Interviewee

H. E. Van Surdam

Interviewer

Dale L. Walker, Robert L. Shumaker, and Nancy Hamilton

Biographical Synopsis of Interviewee

Founder of the Texas School of Mines, now U. T. El Paso. Born in Hoosick Falls, New York in 1881; played football at Wesleyan University; coached football in Ohio; credited with inventing the forward pass in football.

Summary of Interview

Athletics in El Paso in the early 1900s; how started the Texas School of Mines in 1913; development of the symphony in El Paso; experiences as a football player at Wesleyan; experiences coaching and invention of the forward pass; officiating at football games; writing a sports column for the Hoosic Falls (New York) Standard Press and the Washington County Post since 1930.

Date of Interview

1-4-1978

Length of Interview

40 minutes

Tape Number

No. 306

Interview Number

No. 306

Terms of Use

Unrestricted

Included in

Oral History Commons

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