Happy 134th Birthday, Michigan Football

Submitted by DISCUSS Man on

Today, 134 years ago at White Stockings Park in Chicago, IL, Michigan played their first football game. Or "foot ball game" against Racine, winning 1-0 on a touch-down and goal kick. 

Irving Kane Pond (first in middle row) scored the first touch-down for Michigan. 

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Account of the game from the Michigan Chronical

MVictors had a nice post about it today.

2Blue4You

May 30th, 2013 at 9:34 AM ^

Anyone know what the football team is doing at the airport? Gardner's twitter has a few videos showing him, Lewan, Gallon and a few other players there.

Blue since 82

May 30th, 2013 at 10:12 AM ^

I didn't follow recruiting back then, does anyone happen to know how many 5* recruits were on this team?  I feel like they all had to be since there were only 13 players!

edit: make that 12 players and 1 coach?

 

Blue since 82

May 30th, 2013 at 10:33 AM ^

Only 13 players is still mighty impressive.  I know the game was completely different back then, but we expect a team to suffer when filling a 2-deep with walk-ons.

LSAClassOf2000

May 30th, 2013 at 12:49 PM ^

"To Avoid being tackled I was forced to mount the bleachers and run eastward along them until I was opposite the goal when I stopped suddenly and — fearing that a touchdown in the bleachers would not count– jumped over the heads of my pursuers to the ground.” - Pond's account of the touchdown

Regardless of the call on DeTarr's kick, it is hard to overlook that this referee had a very creative interpretation of what constituted "inbouds", at least in comparison to modern officiating. In any case, the legacy of Irving Pond exists in Michigan football lore and in the form of the Union and the Student Publications building, both designed by his Chicago firm, I believe. 

Happy Birthday, Michigan football!

mgolegacy48

May 31st, 2013 at 1:25 AM ^

1947 Team: The Final Crisler Team. Dad was on that team and Im Looking for someone who can give me an idea of what his1948 nat'l champs autographed game ball, team portrait, gold football trophy charm, programs, and varsity sweater numbers are worth. Its quite a collection and has been in the family since Dad was on the team but no one knows what its worth. Can any one give me an idea or know of good sports memorabelia appraisers??