A San Diego Legend. Ambrose Parks Schindler

Alive at 96, Ambrose Schindler still lives on to carry the Trojan colors during the Howard Jones' era.  He grew up in San Diego and matriculated to San Diego High school before deciding on U.S.C. for college football. He became the 1940 All Star Player of the Game in Chicago beating out the Heisman Award winner for the 39 season. 

  His story begins in 1917 at the Mercy Hospital in San Diego and takes us through his developmental years until he became a living legend at U.S.C.  The story describes how the city of San Diego developed. It begins at the turn of the century to the thirties. On the way we meet a cast of characters from his high School Days and college days while playing for the Trojans of U.S.C..
    The above picture shows one of his famous cut backs during the 1940 Rose Bowl game against the Tennessee Volunteers at the Memorial Coliseum.  The third stringer out of San Diego High showed his medal by scoring two touchdowns, one by air and the other by land. Number 24 stopped the 23 game winning streak of the team from under the Mason Dixon line 14-0. He became the Rose Bowl player of the game.  
   

Schindler at the Bat.

 A Brand New Set of Tires.

   A cab ride from the stadium in South Bend to the Chicago Train Depot put him face to face with Mr. Turner, a wealthy tire man from Los Angeles. Both celebrated the 1939 victory against the Irish, 20-12.  

   "Mr. Turner, you promised free set of tires for any player who scored points against the Irish. When he left the cab, he looked at me and told me 'not to forget to pick up a free set of brand new tires." 

   "The other players and I celebrated in a local Chicago Bar. My buddy Carl Benson still had some blood on his head. He told me a distraught fan threw a whisky bottle his way."

                           The Second Trojan Dynasty

   Gil Kuhn, the Trojan center, was the glue for their 1936 team. He played on their spring rugby team, was the only 60 minute player, and also the student body president. The Oregon Ducks was on the Trojan menu for their first game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
   The amiable one, Ambrose Parks Schindler, led his gladiators on to the Coliseum turf. Remaining from the first squad was Gill Kuhn.  Sid Ziff, of the Herald describes the unveiling of the new crimson and gold.
 
"A mighty roar shook the Coliseum as the sophomores came to bat. The boys trotted out with vim, vigor, and vitality and wasted no time in striking. Quick as a flash, Schindler hit at right tackle, tore it apart for eight yards. Again, he hit the same spot. Eight more yards..." 

  On that summer like day when so began the Second Trojan Dynasty with began with the San Diego "Golden Boy" at quarterback.