A History of Xavier University Football
The Xavier Musketeers football program, formerly known as the St. Xavier Saints, represented Xavier University of Cincinnati, Ohio, in college football from 1900 to 1943 and 1946 to 1973. Although the intercollegiate program was discontinued, its history remains a significant part of the university's athletic legacy.
Early Years and Growth (1900-1919)
Xavier University, then St. Xavier College, first established an intercollegiate football team in 1901. The program began in 1900 when the school was known as St. Xavier College and the team as the Saints. In its earliest season, the football team competed against both colleges and high schools, but gradually improved their schedule.
The Meyer Era (1920-1935)
A. Meyer was the head coach for 16 years from 1920 to 1935. During the Meyer era, the football teams compiled a record of 85-44-6 (.652), including eight one- or two-loss seasons (1920-1922, 1925-1928, and 1934). In 1921, Corcoran Field, a $40,000 football stadium, was dedicated to support the increasingly popular intercollegiate football team. In 1907, the school began a rivalry against the University of Dayton, then named St. Joseph.
Continued Success and Hiatus (1935-1946)
Starting in 1935, the football team experienced somewhat of a decline which was further exacerbated by World War II and the regulations which limited participation in intercollegiate athletics. The program's success continued under head coach Clem Crowe from 1935 to 1943. From 1943-1946, there were no intercollegiate athletics including football due to difficulties related World War II.
Post-War Resurgence (1946-1951)
However, intercollegiate football returned to Xavier in 1946, and was thriving by 1949. After a temporary hiatus in the program during World War II, Ed Kluska took over as head coach and posted a 35-12-2 record between 1947 and 1951. The 1949 team went 10-1 and defeated Arizona State, 33-21, in the 1950 Salad Bowl. In 1950, Xavier's football team won the Salad Bowl against Arizona State. The 1950 team compiled an 8-1 record and defeated the otherwise unbeaten 1950 Miami Redskins football team that was coached by Woody Hayes and Ara Parseghian and that featured John Pont at halfback and Bo Schembechler at tackle. The 1951 team was undefeated and outscored opponents by a total of 305 to 46.
Read also: Academic Excellence at Xavier
Decline and Discontinuation (1961-1973)
However, by 1961, the Board of Trustees was already starting to question the expense associated with the football team. The program declined in the late 1960s and early 1970s, experiencing consecutive 1-9 seasons in 1969, 1970, and 1971. By 1971, the Board of Trustees noted significant financial losses associated with the football team and a significant decline in support for the football team. After the 1973 football season, it was determined that the intercollegiate football team at Xavier should be discontinued because it was no longer financially viable. On December 19, 1973, the Xavier University Board of Trustees voted 15 to 3 to discontinue the school's intercollegiate football program, effective immediately. The university's president, Rev. Robert W. Several attempts were made in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s to revisit this issue and revive an intercollegiate football team at Xavier, but with no success.
Facilities
The Musketeers played their games in Corcoran Stadium, which opened in 1929 after a $300,000 fundraising drive led by future Governor of Ohio Myers Y. Cooper. The stadium could seat 15,000 spectators. Corcoran Stadium was demolished in 1988.
Read also: Townsend's Transfer
Read also: NCAA Transfer Portal and Xavier Amos
tags: #Xavier #University #football #history
