Vessels Captures Heisman Trophy As Top Footballer
By Staff Reports
Nov 26, 1952
NEW YORK, Nov. 25 -- Billy Vessels of Oklahoma tonight was awarded the famed Heisman trophy as the nation’s outstanding football player.
The senior halfback, a native of Cleveland, Okla., will receive the trophy Dec. 2 at the annual dinner conducted by the Downtown Athletic Club in New York.
The selection was made on the basis of a poll of sports writers. Vessels received 525 points, with 96 first place votes. Jack Scarbath of Maryland was second with 367 points and Paul Giel of Minnesota third with 329 points.
Other leaders and points:
Don Moomaw, UCLA, 257; Jack Lattner, Notre Dame, 253; Paul Cameron, UCLA, 218; Jim Sears, Southern California, 173; Don McAuliffe, Michigan, 164; Don Heinrich, Washington, 153; Tom Catlin, Oklahoma, 150; Leon Harceman, Georgia tech, 140; and Eddie Crowder, Oklahoma, 97.
ONE MORE GAME
Vessels has one more game before he concludes his collegiate career, that against Oklahoma A&M Saturday. . He has scored 16 touchdowns, gained 960 yards rushing and caught six passes for 141 yards. He threw 18 forward passes and completed seven for 209 yards and two touchdowns.
The announcement of Vessles selection was made by Harry H. Kennedy, chairman of the Heisman trophy committee of the Downtown Athletic Club. Under the voting system, a first place vote counts for three points, a second place vote for two points and a third place vote for one point.
A total of 162 players received points this year.
Vessels is the first winner in the history of the Big Seven conference.
Oklahoma Coach Bud Wilkinson will accompany the former Cleveland high school star to New York, where he will have a busy day and night.
Vessels is the leading scorer in the Big Seven with a total of 16 touchdowns for 96 points. He scored all three O.U. TD’s against Notre Dame, which defeated Oklahoma, 27-21.
15 TOUCHDOWNS
Vessels ran for 15 touchdowns in his sophomore year with the Sooners, but wasunjured early in the season of 1951 when Oklahoma bowed to Texas.
Here’s a part of the routine the Oklahoma halfback will go through in New York on Dec. 2.
First, he will face a battery of New York sports writers, then have a session with the news reel and televisions cameramen. Following that he is to be the guest of honor at a gathering of Eastern high school all-stars.
Next comes a formal reception, then the awards dinner, another function in the gymnasium of the New York Downtown Athletic club, then an appearance on a national radio hookup.
