1.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football
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The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represents the Georgia Institute of Technology in the sport of American football. The Yellow Jackets team competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, Georgia Tech has fielded a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 700–471–43. The Yellow Jackets play in Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field in Atlanta, Georgia, the Yellow Jackets have won four Division I-A college football national championships and fifteen conference titles. A number of collegiate and professional football players once played for Tech. The school has 48 first-team All-Americans and over 150 alumni who have played in the NFL, among the most lauded and most notable players the school has produced are Calvin Johnson, Demaryius Thomas, Keith Brooking, Joe Hamilton, Joe Guyon, and Billy Shaw. In addition to its players, Techs football program has been noted for its coaches and its, in many cases bizarre traditions and game finishes. Among the teams coaches are John Heisman, for whom the Heisman Trophy is named, and Bobby Dodd, for whom the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award. Heisman led the team to the game in American football history. Dodd also led the Jackets on their longest winning streak against the University of Georgia, Tech began its football program with several students forming a loose-knit troop of footballers called the Blacksmiths. On November 5,1892, Tech played its first football game against Mercer University, the team lost to Mercer 12–6 in Macon, Georgia. Tech played two games during their first season and lost both of them for a season record of 0–3. Discouraged by these results, the Blacksmiths sought a coach to improve their record, leonard Wood, an Army officer and Atlantan, heard of Techs football struggles and volunteered to player-coach the team. Over the span of 1892–1903, Tech only won 8 games, tied in 5, in 1893, Tech played against the University of Georgia for the first time. Tech defeated Georgia 28–6 for the schools first-ever victory, the angry Georgia fans threw stones and other debris at the Tech players during and after the game. The poor treatment of the Blacksmiths by the Georgia faithful gave birth to the now known as Clean. In 1902, Jesse Thrash was the teams first All-Southern selection and he began the season as a sub and closed it as the undisputed star of the Tech team. Oliver Jones Huie was selected by Ga Techs athletic association to coach the team for the 1903 season when the team won 3. A professional coach was desperately needed if Tech wished to build a competitive football program
2.
Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association
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The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association was one of the first collegiate athletic conferences in the United States. Twenty-seven of the current Division I FBS football programs were members of this conference at some point, the SIAA was founded on December 21,1894, by Dr. William Dudley, a chemistry professor at Vanderbilt, at the Kimball House in Atlanta. Dudley was a member of the Vanderbilt Athletic Association, formed in 1886 with Dr. W. M. Baskerville as president, most students at Vanderbilt were members. The early sports played on the Vanderbilt campus were baseball, bicycling, Dudley was primarily responsible for the formation of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Sewanees opposition stopped it from occurring, the original members were Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Johns Hopkins, North Carolina, Sewanee, Vanderbilt, and Virginia. Virginia and North Carolina soon dropped before the inaugural 1895 season, the conference was originally formed for the development and purification of college athletics throughout the South. In 1903, a single-game football playoff occurred, but it seems to have been coordinated more so by the two competing schools than the conference itself, several other efforts over the years by individual schools to hold a conference title game fell through. Most SIAA titles claimed by schools in sports were actually more mythical in nature than officially sanctioned by the league. In 1915, a disagreement arose within the conference regarding the eligibility of freshman athletes, generally, the larger universities opposed the eligibility of freshman players, while the smaller schools favored it. As a result, some of the universities formed the Southern Intercollegiate Conference. At the conferences annual meeting on December 10,1920, the SIAA rejected proposals to ban freshman athletes, in protest, some schools that had voted in favor of the propositions immediately announced they would seek to form a new conference. In 1922, the Southern Conference underwent an expansion and added six more members, all at the expense of the SIAA, Florida, Louisiana State, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tulane, and Vanderbilt. With the departure of most of the colleges, the SIAA became a de facto small college conference in 1923. In the 1920s and 1930s, the SIAA increased its membership with the addition of additional small universities. The conference eventually disbanded in 1942 with the onset of American involvement in World War II, original charter members are denoted in boldface. Invited charter members are denoted with an asterisk, in the era in which the SIAA operated, teams tended to join in December, therefore, the first year of conference play in a given sport was often the following calendar year. Conference affiliations reflect those for the 2016–17 school year
3.
