|
November 30, 1956 | ||
|
|
Many Brave Chill Weather And Give Singer Warm Reception Elvis Presley was 30 minutes late to the E. H. Crump Memorial Football game, but created the customary chaos nevertheless. Some youngsters, chilled in the 37-degree temperature, left Crump Stadium last night before the arrival of Elvis in the fourth quarter. But there were enough on hand in the crowd of about 10,000 to produce a squealing, pressing mob scene about the rock ‘n’ roll king. Presley said he thought half-time at the game would be 9:15. The game started at 8 and prep game quarters are only 12 minutes each. Presley arrived in a police car with Capt. Fred Woodward of the Police Department, instead of in one of his own luxury cars. He was taken under the south stands and into the players’ room. Meanwhile, pretty Sue Manker, 17, Humes senior and daughter of Mrs. M. R. Manker, 1167 W. Lexington Circle, had already been crowned at half time by James E. Harpster, executive chairman for the Lions at the event, when Presley failed to show.
Chosen by Lot Blue-eyed Sue was selected by lot when Bruckner Chase, chairman of the Queen and Baton Twirlers committee, drew her name from a hat at the start of the parade calling attention to the game yesterday. Each high school had a candidate.
| |
|
Harpster didn’t want to disappoint the crowd and wanted to work Presley into the act somehow. Capt. Woodward vetoed most ideas, saying he had to get Presley out of the stadium before the game ended. Finally it was decided to bring Presley up the players stairs to his box on the south side. Surrounded by policemen, Presley reached the box. The teen-agers soon got the word. They flocked around the track to the box, came up from behind. Police kept them from Presley. The game went on.
Chase was bringing Sue from the north side around the playing field. Harpster met them. They couldn’t get her thru the milling teen-agers. Finally a couple of policemen made a flying wedge and got the queen thru. Sue, a poised, calm young lady, didn’t seem at all awed by Presley. “Don’t be nervous,” Presley told her. “I’m more nervous than you are.” That was obviously true. Memphis Commercial Appeal Memphis Press Scimitar December 1, 1956 |
Kiss and Gifts As she had already been crowned with a silvered tiara, Presley gave her a kiss on the cheek, which didn’t seem to particularly thrill her. He also gave her a “Love Me Tender” wrist watch, named for his movie, and an Elvis Presley bracelet.
Pre-game and half-time activities went off well, without Presley. The 10 Lions Clubs of Memphis and Shelby County sponsored the game for the first time. It will be several days before it is known how much was raised for the blind and for the blind-aid activities of the Lions, but sponsors concede that the $100,000 goal will not be reached. A traditional party for players, cheerleaders, etc., was given after the game. Before his death, Mr. Crump used to pay for this party personally. But the party last night cost $900 out of the take. Last year’s party cost $1500. Presley was escorted out by police and got away before the game was over. The game never did stop for Presley. But many of the youngsters paid no attention to the exiting contest, won by South Side over Messick 14-7, while Presley was present.
|
|
