Why was AC invited to join the big league T.I.A.A. with UT, A&M, and others in 1909? I dunno. But 1908 AC football may have played a role. The Roos were undefeated and dominant in 1908 against regional competition, and were unscored upon for most of the season.
The highlights of the 1908 campaign were the contests against Trinity and the birth of that rivalry. A 0-0 tie in Sherman led to a highly anticipated final matchup in Waxahachie (where Trinity was located before San Antonio) on Thanksgiving day.
AC students, including President Clyce, chartered a party train for the game. And they would not be disappointed. Austin College won a close 11-10 victory to finish the season without a single loss. Both AC & Trinity would head to the T.I.A.A. the following year, and the rivalry was born.
The 1908 AC Roos were such a hit up to the Trinity win that the Houston Post included a photo and write up in the November 29, 1908 edition.
The following month, on December 18, the Post featured a photo of the AC captain and a recap of the undefeated season. AC was on its way to more fearsome opponents as 1909 approached.
Also interesting……..colleges advertised in state newspapers in order to elicit interest from students. AC advertised throughout the summer on 1908 in nearly every state newspaper, and attempted to lure students by displaying its brand spanking new building constructed early that year. Luckett Hall! See photo from August 1908 newspaper.
105 years after the dramatic win in Waxahachie, the Roos would once again celebrate a win against Trinity.
More to come. Gonna shift towards other sports and women athletics as I go.