John Heisman
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John William Heisman was a player and coach of American football, basketball, and baseball, as well as a sportswriter and actor. His 1917 Georgia Tech Golden Tornado were recognized as the national champion and he served as the athletic director at Georgia Tech from 1904 to 1919 and at Rice from 1924 to 1927. While at Georgia Tech, he also was president of the Atlanta Crackers baseball team, fuzzy Woodruff dubbed Heisman the pioneer of Southern football. Heisman was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 1954 and his entry there notes that Heisman stands only behind Amos Alonzo Stagg, Pop Warner, and Walter Camp as a master innovator of the brand of football of his day. One writer says Heisman, Stagg, and Warner constitute the Football Trinity, the Heisman Trophy, awarded annually to the seasons most outstanding college football player, is named after him. Heisman was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Bavarian German immigrants Sara and he grew up in northwestern Pennsylvania near Titusville, where he played varsity football for Titusville High School from 1884 to 1886, and was salutatorian of his graduating class. Although he was a student, he confessed he was football mad. Heismans father refused to him play at Titusville, calling football bestial. He went on to football as a lineman at Brown University and at the University of Pennsylvania. In constant dread that his immediate teammates—guards weighing 212 and 243—would fall on him and he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1892. In his book Principles of Football, Heisman described his strategy, The coach should be masterful and commanding. He has no time to say please or mister, at times he must be severe, arbitrary, and little short of a czar. Heisman always used a megaphone at practice, Heisman first coached at Oberlin College in 1892. Wrote The Oberlin Review in 1892, Mr. Heisman has entirely remade our football and he has taught us scientific football. Influenced by Yale and Pudge Heffelfinger, Heisman implemented seven-man interference and his best lineman at Oberlin was the half German, half Hawaiian John Henry Wise. Heisman also used a pass and a double pass. Heisman returned to Oberlin in 1894, in 1893 he moved to Buchtel College, where he helped make the first of many permanent alterations to the sport of football. It was then customary for the center to begin a play by rolling the ball backwards, under Heisman, the center began tossing the ball to Clark, a practice that evolved into the snap that today begins every play
4.
Jump shift
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The jump shift or Heisman shift, was an American football shift maneuver in the backfield utilized by John Heisman. In this system, the quarterback, both halfbacks, and fullback would be in a line, as one would in an I-formation with a halfback at the hind end. Then the three players which were not to receive the ball from center would shift all to one side, a split second elapsed, then the ball was snapped and the wall of three blockers charged on. If needed, the center could also snap it to one of the other backs, the phalanx of blockers resembled the yet-to-be developed single wing. The Heisman shift was considered more complicated than its predecessors
5.
Pup Phillips
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George Marshall Pup Phillips was an American football player and coach. George Marshall Phillips was born on September 24,1895 in Carnesville, Georgia to George Sullivan Phillips, Phillips was a prominent center for John Heismans Georgia Tech Golden Tornado of the Georgia Institute of Technology. He was a starter for the 1916 Georgia Tech team which, as one writer wrote, the season included the 222 to 0 rout of Cumberland. Phillips that year was the first Tech center elected All-Southern and he was a member of Techs first national championship team in 1917 which outscored opponents 491 to 17. Phillips received the Hal Nowell trophy for the most efficient play during the season and he left to join the American effort in the First World War as a marine just a week after celebrating the national championship. Phillips played again in 1919, when he was captain, dick Jemison selected Phillips first-team All-American. Phillips coached the University School for Boys
6.
