Chicago Maroons Football

The Chicago Maroons football program, representing the esteemed University of Chicago, has a history as storied as it is complex, marked by periods of national prominence, a controversial self-imposed exile, and a determined resurrection. Currently, the Maroons compete in NCAA Division III, and since 2017, they have been a football-only member of the Midwest Conference. This chapter in their athletic history is a testament to a university that once stood at the pinnacle of college football before prioritizing a different kind of academic rigor.

The university itself was a foundational member of the Big Ten Conference, a league that would witness the legendary tenure of Amos Alonzo Stagg, the Maroons' coach for an astonishing 41 seasons. Under his tutelage, the team achieved significant success, including two claimed national titles. The 1935 season saw a singular achievement: halfback Jay Berwanger became the very first recipient of the Downtown Athletic Club Trophy, an award that would soon be known globally as the Heisman Trophy.

However, the narrative took a sharp, intellectual turn in the late 1930s. University president Robert Maynard Hutchins, a staunch advocate for the primacy of academic pursuits, famously declared that the demands of "big-time" college football were fundamentally incompatible with the university's core mission. This philosophical stance led to the controversial abolition of the football program in 1939. The university's departure from the Big Ten Conference in 1946 further underscored this shift. Football, however, proved to be a persistent spirit. It returned to the University of Chicago in 1963, initially as a club team, before regaining its varsity status in 1969. By 1973, the Maroons were competing in Division III, a different landscape from their bygone era of national championships.

History

This section, frankly, feels like a hastily scribbled napkin sketch. It requires more than a cursory glance; it demands a deep dive into the archives, a meticulous reconstruction of triumphs and tribulations. (December 2017)

The genesis of the Chicago Maroons football program dates back to 1892, a time when college football was still finding its footing. The inaugural season set the stage for what would become a formidable program, largely shaped by the indelible influence of Amos Alonzo Stagg. Stagg, a figure of immense historical significance in American sports, coached the Maroons for an extraordinary 41 seasons, a tenure that spanned from 1892 to 1932. His impact extended beyond mere wins and losses; he was instrumental in shaping the team's identity.

The team's distinctive moniker, "Maroons," emerged from a practical need to change their official color. Stagg, recognizing the impracticality of their then-goldenrod hue, which soiled easily, initiated a process for selecting a new identity. On May 5, 1894, a gathering of students and faculty solidified the choice: the Maroons, a color that would come to symbolize the team's tenacious spirit. For their initial four seasons, the Maroons operated as an independent entity, carving out their own path. The 1894 season proved to be a notable early success, with the team achieving a respectable 10–7–1 record. Their growing prowess soon earned them a place in the burgeoning Big Ten Conference in 1896.

The turn of the century marked a significant milestone: the Maroons secured their first Big Ten title in 1899. This championship was the culmination of a dominant regular season, where they posted a 12–0–2 record, including an unblemished 4-0 standing in conference play. Stagg meticulously assembled a squad that maintained a remarkable level of consistency for nearly a quarter of a century. During this golden era, the Maroons amassed an impressive seven conference titles between 1899 and 1924. Their dominance was such that they experienced four seasons within this period without a single loss.

The distinctive wishbone-C logo, a symbol that has become synonymous with Chicago Maroons football, has been in use by the team since at least 1898. This enduring emblem speaks to the program's deep roots and continuous identity.

Following the 1932 season, which saw the team finish with a 3–4–1 record (1–4 in conference), Stagg retired from his coaching duties at Chicago. He subsequently moved on to coach at the University of the Pacific. The mantle of head coach for the Maroons was then passed to Clark Shaughnessy in 1933. Shaughnessy's seven-season tenure was marked by a respectable, if unremarkable, performance. His teams achieved two .500 records but never managed to finish higher than sixth in the conference standings. A notable, albeit fleeting, triumph occurred in 1936 when the Maroons upset Wisconsin with a 7–6 victory. Tragically, this would prove to be their final conference win as a member of the Big Ten. The university's decision to disband the football program in 1939 marked the end of an era, a stark contrast to the vibrant program that had once vied for national championships.

