College Football All-Southern Team

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College Football All-Southern Team
Awarded forThe best American college football players at their respective positions on teams from the South
CountryUnited States
First awardedc. 1895

The College Football All-Southern Team was an all-star team of college football players from the Southern United States. The honor was given annually to the best players at their respective positions. It is analogous to the All-America Team and was most often selected in newspapers. Notable pickers of All-Southern teams include John Heisman, Dan McGugin, George C. Marshall, Grantland Rice, W. A. Lambeth, Reynolds Tichenor, Nash Buckingham, Innis Brown, and Dick Jemison.

Contents

Football in the south

Princeton's 115-0 drubbing of Virginia in 1890 marked football's arrival in the south by playing a northern school. [1] [2] [3] Virginia was considered the Southern champion.

Conference play

Major football programs in the South used to include: members of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA), the conference representative of the Deep South and used more strictly to mean the South east of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, the predecessor to today's Southeastern Conference (SEC, which originally represented the Southern states west and south of the Appalachians); the South Atlantic Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SAIAA), representative of the South Atlantic States and especially Virginia and North Carolina, the predecessor to today's Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC); and the Southwest Conference, representative of the Southwest United States, a predecessor to southern portions of today's Big 12 Conference. These categories apply only broadly. For example, North Carolina was in both the SIAA and SAIAA at different points in its history. Clemson, today in the ACC, was in the SIAA; and Washington & Lee, today in neither, was a member of the SAIAA.

Dr. Dudley founded the SIAA. WLDudley.jpg
Dr. Dudley founded the SIAA.

SIAA

The SIAA was the oldest of these, founded in the winter of 1894 by Vanderbilt chemistry professor William Lofland Dudley. The SIAA was often seen as large enough to represent the South at large; and with officials and coaches and so forth of potential selectors restricted to viewing conference play, an All-SIAA team was sometimes equivalent to the All-Southern team; apparently with increasing frequency since 1902. For example, the 1905 composite selection from the Atlanta Journal reads "It must be taken into consideration, however, that each gridiron Sir Oracle was requested by the Journal to confine his selections to members of clubs composing the S. I. A. A. This organization really represents the greater south, as its scope is wider and more general. V. P. I. can scarcely be figured in the calculation as that institution hasn't played any of the S. I. A. A. representatives." [4] South Atlantic writers of course were not fond of this, and would sometimes critique the latest All-Southern selection with titles such as "Virginia and Carolina no longer in the South." [5]

Southern Conference

In 1922 teams from the SIAA and SAIAA left for the Southern Conference and All-Southern teams become effectively All-Southern Conference teams. By 1933 the contemporary Southeastern Conference was established. The major programs then in the SEC, "All-Southern" teams become associated with the by comparison minor conferences of the Southern Conference or SIAA especially after the formation of the Atlantic Coast Conference in 1953.

Eastern bias in All-American selections

Walter Camp

Walter Camp's "Eastern bias" drove the need for an All-Southern team. Walter Chauncey Camp portrait.jpg
Walter Camp's "Eastern bias" drove the need for an All-Southern team.

Walter Camp's annual "official" All-America first team had been historically loaded with college players from Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Penn, and other Northeastern colleges. [6] The dominance of Ivy League players on Camp's All-America teams led to criticism over the years that his selections were biased against players from the leading Western universities (then in America the West meant the Great Lakes region), including Chicago, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Notre Dame. [7] [8] [9] Many selectors picked only Eastern players. For example, Wilton S. Farnsworth's All-American eleven of 1910 for the New York Evening Journal was made up of five players from Harvard, two from West Point, and one each from Yale, Princeton, Penn, and Brown. [10] In 1894, Michigan defeated Cornell and lobbied for its center Fatty Smith to be the first Western All-American. The resistance to selecting Smith (or any other Western player) as an All-American is reflected in the following newspaper account from December 1894:

"Some of the western colleges have developed great players on their teams and this year may claim for them a position on the All American team. Notably the University of Michigan claims for their center 'Fatty' Smith the supremacy in his position. But the western institutions have not yet mastered the eastern knowledge of all the details and fine points of the game. Smith has made a great record against the west and even against Cornell, but the Ithacan center was not a master of his position. When brought to face a man like the Stillman of today or the Bulliet of last year, Smith would simply be lost and entirely out generaled. So it would be with all of the claimants for line positions from western teams. And no one claims for a moment that western back field men could play in the same class with eastern men." [11]