Bobby Dodd Stadium
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Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field is the football stadium located at the corner of North Avenue at Techwood Drive on the campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. It has been home to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team, often referred to as the Ramblin Wreck, in form since 1905. The team participates in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and it is the oldest stadium in the FBS and has been the site of more home wins than any other FBS stadium. The stadium is located on the east side of the Georgia Tech campus, across from freshman housing facilities and just a walk from the campus library. The facility is located in Midtown Atlanta, just off Interstate 75/85, the stadiums atmosphere is unique in its setting, with a picturesque view of the downtown and Midtown Atlanta skylines looming overhead during games. Grant Field is the oldest continuously used site for college football in the Southern United States. Football has been played at the current site since 1905, in 1913, permanent grandstands were built for the first time, mostly by Tech students. It was originally named for Hugh Inman Grant, son of John W. Grant, from 1913 to 1919, the stadium grew from a capacity of 7,000 to one of 25,000. In 1988, the stadium was renamed in honor of Bobby Dodd, the playing surface is still named Grant Field. The stadium bears little, if any, resemblance to its original form, the original facility, roughly corresponding to the lower level of the current stadiums west grandstands, seated 5,600. The terrain in the area slopes upward from north to south, due to that natural grade, much of the field itself is below street level. The houses observable in the background of photos were replaced by dormitory buildings in the 1930s. By 1925, the east and south stands were completed, making the stadium a 30, the west stands were rebuilt and a large press box was added in 1947, bringing capacity up to 44,000. In 1985 the South stands were razed to make room for the William C, Wardlaw Center, a modern field house and athletic office facility to replace the facilities in the old Heisman Gym, which was located just to the north of the stadium. The current, modern west grandstand covers the old concrete one, the high interstitial space is currently used for storage. The lighting was replaced in 1998, following the 2001 season, a major expansion and renovation project was started, which was done in two phases in order to play the 2002 season in the stadium. For the 2002 season, seating was returned to the South end in front of the Wardlaw Center, after the 2002 season, the expansion was completed by adding a massive free standing upper deck in the north end zone. This addition of an end zone upper deck brought Bobby Dodd Stadium to its current capacity
7.
1918 Georgia Tech Golden Tornado football team
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The Tornado was coached by John Heisman in his 15th year as head coach, compiling a record of 6–1 and outscoring opponents 466 to 32. Georgia Tech played its games at Grant Field. Tech eclipsed 100 points three different times and its only road game was its only loss to national champion Pittsburgh at Forbes Field. Pittsburgh was the team to score on Tech during the 1918 season. The defeat ended Georgia Techs 33-game winning streak, center Bum Day was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American. He was a selection by Walter Camp. Days selection by Walter Camp as a first-team All-American was a historic first, Bill Fincher and Joe Guyon also made consensus All-America. Fincher and Buck Flowers made Camps second-team, because of Americas entry into World War I in April 1917, and the ongoing war effort, several SIAA schools did not field football teams in 1918. Coming off the Souths first national championship in 1917, Tech lost several players to the war effort and was reliant on freshmen. With captain-elect Everett Strupper lost to the war, tackle and placekicker Bill Fincher was left as captain, Fincher had a glass eye which he would covertly pull out after feigning an injury, turn to his opponents and say, So thats how you want to play. Coach John Heisman used the movement of his jump shift offense. Former end and Notre Dame alumnus Fay Wood assisted Heisman as line coach, Buck Flowers, a small back in his first year on the team, was in the backfield after transferring from Davidson a year before, where he had starred in a game against Tech. Flowers had grown to weigh 150 pounds and was a backup until Heisman discovered his ability as a runner on punt returns. On the first punt, Buck ran through the entire first team, Heisman had uncovered one of the greatest broken-field runners. The season opened with a 28–0 defeat of Clemson, the last score came on a 55-yard interception return by Joe Guyon. Red Barron once hurdled tacklers for a 40-yard gain, other scores came from Pug Allen and Wally Smith. Everett Strupper cheered from the sidelines, the starting lineup was, Fincher, Doyal, Nesbit, Davis, Dowling, Vandegrift, Staton, Barron, Ferst, Guyon, and Allen. Buck Flowers starred in the 118–0 victory over Furman, Joe Guyon played in the line and did well
8.
