c. 1894 “Squash” Little Dartmouth College Football Cabinet

 Charles Sherman “Squash” Little class of 91’ was a fixture of Dartmouth football in the late 1880s into the 1890s.  He was said to be a mighty hammer thrower and started at guard his sophomore through senior years.  He was particularly disliked by the Amherst men who had to face him.  He entered medical school and continued to play in 1893 and became the captain and right hand man of Coach Moyle in 1894.  They would go on to win the Triangular Football League that year.

1891 Amherst football with black pioneer William Henry Lewis

      In 1891 William Henry Lewis became the first African American to captain a white college team in any sport.  Behind him in the image was his good friend William Tecumseh Sherman Jackson who was another pioneer in the sport.  Both Lewis and Jackson were from Virginia and crossed paths at the Virginia Normal Collegiate Institute.  In 1888 they enrolled at Amherst College.  It is believed that Jackson talked Lewis into trying out for the Freshman football team that year.  Jackson had previously competed in football, baseball, and track but Lewis had no prior athletic experience.  Lewis admitted that he tried out in “long pants, opting shirt, and oxfords.”

     Jackson would go on to play halfback due to his speed and athleticism.  Lewis learned fast and established himself as a center due to his size and strength.  After Lewis left Amherst both Yale and Harvard were vying for his enrollment in Law School because of his football talents.  He may have chosen Harvard because they were more accommodating to blacks and also was closer to his girlfriend and future wife.

    He continued to excel at football at Harvard and ended up becoming the first African American to receive All American recognition.  After graduation he continued to stay relevant in football coaching Harvard and writing books.  He also had a successful political career becoming the first African American Assistant Attorney General.

1889 Penn State Football Collotype photo

 Here is the Penn State College football team of 1889.  This is only a few years into their existence.  Led by Captain James Mock they went 2-2.  They suffered one of the largest college football losses in history losing 106-0 against Lehigh.

1882 University of Pennsylvania Football Cabinet

 Here is one of the earliest 19th century UPenn cabinet photos I have seen.  This one predates the photographer Gilbert and Bacon.  One consistent for early UPenn photos is the manager with the extravagant hat.

c.1890 Oberlin football player cabinet

 Oberlin College began playing other teams in 1891.  They were an early powerhouse in Ohio before Ohio State gained traction. In 1892 they had coach John Heisman and went on to have a perfect 7-0 season.  I am unsure who this player is.  I believe he may have played on a class team and not the full varsity team.

1896 Walter McCornack Dartmouth Football Cabinet

 Walter McCornack was the quarterback and captain of the 1895-96 Dartmouth football team.  During both of those seasons they were champions of the Triangular Football League Conference.  In his 1896 season he was named the first Dartmouth football player to receive all American recognition.  

After graduation he went on to coach Dartmouth from 1901-02 and then Northwestern from 1903-05.  His 26-5-2 record at Northwestern is the highest winning percentage in Northwestern history.  

Henry Grant 1874 Cabinet Photo First Captain of Harvard Football Team

 Here is a class of 1874 Harvard graduation cabinet of Henry Grant.  The team played its first game May 14, 1874 in Cambridge against Mcgill under Boston rules which was a more association soccer style of play.  They won this game 3-0.  The next day on May 15, 1874 they agreed to play the first rugby style game in the United States which ended in a tie.