Swarthmore football, 1878–1887

Last updated

The Swarthmore football team (later known as the Swarthmore Garnet Tide) represented Swarthmore College in American football. Swarthmore was the 15th oldest college football program in the United States. [1] The football program started in 1878 with a game against Penn. The program played no more than two games per year until 1885 when it played a six-game schedule. There was no team in 1880 and 1881. The team did not hire a coach until 1888 when Jacob K. Shell began his 11-year tenure as head coach. This article covers the program's early years prior to the hiring of Shell as the school's first head football coach.

Contents

1878

1878 Swarthmore football
ConferenceIndependent
Record0–1
Head coach
  • None
Seasons
1879  →

The 1878 Swarthmore football team represented Swarthmore during the 1878 college football season. Swarthmore played its first football game on November 2, 1878, against the 1878 Penn Quakers football team. The game was played in 45-minute halves with Penn ending up victorious by a 9-0 score. [2] [3] Swarthmore was just the 15th school to play football in the whole United States, and the second to play football in the state Pennsylvania (after Penn). [4] [5]

DateOpponentSiteResult
November 2 Penn Philadelphia L 0–9

1879

1879 Swarthmore football
ConferenceIndependent
Record0–1
Head coach
  • None
Seasons
←  1878
1880 →

The 1879 Swarthmore football team represented Swarthmore College during the 1879 college football season. This was the second season of Swarthmore football.

The season saw the first contest with rival Haverford, to be one of the longest running rivalries. [6] [7] [8] [lower-alpha 1] The score of the contest is recorded as Haverford 1 goal, 1 touchdown, and 1 safety touchdown, and Swarthmore 13 safety touchdowns. [12] [13] According to the Haverfordian, "The day, as regards temperature and brightness, was all that could be desired, though the frost of the previous night made the footing somewhat uncertain." [14] The starting lineup for Swarthmore against Haverford was Caley, Carter, Seaman, Field, Butler, Powell, and Grundy at forward; Browning, Moore, Thomas at halfback; and Sharpless at fullback. [14]

The rivalry with Haverford was not renewed until the 1882 season, and Swarthmore did not achieve a win the series until 1883. "After the game of 1879, possibly because of Swarthmore's defeat that year, there was a lapse until 1883." [15]

Earlier in the season, the team played a game against Pennsylvania Military Academy (later renamed Widener University), but the game's score is unknown. [16]

DateOpponentSiteResultSource
November 1 Pennsylvania Military Academy Chester, PA Unknown
December 13 Haverford L 0–1

[16] [17]

1882

1882 Swarthmore football
ConferenceIndependent
Record0–1
Head coach
  • None
Seasons
← 1881
1883  →

The 1882 Swarthmore football team represented Swarthmore during the 1882 college football season.

DateOpponentSiteResultSource
March 21 Haverford Swarthmore, PA L 0–1

1883

1883 Swarthmore football
ConferenceIndependent
Record1–1
Head coach
  • None
Seasons
←  1882
1884  →

The 1883 Swarthmore football team represented Swarthmore during the 1883 college football season.

DateOpponentSiteResultSource
November 17at Haverford Haverford, PA W 12–9
at HaverfordHaverford, PAL 8–16

1884

1884 Swarthmore football
ConferenceIndependent
Record0–1
Head coach
  • None
Seasons
←  1883
1885  →

The 1884 Swarthmore football team represented Swarthmore during the 1884 college football season.

DateOpponentSiteResultSource
November 29 Haverford Swarthmore, PA L 6–10

1885

1885 Swarthmore football
ConferenceIndependent
Record4–2
Head coach
  • None
Seasons
←  1884
1886  →

The 1885 Swarthmore football team represented Swarthmore during the 1885 college football season.

DateTimeOpponentSiteResultSource
October 10at Pennsylvania Military Chester, PA W 56–4
October 143:05 p.m. Penn
  • University athletic grounds
  • Philadelphia, PA
L 6–68 [18] [19]
November 7at Haverford Haverford, PA L 10–40 [20]
November 14at Dickinson Carlisle, PA W 36–6 [21]
November 25Swarthmore alumniSwarthmore, PAW 32–6
November 28at Johns Hopkins
W 16–0 [22]

1886

1886 Swarthmore football
ConferenceIndependent
Record1–1
Head coach
  • None
Seasons
←  1885
1887  →

The 1886 Swarthmore football team represented Swarthmore during the 1886 college football season.