1920 Georgia Tech Golden Tornado football team
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The Tornado was coached by William Alexander in his first year as head coach. The team compiled a record of 8–1, outscored opponents 312 to 16, Georgia Tech played its home games at Grant Field. Its only loss was a one to Pop Warners Pittsburgh Panthers at Forbes Field. Florent Gibson of the Pittsburgh Post rated Tech as the best team in the country, Tech also handed Centre College its first loss to a southern team since 1916. Tackle Bill Fincher made Walter Camps first-team All-American, then just the fourth Southern player to do so, captain and senior halfback Buck Flowers made some third-team All-America selections, and led the country with an average of 49.4 yards per punt. After last season, former coach John Heisman resigned and left Atlanta, new head coach William Alexander retained Heismans scheme, using the pre-snap movement of his jump shift offense. One report reads, Since Coach Alex has taken charge there is a change in the team, the youngest coach in major football, he is probably the most popular, and bids fair to prove himself the peer of them all. Not only is Coach the idol of members of the team, former Tech running back and Chippewa Indian Joe Guyon assisted Alexander. In 1920, football used a system in which players played both offense, defense, and special teams. The teams most prominent players were in the backfield, including senior captain and halfback Buck Flowers, as a safety on defense, no player ever got past him for a touchdown. Halfback Red Barron running behind fullback Judy Harlan was also renowned for its power, most prominent in the line was tackle Bill Fincher, who also was the teams placekicker. Fincher had an eye which he would covertly pull out after feigning an injury, turn to his opponents and say. The first game of the year saw Georgia Tech pitted against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, Judy Harlan scored the years first touchdown. Wake Forest failed to net a single first down, Harlan and Red Barron scored two touchdowns each and quarterbacks Jack McDonough and Pinkey Hunt one each. Captain Flowers gained consistently, and also drop-kicked a 26-yard field goal, in the second week of play, Georgia Tech defeated Jogger Elcocks Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels 55 to 0. Buck Flowers had a 68-yard touchdown run and he got his start on a criss-cross play near his own 32-yard line, and ran for the touchdown crossing the field laterally many times showing an assortment of moves. The starting lineup was, J. Staton, Fincher, Lebey, Amis, O. Davis, A. Staton, Ratterman, McDonough, Flowers, Barron, Harlan On October 9, Red Barron scored four touchdowns, including an interception return of 76 yards. He also ran in a touchdown from 25 yards out catching a forward pass from fullback Judy Harlan
9.
1919 Auburn Tigers football team
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The 1919 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 1919 college football season. It was the Tigers 28th overall season and they competed as a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association, the team was led by head coach Mike Donahue, in his 15th year, and played their home games at Drake Field in Auburn, Alabama. They finished with a record of eight wins and one loss, the teams captain was tackle Pete Bonner. His brother Thomas Herbert Herb Bonner also attended Auburn and was a guard on the team, source,1919 Auburn football schedule The season opened with a 37–0 victory over the Marion Military Institute. In the second week of play, the Tigers had a poor showing, Auburn came back to beat the Fifth Division of Camp Gordon 25–13 in a nerve-wracking game. Beretsky of the division ran a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown. The pounding of Red Howard and Ed Sherling led the comeback, the starting lineup was Shirley, Bonner, Sizemore, Snider, Warren, Rogers, Pruitt, Trapp, Scott, Howard, Shirling. It was anybodys game until the last quarter, when Sherling scored Auburns lone touchdown, the starting lineup was Ollinger, Bonner, Sizemore, Snider, H. Bonner, Rogers, Pruitt, Trapp, Scott, Howard, Shirling. Auburn suffered the only loss to Dan McGugins Vanderbilt Commodores 7–6. Josh Cody returned a fumble 15 yards for a touchdown and made the extra point. A bit after, Ed Sherling ran in from the 1-yard line, vanderbilts Tom Lipscomb and Frank Goar were sent in on Auburns last drive. Goar had been sick and Lipscomb was suffering from an injured ankle, the two spurned the team to victory in what the Vanderbilt yearbook called the greatest defensive stand ever staged by any Vanderbilt team. The starting lineup was Ollinger, Bonner, Sizemore, Snider, H. Bonner, Rogers, Pruitt, Trapp, Scott, Howard, in heavy rain and mud, Auburn defeated Georgia 7–0. Red Howard ran through the entire Georgia team for 52 yards, the starting lineup was Ollinger, Bonner, Sizemore, Caton, H. Bonner, Rogers, Pruitt, Trapp, Williamson, Howard, Shirling. The Spring Hill Badgers, coached by Auburn great Moon Ducote, a slippery field led to weak punting. The starting lineup was Ollinger, H. Bonner, Griffin, Snider, Rogers, Martin, Pruitt, Trapp, Shirey, Stubbs, in a meeting of unbeatens, Auburn beat the Mississippi Aggies 7–0. Herb Bonner recovered a fumble for the only touchdown. Rodney Ollinger was as a standout as a punter and on defense, the starting lineup was Ollinger, Bonner, Warren, Caton, Rogers, H. Bonner, Pruitt, Trapp, Williamson, Howard, Shirling
