Wabash College Football: A Storied History
Wabash College's football program boasts a rich and enduring history, deeply intertwined with the college's identity and community spirit. The Allen Center's trophy cases offer a glimpse into this legacy, but the full story extends far beyond the memorabilia on display. From its humble beginnings in 1884 to its current standing in NCAA Division III, Wabash football has consistently demonstrated resilience, sportsmanship, and a commitment to excellence. The strength of the campus community is often reflected in people filling the stadium on a Saturday afternoon. It brings people together.
The Dawn of Wabash Football: 1884
The inaugural contest of Wabash football remains somewhat shrouded in mystery, but available records show that the team played its first game of intercollegiate football on October 25, 1884, defeating Butler University by a score of 4-0 at the Indianapolis Baseball Park. This also marked the first intercollegiate game in the state, which took place on May 31, between Butler and DePauw University. Edwin R. Taber (1863-1916), a student at the College from Logansport, Indiana, coached the team.
The 1884 Wabash football team consisted of athletes such as Charles Stockbarger, Eben Wolcott, Jesse Taber, Lewis Stidham, John Keiff, Billy Martin (captain), Edwin Thompson, Harman Marsh, James Reser, and Lewis Little, Campbell Coyle.
Unlike today's distinct scarlet and white jerseys, the Wabash uniforms of 1884 were quite different. The team wore long pants and long sleeve shirts, a common practice for football teams of that era. The iconic early leather cap was not a widespread part of the game at that time, either. Playcalling was rudimentary, with instructions shouted across the gridiron, and secrecy was not a concern. The playbook, predating the invention of the forward pass by 22 years, was limited to running the ball left, right, or center.
In 1884, early collegiate football consisted of 25 teams, many of which would become dominant forces in college football. Fans would recognize future Division I leaders like Harvard, Yale, Michigan and Navy.
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Early 20th Century: Facing Giants and Breaking Barriers
From the 1890s to the 1910s, the Wabash football team regularly competed against much larger colleges and universities, including Illinois, Indiana, and Purdue. Despite the size disparity, the Little Giants managed to achieve impressive upsets, demonstrating their competitive spirit and talent.
A significant moment in Wabash football history occurred in 1903 when the team fielded its first black player, Samuel S. Gordon. The following season, Walter M. Cantrell joined the team. This decision was met with resistance, as some opposing teams threatened boycotts. However, school president William Patterson Kane stood firm, insisting that Gordon and Cantrell be allowed to play. While some opponents did cancel their games, Gordon and Cantrell continued to represent Wabash on the gridiron.
The 1904 football team adopted the nickname the "Little Giants", which was the first time that moniker was used by the school.
The Defining Upset of 1905
The 1905 season was a notable one for the Wabash Little Giants. Led by second-year head coach Frank Cayou, the team compiled a record of 6-5. The 1905 Wabash Little Giants football team represented Wabash College as an independent during the 1905 college football season.
The team managed one of its most impressive upsets when it defeated Notre Dame, 5-0, on October 21, at South Bend. The Little Giants' most prominent football game came against Notre Dame at South Bend, Indiana on October 21, 1905. Wabash took a first-half lead, 5-0, through a dominating performance by their backfield and linemen. In the second half, Notre Dame advanced inside the Wabash five-yard line three times, but was repelled on each occasion.
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Other games from the 1905 season included:
- A loss to the University of Chicago Maroons (15-0)
- A loss to the University of Illinois (0-6)
- A loss to Northwestern University (5-0)
- A loss to Purdue University (12-0)
- A win against Knox College
- A loss to Indiana University
- A win against DePauw University (52-0)
Wabash Football in the Modern Era
The Wabash Little Giants football team represents Wabash College in the sport of college football at the NCAA Division III level. The Little Giants have competed as a member of the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) since 2000. Wabash plays home games at Hollett Little Giant Stadium in Crawfordsville, Indiana.
Rivalries and Traditions
One of the more impressive throughlines that Wabash football can look back on is the heart of the team’s identity - the field they play on. The program has cultivated intense rivalries with numerous institutions, fostering memorable encounters and upholding the spirit of competition. A few notable rivalries and series records include:
- DePauw University: 63-58-9
- Hanover College: 36-13-1
- Franklin College: 35-9-3
- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology: 37-9-3
- Ohio Wesleyan University: 31-15-2
- Earlham College: 31-5-2
- Denison University: 23-7-1
- Oberlin College: 25-2-1
- The College of Wooster: 25-4
- Kenyon College: 20-1
- Butler University: 19-40-9
- Hiram College: 17-0
- Allegheny College: 17-4
- Manchester University: 15-3
- Hope College: 14-8
- Anderson University (IN): 11-3
- Centre College: 10-2
- Indiana University: 8-12
- Taylor University: 8-0
- Indiana State University: 7-0-1
- Kalamazoo College: 7-2
- Georgetown College (Ky.): 6-1-1
- Ball State University: 6-1-1
- Central Normal (Danville Normal): 6-0
- Sewanee: 8-2
- Rhodes College: 5-2
- Illinois Wesleyan University: 5-2
- Heidelberg University: 5-3
- Kentucky Wesleyan College: 4-0
- Carroll University: 4-0-2
- Hampden-Sydney College: 4-0
- Illinois College: 4-1
- Case Western Reserve University: 4-1
- Marietta College: 4-1-1
- University of Chicago: 4-3
- Benedictine University: 3-1
- Mount St. Joseph University: 3-0
- The University of Olivet: 3-0
- North Central College: 3-2
- Principia College: 2-0
- St. Norbert College: 2-0
- Bluffton University: 2-0
- Illinois State University: 2-0-2
- Knox College: 2-0-1
- Washington and Lee University: 2-0
- University of Louisville: 2-0
- Albion College: 21-17-1
- Rose-Hulman: 37-9-3
- Saint Joseph's College (Ind.): 6-4
- University of Evansville: 9-3-2
- University of Indianapolis: 2-4
- University of Dayton: 1-3
- Marquette University: 1-5
- Miami University (OH): 1-4
- Michigan State University: 1-5-1
- Valparaiso University: 9-13-1
- University of Notre Dame: 1-10
- Purdue University: 8-19-2
- University of Illinois: 0-7-1
Coaching Legacy
Don Morel served as the team's head coach from 2016 to 2024, amassing a 61-20 record overall and a 54-15 record in conference play.
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