From the Archives
Proud football history

September 19, 2008

By Patrick Hayes, U of S Archives

This issue's image is the program cover for the Golden Bears and Huskies rugby (football) match played on Oct. 15th, 1938. This was the third year football was played on campus. Until 1936, home games were held at Cairns Field at the corner of Avenue A and 25th Street.

The Huskies were desperate for a win. They had dropped the first two of their three-game home stand to the Regina Dales (exhibition) and UBC Thunderbirds. This was a must win if they were to remain in the hunt for the Hardy Cup. The Huskies players averaged a mere 180 lbs. with none weighing over 190 lbs. The Bears had four players over 200 lbs. and they outweighed the Huskies front line by 50 lbs. The Huskies were also racked with injuries, including the great running-half Gerry Potts, who was out for the season with a fractured ankle.

At game time, the temperature was in the mid-40s (Fahrenheit), the field was dry, the sky cloudy and the wind light. With more than 2,000 fans in the stands, the Huskies took to the field and dominated, scoring 13 unanswered points: "two touchdowns, a rouge and a kick".

Hopes of a championship season were dashed however, when the Huskies later dropped two road games in Vancouver. The only other victory of the season came in Edmonton.