During the October 23 game against Dickinson, a Dickinson player, E. H. Garrison, was killed. Garrison was carrying the ball when he was tackled by Sweet of Swarthmore. Garrison fell underneath Sweet, hitting his shoulder. The grounds were used as a baseball diamond as well, and Garrison fell onto the pitcher's mound which had been filled with gravel. Garrison was taken to a doctor's office for treatment but was not revived. One newspaper account described the reaction to the accident: "All merriment was hushed and the usually noisy crowd was awe-stricken. The grim monster had come into their midst with such a suddenness that they could find no expression for their grief." [23]

DateOpponentSiteResultSource
October 6at Penn Philadelphia, PA Cancelled [24]
October 13 Lafayette Swarthmore, PA L 12–20
October 23at Dickinson Carlisle, PA W 28–15 [23]

1887

1887 Swarthmore football
ConferenceIndependent
Record2–2
Head coach
  • None
Seasons
←  1886
1888  →

The 1887 Swarthmore football team represented Swarthmore during the 1887 college football season.

DateOpponentSiteResultSource
October 8at Lehigh Bethlehem, PA L 0–24 [25]
October 22at Lafayette
L 6–31 [26]
November 5 Haverford Swarthmore, PAW 30–16 [27]
November 12 Dickinson Swarthmore, PAW 22–6 [28]

Notes

  1. ↑ Penn, Haverford, and Swarthmore are all Quaker schools. [9] Haverford and Swarthmore both no longer have football programs. [10] [11]

Related Research Articles

The 1892 Penn Quakers football team represented the University of Pennsylvania in the 1892 college football season. The Quakers finished with a 15–1 record in their first year under head coach and College Football Hall of Fame inductee, George Washington Woodruff. Significant games included victories over Penn State (20–0), Navy (16–0), Lafayette, and Princeton (6–4), and its sole loss to undefeated national champion Yale (28–0). The 1892 Penn team outscored its opponents by a combined total of 405 to 52. Penn halfback Harry Thayer was selected by both Walter Camp and Caspar Whitney as a first-team player on the 1892 College Football All-America Team.

The 1890 Penn Quakers football team represented the University of Pennsylvania in the 1890 college football season. The Quakers finished with an 11–3 record in their third year under head coach E. O. Wagenhorst. Significant games included victories over Rutgers, Penn State (20–0), and Lehigh, and losses to Princeton (6–0) and Yale (60–0). The 1890 Penn team outscored its opponents by a combined total of 259 to 134. No Penn players were honored on the 1890 College Football All-America Team.

The 1925 Penn Quakers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Pennsylvania as an independent during the 1925 college football season. In its third season under head coach Lou Young, the team compiled a 7–2 record and outscored opponents by a total of 165 to 64. Joseph Putnam Willson was the team captain. The team played its home games at Franklin Field in Philadelphia.

The 1946 Drexel Dragons football team was an American football team that represented the Drexel Institute of Technology as an independent during the 1946 college football season. In their first season under head coach Ralph Chase, the Dragons compiled a 3–4 record and were outscored by a total of 109 to 76.

The 1885 Penn Quakers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Pennsylvania during the 1885 college football season. In its first year under head coach Frank Dole, the team compiled a 8–5 record. Paul Thompson was the team captain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1897 Dickinson football team</span> American college football season

The 1897 Dickinson football team was an American football team that represented Dickinson College as an independent during the 1897 college football season. The team compiled a 7–3–2 record and outscored opponents by a total of 146 to 69. Nathan Stauffer was the team's head coach.

The 1889 Dickinson football team was an American football team that represented Dickinson College as an independent during the 1889 college football season. The team compiled a 4–1–1 record and outscored opponents by a total of 75 to 42.

The 1912 Swarthmore Quakers football team was an American football team that represented Swarthmore College as an independent during the 1912 college football season. The team compiled a 7–1–1 record and outscored opponents by a total of 150 to 31. George H. Brooke was the head coach.

The 1898 Swarthmore Quakers football team was an American football team that represented Swarthmore College as an independent during the 1898 college football season. The team compiled a 9–2 record and outscored opponents by a total of 152 to 64. Jacob K. Shell was the head coach.

The 1901 Swarthmore Quakers football team was an American football team that represented Swarthmore College as an independent during the 1901 college football season. The team compiled an 8–2–2 record and outscored opponents by a total of 148 to 89. George H. Brooke was the head coach.

The 1919 Swarthmore Quakers football team was an American football team that represented Swarthmore College as an independent during the 1919 college football season. The team compiled a 7–1 record and outscored opponents by a total of 145 to 79. Leroy Mercer was the head coach.

The 1891 Swarthmore Quakers football team was an American football team that represented Swarthmore College a member of the Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Football Association (PIFA) during the 1891 college football season. The team compiled a 9–2 record and outscored opponents by a total of 302 to 94. Jacob K. Shell was the head coach.

