Franklin & Marshall College

Asplin entered F&M in 1935 as a scholarship athlete and gavethe college no reason to doubt that it was money well spent. DuringAsplin's three varsity years at F&M, the Diplomats were 7-1-1in 1936, 4-4 in 1937 and 6-2 in 1938 for a total record of 17-7-1in football. It is important to note that freshmen were not allowedto compete in varsity athletics. In 1936, when Asplin made thevarsity squad, Coach Al Holman changed his system from the doublewing to the single wing, in which the left halfback (Asplin) calledthe plays instead of the quarterback.

Asplin had great speed as a ball carrier. In a crucial gameagainst Muhlenberg in 1938, he gained 129 yards on 11 carries asthe Diplomats won 20-7. Due to Franklin & Marshall notsponsoring baseball from 1931 to 1943, Asplin did not have theopportunity to compete in the sport in which he excelled. While atF&M, Asplin earned six varsity letters and was a member of the1936 league champion football and basketball teams. Followinggraduation, Asplin played second base for Allentown in the newlyformed Class C Interstate League, leading the team to the leaguechampionship in 1939 with a .325 average.

In 1940, he was invited to spring training by the Boston Braveswho acquired Asplin from Allentown for cash. Following springtraining, he was sent to Bradford in the Pony League where heplayed with future Hall of Fame pitcher Warren Spahn and batted.305 for the year. In 1942, he began working for Armstrong aspersonnel manager of the plant engineering and maintenancedepartment, retiring after 40 years.