After a painful and lonely senior year at Lower Merion High School (my group of close friends had graduated the year before), I was pleased to be off to Oberlin, at that time one the highest rated small co-ed colleges (about 2000 students, of which a quarter belonged to the music conservatory). It was my first choice because of its high academic standards and I felt that it would be conducive for a good social life.
I also decided to go out for the freshman football team in order to increase my contacts and to counter my image of what today may be termed a ‘nerd.’ I had not been on a football team before. There was a no cut policy for freshman football. You just showed up. I was about 6’ 4”, only 185 lbs. and uncoordinated. Fit for nothing, they assigned me to the tackle position.
I vividly recall during practice looking up at the sky and pondering the commercial airline jet streams that were a relatively new phenomenon in 1954.
I only got in one freshman game, against Northwestern College in Cleveland, and that for less than ten minutes. But I discovered a ferocity (albeit misdirected in most plays!) that I had not conceived existed before. And from that season comes one of my finest memories: an open field tackle against a hard charging back while practicing kick offs and returns.
I think the coaches and other players were somewhat amazed that Field had tackled someone. I never have been prouder than showering with team mates with blood dripping down from my nose!
I wore with some swagger the sweater with class numerals that I had earned. But when Coach Butler asked during spring gym whether I would be returning to the team next fall, I put his apprehensions to rest by telling him how much I had enjoyed and benefited from the freshman experience but I would not be returning.
You don’t have to be a star or even be good to treasure participation in an activity. And, incidentally, I did fit in well both at Oberlin and later at the University of California at Berkeley.
