1912–13 Volume 37 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

THE SCROLL 123pole vault. Brother Cortis, also of this chapter, was an alternatein the 440 but did not enter the games.Brother Murphy has a record as an athlete and a student that isvery hard to beat. He entered the University of Illinois in the fallof 1908, and graduated in the spring of 1912. During that time,he competed in nearly every athletic meet. In 1908, he was a memberof the freshman varsity and spent the years of 1910-11-12 on thevarsity, being captain of the track team during the year 1912. Inhis whole college career he was not beaten more than two or threetimes, and in several instances tied for firsts.He was the best pole vaulter in the middle west, and in 1909won the conference pole vault at a height of 12 feet 4J4 inches. HeFRANK D. MURPHYIllinois, '12holds the university record of 12 feet 6 inches, this being made at alater date. Murphy competed in the Pennsylvania games twice,tying in both instances. The first height was 12 feet 3 inches, andthe last time the height was 12 feet 5 inches.At the Olympic games he was one of the lucky ones to qualify forthe finals. At this time he was not in the best of form, but neverthelesstied for third, and received an Olympic bronze medal. Ithas been conceded to Brother Murphy that he has the best take-offof any pole vaulter in the United States, and it is probably due tothis, that he was one of the few great pole vaulters of the day.By the graduation of Brother Frank Murphy, Illinois Universityhas lost the greatest pole vaulter that we have ever had. He wasone of the few athletes who was consistent, and could always bedepended upon. Not only has Illinois University lost her best polevaulter, but his retiring from athletics, leaves a big hole in the