Need Help From Massillon Fans

[PurpleArmy]

I am looking for the team photo for the 1940 National Champions Massillon Tigers football team.

The picture is for my Uncle Gordy (Gordon Appleby) who played center for the Tigers while in high school at WHS under the coaching of Paul Brown, and was a member of the 1942 Buckeyes National Championship team, was also the 1943 OSU Season MVP, and the 1944 OSU team captain before being drafted by the NY Giants.

He had his senior year WHS yearbook with the team photo in it, but it was lost during a move to his house in Michigan. He has never gotten it replaced, but has stated a number of times that the one item he's like to have again before he dies (He's currently 86 years old) is that team photo.

There's copy of it hanging in The Alibi bar in Massillon, and I've asked the owner if he would consider selling it, but it was his only copy and he didn't want to. I've also called WHS, but they said they had no copy of it. I've also tried Studer's, and the only copy they could find was from a guy who wanted $250.00 for one.

My uncle now has Alzheimer's and I would like to find a copy of his team pic for him before he gets to where he can't enjoy it, and doesn't remember playing for the Tigers, etc.

If anyone knows where I can get a copy of that photo to give to my uncle, I would be very grateful. If any of you Massillon fans have any info, either respond to this thread or PM me.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

[longtimefirsttime]

I posted a response on Yappi. Try the Massillon Football Museum. If you're willing to do a little work you can likely find the photo for little or no cost at the Massillon Library.

[PurpleArmy]

Do you have a phone number for them?

[longtimefirsttime]

The names I listed (on yappi) are in the phone book.

[ChronicTiger]

I have a photo with #77, Gordon Appleby, in the back row. He is the fourth person to the right of Paul Brown. I'm not sure of the year....some others in the photo are......Gillom, James, Getz, Slusser, Adams.......Maybe someone knows the year from that info. I also have some of the individual pictures prob taken on the same day although I dont have an individual one of Gordon Appleby. I do have some game photos from that year and #77 is in one of them. I would be happy to let you borrow the stuff for as long as you need it or use it to make copies. Send me a PM.................

[PurpleArmy]

I have a photo with #77, Gordon Appleby, in the back row. He is the fourth person to the right of Paul Brown. I'm not sure of the year....some others in the photo are......Gillom, James, Getz, Slusser, Adams.......Maybe someone knows the year from that info. I also have some of the individual pictures prob taken on the same day although I dont have an individual one of Gordon Appleby. I do have some game photos from that year and #77 is in one of them. I would be happy to let you borrow the stuff for as long as you need it or use it to make copies. Send me a PM.................

That is SO GREAT! I'm not sure if he was #77 during his senior year season (1940), but I can call him and check. In any case, I would be very interested in getting copies made of anything with him in it for him. He'll love that!

I'll send you a PM with my contact info.

[The Butler]

Nice job Chronic!

http://www.sternfannetwork.com/forum/images/smilies/Big/bigclap.gif

[MTigers006]

Im so glad to see people help a former Tiger out. I think its great that people care about and remember our Tigers of not only today, but yesterday. What an honor it must have been to play for the legendary Coach Paul Brown and to win a State Championship under him. I would love to meet your uncle Purple. I have always been interested in knowing what it was like to play for the Tigers back then and I want to know more about Coach Brown and what he was like. I know that Coach Brown expected you to give your 110% EVERYDAY for one. One of my greatest honors was meeting and speaking with the late great Coach Carl "Ducky" Schroder.

[PurpleArmy]

Im so glad to see people help a former Tiger out. I think its great that people care about and remember our Tigers of not only today, but yesterday. What an honor it must have been to play for the legendary Coach Paul Brown and to win a State Championship under him. I would love to meet your uncle Purple. I have always been interested in knowing what it was like to play for the Tigers back then and I want to know more about Coach Brown and what he was like. I know that Coach Brown expected you to give your 110% EVERYDAY for one. One of my greatest honors was meeting and speaking with the late great Coach Carl "Ducky" Schroder.

He and his wife Helen come to the Tigers first home game every year, and I usually let the announcers know that he is there, and they always announce him and have him stand up for the crowd. He loves that, and it makes him feel really great to still be recognized.

He will be coming to this year's home opener as well, as long as he health holds up OK. Later this summer when I find out where they are sitting, I will let you know or post it on here if you want to meet him. A lot of our family comes along with them to that game, and he also meets up with former classmates of his (they do this every year for that one game), so we shouldn't be hard to find.

Also, I just talked to Junie Studer, and he has a LOT of photos of Gordy and is going to get copies made for him. He also wants to set up an interview with him after the game this fall, as they have over 90 interviews on audio and video of former notable Tiger players. Junie was the NICEST guy. It was great to talk to him. Thanks to everyone for the advice and help. It is very much appreciated!

[MTigers006]

So was his son PurpleArmy so was his son :-) Like father like son as they always say. I always like to talk to these guys to find out what it was like then compaired to now and as I mentioned before playing for the legendary Coach Brown had to be such an honor. The man was just that. Legendary. I am very pleased you found what you was looking for.