The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-12-14
Columbia Athletic Club Was
the First Eleven to Be Rec
ognized as Champions Of
the District.
BY JOHN A. DUGAN.


collegiate gridiron season has fallen and
the battles are all but settled among the
independent elevens in all parts OF the
country, the question arises among the
local followers OF the independent game
in this city as TO the one who has the
rightfuI claim to the District title. Joe
Oliveri's Big V lads, from the Vigilant
Athletic Club, are the undisputed claim
ants to the District honors, and issue
questionable claim as champions Of the
South.
Now, whether the wearers Of the blue
and gray can show the proper creden-
tials to this claim Is question which
may be disputed, but 1t must be admit
ted by all that Oliverfs eleven has met
and defeated all the teams OF any promi-
hence in this vicinity, and has even
crossed the Mason-Dixon line TO obtain
games with worthy competitors
During the past three or four years
the independent game in the District
has doomed. to a great extent due to
the untiring efforts of the Vtgtlants
capable leader, Joe oliver, and the large
patronage by the local gridiron fans who
have willingly given these games their
most ardent support both financially and
with the proper spirit. speaks well for
the team. The Vigilant clubs mainten-
ance is due to straight and clean sport
and is now nationally known, and the
reputation of which they can boast is
now as renowned as that OF the Null
doom Tigers, Of Cleveland, Ohio, and the
Masoillon eleven OF that little town of
the same name in Ohio, back in the early
years OF the present century.
Fans Want History.
The history of the local independent
game during the past fifteen years has
brought out some very peculiar circum-
stances and featuring stunts, which only
the old gridiron warriors can relate In
the proper manner, but as at the present
time the independent championship bug
is at its highest point, and the fans who
are at present ardent supporters of the
game are asking for the title-holders and
some history of them during the past
years.
Taking a long step back over fifteen
years of much rambling and many dis
puted claims the Columbia Athletic Club |
reigns high and undisputed District title
holders and ranks up among the best /,
elevens in the country. At this time 1t |
was customary for the leading indepen-
ient club teams to clash with the lead
ing colleges. |
The Columbia Athletic Club outfit had !
three years Of undisputed reign, and |
perhaps would have held on to this honor |
FOR a few more seasons but-for a /
serious accident which occurred in 1895 /
when this outfit was playing the George
own University eleven. The team which /
the Columbia club in 1894
was even a greater eleven than the one
which won from Georgetown one year
after.
Had Great Rack Field.
The "a eleven was defeated by George
,attles which was ever witnessed by the
,ld-timers on tine Hilltop field, but the
,iyen excuse for the defeat handed the
,Iubmen by the collegiates is that their
tar back field men were out Of the
men as Camp, Dowd, and
Shields, who were considered by most ex
,erts at that time of being the greatest
Jack field that ever played in the club
anks at the old five yards in three
owns" game. Camp, 1t will be remem-
'ered by most Of the old followers Of
he gridiron game, was star player Of
he 1883 and 1894 Pennsylvania UniversitYl
leven, and when he was placed In the
I'LL back position for the Columbia
leven no club team, or few college teams,
ould stop the dashing and vicious attack
{ this star.
The line pIunging and sterling drives OF
9th Dow and shield, who played IN
he half backs, can well be remembered
nd the way in which this trio could re-
oil out of a pivot swing and wing shift
lay would put the gridiron warriors of
oday to shame.
Defeated by Penn.
The 1ss4 eleven, although claimed by all
he old-timers as being a better team (
han that of 1895, was also defeated byt I
le Pennsyivania University eleven and I
$ the rumors carry, a Princeton man 1
no was refereeing the contest advised 7
le Tigers not to play the local crew. q
ennsy won from the Columbia outnt q q
when they were also Handicapped .
v the loss of this already mentioned star Z
ack feld. Randolph, a former Princeton t
University player. held down the left 9
ank position for the locals and showed I
: his wonderful tackling that be ranked