Spotlight on Former Athlete: SLII Athletic Pioneers

"Great dreams they dream;and we trust the coming months will show the football team of the Southwestern Industrial a veritable Goliath in the State."  This quote came from the story which appeared in the October 12, 1901 of the Lafayette Advertiser. It stated that the boys of the foot-ball team were enthusiastic over the game and would soon begin practicing. During this era, boys and young men were allowed the priviledge of participating in athletic activities only after the crops had been harvested. Thus, foot-ball practice at Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute in 1901 began around mid-October.

Preparations had to be made for the first football game against Opelousas High School of St. Landry Parish. According to the December 21, 1901 story in the Lafayette Gazette, "The Railroad Company will attach a special coach to the train, which leaves the station at 9 o’clock this morning and will give reduced fare".

The story of the first football game was carried in the December 28, 1901 issue of the Lafayette Advertiser with a title "Lafayette Won."

Click here to review the articles written about the first football season:  http://athleticnetwork.net/site214.php

 
The 1901 Football Team

With the two victories over Opelousas in the home and home series during the 1901-02 season, S.L.I.I. played three games in 1902. The scores were as follows: October 16 hosted Louisiana State, 0-42; November 1, hosted Lake Charles, 5-0; and December 13, at the New Orleans Athletic Club, 0-32.

In 1903 the team was victorious hosting Delcambre Academy 105-0 on November 2. The picture below was taken at that game. On November 25, the team lost an away game to Lake Charles, 5-0.  

1903 Football team defeated Delcambre Academy 105-0.

The 1903 team is pictured below:

Following the January,1902 Football game a Field Day was held on Saturday, May 2, 1902. In addition to track and field events, activities such as the egg race, sack race, potatoe race, three-legged race, barrel race, Japanese stunts, elephant race, tug of war, basketball, and tennis were included.

The competition was by school and this created an intense rivalry between S.L.I.I. and Crowley High School. President Stephens became involved in the administration and organization of the Field Day, to the extend of writing the railroad to arrange transportation by rail to and from all points in southwest Louisiana.

For some most interesting reports of those early Field Days, click here: http://athleticnetwork.net/site68.php

Appreciation is extended to Jim Bradshaw, editor, Lafayette Daily Advertiser.  The stories written by Jim and published on May 26, 1998 were part of The Daily Advertiser’s History of Acadiana by Jim Bradshaw: Beginning Traditions. All are posted in the History of UL Athletics on this website. Click here to view the titles and click on the title of the story you wish to view:
http://athleticnetwork.net/site59.php

Anyone with information, materials, pictures, memorabilia, etc., of the university’s pioneer period in athletics are requested to contact Ed Dugas at athleticnetwork@louisiana.edu   Thank you.

The Photo Gallery on the left side of the home page at http://www.athleticnetwork.net contains over 8,000 pictures of former and current athletes and support groups.  Just click on photo gallery and when the menu appears, click on the sport or support group you wish to view. The years of pictures posted for that team or group will appear and you may click on the year you wish to view. One click on a thumbnail picture or narrative and it is enlarged; a click on the enlarged photo and it reverts back to the thumbnail.