# Detroit College Tigers football, 1896–1909

The Detroit College Tigers football teams (later known as the Detroit Titans) represented Detroit College (renamed the University of Detroit in 1911) in American football. The team played its home games at various locations in Detroit, including the grounds of the Detroit Athletic Club.
Highlights of the school's first 13 years of intercollegiate football include the following:
* The team played its first game on October 15, 1896, defeating the Detroit School for Boys by a 20–0 score.
* The team played its first intercollegiate game on November 26, 1896 against St. Ignatius College Chicago, losing by a 20–0 score. Detroit did not play another intercollegiate game until November 29, 1900. In a rematch with St. Ignatius, the Detroit team won by an 11–0 score.
* The 1899 team compiled a 5–1–1 and outscored opponents by a total of 101 to 15. The first four games were played against local high schools, and the last game was played against the college's alumni.
* In 1901, the team played its first game against Michigan Agricultural College (now Michigan State University).
* On October 10, 1903, the team played its first game against the Michigan State Normal School (now Eastern Michigan University) from Ypsilanti. The Detroiters won by a 6–0 score.
* In November 1905, after only one game had been played, the college president, Rev. Kellinger, declared that football was "too rough" and too expensive. The team was then disbanded. In October 1906, the college faculty voted to allow students to resume competition in intercollegiate football.
* In 1909, the school played its first season exclusively against other college teams. Prior to 1909, the school's opponents had consisted largely of local high schools, clubs, alumni, and other institutions.

## 1896

The 1896 Detroit College Tigers football team represented Detroit College (renamed the University of Detroit in 1911) during the 1896 college football season. Detroit outscored opponents by a combined total of 66 to 40 and finished with a 5–2 record in their first year of intercollegiate football. The team's head coach was William S. Robinson.
In the only intercollegiate football game of the season, Detroit was shut out by St. Ignatius College by a 20 to 0 score on Thanksgiving Day.
Leo J. Keena played at the fullback position for the 1896 Detroit team, and later played for Michigan from 1897 to 1899. Ernest O'Brien was the captain of the 1896 team.

### Schedule

| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| October 15 | Detroit School for Boys | Detroit Athletic Club groundsDetroit, MI | W 20–0 | |
| October 22 | Hubbard Cadets | Michigan Athletic Association groundsDetroit, MI | W 24–0 | |
| October 29 | Kappa Gamma Psi of Detroit High School | Michigan Athletic Association groundsDetroit, MI | L 0–16 | |
| | Detroit alumni | | W 30–0 | |
| November 12 | Union Athletic Club | Michigan Athletic Association groundsDetroit, MI | W 32–0 | |
| November 19 | Hubbard Cadets | Detroit, MI | W | |
| November 26 | St. Ignatius College Chicago | Michigan Athletic Association groundsDetroit, MI | L 0–20 | 800 |

### Players

The team included the following players:
* Francis T. Atkinson, quarterback
* Ernest A. O'Brien, halfback
* W. Alfred Debo, halfback
* Leo J. Keena, fullback
* William Van Dyke, center
* James I. Atkinson, guard
* Maurice W. Chawke, guard
* C. O'Reilly "Riley" Riley Atkinson, tackle
* Robert E. Lee, tackle
* John J. Walsh, tackle
* Alfred B. Moran, end
* Dohaney, end
* Frederick V. Burnham, end
* Otto F. Lang, end

## 1897

The 1897 Detroit College Tigers football team was an American football team that represented Detroit College (renamed the University of Detroit in 1911) as an independent during the 1897 college football season. In its second season under head coach William S. Robinson, the team compiled a 1–2 record and was outscored by opponents by a combined total of 36 to 28. The team played one game against the Michigan Military Academy (a 26–24 loss) and two games against Detroit High School (one win and one loss). The result of the loss was disputed because the high school game had two players who were not students.

### Schedule

| Date | Opponent | Site | Result |
| October 16 | YMCA | Michigan Athletic Association groundsDetroit, MI | ? |
| October 28 | at Michigan Military Academy | Orchard Lake, MI | L 24–26 |
| November 4 | Detroit High School | Detroit Athletic ClubDetroit, MI | L 0–10 |
| November 18 | Detroit High School | YMCA groundsDetroit, MI | W 4–0 |

## 1898

The 1898 Detroit College Tigers football team was an American football team that represented Detroit College (renamed the University of Detroit in 1911) as an independent during the 1898 college football season. In its third season under head coach William S. Robinson, the team compiled a 5–0 record and outscored its opponents by a combined total of 91 to 12. The team played games against Detroit School for Boys, Irvings, Detroit Alumni, Michigan Military Academy and Mount Clemens High School.