Other selectors

The selectors were typically Eastern writers and former players who attended only games in the East. In December 1910, The Mansfield News , an Ohio newspaper, ran an article headlined: "All-American Teams of East Are Jokes: Critics Who Never Saw Western Teams Play to Name Best in Country -- Forget About Michigan, Minnesota and Illinois." [7] The article noted: "Eastern sporting editors must be devoid of all sense of humor, judging by the way in which they permit their football writers to pick 'All-American' elevens. What man in the lot that have picked 'All-American' elevens this fall, saw a single game outside the North Atlantic States? With a conceit all their own they fail to recognize that the United States reaches more than 200 miles in any direction from New York. ... Suppose an Ohio football writer picked 'All-American' teams. Ohio readers would not stand for it. But apparently the eastern readers will swallow anything." [7]

Southern All-Americans

The perception of bias was even worse in the South than in the West, [12] [13] and Camp's team eventually grew to accommodate Western football in a way it never did with the South. To illustrate an example of this, Chicago punter Clarence Herschberger in 1898 and Michigan back Willie Heston in 1903 made Camp's first team. By 1905, Camp said V. P. I.'s Hunter Carpenter was probably the best football player in the United States, but he hadn’t personally seen him and refused to name him to the All-American team because he wouldn’t pick any player that he hadn’t seen. [14] [15] In 1906, Owsley Manier made Camp's third-team All-American. Buck Mayer, in 1915, was the South's first consensus All-American. [16] In 1917, the same year as the South's first national champion team, John Heisman's Georgia Tech, Tech players Walker Carpenter and Everett Strupper were the first two from the Deep South selected first-team All-American. [17] The next year Bum Day was the first player on a Southern team selected for Camp's first team. Only six southern players ever made Camp's first team before his death in 1925, Day along with: Bo McMillin of Centre, Red Weaver of Centre; Bill Fincher of Georgia Tech; Red Roberts of Centre; and Lynn Bomar of Vanderbilt. [18] Therefore for many years the All-Southern team was how the south recognized its best. Fuzzy Woodruff commenting on the 1921 composite selection of the Atlanta Constitution and Atlanta Journal states "This composite pick has now been recognized as the south's official football hall of fame. No southern player can receive a higher honor unless he happens to be named on Walter Camp's All-American." [19] By 1933 as above the modern Southeastern Conference was established, and All-SEC teams took prominence in the south; but also the south's recognition on All-America teams had increased, for the 1932 College Football All-America Team featured three southern consensus All-Americans: Pete Gracey of Vanderbilt, Jimmy Hitchcock of Auburn, and Don Zimmerman of Tulane.

College Football Hall of Fame

Inductees into the College Football Hall of Fame named to one or more All-Southern team include:

All-time teams

Associated Press

Red Roberts of Centre, made the Southeast All-time Team (1869-1919) era at the end position. Red Roberts Centre College Football.jpg
Red Roberts of Centre, made the Southeast All-time Team (1869–1919) era at the end position.
Ray Morrison of Vanderbilt, was chosen for both quarterback and return specialist for the Southeast All-time Team (1869-1919) era. Ray Morrison.jpg
Ray Morrison of Vanderbilt, was chosen for both quarterback and return specialist for the Southeast All-time Team (1869–1919) era.

The Associated Press and FWAA in 1969 put out a Southeast Area All-Time football team for the first 50 years of football (1869–1919) and the second 50 (1920–1969). [20] [21] On the selection committee were Zipp Newman, Jack Hairston, Jesse Outlar, Cawood Ledford, Bud Montet, Carl Walters, and Raymond Johnson. [22]

1869–1919 era

The 1869–1919 team included:

Ends
Tackles
Guards
Center
Quarterback
Halfbacks
Fullbacks
Punter
Placekicker
Return specialist
  • Ray Morrison, Vanderbilt

Roberts, Dougherty, and Guyon were unanimous selections for the team.

1920–1969 era

Of the second era (1920–1969), notable stars from the All-Southern era (i.e., until 1932) included:

Ends
Tackles
Guards
Punter

Heisman

Coach John Heisman, one of the most notable selectors of All-Southern teams. John Heisman.jpg
Coach John Heisman, one of the most notable selectors of All-Southern teams.

