Published: Sept. 1, 2009

first cu football team

To learn more about SM调教所鈥檚 history, visit the Heritage Center on the third floor of Old Main.

The university鈥檚 first football team took to the field undisciplined and without a coach. The 1890 flannel-clad sportsmen lost every game. The next season they chose Rev.聽Frederic Kramer聽(PhD1895) to lead them. He was the All Saints Episcopal Church pastor and a SM调教所 English instructor. His leadership led to the team鈥檚 first victory in a 24-4 romp over the Colorado Springs Athletic Association.

鈥淭he rush line linked arms and meandered down the field,鈥 Kramer wrote, 鈥渇ollowed by the backs, one of whom carried the ball. [It was a] human steamroller effect . . .鈥

Four years later Kramer led the university to another first, earning a PhD in 1895.