### Schedule

| Date | Opponent | Site | Result |
| | Detroit School for Boys | Detroit, MI | W 31–0 |
| | Irvings | | W 5–0 |
| | Detroit alumni | Detroit, MI | W 22–0 |
| November 17 | at Michigan Military Academy | Orchard Lake, MI | W 21–6 |
| November 24 | at Mount Clemens High School | Mount Clemens, MI | W 12–6 |

## 1899

The 1899 Detroit College Tigers football team was an American football team that represented Detroit College (renamed the University of Detroit in 1911) as an independent during the 1899 college football season. In its fourth season under head coach William S. Robinson, the team compiled a 5–1–1 record and outscored its opponents by a combined total of 101 to 15. The team's sole loss came against the Detroit Athletic Club reserves. Its victories were against Detroit School for Boys, Detroit Central High School, Detroit Monroe High School, Gutchess Business College and the Detroit Alumni.

### Schedule

| Date | Opponent | Site | Result |
| | Central High School | Detroit, MI | T 5–5 |
| October 5 | Detroit School for Boys | Detroit Athletic Club groundsDetroit, MI | W 12–0 |
| | Central High School | Detroit, MI | W 11–0 |
| November 2 | Monroe High School | Monroe, MI | W 17–0 |
| November 9 | Detroit Athletic Club reserves | Detroit Athletic Club groundsDetroit | L 0–10 |
| | Gutchess Business College | | W 50–0 |
| November 30 | Detroit alumni | Bennett ParkDetroit, MI | W 6–0 |

## 1900

The 1900 Detroit College Tigers football team was an American football team that represented Detroit College (renamed the University of Detroit in 1911) as an independent during the 1900 college football season. In its first season under head coach John C. Mackey, the team compiled a 3–2 record and outscored its opponents by a total of 71 to 23. Five of the team's opponents were high schools. The only intercollegiate game was an 11–0 victory over Loyola University Chicago.

### Schedule

| Date | Opponent | Site | Result |
| | Detroit University School | Detroit, MI | W 23–0 |
| | Wyandotte High School | | W 17–0 |
| October 27 | Ann Arbor High School | Detroit Athletic Club groundsDetroit, MI | L 0–11 |
| November 3 | Central High School | Detroit Athletic Club groundsDetroit, MI | L 5–6 |
| November 29 | St. Ignatius College Chicago | Marshall FieldChicago, IL | W 11–0 |

## 1901

The 1901 Detroit College Tigers football team was an American football team that represented Detroit College (renamed the University of Detroit in 1911) as an independent during the 1901 college football season. In its second season under head coach John C. Mackey, the team compiled a 3–3 record and outscored its opponents by a combined total of 66 to 58. Four of the team's opponents were high schools, and a fifth game was played against alumni. The only intercollegiate game was an 11–0 victory over Detroit Business University.

### Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| October 5 | | Detroit University School | Detroit, MI | L 11–12 | |
| October 18 | | Mount Clemens High School | Mount Clemens, MI | L 11–24 | |
| October 24 | | Western High School | Bennett ParkDetroit, MI | W 12–5 | |
| November 20 | 4:00 p.m. | Detroit Business University | Bennett ParkDetroit, MI | W 11–0 | 350 |
| | | Central High School | Detroit, MI | L 5–6 | |
| November 28 | | Detroit College alumni | Bennett ParkDetroit | W 16–11 | |

## 1902

The 1902 Detroit College Tigers football team was an American football team that represented Detroit College (renamed the University of Detroit in 1911) as an independent during the 1902 college football season. In its first season under head coachEdward J. Ryan, the team compiled a 3–3 record and were outscored its opponents by a combined total of 33 to 32. The team opened the season with an 11-0 loss to Michigan Agricultural.

### Schedule

| Date | Opponent | Site | Result |
| October 4 | Michigan Agricultural | College FieldEast Lansing, MI | L 0–11 |
| October 18 | Walkerville | | W 11–0 |
| November 1 | Y.M.C. of Saint Vincent's Church | Bennett ParkDetroit, MI | L 0–5 |
| November 5 | Central High School | Detroit Athletic Club groundsDetroit, MI | W 11–0 |
| November 15 | Detroit University School | Detroit, MI | L 5–17 |
| November 27 | Seldens | Detroit Athletic Club groundsDetroit, MI | W 5–0 |

## 1903

The 1903 Detroit College Tigers football team was an American football team that represented Detroit College (renamed the University of Detroit in 1911) as an independent during the 1903 college football season. In its first season under head coach W. Alfred Debo, the team compiled a 3–4 record and were outscored its opponents by a combined total of 71 to 23. The team lost to the Michigan freshman team by a 45–0 score.

### Schedule

| Date | Opponent | Site | Result |
| October 3 | Detroit Athletic Club | Detroit, MI | L 0–15 |
| October 10 | Michigan State Normal | Detroit Athletic Club fieldDetroit, MI | W 6–0 |
| October 17 | Michigan freshmen | Detroit Athletic Club groundsDetroit, MI | L 0–45 |
| October 29 | Polish Seminary | Detroit Athletic Club groundsDetroit, MI | W 5–0 |
| November 5 | Eastern High School | Detroit Athletic Club fieldDetroit, MI | L 5–6 |
| November 12 | at Michigan State Normal | Ypsilanti, MI | L 0–5 |
| November 26 | Central High School | Detroit Athletic Club groundsDetroit, MI | W 12–0 |

## 1904

The 1904 Detroit College Tigers football team was an American football team that represented Detroit College (renamed the University of Detroit in 1911) as an independent during the 1904 college football season. In its second season under head coach Alfred W. Debo, the team compiled a 4–2 record and outscored its opponents by a combined total of 76 to 28.