John Heisman would sometimes post all-time All-Southern teams. His selection of 1916 includes: [23]

Ends

Tackles

Guards

Center

Quarterback

Halfbacks

Fullback

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lynn Bomar</span> American football player and law enforcement official

Robert Lynn Bomar was an American football end in the National Football League (NFL). Bomar played college football, basketball and baseball for Vanderbilt University, following coach Wallace Wade and classmate Hek Wakefield there from prep school, and was a unanimous 1922 All-Southern selection and a consensus 1923 All-American selection in football. The latter season included a first-team All-American selection by Walter Camp, rare for a player in the South. A paralyzing injury ended Bomar's college career, but he quickly recovered and sat on the bench for all of his team's games. He played for the New York Giants in 1925 and 1926, retiring abruptly after a separate injury. Bomar was nicknamed "the Blonde Bear".

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Oliver Wall Kuhn, nicknamed "Doc Kuhn", was an American football, baseball and basketball player for the Vanderbilt University Commodores and later a prominent businessman of Tampa, Florida. As a college football quarterback, Kuhn led Vanderbilt to three consecutive Southern titles in 1921, 1922, and 1923 – the most-recent conference titles for Vanderbilt football. In 1922, Vanderbilt tied Michigan at the dedication of Dudley Field, and Kuhn was picked for Walter Camp's list of names worthy of mention and Billy Evans' All-America "National Honor Roll."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1917 College Football All-Southern Team</span>

The 1917 College Football All-Southern Team consists of American football players selected to the College Football All-Southern Teams selected by various organizations for the 1917 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season. Georgia Tech won the SIAA and the south's first national championship. Walker Carpenter and Everett Strupper were the first two players from the Deep South selected first-team All-American.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1921 College Football All-Southern Team</span>

The 1921 College Football All-Southern Team consists of American football players selected to the College Football All-Southern Teams selected by various organizations for the 1921 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season. This was the last year before many schools left the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) for the Southern Conference (SoCon).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1916 College Football All-Southern Team</span>

The 1916 College Football All-Southern Team consists of American football players selected to the College Football All-Southern Teams selected by various organizations in 1916.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1915 College Football All-Southern Team</span>

The 1915 College Football All-Southern Team consists of American football players selected to the College Football All-Southern Teams selected by various organizations in 1915. Josh Cody and Baby Taylor were selected third-team All-Americans by Walter Camp, and Bully Van de Graaff was selected for his second-team. Van de Graaff was Alabama's first ever All-American. Buck Mayer of the 8–1 Virginia Cavaliers was the south's first consensus All-American, selected first-team All-American by Frank G. Menke and Parke H. Davis. The "point-a-minute" Vanderbilt Commodores won the SIAA.

The 1914 College Football All-Southern Team consists of American football players selected to the College Football All-Southern Teams selected by various organizations for the 1914 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1922 College Football All-Southern Team</span>

The 1922 College Football All-Southern Team consists of college football players chosen by various organizations and writers for College Football All-Southern Teams for the 1922 Southern Conference football season. It was the first season of the Southern Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1913 College Football All-Southern Team</span>

The 1913 College Football All-Southern Team consists of American football players selected to the College Football All-Southern Teams selected by various organizations for the 1913 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1912 College Football All-Southern Team</span>

The 1912 College Football All-Southern Team consists of American football players selected to the College Football All-Southern Teams selected by various organizations for the 1912 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season. Lew Hardage was selected for Walter Camp's third-team All-American. Vanderbilt won the SIAA championship. Georgetown won the SAIAA championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1909 College Football All-Southern Team</span>

The 1909 College Football All-Southern Team consists of American football players selected to the College Football All-Southern Teams selected by various organizations for the 1909 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season. Sewanee won the SIAA championship. VPI, an independent school, also claims a Southern championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1908 College Football All-Southern Team</span>

The 1908 College Football All-Southern Team consists of American football players selected to the College Football All-Southern Teams selected by various organizations for the 1908 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1907 College Football All-Southern Team</span>

The 1907 College Football All-Southern Team consists of American football players selected to the College Football All-Southern Teams selected by various organizations for the 1907 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season. Fielding Yost selected Bob Blake for his All-America first team. Vanderbilt won the SIAA championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1906 College Football All-Southern Team</span>

The 1906 College Football All-Southern Team consists of American football players selected to the College Football All-Southern Teams selected by various organizations for the 1906 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season. For some, the SIAA champion 1906 Vanderbilt Commodores football team made up the entire team. It would produce eight of the composite eleven. Owsley Manier was selected by Walter Camp third-team All-American. Vanderbilt won the SIAA championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1905 College Football All-Southern Team</span>

The 1905 College Football All-Southern Team consists of American football players selected to the College Football All-Southern Teams selected by various organizations for the 1905 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season. Vanderbilt won the SIAA championship. Virginia Tech, an independent school, lost only to Navy and claims a southern championship for 1905.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1904 College Football All-Southern Team</span>

The 1904 College Football All-Southern Team consists of American football players selected to the College Football All-Southern Teams selected by various organizations for the 1904 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season.

