UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON ARCHIVES
ORAL HISTORY PROJECT

Interview #377
O'BRIEN, JOHN P. "BLACKIE"

O'BRIEN, John P. "Blackie" (1916- )
Undergraduate Student
At UW: 1935-1939

Interviewed: 1984	
Interviewer: Mailed questionnaire
Length: 01:00:15

Clubs and organizations; Touchdown Club; Doc Spears; 1942 UW football team; Defensive and offensive styles; Religion; Scott Goodnight; Taverns and restaurants.

Tape 1/Side 1

00:00:01  John O'Brien's (JO) years at the University of Wisconsin (UW), 1935-39.  Came
here from Rice Lake.  Walked on to the football team.  Having a job lined up why he came
here.

00:02:21  His career goal was coaching.  His freshman year was only practice--all frosh
were ineligible for varsity competition.

00:03:22  Returned to the UW in 1951.  Changes he saw.

00:04:14  Some of the better UW physical education teachers.

00:06:16  Clubs and organizations.  Recreational activities.

00:08:00  Origins of the Touchdown Club--a big, well-kept building on Johnson Street that
housed athletes.

00:10:43  The Doc Spears era.  JO just a freshman.  Stuhldreher hired in 1936.  His assistants. 
By 1942 UW was the #2 team in the country, featuring players like Elroy Hirsch.  WWII called 
away the best players.

00:13:27  Great players, 1936-38.  Growth of the program.  Arch rivals.  JO a right guard.
Was light for position.

00:15:40  Social status of football players.  Being a player helped.

00:17:31  Differences between football then and now.  Rules differences.  Equipment. 
Playing both ways.  More differences.  Trick plays.

00:23:42  Defensive styles.  7-man diamond, 6-man line.

00:25:58  Offensive plays.  Formations.  Game preparation.

00:28:02  JO's busy schedule during the football season.  Hangouts JO went to when he had 
free time.  Attitudes toward alcohol.  Jobs JO held.  JO paid his fees by donating blood at $25
a pint.

00:34:26  JO went to graduate school on the GI Bill.

00:35:14  Religion.

00:35:45  Student views toward life and lifestyles.

00:37:23  Hazing and other activities.  List of activities carried in The Daily Cardinal.

00:38:33  JO's relations with Dean of Men Scott Goodnight.

00:39:58  State Street.  The Majestic and Orpheum theaters.  Taverns and restaurants.

00:43:46  End of side.

Tape 1/Side 2

00:48:13  Police and students got along well in the 1930s.  More on State Street and student
hangouts.  Big hotels on the Square.  More hangouts.

00:51:23  Modes of transportation.  Walking very popular.  Bikes not as common as they are now.

00:53:36  Relations between students and Madison townsfolk.

00:54:20  Career goals.  JO did end up coaching--even in the service.

00:55:24  Back to the UW in the 1950s for his masters degree.

00:56:00  Final comments.  Likes the UW, Madison and its people.

00:57:40  Postscript.  Memories of George Miller, UW alumnus and friend of JO.  Frank 
McCormick of the Wisconsin State Journal; promoted the "Empty Stocking Fund."  JO won an
all-you-can eat meal at Nicholas' Steak House.

01:00:15	End of interview.

End of Oral History #377