September was regarded as the peak of the "polio season" and the importance of the revolutionary Salk vaccine protection for everyone under age 50 was stressed by Dr. Ralph Reed, acting director of the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department. Nearby Kansas City had registered nearly 100 polio cases in 1959 with eight fatalities, but there still was no report of a case in Douglas County. Reed said the Salk vaccine and its implementation had played the key role in the favorable local status.
Evidence was that Bert Coan, a stellar freshman football halfback at TCU, was considering transferring to Kansas to play under coach Jack Mitchell. TCU confirmed that Coan had indicated he might relocate. Mitchell said he was pleased to hear the news. If he moved, Coan, a 6-4, 215-pound speedster, would be eligible for the 1960 season here after sitting out one year at Kansas.
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