Triumphs of a Newsboy

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 69, 22 March 1941, Page 4 (Supplement)

Triumphs of a Newsboy

'J'HEIR progress then depends on Ihrccj factors: tirst-class coaching and training, the best organised competitive system in the world, and, most important of all, the character of the Freshman's squads. The hig majority are hoys in poor circumstances who work their wav through college by taking college posts and al>o working at odd jobs during their varations. Menial Jobs Accepted. Any menial joh is accepted provided it will bring in the dollars to pay for food and board during collogc term. In fact, it is almost impossible to move about anywhere in the States during duly t>> September without meeting college boys doing a job of work in restaurants, boats, road houses, boys' camps, or on the bathing beaches from Maine to Miami. Obviously a youngster who has the grit to fight his way through life under such conditions can apply the same qualities to his sporting activities. By dircct contact I know that it is almost impossible to find a better type than a boy working his way through college. I could cite many' instances. One, however, will suffice—Tete Desjardin*. His father, a l'reiich Canadian, was compelled to leave Canada for Florida owing to ill-health when Pete was a very young buy. From ten years onwards De-jardins earned his fees for a high school education by selling early editions of newspapers on the Miami Beach. When playing round in the Biltmorc Hotel pool Desjardins was soon snapped up by the Miami coach, Steve Cooling, as an exceptionally promi-ing diver, lfe was a boy prodigy who won several State championships in his earlv teens. Making his first appearance in a national di\ ing test, the boy just failed to win, but he was hailed as "The Little Bronze Statue,' an appropriate nickname for a little chap oft in height, tanned by a semi-tropical sun.

How Pete Desjardins was "Discovered" and Became Olympic Diving Champion. 'jpHE triumphs of Pete Desjardins,. winner of two Olympic titles at the Amsterdam Games in 1928. are cited by an English writer in the course of an article showing how American swimmers are "discovered" and how they overshadow the British in international competition. With very few exceptions, he 3 ays. American ranking swimmers of to-day arc college products. In the fall term of each year hundreds of promising swimmers go up to the colleges from the high schools and Y.M.C.A.'s. They arrive in a rough-and-ready stage to be groomed over by college coaches.

A year later he was selected to represent the L.S.A. in the springhoard diving at the Paris Olvmpiad in JO'-l Alter a smashing display in the semi-' nnal he was rated as favourite for the final, but was unluekv to lose bv one point t° the reigning Olympic champion A 1 White. On his return Desjardins went up to Stanford I niversitv, where he was handled by that past-master Ernie Brandstein, the Stanford diving eoacli. itliout any financial help from outside sources Desjardins worked hi- wav for four years through college as a di4i washer. Took Banking Degree. He left Stanford with a high degree in banking, and the holder of the Olympic springboard and high platform championships. Though almost ten years have passed since Desjardins won at Amsterdam, his display is still a topic whenever divers meet. He went through both events, scoriug eights and nines from a maximum of ten. One dive, however, stood out. It was his two-and-a-lialf somersault from the three metres springboard. He went up like a rocket, revolved twice above the board le\el and then opened out smoothly to enter the water for a perfect entry. In the words of Ernie Brandstein. "Pete made less splash than - a nickel." The seven judges officiating each gave the maximum, ten. Desjardins left Stanford in 1931. at the height of America's financial depression. L liable to find a business post, Desjardins accepted an olTer of a pro' fessional tour in Europe. The venture was an unqualified success from every point of view. I?,n there is one point which lias never l>ecn mentioned >o far. Beared in the warmth of Florida mid California, Desjardins found weather condition? a big handicap, vet, despite cold winds, icy water and faultv improved diving boards, Tcte never missed an engagement or cut an item from his 40 minutes' display. lie was a trouper who obeved the trouper''• dictum—the show goes on 1