First Football Game in 1901 – Opelousas High School

The university will be celebrating its 1,000 football game on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008.  It is indeed a special event, falling on Homecoming and with an opportunity for Tyrell Fenroy to enter the NCAA rush records.

When did athletics in general and football in particular begin at the university?  When was our first football game?

For the answer to those questions,  click on the History of UL Athletics on the left side of the home page, Beginning Traditions (Series),  First Football Game.

These stories originally appeared in "The Daily Advertiser’s History of Acadiana by Jim Bradshaw: Beginning Traditions," published May 26, 1998.

For a different slant on the first game, click on the Photo Gallery, football, 1901 and read the stories in the Lafayette Advertiser, Lafayette Gazette, and Times-Picayune. This probably was the only time the UL football team played a split schedule, one game in December, followed by one in January … with the Jan. 17, 1902 game being held in Lafayette.  A picture of the 1901 team is included.

For additional football history, please click the photo gallery, football, the year you wish to view.  Pictures of the players, coaches, and other significant persons have been posted for over 80 years and more is on the way.

Peace, Ed Dugas