A Comprehensive History of Carthage College Football

Introduction

Carthage College boasts a rich football history, marked by periods of dominance, dedicated coaches, and memorable players. From its early beginnings in the late 19th century to its more recent seasons, the Carthage football program has provided student-athletes with opportunities for growth, competition, and the development of lifelong skills. This article delves into the year-by-year results, coaching legends, and significant milestones that have shaped the Carthage College football legacy.

Early Years and the Rise of Ralph McKee (1895-1900)

The Carthage College football program was established in 1895, with Ralph McKee serving as the head coach for the first six seasons. McKee led the team to a 19-6-1 record, setting a foundation for the program's future. In 1895, the team achieved a 2-0 record, followed by an impressive 4-0 season in 1896. Key victories during this era included wins against Illinois College and the Quincy Athletic Association. William Simmons, known as the Redmen's "Mr. Touchdown," is credited with scoring Carthage's first home touchdown in the 18-0 win over the Quincy Athletic Association on Nov. 28, 1895, on a 75-yard fumble recovery. In 1898, William Ruthrauff, the son of former Carthage president John M. Ruthrauff, was a member of the team. Ruthrauff later became the first to use calcium phosphate in a toothpaste and invented the Pepsodent brand of toothpaste.

The Early 20th Century: New Coaches and League Affiliations (1901-1941)

In 1901, Ben Mathis took over as head coach, leading the team to a 1-1 record. Wilbur Larrick followed, coaching from 1902 to 1904 and compiling a 3-2-3 record. Bud Hendrickson led the team in 1905, achieving a 4-2 record, while Carl Sundberg coached in 1906, with a 3-2 record. Russell Osborne served as head coach in 1907, with a 2-5 record.

J. Arthur Baird, a Carthage alumnus, took the helm in 1908 and coached through 1914, amassing a 24-19-3 record. Baird's contributions extended beyond the football field, as he also served as athletic director and men's basketball coach. He was later elected as a judge in Hancock County in 1910. From 1912 to 1941, Carthage was a member of the Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Association (IIAA), also known as the Little 19 Conference, for football and other sports.

Stewart Clark coached in 1915 and 1919, achieving a combined record of 6-5. Forest Loudin coached from 1916 to 1920, with a 10-15-2 record.

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The Lewis Omer Era (1921-1935)

Lewis Omer served as head football coach from 1921 to 1935, compiling a 51-52-18 record. Omer also served as the head men's basketball coach and athletic director. He is credited with originating the Illinois High School Association's state basketball tournament. In 1922, radio station WCAZ, which originated as a Carthage College campus station, broadcast a football game between Carthage and Culver-Stockton College, believed to be the third-ever "live" voice-transmission broadcast of a college football game.

The Wagner and LaVinn Years (1936-1946)

Herbert "Hub" Wagner coached from 1936 to 1942, achieving a 20-29-6 record. The program was suspended during World War II in 1943 and 1944. L. Paul LaVinn coached in 1945 and 1946, with a 2-10-1 record.

Roscoe Scott and Loel Frederickson (1947-1951)

Roscoe Scott led the team from 1947 to 1949, compiling an 11-12-2 record. Loel Frederickson coached in 1950 and 1951, with a 2-16 record.

The Art Keller Dynasty (1952-1982)

Art Keller, a Carthage alumnus, became head coach in 1952 and remained in that position for 31 years, until 1982. Keller's tenure is the most successful in Carthage College football history, with a 177-87-7 record. Keller won eight CCIW titles, including five straight from 1969 to 1973. Under Keller's leadership, Carthage achieved six undefeated conference seasons, three 14-game win streaks, and a 29-game CCIW unbeaten streak (28-0-1). The CCIW's Outstanding Offensive Player Award is named for Keller. Keller also served as Carthage's athletic director from 1952 to 1982.

The Wagner, Scott, and Synold Years (1983-1991)

Ken Wagner coached from 1983 to 1984, with a 6-12 record. Roger Scott led the team from 1985 to 1987, achieving a 6-21 record. Jack Synold coached from 1988 to 1991, with a 12-24 record.

The Mike Larry Era (1992-1994)

Mike Larry coached from 1992 to 1994, with a 2-25 record.

The Tim Rucks Era (1995-2012)

Tim Rucks served as head coach from 1995 to 2012, compiling a 95-79-1 record. Rucks led the team to a CCIW championship in 2004, with an 11-2 overall record and a 6-1 conference record.

The Mike Yeager Era (2012-2015)

Mike Yeager took over as head coach in 2012. From 2012 to 2015, Yeager's record was 9-24.

Individual Achievements and Memorable Games

Throughout its history, Carthage College football has seen numerous outstanding players and memorable games. William Simmons scored Carthage's first home touchdown in 1895. J. Arthur Baird excelled in multiple sports and was later inducted into the Carthage Athletic Hall of Fame.

Notable Players

Patrick Brown (1999-2002): Finished his Carthage career ranked first in total offensive yards (5,345), first in passing yardage (4,253) and first in touchdown passes (42).
Randal Baker (1999-2002): Rushed for 3,630 career yards, second only to Jim Jodat (4,079 yards, 1972-75).
Curt Whipple (1970): Set a CCIW record with 1,249 rushing yards in conference play.
Evan Jones (2007-2010): Completed his career as the Red Men’s all-time leader in passing yards (9,406), total yards (9,424), touchdown passes (82) and interceptions thrown (47).

Memorable Games

November 28, 1895: William Simmons scores Carthage's first home touchdown in an 18-0 win over the Quincy Athletic Association.
1922: Carthage's football game against Culver-Stockton College was broadcast on WCAZ, believed to be the third-ever "live" voice-transmission broadcast of a college football game.
November 27, 1971: The Red Men tied the Titans, 28-28, in an NAIA Division II semifinal game at Carthage.
November 20, 2004: Carthage defeated Alma, 31-28, in the first round of the NCAA Division III Football Championship.
2004 Season: Carthage advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III Football Championship.

Rivalries and Series Records

Carthage College has a long history of rivalries with other colleges and universities. Some of the most notable series include:

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Augustana (Ill.): Carthage's longest-running series began in 1928.
Carroll (Wis.): Beginning in 1964, Carthage and Carroll (Wis.) began playing for a Civil War musket as a traveling trophy.
Culver-Stockton: The 1922 game marked the College's first-ever football radio broadcast on WCAZ.
Illinois College: Carthage's first-ever intercollegiate game was played against Illinois College on Oct. 17, 1896.
Illinois Wesleyan: The series resumed in 1948 with CCIW play.
Lake Forest: The final game of the series, on Sept. 24, 1966, is also of historical interest, as the two teams played the first-ever game at what would become Art Keller Field on the Carthage campus.
Western Illinois: The long-running series with Carthage's former neighbors from Macomb, Ill., began in 1905.

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