ELMER LAYDEN - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED CIRCA 1925 - HFSID 257933

NOTRE DAME: ELMER LAYDEN. ALS: "Elmer", 2p, 8½x11. Monogram Club, Notre Dame University, Notre Dame, Indiana. Folds, vertical fold touches the "m" in Elmer. Fine condition. With original stamped envelope addressed by Layton to Miss Evelyn Bynne, Iowa City, Iowa, postmarked South Bend, January 20, 1925. Creased, torn at upper left and on back panel. In part: "It looks as though our contemplated trip to Dubuque will fall through. Rockne thinks the backfield is getting too much publicity, and has also called off our trip to Philadelphia. However, I think I will be tearing up to Milwaukee one of these week-ends. Owen Diamond and I are going to visit with Kunzelmann. They had a Victory Dance for us last week, and presented the team with white gold chains and knives with the University seal on the knife. I was sort of sore, as I wanted my fraternity crest on it, but they wouldn't have it that way...Rock wants me to come out for track, and will send me to Boston the 1st of Feb. I would like to go East again, but haven't gone out for track so far. Next year I plan on coming back, and taking post-grad work. Nig Crawford wants me to come to Birmingham Alabama, but I won't go down, unless I travel with the team next year. Remember me to your folks." LAYDEN is listed on the letterhead as President of the Monogram Club. The Service Monogram, ND Varsity Athletic Insignia first awarded in 1887, is still awarded today. KNUTE ROCKNE was track coach (1916-1926) and football coach and athletic director from 1918 until his death in a plane crash in 1931 at the age of 43. After Notre Dame defeated Army 13-7 on October 18, 1924, sportswriter Grantland Rice wrote, in part: "Outlined against a blue, gray October sky, the Four Horsemen rode again. In dramatic lore, they are known as famine, pestilence, destruction and death. These are only aliases. Their real names are Stuhldreher, Miller, Crowley and Layden...." Layden was the fastest of the quartet. A 27-10 victory over previously undefeated Stanford gave Rockne and Notre Dame the national championship and a perfect 10-0 record. This letter was written two weeks after that game. Layden served as Commissioner of the National Football League from 1941-1946. Two items.