College Athletics History

• The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 promoted education in the Midwest, setting the stage for college athletics.
• In the 1800s, the shift from "Mind and Soul" to "Mind and Body" and "Muscular Christianity" emphasized athletics for moral and physical development.
• The Industrial Revolution increased leisure time, boosting organized sports in colleges.

First Intercollegiate Sporting Event

• In 1852, Yale and Harvard had a rowing race to promote a train company.
• Professionals were sometimes recruited to college teams.

Football’s Beginnings

• Early Civil War games helped standardize football rules.
• In 1869, Rutgers beat Princeton 6-4 in the first intercollegiate football game which resembled soccer and rugby with 25 players per side.
• Walter Camp, "Father of American Football" introduced:
  • Line of Scrimmage
  • Down system of 3 downs for 5 yards
  • Point-based scoring system

Expansion and Standardization

• In 1876, Ivy League schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia) agreed on football rules and the need for a champion.
• McGill introduced Harvard to a rugby-style game that influenced American football's development.
• Michigan introduced Notre Dame to football in 1887, and won the first game between them.

1890s Football Concerns

• There were high levels of violence and fatalities: 45 deaths between 1900-1905.
• Theodore Roosevelt led public outcry which resulted in rule changes:
  • Legalization of the forward pass
  • Elimination of mass formations
• The Intercollegiate Athletic Association (IAA), later the NCAA, was created.

Formation of the Big Ten Conference

• In 1896, the Western Conference (Big Ten) was founded.
  • Members: Michigan, Chicago, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Minnesota, Illinois, Purdue.
  • Focused on eligibility, fair competition, and regulating professionalism.

Fielding H. Yost & Michigan’s Football Dominance

• From 1901-1905 was the "Point-a-Minute" Era.
• Yost recruited players from across the country, sometimes referred to as Yost’s "Transfer Portal."
• In the 1902 Rose Bowl, Michigan defeated Stanford 49-0.
• Michigan’s dominance led to national attention and the expansion of college football.

Notre Dame’s Rise

• In the 1910s-1920s, Knute Rockne built Notre Dame into a national powerhouse.
• Their independent schedule allowed them to gain national exposure.
• The 1924 "Four Horsemen" solidified their legacy.
• Yost opposed Notre Dame joining the Big Ten due to eligibility concerns and personal rivalries.

Key Figures in Early College Athletics

• Walter Camp: Developed early football rules.
• Fielding H. Yost: Michigan coach (1901-1926), and athletic director; led "Point-a-Minute" teams, built Michigan Stadium.
• Knute Rockne: Notre Dame coach (1918-1930) popularized the forward pass,.
• DeHart Hubbard: First Black Olympic gold medalist.
• Willis Ward: Michigan’s second Black football player, benched in 1934 due to segregationist demands.
• Teddy Roosevelt: Reformed football due to safety concerns.
• James Naismith: Invented basketball in 1891 and created the rules.

Major Events & Traditions

• Ohio State's "Script Ohio" originated with Michigan’s band in 1932.
• The Little Brown Jug tradition: Michigan vs. Minnesota rivalry, started after a 1903 tie game.
• Michigan Fight Song ("The Victors"): Penned after a Michigan win over Chicago in 1898.
• Football success boosted university prestige, alumni engagement, and enrollment.
• Schools began hiring professional coaches and expanding facilities.
• The emergence of sports media in the 1920s helped interest in college football.

Michigan Stadium (Opened 1927)

• Inspired by ancient stadiums, built into a hillside.
• Yost sold bonds for seating rights for 10 years to finance it.

Yost Field House (1923)

• Was used for basketball, track, and intramurals before becoming Yost Ice Arena in 1973.
• It hosted Marine barracks during its dedication.

1906-08 Big Ten Reforms

• This resulted in stricter eligibility rules, faculty oversight, and restrictions on professional coaches.
• Michigan left Big Ten (1908-1917) in protest, but rejoined in 1917.

1934 Willis Ward Incident

• Georgia Tech refused to play if Ward participated.
• Gerald Ford, Ward’s teammate, nearly boycotted in protest.
• This led to campus outrage and a broader discussion on race in athletics.

Chicago’s Exit from Big Ten (1939)

• The university prioritized academics, and the football team declined.
• Michigan defeated Chicago 85-0 in their final Big Ten season.

Explore the origins of college athletics, from the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 promoting education to the shift towards 'Muscular Christianity.' Discover key milestones like the first intercollegiate event in 1852 and the standardization of football rules in 1869.