Buster Major's scrapbook:
CBA football 1923
My father, Stanley "Buster" Major kept a scrapbook of newspaper clippings covering the 1923 football season at Syracuse's Christian Brothers Academy (CBA), which usually fielded one of the state's best teams. Where possible I've listed the source of the clipping, though the newspaper name was missing on several of the clippings.

The team will be composed of Jeff Dwyer, center; O’Hara and Kelley, tackles; Eisemann and Allen, guards; Captain Drais and Shields, ends; Joe McDermott, quarterback; Buster Major and Sheedy, halfbacks and Ed White, fullback. Bishop and Tommy Mack will be regular halfbacks also. O’Hara has not yet reported but is expected to do so today.

Culver announced that 25 men would be carried in the squad all season. Everyone will be given a chance to show his worth during the season. The selection of the first team is not necessarily permanent, but it will hold good for the opening game with Rome Free Academy Oct. 6.

The team from end to end averages about 160 pounds and the backfield slightly heavier. Major and White are big fellows weighing about 175 pounds, while Sheedy and McDermott will weigh about 155.

The Purple and Gold line will be fast and experienced with only three new men in its makeup, Dwyer, Shields and O’Hara. O’Hara, captain of last year’s Vocational High eleven and the best lineman in the city, according to Harry Herbert who coached him, will be a tower of strength.

The backfield is entirely new. If it measures up to last year’s great backfield, Mesmer, Birney, McCarty and Wallace, it will be strong indeed.

Great things are expected of White, who is a former Brooklyn High School star. Major should also make things lively for opponents. Joe McDermott, a 100-yard dash man and a great ball carrier, should prove as good as Eddie Mesmer was last year, if not better.

Coach Culver leaves the squad in charge of Dr. Sarsfield J. O’Connor Friday and Saturday as he goes to Buffalo to practice with the Buffalo professional eleven for its opening game Sunday in Chicago.

CBA Repeats Bold Challenge to Foes

If any team in Central New York wishes a game for October 27 the Christian Brothers’ Academy would be glad to play. The Academy officials are willing to pay a reasonable sum as a guarantee.

“I wish the game to be played in Syracuse as we have the use of Star Park, and I am sure with the right team booked, a large crowd would attend,” said Brother Denys, athletic director of CBA, when questioned about the challenge that the local school issued last week for a game to be played here on October 27.

Auburn High negotiated with the Willow Street officials, but the Prison City manager wanted the game to be played in Auburn. Watertown High asked a guarantee of too much money.

NOTE: Watertown High played a game that season in Toledo, Ohio, against that city's Scott High School. Watertown lost, 65-0.

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