete of the

first half of the 20th century. Babe Ruth, the ace baseball hitter,

was voted second.

Old records indicate Thorpe was superior in most sports and a

super talent in track and field.

Thorpe died in 1953. He was voted into the Pro Football Hall of

Fame in 1963.

Grace Thorpe told this corner in the mid-’70s that her personal

battle continued with the International Olympic officials to return

the two gold medals from the 1912 Olympics they had taken away from

him her father. He had won the pentathlon and decathlon.

One report said Jim Thorpe had taken money for playing semi-pro

baseball before the 1912 Olympics and violated his amateur status.

Thorpe had claimed that the money merely served his need for room and

board to play baseball. In time, many agreed with Thorpe’s position.

Grace Thorpe kept her verbal combat going until 1982 when the

Olympic officials finally agreed to return his medals to her and the

family. They also erased the 1912 charges to clear his name.

One recalls his impressive days playing football against the

rugged Army team that featured a future president at halfback by the

name of Dwight Eisenhower. Thorpe led the Carlisle Indians to a big

upset victory, averaging more than 10 yards per carry.

In one professional grid clash, Thorpe encountered a couple

impacts by a name that would later become famous at Notre Dame. The

name was Knute Rockne.

Rockne was determined to stop the sensational Thorpe, but after

the second effective tackle, Thorpe was leaning toward Rockne’s way

to state, “Let, Jim run. The people pay to see Jim run.”

Rockne ignored the comment, only to find Thorpe rumbling right

over him and running for a touchdown the next play.