Southwestern Pirates football
Encyclopedia
The Southwestern Pirates football team represented Southwestern University
in National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) intercollegiate football competition from 1908 to 1950. After a brief period of prominence during the Second World War, the school disbanded its football program in April 1951 because of budgetary constraints.
On October 28, 2011, The Southwestern University board of trustees voted to reinstate the program. The Pirates football team will resume play in the Fall of 2013 as part of the NCAA Division III
Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference
.
Prior to the 1940s, Southwestern was considered a "small time" football program, and only received national media attention about once yearly, whenever it faced a major college team. During the Second World War, however, Southwestern became a formidable football power because of its sponsorship of a V-12 Navy College Training Program
, which was gained through the actions of then Texas Congressman Lyndon B. Johnson
. The Navy program gave it a pool of experienced and skilled players, which was a competitive advantage over other teams that fielded men too young or physically unfit for military service. In 1943, Southwestern's team boasted seven former starter
s from Texas
and varsity players formerly from Baylor
. Despite the influx of stars, Southwestern still had to contend with players leaving midseason to report for military training.
During the 1943 season, Southwestern climbed as high as the eleventh-ranked team in the nation in the Associated Press Poll
. Southwestern lost only one game during the season, and won the Sun Bowl
against , 7–0. After the 1944 season, the Sun Bowl
invited Southwestern to return to face the National University of Mexico
. Southwestern routed the Pumas, 35–0, to set a scoring record for the game
before 13,000 spectators.
After the conclusion of the Second World War, and the concurrent disbandment of the military training programs on campus, Southwestern's football performance declined. Southwestern University disbanded its football team in April 1951 due to budget constraints.
, who attended Southwestern and played football. “As the oldest University in Texas, we realize the importance many people place on football,” said The university President Jake B. Schrum. “There are many bright young men who want to play football in college who find NCAA Division III appealing. It is important for us to be back in the game."
Southwestern plans to play its home football games at the new Georgetown stadium complex, just up the road from the campus.
Southwestern University
Southwestern University is a private, four-year, undergraduate, liberal arts college located in Georgetown, Texas, USA. Founded in 1840, Southwestern is the oldest university in Texas. The school is affiliated with the United Methodist Church although the curriculum is nonsectarian...
in National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA) intercollegiate football competition from 1908 to 1950. After a brief period of prominence during the Second World War, the school disbanded its football program in April 1951 because of budgetary constraints.
On October 28, 2011, The Southwestern University board of trustees voted to reinstate the program. The Pirates football team will resume play in the Fall of 2013 as part of the NCAA Division III
Division III
Division III is a division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association of the United States.-Membership:The division consists of colleges and universities that choose not to offer athletically related financial aid to their student-athletes...
Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference
Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference
The Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference , founded in 1962, is an athletic conference which competes in the NCAA's Division III. Member institutions are located in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas...
.
History
Records show that football was played at Southwestern University as early as 1895, but the school's first officially recognized team was not formed until 1908. From 1914 to 1916, Southwestern competed as a member of the Southwest Conference.Prior to the 1940s, Southwestern was considered a "small time" football program, and only received national media attention about once yearly, whenever it faced a major college team. During the Second World War, however, Southwestern became a formidable football power because of its sponsorship of a V-12 Navy College Training Program
V-12 Navy College Training Program
The V-12 Navy College Training Program was designed to supplement the force of commissioned officers in the United States Navy during World War II...
, which was gained through the actions of then Texas Congressman Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
. The Navy program gave it a pool of experienced and skilled players, which was a competitive advantage over other teams that fielded men too young or physically unfit for military service. In 1943, Southwestern's team boasted seven former starter
Starting lineup
A starting lineup in sports is an official list of the set of players who will actively participate in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes or bench players.The starters are commonly the best...
s from Texas
Texas Longhorns football
The Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National...
and varsity players formerly from Baylor
Baylor Bears football
The Baylor Bears football team represents Baylor University in Division I FBS college football. They are a member of the Big 12 Conference. The team plays its home games at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas.-History:...
. Despite the influx of stars, Southwestern still had to contend with players leaving midseason to report for military training.
