Repository: UIHistories Project: Illio - 1896 [PAGE 209]

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SUB first jrame of Coot ball, as foot ball is .now played, in the University of Illinois took place in the fall of'88 between the classes of *9\ and '92. The men who played in the line were called rushers, but the center rush was the only one who had a fixed position; the others lined up where they pleased. In one play a man would be left guard and in the next he might be right end. Sometimes four men would be on the center's left and two on his right, while the next play would find them just changed about. The center rush snapped the ball back with his foot, and if the quarter was lucky he got it; when he did succeed in getting it he passed it to one of the half-backs, who ran in anv direction he chose. The line men did not know where the ball was going, and did not care. The full back on both offense and defense stayed between the goal posts. Training was something unheard of, and in the game mentioned above '92's full back spent his leisure moments smoking cigarettes. Most of the players wore their ordinary street suits, while a few fortunate ones had gymnasium suits. A number of stiff hats were worn, and came out at the end of the game none the worse for wear. Not so the coats, for the tackle which found the most favor was to seize the opponents by the coat-tails. No more games were played until the fall of '90, when, through the efforts of Scott "Williams, '94, the first regular. University team was organized. He was manager, captain, coach and player, and he will go down in history as the father of foot ball at the University of Illinois. This team bought their own suits, and asked permission from the Athletic Association to be allowed to represent the University at the Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Association meet, agreeing to pay all their own expenses. After a heated debate they were granted this privilege. Their first game was with Wesleyan, and there the pioneers met defeat by a score of 20 to 0. The next game was played with Purdue, and the prospects of a trip brought out some of the heavier men in college, and even some of the base ball players, who had refused to play foot ball while the weather permitted base ball. Until after the Wesleyan game the team was very light in weight, averaging only about 150 pounds. Interest had awakened to such an extent that new suits were purchased, and these suits were made of white canvas, with no padding, and so tight that the boys looked as if they had been melted and poured into them. Around the cuff of each jacket was a black band, so that, in case Purdue had white suits, the umpire could distinguish Illinois' men from Purdue's. The foot gear was itT* I , ' ' * * ye»°w tassel on them, T r e biH durin the ame Purdue h lR w « r ! *J T u° ^ * « ' ** P ye<* ^ t ball before, and after about ten minutes' play all but a very few of the black cape with 248

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