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Saturday, November 18, 2023

"Monk" McDonald May Be Short but Is Amazing Athlete, Nov. 18, 1923

Deeds of McDonald Sure to Live Long

By the Associated Press

Chapel Hill, Nov. 17—The deeds of A.M. “Monk” McDonald Jr. , midget quarterback of the University of North Carolina varsity football team, have probably filled more pages of athletic history than those of any other athlete now at the University.

Let it be said, for the sake of accuracy and fairness, however, that several former Carolina athletes, among them Dr. Bob Lawson, might “Monk” for a run for honors had there been as many major sports then as now.

McDonald this year completes his fourth year on three varsity teams—football, baseball and basketball—and unless the unforeseen happens, he will receive his 12th varsity letter at the end of the baseball season next spring.

His record will probably stand for a long while, for under a recent ruling of the southern conferenfce an athlete’s time on varsity teams is now limited to three years and done, is not permitted to play four varsity sports the same year.

The midget quarterback weighs 148 pounds. He is the lightest man on the team and yet none is more indispensable. When it is reported that he will not be in the lineup, Carolina’s stock always takes a sudden tumble. He passes a remarkably clear level head when he is running the Fetzer machine Carolina supporters are confident.

Last year he was picked by leading sports writers for all South Atlantic quarterback in football, all southern forward in basketball and all state shortstop in baseball.

“Monk” is a Charlotte boy. In the Charlotte high school he starred in athletics under Marvin Ritch and at Fishburn Military Academy, Virginia, he was coached by Dick Smith. He came here in the fall of 1919 and was elected captain of the Freshman eleven. At that time he weighed 125 pounds. He now weighs 148 pounds, is 22 years old, and is 5 feet 6 ¾ inches in height.

His brilliant career here has not been confined to athletics. His class room work has had its due attention. He has been elected to membership in the Golden Fleece, the highest organization for University students. “Monk” is as much at home on the ballroom floor as on the gridiron. Last June he was ball manager.

And one thing more, “Monk” carries this array of honors with a modesty approaching shyness.

From the front page of the Goldsboro News, Nov. 18, 1923

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