Newspapers / Elon University Student Newspaper / Sept. 22, 2001, edition 1 / Page 2
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Page 2 Stadium Special Sept. 22, 2001 92-year road trip comes home Audrey Seagraves Reporter The golden statues lining the trophy cases of the Koury Center walls whisper the aura to pass- ersby of championship football teams which once dominated the playing field. In a time of dynamic change for Elon sports, a move to Divi sion I, a new mascot and final ization of the construction of the state-of-the-art football stadium, it is time to take a look back to the past and remember those times when Elon reigned the world of college football. In 1909, a team was bom. Early into the season faculty members disapproved of the player’s fre quent absences from class, and by the season’s last game the school authorized the abolition of the pro gram. The finale against Bingham Military Academy ended with a victory for the team but the loss of the program. The program returned to Elon in 1919 and for the next 20 years developed into a gridiron power house. In 1927, Douglas Clyde “Peahead” Walker took over as head coach. Walker amassed six conference championships during his 10 years at Elon. When Walker left in 1937 for the head coaching job at Wake Forest, Horace Hendrickson took the Fighting Christians under his wing, and car ried them to the conference cham pionships. Elon tied Catawba and the two schools shared the title that year. In 1938, fullback Joe Golomek became the first player in Elon’s history named to a national post season All-American team. Elon relived the championship game from the year before and tied Catawba a second time. The next 30 years were a roller coaster ride for Elon football. While the team won no major championships during those years, including many great players passed through the program. Tart, a first-team All American in 1963, and quarterback Burgin Beale, who set 23 records from 1965- 1968. In 1973, Coach Red Wilson led the Fighting Christians to the Carolinas Conference Champion ship for the fourth time in five years. Under Wilson, Elon partici pated in the NAIA playoffs for the first time in its history in 1973. Elon won its first playoff game against the University of Wiscon- sin-La Crosse before losing its only game of the season in the semifinals against Abilene Chris tian College. In the summer 1999 edition of the Magazine of Elon, John Muir, a member of the ’73 team said, “That was a great time to be a part of Elon football. We were so con fident. There was a pervasive feel ing from week to week that we were going to win.” The 1980s kicked off with back-to-back national champion ships under head coach Jerry Tolley. “I had a wonderful time as head coach for the Elon football team,” said Tolley. “I felt very for- tunate to have the talented, hardworking players, who dedi cated themselves to the program.” Tolley is now the corporate and major gifts officer for Elon. From 1980-1988 the Fighting Christians experienced nine con secutive winning seasons, the longest run in Elon history. The 1990s were a time of tran sition for Elon athletics. In 1999, Elon became a member of Divi sion I (I-AA in football). Two years ago the Fighting Christians mascot was abolished and the Phoenix rose from the flames to represent the athletics teams. It’s hard to predict whether this team will make it into the history books as champions, but it is obvi ous this day will be highlighted in history as one of the greatest mo ments in Elon’s 92-year road trip. I xhe Pendulum nf sn«p5ifSH| Uni»»f»«y iLomnuniXy Taresa LaRock^ Editor in Chief Jennifer Guarino, Managing Editor Elizabeth Sudduth, News Editor Josh Davis, Opinions Editor Jason Chick, A & E Editor Katie Bonebrake, Focus Editor Justin Mazzola, Sports Editor Jessica Vitak, Chief Copy Editor Lauren Vilis, Business Manager 7012 Campus Box Elon, NC 27244 Newsroom: 278-7247 Fax; 278-7246 E-mail: pendulum@elon.edu The Pendulum is published each Thurs day of the academic year. The advertis ing and editorial copy deadline is 5 p.m. the Monday before publication. Letters to the editor and guest columns are welcome and should be typed, double-spaced, signed and include telephone number for verification. Submissions are also ac cepted as Word documents on disk or by e-mail. The Pendulum reserves the right to edit obscene or potentially libelous ma terial. Lengthy letters or columns may have to be trimmed to fit. All submissions become the property of The Pendulum and will not be returned. The Elon community has cheered for both the Fighting Christians and the Phoenix at Burlington Memorial Stadium. During the 1980s, the team vaulted to the No. one spot in the NAIA. The 1909 Football team, coached by W.H. "Reddie” Rowe, won four and lost one. Photos courtesy of Athletics The Elon football team played Hillsdale in the semifinal game of the NAIA in Dec. 1981. The score was Elon, 41, Hilldale, 13. They went on lose to Pittsburg State in the championship at Burlington Memorial Stadium. Go Elon! Hi-de- Ki-de-Hi-de-Hi We're gonna beat this team Hi-de- Hi'de-hi-de-ho! We're gonna to tan their hides Come on let's go What'cha say gang? We're going pass thru the middle Ooooooookay We're goJng dround the sides -Fight 'Em- , Elon cheer fiom The Fighting Christians: Elon College Athletics Through the Years
Elon University Student Newspaper
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Sept. 22, 2001, edition 1
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