The specter of football returned to the University of Chicago with the fielding of a team for the 1969 season. The initial years of this revival were challenging, with the team struggling to achieve a .500 record until 1976, when they finished 4-4. It would take until 1985 for the Maroons to consistently surpass the .500 mark. The preceding decades were largely defined by a pattern of losing, punctuated by four winless seasons between 1973 and 1991. A turning point arrived in 1994 with the hiring of Dick Maloney as head coach. His 1995 team achieved a significant milestone, recording 8–2, the most wins in a season since the program's rebirth. In 1998, the Maroons captured the University Athletic Association (UAA) conference title, sweeping all four of their conference games. Maloney continued to build a successful program, leading the Maroons to three more conference titles before his retirement in 2012. The coaching reins were then passed to Chris Wilkerson in 2013. In just his second season, Wilkerson guided the team to a UAA title, signaling a renewed era of competitiveness.

Conference Affiliations

The Maroons have navigated a shifting landscape of conference affiliations throughout their history, reflecting both the evolution of collegiate athletics and the university's own strategic decisions.

Independent (1892–1895): In their nascent years, the Maroons forged their identity as an independent team, laying the groundwork for future conference play.
Big Ten Conference (1896–1939): This was the era of their greatest prominence, where they competed against some of the nation's most storied programs and claimed national championships.
No team (1940–1962): A stark period of absence, reflecting President Hutchins' decision to prioritize academics over intercollegiate football.
Club team (1963–1968): The first stirrings of football's return, albeit in an informal capacity.
Independent (1969–1972): The initial years of the varsity revival, operating outside of a formal conference structure.
NCAA Division III independent (1973–1975): A continued period of independent play as the program re-established itself within the Division III framework.
Midwest Collegiate Athletic Conference (1976–1987): A return to conference competition, marking a period of rebuilding and development.
University Athletic Association (1988–2016): A long and successful tenure in the UAA, during which the Maroons achieved significant conference success.
Southern Athletic Association (2015–2016): A brief but significant period of affiliation, likely a transitional phase.
Midwest Conference (2017–present): The current home of the Maroons, continuing their journey in NCAA Division III.

Championships

The legacy of Chicago Maroons football is punctuated by significant championship achievements, reflecting both their historical dominance and their modern resurgence.

National Championships

Chicago lays claim to two national championships, a distinction that speaks to their elite status during the early days of college football. While they no longer compete in NCAA Division I FBS, these titles represent victories achieved at the highest level of the sport during their respective eras.

1905: Under the guidance of the legendary Amos Alonzo Stagg, the Maroons achieved a perfect 11–0 record. This season was recognized by multiple esteemed selectors, including the Billingsley, Helms, Houlgate, and NCF systems, solidifying their claim to the national title.
1913: Another undefeated season, this time with a 7–0 record, earned the Maroons their second national championship. This title was recognized by selectors such as Billingsley and Parke Davis.

Conference Championships

Beyond their national accolades, the Maroons have a rich history of conference championship success, demonstrating sustained excellence within their respective leagues. They have secured a total of 12 conference titles.

Seven titles in the Big Ten Conference:
- 1899: The first of many, with a perfect 4–0 conference record and a 12–0–2 overall mark under Amos Alonzo Stagg.
- 1905: Part of their undefeated national championship season, going 7–0 in conference play.
- 1907: A strong showing with a 4–0 conference record.
- 1908: Another dominant season, finishing 5–0 in conference play.
- 1913: The year of their second national championship, they also went undefeated in conference play at 7–0.
- 1922†: Co-champions with a 4–0–1 conference record.
- 1924: Secured the title with a 3–0–3 conference record.
Five titles in the University Athletic Association:
- 1998: Under Dick Maloney, the Maroons went 4–0 in conference play, marking a significant achievement in their modern era.
- 2000: Continued success with another 4–0 conference record.
- 2005: A 3–0 conference mark secured the title.
- 2010: Dominated conference play with an 8–2 overall record and a 3–0 conference standing.
- 2014: Chris Wilkerson led the team to an 8–1 overall record and a perfect 3–0 in conference play.

† Co-champions

All-Time Record Against Current Big Ten Members

While the Maroons no longer compete in the Big Ten, their historical matchups against current members offer a fascinating glimpse into their past rivalries and competitive standing.

