1924 clipping from,
A Documentary Scrapbook of Football in Frankford,
original source publication not identified.

"Punk" Made Good As College Coach

BERRYMAN COMES TO FRANKFORD AFTER SUCCESSFUL CAREER ON GRIDIRON

Was All-American Halfback

Robert N. "Punk" Berryman, coach of the Yellow Jackets this year, represents a new era in the realm of coaches for professional football teams.

Berryman was a college football coach, and a mighty good one, but he turned to the professional game because he visioned [sic] the success possible in that end of the gridiron sport through the aid of the league, adequately managed for the good of all the members.

Punk is a Philadelphian. He attended grammar school at the Claghorn School, and made a name for himself at that institution, then recognized as one of the leading contenders for championship honors among the grammar schools.

Later he entered Northeast High School and became a member of the football team. He did not attain true greatness on the gridiron,. however, until after he matriculated at Penn State. Bill Hollenback, former Penn fullback who coached State at that time, saw the possibility of Punk and began grooming him for one of the halfback posts.

Punk had speed galore and plenty of courage, and, equally important, had a much keener understanding of inside football than the majority of candidates. In addition to being a hard man to stop when he carried the ball, Berryman had that rare ability of also being a good man at showing interference.

Punk's gridiron feats soon became fireside gossip wherever football was discussed in the East, and he ended his football career at State in a blaze of glory by being virtually a unanimous choice for the mythical All-America eleven.

After leaving college, he successfully coached the football squad of the University of Iowa. Then he returned East and coached at Dickinson, and turned out well-drilled fighting elevens at that institution. In 1922 and 1923 he was assistant to Harlow at Colgate. He is given credit for developing Tyron, one of the greatest backs who ever played for the New York college.

Berryman's football wisdom of college days has been added to by his years as a coach, and he brings to Frankford not only complete knowledge of football , but a likeable personality and the ability to instill fighting spirit in the men under his direction.

Berryman has the respect and admiration of his men, because they appreciate his efforts to make their surroundings and playing conditions as pleasant as possible and also recognize his ability as a football mentor.

Punk is soft spoken but players already know that every time he talks he says something , and without raising his voice he always commands the attention of the men when he begins to outline plays, criticize something or plan formations. They have rallied around the new coach in great style and the fans are certain of a fighting team in every game., a well coached eleven striving to win fairly not only for Frankford but to vindicate the faith of Punk in giving up collegiate coaching for the professional game.