The 1917 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season was the college football games played by the member schools of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association as part of the 1917 college football season. The season began on September 28. A curtailing of expenses was required for extension into 1918.

The 1922 Southern Conference football season was the college football games played by the member schools of the Southern Conference as part of the 1922 college football season. The season began on September 23 as part of the 1922 college football season. Conference play began on October 7 with Washington & Lee defeating North Carolina State 14–6 in Lexington.

References

  1. ↑ Kevin Edds (June 7, 2013). "Lambeth: Virginia's Father of Athletics" . Retrieved April 9, 2015– via TheSabre.com.
  2. ↑ Newman, Zipp (December 4, 1950). "Southern Football Notes". Times Daily - Google News Archive Search. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
  3. ↑ Fuzzy Woodruff, A History of Southern Football 1890-1928
  4. ↑ "Football Experts Give Their Selections For An All-Southern Team". Atlanta Constitution. December 3, 1905.
  5. ↑ cf. "A Matter of Geography". The Washington Herald. December 14, 1920. p. 11. Retrieved March 2, 2015– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  6. ↑ Joe Williams, "Joe Williams Says," El Paso Herald-Post, p. 10 (November 12, 1935). Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  7. 1 2 3 "All-American Teams of East Are Jokes: Critics Who Never Saw Western Teams Play to Name Best in Country -- Forget About Michigan, Minnesota and Illinois". The Mansfield News. December 8, 1910.
  8. ↑ Ross Tenney (December 31, 1922). "Much Dissatisfaction Over Camp's All-American Team: Football Dean Is Accused of Favoring East; Walter Camp Soundly Scored For 'Poorest Teams Ever Foisted Upon Public'". The Des Moines Capital.
  9. ↑ "Westerners Missed By Walter Camp: Football Wizard Puts Indian on 'All-American.'". The Decatur Review. December 7, 1911. p. 5.
  10. ↑ Farnsworth, W.S. (1910-12-04). "Picking All-Stars Is No Easy Task: Backfield Men Show Greater Individuality Then Men on the Line and Are More Easily Chosen". The Billings Daily Gazette.
  11. ↑ "The All Americas: The Men Who Would Make Up the Team". Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette. 1894-12-15.
  12. ↑ cf. "Not News, But Views". Atlanta Georgian. November 27, 1907. p. 16.
  13. ↑ cf. "John J. Tigert".
  14. ↑ "Hunter Carpenter's Virginia Sports HOF Profile". Virginia Sports Hall of Fame . October 2010. Archived from the original on 2015-09-14. Retrieved 2009-03-25.
  15. ↑ "The first 115 seasons of football at Virginia Tech". Virginia Tech . Archived from the original on 2008-06-10. Retrieved 2009-03-25.
  16. ↑ "Eugene Noble "Buck" Mayer". Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2014-11-23.
  17. ↑ Wiley Lee Umphlett (1992). Creating the Big Game: John W. Heisman and the Invention of American Football . Greenwood Publishing Group. p.  142. ISBN   9780313284045.
  18. ↑ "Center Team Recognized". The Kentuckian. December 11, 1919.
  19. ↑ Fuzzy Woodruff (December 4, 1921). "Barron, A. Staton, Harlan Are Tornado Celebrities Getting on Big Outfit". Atlanta Constitution. Retrieved March 2, 2015– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  20. ↑ "U-T Greats On All-Time Southeast Team". Kingsport Post. July 31, 1969.
  21. ↑ "All-Time Football Team Lists Greats Of Past, Present". Gadsden Times. July 27, 1969.
  22. ↑ "Image 102 of University of Kentucky Football Facts for Press, Radio, and TV, 1969 - Kentucky Digital Library". Archived from the original on 2016-09-24. Retrieved 2016-01-02.
  23. ↑ "Coach Heisman Selects Team". The Charlotte News. December 24, 1916. p. 8. Retrieved March 8, 2015– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
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