### Schedule

| Date | Opponent | Site | Result |
| October 8 | at Wyandotte | Wyandotte, MI | W 12–11 |
| October 13 | at Delray High School | Solvay groundsDetroit, MI | W 6–0 |
| October 22 | Detroit College of Medicine | Bennett ParkDetroit, MI | W 44–0 |
| October 29 | Metropolitan Business College | Bennett ParkDetroit, MI | L 4–11 |
| November 3 | at Mount Clemens High School | Mount Clemens, MI | W 10–0 |
| November 24 | Eastern High School | Bennett ParkDetroit, MI | L 0–6 |

## 1905

The 1905 Detroit College Tigers football team was an American football team that represented Detroit College (renamed the University of Detroit in 1911) as an independent during the 1905 college football season. Jerry Girardin was hired in mid-October as the team's head coach. The team initially had a schedule with six opponents. However, on November 9, the college's president, Rev. Kellinger, refused to allow the football team to play the Detroit University School and declared that football "as it is played today is altogether too rough" and that the game was also too expensive. In response, coach Girardin said he would never coach a team of the college again. The team was then disbanded.

### Schedule

| Date | Opponent | Site | Result |
| November 2 | at Monroe High School | Monroe, MI | W 26–0 |
| November 4 | Detroit College of Law | Clark ParkDetroit, MI | ? |
| November 11 | at Detroit Athletic Club | Detroit Athletic Club groundsDetroit, MI | Cancelled |
| November 16 | at Jackson High School | Jackson, MI | Cancelled |
| November 23 | at Michigan State Normal | Ypsilanti, MI | Cancelled |
| November 30 | Eastern High School | Detroit, MI | Cancelled |

## 1906

The 1906 Detroit College Tigers football team was an American football team that represented Detroit College (renamed the University of Detroit in 1911) as an independent during the 1906 college football season. In its second season under head coach Edward J. Ryan, the team compiled a 4–2–1 record and outscored its opponents by a combined total of 52 to 21.
The football team had disbanded during the 1905 season. In early October 1906, the college faculty decided upon further consideration to allow students to participate in sports, on the condition that the athletic association bear all expense.

### Schedule

| Date | Opponent | Site | Result |
| October 11 | at Mount Clemens High School | Crocker FieldMount Clemens, MI | W 5–0 |
| October 25 | at Michigan State Normal | Ypsilanti, MI | L 0–6 |
| November 3 | Ypsilanti High School | Detroit Athletic Club fieldDetroit, MI | W 28–0 |
| November 8 | at Adrian | Adrian, MI | T 0–0 |
| November 15 | Eastern High School | Detroit Athletic Club fieldDetroit, MI | W 2–0 |
| November 24 | at Delray High School | Solvay groundsDetroit, MI | W 17–11 |
| November 29 | Hudson High School | Bennett ParkDetroit, MI | L 0–4 |

## 1907

The 1907 Detroit College Tigers football team was an American football team that represented Detroit College (renamed the University of Detroit in 1911) as an independent during the 1907 college football season. In its first season under head coach George A. Kelly, the team compiled a 1–3 record and was outscored by its opponents by a combined total of 59 to 6.

### Schedule

| Date | Opponent | Site | Result |
| October 3 | at Michigan Agricultural | East Lansing, MI | L 0–17 |
| October 17 | at Adrian | Adrian, MI | W 6–5 |
| October 26 | Michigan State Normal | Detroit Athletic Club groundsDetroit, MI | L 0–7 |
| November 9 | Detroit Athletic Club | Detroit, MI | L 0–30 |

## 1908

No team

## 1909

The 1909 Detroit College Tigers football team was an American football team that represented Detroit College (later renamed the University of Detroit) as an independent during the 1909 college football season. In its second season under head coach George A. Kelly, the team compiled a 3–1–2 record and shut out four opponents, but was outscored by its opponents by a combined total of 35 to 17. The team opened the season with a 27–0 loss to Michigan Agricultural (later renamed Michigan State University).

### Schedule

| Date | Opponent | Site | Result |
| October 7 | at Michigan Agricultural | East Lansing, MI | L 0–27 |
| October 16 | Olivet | Detroit Athletic ClubDetroit, MI | T 0–0 |
| October 21 | at Adrian | Adrian, MI | W 5–0 |
| October 29 | Hillsdale | Detroit Athletic ClubDetroit, MI | W 3–0 |
| November 4 | at Findlay | Findlay, OH | T 0–0 |
| November 13 | Michigan State Normal | Detroit Athletic ClubDetroit, MI | W 9–8 |