Seasons Change, but Football Remains

1940 official rule book - American Football for Boys A Safe Game. Official Rules If it is autumn, Americans’ attention turn to football.  The cool crisp autumnal air is the perfect vector to carry the satisfying sound of leather meeting leather on the gridiron.  The satisfaction of a well-executed tackle was held just as dear … Continue reading Seasons Change, but Football Remains

Stanford-Cal Big Game

  While every region has its natural collegiate rivals in football—think Auburn-Alabama, Michigan-Ohio State, Texas-Oklahoma—only one rivalry comes complete with capital letters.  The Stanford-Cal Big Game [always capitalized by the cognoscenti] dates back to 1892, when Walter Camp coached the Stanford team to a 14-10 victory over their rivals across the bay.  As a student, … Continue reading Stanford-Cal Big Game

Are You Ready for some Football?—College Coaches’ Mythic Edition

Like millions of Americans, I am captivated by the autumnal pull of college football.  The crisp cool air, the turning leaves, the thump of pad upon pad, the siren call of homecoming at the alma mater all weave their magic. I spend many Saturday hours inside watching the local heroes on the Big-10 network.   … Continue reading Are You Ready for some Football?—College Coaches’ Mythic Edition

Stanford-Cal Big Game

by Matthew Schaefer While every region has its natural collegiate rivals in football—think Auburn-Alabama, Michigan-Ohio State, Texas-Oklahoma—only one rivalry comes complete with capital letters.  The Stanford-Cal Big Game [always capitalized by the cognoscenti] dates back to 1892, when Walter Camp coached the Stanford team to a 14-10 victory over their rivals across the bay.  As … Continue reading Stanford-Cal Big Game

President Hoover and Football

by Matthew Schaefer Somehow, I’ve written more than once about Herbert Hoover and football without consulting the two folders on ‘Football, 1929-1932’ in Hoover’s Presidential Subject Files.   This is written in order to rectify that oversight.  These files contain a letter dated December 5, 1931 from Mrs. Helen MacLean to President Hoover.  Mrs. MacLean explained … Continue reading President Hoover and Football

Are You Ready for Some Football?

by Matthew Schaefer From the time he was a Stanford student, Hoover was a fan of football.  In his memoirs, Hoover plays up his role as the financial manager of the Stanford football team that won ‘The Big Game’ against Cal in ’94.   The Stanford eleven no doubt benefited by the coaching prowess of Walter … Continue reading Are You Ready for Some Football?

Divided Loyalties: Herbert Hoover and the Rose Bowl

by Spencer Howard The 2016 Rose Bowl Game will be a contest between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Stanford Cardinal.  The two football teams have never met on the gridiron, but the universities share a unique connection:  the thirty-first President of the United States, Herbert Hoover. Herbert Hoover was born August 10, 1874 in West … Continue reading Divided Loyalties: Herbert Hoover and the Rose Bowl