"You just can't imagine the force of the wind and the water," Maras says. "Three destroyers capsized; and we were going over about 15 degrees."

Afterwards, Maras had still another unique battle with natural forces. He was stricken with appendicitis, and was operated on--400 miles from landl Post-operative complications almost cost Maras his life (penicillin saved it); he was assigned to shore duty shortly thereafter.

After his discharge, Maras spent two years as line coach at Champlain, a veteran's college in upper New York State. His name was brought to the attention of Lloyd Jordan, then head coach at Amherst, and Maras worked as Jordan's assistant for two seasons, moving to Cambridge with his boss in 1950.

In addition to his actual coaching duties, Maras is often used as a scout--his report on Colgate was a big factor in the Crimson's victory--or as a spotter from the pressbox, phoning information and advice to the bench during the course of the game. He rounds out his job with some movie narration, to undergraduate as well as alumni groups.

Despite the multiplicity of his employments, Maras has found time to study for, and to receive, an M.A. in Education Administration from Columbia.

Maras is married, and has three children, but he harbors no dreams of future football stardom for them.

"They're all girls," he explains.

"They won't play football," he says. "But maybe they'll inspire football players."