During the 1943 season, Southwestern climbed as high as the eleventh-ranked team in the nation in the Associated Press Poll
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
. Southwestern lost only one game during the season, and won the Sun Bowl
1944 Sun Bowl
The 1944 Sun Bowl was the tenth edition of the annual postseason college football bowl game. The game was held at Kidd Field in El Paso, Texas on January 1, 1944 with a crowd of approximately 18,000 spectators in attendance. The game featured the representing Southwestern University and the ...
against , 7–0. After the 1944 season, the Sun Bowl
Sun Bowl
The Sun Bowl is an annual U.S. college football bowl game that is usually played at the end of December in El Paso, Texas. The Sun Bowl, along with the Sugar Bowl and the Orange Bowl are the second-oldest bowl games in the country, behind the Rose Bowl...
invited Southwestern to return to face the National University of Mexico
Pumas Dorados de la UNAM
Also known as "Pumas CU", "Pumas", or "Universidad" is the varsity American football team representing the National Autonomous University of Mexico . Is one of the most important and oldest teams in Mexico...
. Southwestern routed the Pumas, 35–0, to set a scoring record for the game
1945 Sun Bowl
The 1945 Sun Bowl was a postseason college football bowl game held at Kidd Field in El Paso, Texas on January 1, 1945 with approximately 13,000 spectators in attendance. The game featured the representing Southwestern University and the representing the National Autonomous University of Mexico...
before 13,000 spectators.
After the conclusion of the Second World War, and the concurrent disbandment of the military training programs on campus, Southwestern's football performance declined. Southwestern University disbanded its football team in April 1951 due to budget constraints.
Reinstatement
On October 28, 2011, The Southwestern University board of trustees voted to reinstate the university's football program. The Pirates are scheduled to resume play beginning in the Fall 2013 season. The reinstatement was made possible by $6 million in gifts. $5 was pledged by Joe Seeber, a 1963 Southwestern graduate. The other $1 million was donated by Red McCombsRed McCombs
Billy Joe "Red" McCombs is the founder of the Red McCombs Automotive Group, a co-founder of Clear Channel Communications, a former owner of the San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, and the Minnesota Vikings, and the namesake of the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin...
, who attended Southwestern and played football. “As the oldest University in Texas, we realize the importance many people place on football,” said The university President Jake B. Schrum. “There are many bright young men who want to play football in college who find NCAA Division III appealing. It is important for us to be back in the game."
Southwestern plans to play its home football games at the new Georgetown stadium complex, just up the road from the campus.
Notable players
- Solon BarnettSolon BarnettSolon Barnett is a former offensive tackle and guard in the National Football League.-Career:Barnett was drafted in the fourteenth round of the 1945 NFL Draft by the Chicago Cardinals and would later be a member of the Green Bay Packers for two seasons. He played at the collegiate level at Baylor...
, NFL lineman - Pete CawthonPete CawthonPeter Willis Cawthon was the head coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders football team from 1930-1941.Cawthon graduated from Houston Central High School in 1917 and went on to attend Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. He lettered in baseball, football, and basketball during his freshman year...
, college and NFL head coach - William "Spot" Collins, NFL lineman
- Zuehl Conoly, NFL lineman
- Doug DashiellDoug DashiellDouglas Dashiell was an American college football coach and United States Army Air Forces and Air Force officer. He served as the head coach at the University of Nevada, Reno from 1936 to 1938. He amassed a 8–13–1 record during his tenure.-Coaching career:Dashiell was born on July 14,...
, NevadaNevada Wolf Pack footballThe Nevada Wolf Pack Football program represents the University of Nevada, Reno in college football. The Wolf Pack competes in the Western Athletic Conference at the Football Bowl Subdivision level of the NCAA...
head coach, 1936–1938 - Gwinn HenryGwinn HenryGwinn Henry was an American football player, track athlete, coach, and college athletics administrator. He served as the head coach at Howard Payne University , the College of Emporia , the University of Missouri , the University of New Mexico , and the University of Kansas , compiling...
, KansasKansas Jayhawks footballThe Kansas Jayhawks football program is the intercollegiate football program of the University of Kansas Jayhawks. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I, and the team competes in the Big 12 Conference....
, New Mexico, and MissouriMissouri Tigers footballThe Missouri Tigers football team represents the University of Missouri in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The team has competed in the North Division of the Big 12 Conference since the conference's inception in 1996...
head coach - Carlton MasseyCarlton MasseyCarlton Massey was a professional American football defensive lineman and pro bowler who played for the NFL's Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers . He attended Southwestern University and the University of Texas.He was drafted by the Browns in the 8th round in 1953 and participated in the...
, NFL Pro BowlPro BowlIn professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
er - Len McCormick, NFL lineman
- Jim O'Neal, NFL lineman
- Jack Sachse, NFL lineman
- Grady "Rat" Watson, NFL back