Central Michigan University Athletics
Remember The Last Time?
8/26/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Caleb Buhs, Sports Information Intern
With assistance from the staff at the Clarke Historical Library
When fans of Central Michigan University look back at great rivals in history, they are reminded of the exciting games played against the likes of Western Michigan and Michigan State.
This season, with CMU opening up against in-state rival Michigan, there is little talk of the last time it played theWolverines. This is due, in large part, to the fact that the last time the Maroon and Gold bumped heads with the Maize and Blue they were protected by leather helmets.
It has been 72 years since the Chippewas played their first and only game against the University of Michigan. And honestly, who would remember that game?
Allison Green,does. He not only witnessed the game, he played left tackle and defensive end for CMU.
Green, now 91 years old, still remembers the trip to Ann Arbor on October 3, 1931.
It was a big event for Central State College (as CMU used to be known) to play such a large opponent in such a large stadium. The Bearcats (which CMU was known as until the Chippewas nickname was adopted in 1942) were used to playing small colleges and even high schools. So, playing in the 84,401 seat Michigan Stadium that was opened only four years earlier was a bit of culture shock.
"It was unusual to compete in such a large stadium," said Green. "I had run a track meet there in high school so I was one of the few who had seen it before, but it was still imposing."
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Allison Green (as pictured in the October 3, 1931 Michigan game program) played on both the offensive and defensive line for Central State College.  |
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The field also had a feature that was new to college sports at the time, a public address system.
"It was quite a thrill to hear the announcer's voice," Green said. "It was different to hear your name called after you made a tackle or carried the ball."
To add to the uniqueness of the day, the Wolverines actually performed a feat that is common in baseball but absolutely unheard of in football, a doubleheader. Michigan also played a game against the Michigan Normal Hurons, known today as the Eastern Michigan Eagles.
"I had never heard of a doubleheader in football before," explained Green. "We played in the game before noon and the Hurons played in the afternoon. We didn't stick around to watch because we had a long bus ride back to Mount Pleasant."
Green wore number 63 and was the starting left tackle and defensive end for the Bearcats that day. It used to be common to play on both sides of the ball.
"Your job was to play both offense and defense back then," said Green. "You wouldn't run 11 different guys onto the field to play defense once your offense gave up the ball."
Unfortunatley for Green, and Chippewa fans alike, Central State College was defeated that day, 27-0. The game is best described in an exerpt from the 1932 Chippewa, the university yearbook.
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The 1931 Central State College Bearcats were coached by George Van Bibber. |
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The opening game, October 3, found the Bearcats pitted against the University of Michigan, in the opening half of a double bill at Ann Arbor. The Michigan stalwarts scored three touchdowns in the opening stanza and then were held scoreless until the final quarter, when the Maize and Blue pushed over another counter to complete the scoring, 27 to 0.
Arwood Mannisto, by his stellar play at the fullback position, both on offense and defense, was the star of the Central backfield. Other Bearcat backs, who covered themselves with glory in the opening fray were Killoran and Paul. In the line, the veteran Dick Wood was all over the field, snaring passes. Dick was perhaps the best man on the field, being at just the place he belonged on every play. Tillotson, sophomore end, was receiver of three beautiful passes in the few minutes which he played, and showed prospects of becoming one of Central's best flankmen. Linemen who were outstanding were Graybiel, Davidson and Johnson.
The Wolverines also went on to blank the Hurons, 34-0, in their second game of the day. Michigan played doubleheaders to open the 1929 and '30 season's as well. They were done in an attempt to generate more revenue.
For Allison Green the 1931 season would be his last playing football for Central State College. He suffered a thyroid problem that forced him to quit the game.
Health problems and the Great Depression caused Green to take a couple of extra years in school and graduate in 1935.
He went on to serve in the Michigan House of Representatives for 17 years, including his final two as Speaker of the House. Green continued his public service career as the state treasurer after losing his bid for Secretary of State in 1975.
Green was the Alumni Association President and received an honorary doctorate degree from CMU in 1960.
In all of his years of being involved with CMU and the state of Michigan in general, Green was never able to see another meeting between the Wolverines and the Chippewas. He has an opinion for the reason that it has taken so long for the two teams to meet again, "I don't think Michigan likes to schedule opponents that might beat them, they don't like to lose."
Although Green made many trips to Michigan Stadium as a state congressman, he will not be attending the CMU vs. UM rematch on August 30.
"I can't make it to the game this year because it is getting too hard for me to walk up and down the stairs at the stadium," said Green reluctantly.
Even though he won't be there to cheer his alma mater on, he had one thing to say to the team, "Go Central."
Oh, How Things Have Changed
In the 72 years since the Chippewas and Wolverines have clashed a lot has changed in Central Michigan University football and CMU itself.
1) In 1931 Central Michigan University was called Central State College, and its nickname was the Bearcats.
2) Players wore nothing more than a leather helmet, a long-sleeve sweater and pants. Today, players wear more than 15 pounds of protective gear.
3) Speaking of weight, the largest player on the field on October 3, 1931 was Central State's Dominic Gabrysick at 225 pounds. When CMU and UM do battle on Aug. 30, the largest guy on the field will be Michigan's Gabriel Watson at 339 pounds.
4) In 1931, the Bearcat's roster consisted of 17 players, most of whom played both
offense and defense. Today, CMU has to cut its travel roster down to 65 people and some players will only play in one specific defensive set.
5) The fight song for Central State referred to the school as a "glorious mother" and a "mighty meteor, light of knowledge." Today the fight song the song refers more to the
athletic teams themselves than the school.
6) The attendance at the 1931 match-up was 13,169 and this year's attendance is expected to be a near capacity crowd of 107,501. Michigan Stadium has added 23,100
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HYMN TO CENTRAL
Central State, your priceless treasure, She your spirit fills with pride Fills your highest soul with pleasure, With a joy that e'er will abide Make her gleaming radiance brighter, Make her name be ever known. Strive for Central, glorious mother, Hail to her light that shines alone. Mighty meteor, light of knowledge, Central State, your land of dreams, Land of pleasure, Central College, Over her day star gleams. Fight and struggle, love and cherrish, Know the wonders that she's shown. Strive for Central, glorious mother, Hail to her light that shines alone. Strive for Central, glorious mother, Hail to her light that shines alone. -Earl Melvin Hill 1931 Central State fight song
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seats since the last game, without any major additions to the stadium ... only two rows were added.
7) When Michigan football comes to mind today, the winged helmet is the first thing that pops into most peoples head. In 1931, the Wolverines donned plain black leather helmets with no painted design. It wasn't until Fritz Crisler took over as head coach in 1938 that the winged design was used.
The Chippewas 1931 jerseys actually had a design that resembled Michigan's present day wing. It looked as though it UM's design was flipped 90 degrees down the center of the jersey.
