— Photo by Woollrn MooIlOD.
Dr. Lawson, physical director at the University of North Carolina, gives
his daughter, Mrs. Estelle Lawson Page, a few pointers about golf.
Dr. R. B. Lawson
Ho was one of tho groafosl liaso-
ball players Iho University lias
ovor prod
и
«*o«l. anil ho excelled
in a numbor of oflior sports as
well.
tty JIM KLITTZ
DU.
К.
H. LAWSON. Physical
Director and Associate Profes¬
sor of Anatomy at the Univer¬
sity "f North Carolina, luis had n
very interesting career in athletics.
In lhi> thirty-five years that lie has
boon a member of the University fac¬
ulty hr ha. coached football, ha «-hall,
gymnastic*, and has served as trainer
for the football teams as well as teach¬
ing in the medical school for the great¬
er part of the time.
Not only that, but he played foot*
hall and baseball, and took part in
track while attending the University.
And Inter he played semi-pro and
professional baseball— spending two
years in the major leagues.
hr. Lawson was born in Lynchburg,
Vii., August 23. 1975, and attended
the public schools of Lynchburg. He
got his first taste of baseball when he
entered the Locust Dale Academy in
Virginia and made the team a* a
pitcher.
He then enrolled in the University
of North Carolina where he was a
member of the baseball nine for three
years, 1898, ’90. and 1900. He didn’t
mis-s a 'ingle game during those three
years, and from time to time played
every poeition on the field, although
lie was best as a pitcher. One year he
alternated at pitching and playing
first base with Bob Winston, a nephew
of Judge Winston.
During his three year* at the Uni¬
versity he won 35 games and lo«t
only one— -a 4-to-3 decision to the Uni¬
versity of Maryland. He was the only
pitcher on the team during his Senior
year, and sit one time hurled seven
games in eight days for the Tar Heel*
and didn’t lose any of them. One
of the contests was played on Satur¬
day. and the remainder were played
on consecutive days the next week,
(ieorgia was beaten twice, and Ten¬
nessee. Macon (now Auburn), Oak
Kidgc, and one other club were
trounced one time each.
Dr. Lawson compiled just as good
a record at the plate as lie did on the
mound— batting better than .100 nil
three years. His marks were .418,
.42»!,
nnd .448 reflectively, lie served
as captain of the University teams
his last two seasons.
While lie was still in school he
played what in those days was called
•'summer ball” with teams at Tnrboro,
Wilson. Wilmington, and many other
places. This was pretty much the same
type of baseball as the semi-pro league*
the college boys play in during the
sumiiier months now.
Dr. Lawson also played quarterback
on the football team at Locust Dale
Academy for one year, and for three
years at the University. During his
Senior year at Carolina he was acting
captain of the track team and took
part in one event — the broad jump.
He didn't even have a track outfit,
broad jumping in his baseball uni¬
form! He won a meet with Wake
Forest one year by gaining first place
in his event, which was the Inst one
of the day. He once jumped 20 fret —
wearing liaseball uniform nnd spiked
shoes — and that mark stood as a Uni¬
versity record until 1916.
After leaving Carolina Dr. Law-
son entered the University of Mary¬
land where he finished work on his
medical degree. Professional athletes
were allowed to piny at Maryland,
and Dr. Lawson took part in football
and baseball there in 1901 and ’02 to
help defray his school expenses.
Pitching for the Old Liners in the
Spring of 1901, he defeated John Mc-
Graw's Baltimore American League
team in an exhibition contest before
the opening of the professional sea¬
son. (The American League had just
been organized that year). MoGraw
was so pleased with Dr. Lawson's
pitching that he offered him a con-
