Amos Alonzo Stagg Quotes

The North Carolina academic scandal, for instance, had its precedent at the University of Chicago. That school’s greatest star of the early twentieth century, Walter Eckersall, was allowed to compete for three years despite making almost no progress toward a degree. He was enabled along the way by legendary coach Amos Alonzo Stagg, whose friends on the faculty did all they could to keep the All-American eligible.

The original scrummage was a weird and unscientific institution. The ball belonged to neither side,” observed Amos Alonzo Stagg. “It was dull business for the backs and the onlookers. For long periods the ball could not be seen and nothing happened. All the spectators could distinguish was a ton and a half of heavyweights leaning pantingly against one another. Eventually the ball would pop out by accident or surrender, a back would seize it for a run, be tackled and downed, and back went the ball into scrummage.” Camp’s solution was what came to be known as the scrimmage. Instead of reestablishing possession each time the ball was downed, Camp believed that the downed team ought to retain possession and simply start the play anew. This rule passed at the 1880 convention, along with the reduction to eleven players. American football was born.

I pray not for victory, but to do my best.