So why did Northwestern last play Chicago in 1926?

[bringbacktherantboard]

Chicago didn't drop football until the completion of their 1939 season. They remained in the Big 10 with the 'Cats. But they didn't play each other for well over a decade before Chicago dropped the sport?

It just seems strange. Did they have some sort of agreement that they wouldn't play each other? And the rest of the conference was okay with that?

 

[whoboppin_rivals53480]

Looks like Big Ten only played 5 conference games back then and 8 games overall.

 

[bringbacktherantboard]

Looks like Big Ten only played 5 conference games back then and 8 games overall.

Still, well over a decade. If the schedules were drawn up at random, the probability that they wouldn't play each other at least one of those years is astronomically low. It must have been an intentional decision.

 

[DaCat]

Still, well over a decade. If the schedules were drawn up at random, the probability that they wouldn't play each other at least one of those years is astronomically low. It must have been an intentional decision.

They must've been avoiding us. We had some really strong teams in the 30's led by the notable All-American Pug Rentner and others.

 

[CSCatFan1]

Chicago didn't drop football until the completion of their 1939 season. They remained in the Big 10 with the 'Cats. But they didn't play each other for well over a decade before Chicago dropped the sport?

It just seems strange. Did they have some sort of agreement that they wouldn't play each other? And the rest of the conference was okay with that?

I was wondering about this on my flight to Dublin. Hopefully we’ll get an answer to the mystery.

 

[Frabjous_rivals]

Because the Purple Line does not run from the Loop to Evanston on Saturday?

 

[BarefootCat]

The University of Chicago vs Northwestern football rivalry is interesting. As noted in the original post, the last game was in 1926 and Chicago dropped their program in 1939.

A few fun nuggets from the internet (click the links to see more info):

1) Chicago dominated the overall series (26 wins, 8 losses, 3 ties) and won six games in a row from 1919 to 1925.

2) On November 13, 1926, Northwestern University formally opened and dedicated their brand new field Dyche Stadium. Northwestern attracted 45,000 fans as the Cats crushed the Maroons 38 - 7. NU would win the Big Ten that year. It would not be surprising if Chicago did not like the idea of competition in their home town and if there was hard feelings that led to the cancellation of the series for a few years.

3) In 1933, Chicago's president decided to end 'distractions' on campus. He handicapped the football team, and also banned fraternities and religious organizations. Their football team went into a downward spiral and was shuttered in 1939.

 

[Frabjous_rivals]

When UChicago revived football in 1969 or so, the waggish students dressed up a kayak as a kazoo and called it Big Ed, the World’s Largest Kazoo. The Purdue fans were good sports about it…