Detroit Titans Football

University of Detroit Mercy Athletics

Detroit's Old Football Stadium with Calihan Hall being constructed in the background

The first football season for the college was in 1896. Prior to this there had been any number of "scrub" teams whose personnel was not necessarily restricted to college boys. They would play such teams as the Cork Town Tigers or the Car Shop A.C. However, in 1896 there seems to have been considerable football talent in the college and Professor William F.Robison, S.J., no mean player himself in his college days, determined to make the best of it. The football program at the University had many ups and downs until on Monday November 30, 1964, the student body and many of the alumni were shocked by the announcement that the University would no longer field a varsity football team. In his special release to the press, Father Britt pointed out that the President and Trustees did not act hastily in this matter. Rather, "mindful of the university's long and honorable tradition in football," the administration was reluctant to make the final decision and postponed doing so until "all reasonable efforts had been made".

The undefeated 1928 U-D squad was deemed a Co-national champion, along with Georgia Tech, by Parker Davis.

Davis was an American football player, coach, and historian who retroactively named national championship teams in American college football from the 1869 through the 1932 seasons. He also named co-national champions at the conclusion of the 1933 season.[3] Davis' selections are included in the NCAA's official football record books, as the only championship teams chosen on the basis of research.

The University of Detroit Mercy Library has worked to gather historic information and digitize them to increase public viewing. Click HERE for the full story and to read about those who helped make the online database possible.

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