Paragon of Morality
Alumnus Parker Rand writes Dean Harrelson and says that people do not expect a football coach to be a perfect exemplar of virtue and piety.
Students, faculty, alumni, and community members expressed concern about Anderson’s moral character, which some argued was illustrated by his use of profanity and approval of alcoholic beverages. Although it is unclear what role these debates had on Anderson’s ultimate dismissal, such intangible concepts as morality, character, and gentlemanly behavior clearly played a role in assessing the school’s athletic program. Such values resonated with students and the community, and illustrate another way in which football was seen as educational and character-building.
Profanity among coaches and players concerned many North Carolina schools, who debated whether or not a coach who cursed was “blessed with ‘spunk and spirit,’” or a bad and immoral influence. Athletic Council members carefully questioned Miss Bea Rowe, a clerical worker for the Departments of Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education, about Anderson’s use of profanity. Rowe asserted that, as a lady, she “wouldn’t care to repeat what I have heard.” In contrast, prominent alumnus David Clark asserted that although Anderson “has some expressions that are not just what you and I like,” he “has sobered them down” and Clark had “not heard Hunk ever tell a dirty joke in any group of men.” Even students expressed the opinion that “’profanity is not consistent with the character of a gentleman,’” and logically the adults in charge of their moral and intellectual education would hold similar sentiments.
Prohibition—the legislative battle to abolish alcohol use nation-wide—officially ended in 1933 with the 21st Amendment. However, many southern counties and towns remained dry, and alcohol use was still an issue among southerners. Although disapproval of alcohol might have rested on personal convictions as opposed to state or city-wide regulations, these values were nonetheless foremost in many Athletic Council members’ minds. The Athletic Council expressed concern about reports that Anderson drank with players, drank to excess, and condoned players’ alcohol use. Because of Anderson’s position as a role model and adult leader, his encouragement of what some adults considered to immoral alcohol use among students was no doubt problematic.