ee Early L.D.S. Church Leaders serving terms in State Penitentiary. . . An unusual episode in the founding of Weber State Academy. George Q. Cannon, member of the First Presidency in charge of Church Education Program lf basketball fans had any doubts about the ability of Coach Phil Johnson to produce a winning team in °69 their fears should be greatly reduced by now. Banning some unforseen cage disasters, Coach Johnson’s "Cats should claw their way. fairly well along to: another Big Sky Championship. se a x ~ ‘~ Se There are many sportscasters, in fact, who credit Weber State.with the finest team in the state and look for the Wildcats to participate in another NCAA playoff if they continue at their present pace. 4 A % ann i ta en ; 3 4 i =i Hay Nes — It was a cold winter’s day 80 years ago when 98 students and two faculty members commenced the first class of what was the beginning of Weber State College. The original title of the institution was Weber Stake Academy and its founding was prompted by an L.D.S. Church program to provide institutions of academic learning throughout the state. Its founding proved to be as unique as the historic events to follow. While most schools recognize their founding in the fall of the year, Webers founding is officially celebrated January 7, 1889. Professor Louis F. Moench, prominent Ogden educator and the man selected by the Stake Board of Education to become the first principal was in Europe at the time preparations began for the Academy. By the time he arrived home the school year was well under way. Original plans by the founders called for the opening day of school to commence Christmas Day, December 25, 1888, but the idea was eventually abandoned in favor of the later date. While future events and individuals would add significant chapters in the history of the institution, none were more moving than the founders and their several roles in the destiny of the school. Lewis W. Shurtliff was president of the Weber Stake Board of Education charged with responsibility of the establishment of the academy. Considerable credit should be given for his leadership, organization and dedication to this challenge. Equally as illustrious were board members Charles Middleton, N.C. ay Lae 4 Bagg a wn » FOUNDERS DAY - 188 BY is seated center. a Weber State Students Mrs. Dean O. Brand and Mr. Don Davis, stand before statue of their grandfather, Louis F. Moench, cos Flygare, Joseph Stratford, T.S. Stevens, Robert Mcquarrie and David McKay, who actually mortgaged their homes or property to finance the infant school. After his release from a mission to direct the opening of the school, Professor Louis F. Moench visited Salt Lake City to observe the academy there. He went on to Provo to observe similar insititutions and while there met Karl G. Maeser, a native countryman with whom he was very impressed. A rather unusual incident then took place which requires a knowledge of Utah history of that period in order to appreciate. Upon his return from Provo, Professor Moench stopped at his father-in-law in Salt Lake City. The father-in-laws hitched up a horse and buggy and took Professor Moench to visit with George Q. Cannon and other church officials in charge of the church school system. The unusual thing about the visit was that the visit took place in the State Penitentiary where President Cannon and other church members had been incarcerated by the federal government. The history of Weber State assumes a faintly illogical twist, then, to learn that instructions and suggestions for its founding began, in part, in a prison cell. Quickly outgrowing the facilities they were using in the old second ward meeting house on 26th and Grant Avenue, Professor Moench borrowed money to remodel the Ogden Tabernacle so as to be suitable for teaching purposes. School opened in the new facilities on April 8, 1890 and on April 29, three weeks later, a letter from the first presidency of the church informed him they must vacate the premises at once. « -JOHNSON’S ARMY It came as little surprise to basketball fans when former assistant Coach Johnson was named to replace Coach Motta after Dick’s “retirement” to the Bull-ring. A further study will reveal that, again, due to the political situation in the state, all church porperty then held in custody by the government could not be used for any purpose other than religious services. An interesting article appearing in “The Commercial’, a daily newspaper published in 1889 - 1890, announced the closing thus: “The Weber Stake Academy has been closed by the deputy-marshalls—several arrests have been made on the charge that teachers were disseminating doctrines among young missionaries who were taught to teach the mormon religion.” Forced to close its doors following graduation on May 2, 1890 one could assume the founders might consider their efforts ill-timed or unfruitful. But with courage and stamina that approached tenacity, they began plans for a permanent home for the school. Failing, receive to completion and the school re-convened in the imposing structure November 233 1891. Named after the Those who know basketball principles saw in the former assistant the necessary qualifications for success. Phil knows the game and is an excellent practitioner of the science of basketball. Observers of bench action recognized the steadying fluence he maintained with player and coaching staff alike. first principal, the Moench Building became a haven 0 learning to unnumbered thousands of future students. Begun in adversity, the school became heir to a host of problems - But those incidents are ingredients for future 4 articles. The spirit of the founders would prevail that coined were - and if ever a motto would exemplify that spirit and the spirit of those to follow, it might well read “from adversity - strength”. in- In addition to being an excellent recruiter, Coach Johnson possesses a rare ability to relate well with his players and to inspire consistent maximum team effort on their part. Phil’s court generalmanship is enhanced by former Weber State cage star, Gene Visscher, who returned to Weber as assistant coach. Credited by many as.an instrumental factor in Weber’s rise to basketball prominance in the first years as a senior institution, big Gene is an excellent asset to the college. THE 69 CATS ARE ON THE MARCH! Considerable speculation greeted the °69 aggregation of ‘Cats; a relatively young team lacking cohesive experience, fans and sports_ Casters waited to see if the court warriors would prove to be a rabble army or disciplined troops. The answer came soon enough. monetary reimbursen.ent for their venture, they mortgaged their property to insure its Regardless of the future ahead, Coach Johnson’s team has established itself as a genuine power within the Big Sky Conference, the state and the nation. _ ete Sojourner quickly proved to be everything he was cracked up to be and more. With two more seasons to go, the big 6’8” center should develop into one of the top players in the nation. Already a legend on the Weber State campus, “Wee-Willie’s” antics off the court are as co as they are on. Shortly after his arrival at Weber State, ie gazed thoughtfully at the “WS” east of the campus and softly re__ marked, “How about that—I’ve only been in school here six weeks and already they’ve got my initials on the mountain.” “Far from being a one-man team, Willie is backed up with bruising for_ Ward Larry Bergh, a tough competitor and captain of the Wildcat squad. oming on strong is big Gary Strong, who after a number of off-on Performances over the years, has firmly established himself as a conaes: ‘istant playmaker and good shooter as has hustling Richard Nielson, ; z nior Byard, who has also settled down into a top performer. Sensational is the only expression for other starting guards Justus ThigPen and Sessions Harlan, who provide fans with some of the most specfacular plays of t he game. Forwards Gus ‘Chatman and Dave Sackolwitz add to th & ing Beach: tugged strength of the team that boasts an excellent support- With ; “i ca - Pressive4 Humber of creditable victories already chalked up, including imwin S over Hawaii, Butler, Creighton and Seattle, . Johnson’s ¢ : en almy is real y on the move! ». Phil Jo Anson { Team captain Larry Bergh receives trophies from Garth Belliston. a fist full of