The 1899 Swarthmore Quakers football team was an American football team that represented Swarthmore College as an independent during the 1899 college football season. The team compiled an 8–1–2 record. George H. Brooke was the head coach.

The 1900 Swarthmore Quakers football team was an American football team that represented Swarthmore College as an independent during the 1900 college football season. The team compiled a 6–3–2 record. George H. Brooke was the head coach.

The 1902 Swarthmore Quakers football team was an American football team that represented Swarthmore College as an independent during the 1902 college football season. The team compiled a 6–6 record and outscored opponents by a total of 141 to 127. George H. Brooke was the head coach.

The 1892 Swarthmore Quakers football team was an American football team that represented Swarthmore College as an independent during the 1892 college football season. The team compiled a 7–3 record and outscored opponents by a total of 166 to 91. Jacob K. Shell was the head coach.

The 1894 Swarthmore Quakers football team was an American football team that represented Swarthmore College as an independent during the 1894 college football season. The team compiled a 5–5 record and outscored opponents by a total of 230 to 202. Jacob K. Shell was the head coach,and Hodge served as the captain.

The 1896 Swarthmore Quakers football team was an American football team that represented Swarthmore College as an independent during the 1896 college football season. The team compiled a 2–6 record and was outscored by a total of 110 to 76. Jacob K. Shell was the head coach. Hodge was the captain and quarterback.

The 1917 Swarthmore Quakers football team was an American football team that represented Swarthmore College as an independent during the 1917 college football season. The team compiled a 6–2 record and outscored opponents by a total of 238 to 40. Bill Roper was the head coach.

The 1946 Swarthmore Quakers football team was an American football team that represented Swarthmore College as an independent during the 1946 college football season. In its fifth, non-consecutive year under head coach Lew Elverson, Swarthmore compiled a 5–3 record and was outscored by a total of 129 to 70.

References

  1. ↑ "Swarthmore Cuts Football Team". ABC News. January 7, 2006.
  2. ↑ "First Football Game". Swarthmore College. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  3. ↑ "1878 College Football Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC.
  4. ↑ Griffin, David. "Swarthmore Drops Football Program". www.news9.com.
  5. ↑ "Swarthmore Cuts Football Team". ABC News.
  6. ↑ "HAVERFORD IN FRONT, 13-6; Hands Swarthmore 14th Defeat of Series Begun in 1879". The New York Times. November 19, 1950.
  7. ↑ "FRONTLINE: Retrospect". July 10, 2008.
  8. ↑ "HAVERFORD IS VICTORIOUS.; Conquers Its Ancient Rival, Swarthmore, by 10 to 7". November 26, 1916 – via NYTimes.com.
  9. ↑ "Quaker Consortium Students | Penn LPS". www.lps.upenn.edu.
  10. ↑ "Lack of Players Cancels Football at Haverford". The New York Times. September 15, 1972.
  11. ↑ "Long lost football team recalled by its star lineman". April 17, 2021.
  12. ↑ Camp, Walter (ed.). Spalding's Football Guide, 1915. New York: American Sports Publishing Company. p. 294.
  13. ↑ Association, Haverford College Alumni (September 16, 1892). "A History of Haverford College for the First Sixty Years of Its Existence". Porter & Coates – via Google Books.
  14. 1 2 "Football". The Haverfordian. 1 (4): ix-x. January 1880.
  15. ↑ The Inauguration of John William Nason as President of Swarthmore College, October 26, 1940 p. 46
  16. 1 2 "1879 Football Schedule". Widener University Athletics.
  17. ↑ "Swarthmore Game by Game Results". February 6, 2010. Archived from the original on February 6, 2010.
  18. ↑ "Swarthmore Defeated". The Philadelphia Times. October 15, 1885. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ↑ "College Sports". The Philadelphia Inquirer. October 16, 1885. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ↑ "College Boys Kick the Ball". Chester Times. November 9, 1885. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ↑ "Foot Ball". The Sentinel. November 16, 1885. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ↑ "Foot-Ball at Oriole Park". The Baltimore Sun. November 30, 1885. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. 1 2 "A Fatal Fall: The Sad Ending of the Game of Foot Ball on Saturday". The Sentinel. October 25, 1886. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ↑ "Fragments of News". The Philadelphia Inquirer. October 6, 1886. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ↑ "Lehigh and Swarthmore". The Philadelphia Inquirer. October 10, 1887. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ↑ "Lafayette Too Much for Swarthmore". The Philadelphia Times. October 23, 1887. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ↑ "Swarthmore Victorious: Haverford Defeated at Foot-Ball By a Score of 30 to 16". The Philadelphia Times. November 6, 1887. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ↑ "Dickinson Left Again: The Swarthmore-Dickinson Game on Saturday". The Daily Evening Sentinel. November 14, 1887. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.