Clinton Willis ("Clint") Blume, 1898 - 1973

Football Season is on; Coach Comes to  Norwich

Norwich Sun, September 17, 1919

That "there's nary an ill wind but blows some good has been demonstrated to the football squad of Norwich high, to the student body, and will later be proven to the army of Norwich backers and fans who will support the Purple team throughout the season of 1919.

A persistent rumor to the effect that Jack Sweeney, engaged tentatively as coach of the squad this year, had accepted a permanent position in Detroit, led to telegraphic inquiries at Sweeney's home by Superintendent Wassung Tuesday.  Sweeney had practically accepted the position offered him last spring, but agreed to let Prof. Wassung known within two weeks after the close of Colgate last June if he could not return to Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] in September.  Since no such word had been received from him, the squad was patiently awaiting his coming, and daily expecting him, until the disquieting rumor was noised about.

 

A message to his home in White Plains brought confirmation of the fact that Sweeney is in Detroit, and probably will not return to the east this fall. Whether there existed a misunderstanding on his part or not, no one is able to state, but at present his actions in the matter appear to be open to severe criticism, since through his neglect the team has lost two entire weeks of practice under a coach. The season was to have opened on Sept. 27, but since that is entirely impossible, the first game has been canceled, and the opening clash will occur on October 4.

 

Upon receipt of the information concerning the loss of the coach, Prof Wassung promptly marshalled his forces, and proceeded Hamilton-ward at an "average rate of 50 miles an hour," to quote the superintendent.  Gloom was written all over the party starting out, thick, gray, football gloom, than which there is none worse.

 

The success of the "scouting party" could be read from their faces upon their return to Norwich. they are even accused of singing on the way back.  For their efforts had met with splendid success and with them they brought a coach whose influence over the football men promises to be just as big, whose coaching system appears just as efficient, and whose training has equipped him even more thoroughly than the vaunted Sweeney methods.

 

Clinton Blume, D.K.E., Colgate university, class of '22, was induced by the committee from the local "high" to accept the position of coach for the football season, and within 15 minutes after meeting the Norwich men, he was being piloted in one National car to the scene of his future conquests in Norwich.

 

When the men, eighteen in number, reported for practice last night, they found their new coach, in football array, awaiting them.  Four letter men were out for practice, Capt. Devine, Norwood, Sullivan and Jones.  Another, Hazard, is expected to report tonight. The coach is banking on these letter men as the nucleus around which a speedy, brilliant eleven will be built.

 

There is also much promising new material out this year, many of whom have never played before, but who give promise of developing into valuable men. The season is too new to judge much of the eighteen members of the squad, but, though light, they give promise of developing under Coach Blume into as fast a high school team as might be found in the state. The material is there, and Coach Blume is ready to develop it.  The men were put through calisthenics and light exercises with the ball Tuesday afternoon. Today, a more extensive workout will be given them, and they will probably be put through a stiff drill and short signal practice.  Carter a valuable lineman of several seasons experience, will not return to school, and his loss in the line will be one which some of the newcomers will have to work hard to fill adequately.

 

At a rousing chapel "jubilation" Wednesday morning, the new coach was welcomed to Norwich with the usual vocal efforts of the entire student body, sufficient to shake the wall of "high."  Both Prof Wassung and Coach Blume addressed the assemblage briefly, the latter urging the men to "work with him" and voicing his confidence for a winning team this fall....Football practice has started. The coach is here!  Now, all Norwich get together and pull for the rest of the season.

 

Ready for the First Game

Utica Saturday Globe, October 1919

 

 

Clinton Willis Blume

Norwich High Football Coach, 1919/20

 

Norwich:  The Norwich High School foot-ball squad is being rapidly rounded into form for its opening scrimmage with the Johnson City team on Saturday of this week.  Coach Clinton Blume has kept the local team busy all week in anticipation of meeting a worthy opponent who will compel them to show their mettle. 

 

But little is known of the strength of the Purple eleven whom they will meet on Jones field tomorrow, but Johnson City has always fostered clean playing and aggressive football machine, and the same will no doubt be true of this year's team. Seven letter men are in the Johnson City line-up, a nucleus around which a fast and dangerous machine has been built and it is expected Norwich will have to look to her laurels.

 

Norwich Sun, September 20, 1921

Clinton Blume, former Purple and White gridiron mentor will be on the mound for the locals.  Blume is a Colgate man and a first string pitcher on the Maroon nine. This summer he has been on the big line winning baseball fame and laurels with B-- Fisher and his shoe town team.  Blume will be welcomed back to Norwich by hundreds of friends and he can be counted upon to twirl the locals to a great victory, if any way is possible.

 

The Otsego Farmer, July 21, 1922

Clint Blume, Colgate's star pitcher, has reported to the New York Giants, and is now a member of the world's champions.  Report has it that Blume received $2,000 for signing a New York National League contract, is to be paid $700 per month, and is to be included in a split of the world's series money should the Giants again jimmy their way into the annual baseball classic.

 

[Note:  The NY Giants played against the NY Yankees in the 1922 Baseball World Series.  The Giants beat the Yankees in five games.  Clint Blume was a starting pitcher for the Giants in the series]

 

Clint Blume

NY Giants

 

Lincoln Bank Names Blume Board Member

Leader Observer, Forest Parkway, NY, September 22, 1960

Clinton Willis Blume, president of Clinton W. Blume Company, Inc., New York, has been elected a trustee of the Lincoln Savings Brank.  The announcement was made today by Wilfred Wottrich, chairman of the board of trustees of the bank.

 

Born in Brooklyn, Mr. Blume started his real estate career there in 1926, following his graduation by Colgate university.  Later, Mr. Blume became vice president and director of William A. White and Sons and in 1952, started the real estate firm bearing his name.

 

Included among Mr. Blume's numerous affiliations in the real estate field are the Real Estate board of New York, of which he is governor and past president; he is a director of the National and New York State Associations of Real Estate boards; also past president of the Metropolitan Association of Real Estate Boards.

 

Always keenly interested in the civic affairs of the City, Mr. Blume includes membership on the Metropolitan Fair Rent Executive Committee, United Nations' Hospitality Committee and New York Convention and visitors Bureau, serving also as a director of the latter.

 

A prominent athlete at Colgate, Mr. Blume was a member of the New York Giants Baseball Club shortly after his graduation.  His keen interest in baseball  has continued and is reflected in his chairmanship of the Mayor's Trophy Game for the benefit of sandlot baseball and his membership on the Mayor's committee to bring baseball back to New York.  Other affiliations include Delta kappa Epsilon, Yale Club DKE, Union League Club, New York Athletic and the Realty Luncheon Clubs.