School	Wins	Losses	Ties	Percentage
Illinois	19	22	3	.466
Indiana	20	4	1	.789
Iowa	9	3	2	.714
Maryland*	1	0	0	1.000
Michigan	7	19	0	.269
Michigan State*	1	0	0	1.000
Minnesota	5	12	1	.306
Nebraska*	1	1	0	.500
Northwestern	26	8	3	.743
Ohio State	2	10	2	.214
Oregon*	0	0	0	N/A
Penn State*	0	0	0	N/A
Purdue	27	14	1	.655
Rutgers*	0	0	0	N/A
Washington*	1	0	0	1.000
Wisconsin	16	19	5	.463
UCLA*	0	0	0	N/A
USC*	0	0	0	N/A

Note: Schools marked with an asterisk () were not members of the Big Ten Conference during the period when Chicago was an active participant. This historical context is crucial for understanding the nature of these matchups.*

Notable Personnel

The annals of Chicago Maroons football are graced by individuals whose contributions have left an indelible mark on the sport. Many have been recognized for their exceptional talent and impact.

College Football Hall of Fame

Jay Berwanger (Halfback, 1933–1935): Inducted in 1954, Berwanger achieved unparalleled recognition as the first-ever recipient of the Heisman Trophy. His collegiate career was a showcase of skill and leadership.
Hugo Bezdek (Fullback, 1905): Inducted in 1954, Bezdek's collegiate playing career at Chicago was a prelude to his highly successful coaching tenures at Oregon, Arkansas, and Penn State.
Fritz Crisler (End, 1919–1921): Inducted in 1954, Crisler's time as a player at Chicago was followed by distinguished coaching careers at Minnesota, Princeton, and Michigan, where he significantly influenced the game.
Paul Des Jardien (Center, 1912–1914): Inducted in 1955, Des Jardien was a standout player, earning All-American honors in both 1913 and 1914, contributing to the Maroons' championship aspirations.
Walter Eckersall (Quarterback, 1903–1906): Inducted in 1951, Eckersall was the brilliant field general of the 1905 national championship team, renowned for his exceptional playmaking abilities.
Clarence Herschberger (Fullback, 1895–1898): Inducted in 1970, Herschberger holds the distinction of being the first player from the Western region selected as a first-team All-American, a testament to his groundbreaking talent.
Tiny Maxwell (Guard, 1902, 1904–1905): Inducted in 1974, Maxwell was a pivotal member of the 1905 national championship team, earning All-American honors for his crucial role.
Clark Shaughnessy (Coach, 1933–1939): Inducted in 1968, Shaughnessy's coaching career spanned five decades, and his tenure at Chicago, though marked by challenges, was a significant chapter in his distinguished path.
Amos Alonzo Stagg (Coach, 1892–1932): Inducted in 1951, Stagg is rightly hailed as "The Grand Old Man of the Midway." His legendary coaching career at the University of Chicago fundamentally shaped the sport of football.
Walter Steffen (Quarterback, 1906–1908): Inducted in 1969, Steffen was a prolific scorer, amassing 156 points during a period where his teams achieved a remarkable 13–2–1 record. He was a first-team All-American in 1908.
Andy "Polyphemus" Wyant (Guard, Center, 1892–1894): Inducted in 1962, Wyant had an extensive playing career, competing for eight varsity seasons across Bucknell and Chicago, demonstrating remarkable longevity and skill.

Other Notable Figures

[Walter S. Kennedy]: A skilled quarterback who played for Stagg's teams during the 1898–1899 seasons.
[Wally Marks]: A versatile fullback and halfback from 1924–1926, who was a key leader on Chicago's last Big Ten championship team.
[Nelson Norgren]: A distinguished athlete who played football under Stagg and later coached the Chicago basketball team for an impressive span from 1921–1942 and again from 1944–1957.
[Laurens Shull]: An All-American player whose promising career was tragically cut short when he was killed in action during World War I.
[Frederick A. Speik]: An exceptional end who earned All-American honors in 1904, showcasing his talent during a significant period of the program's history.
[Herman Stegeman]: A player on the 1913 national championship team, Stegeman went on to a notable coaching career, leading football, baseball, basketball, and track programs at the University of Georgia.
[John Webster Thomas]: An All-American fullback in 1922, Thomas played under Stagg from 1921–1923, contributing significantly to the team's success.
[Mysterious Walker]: A talented player for Stagg from 1904–1906, Walker later embarked on a lengthy coaching career at the collegiate level from 1907–1940.
[Graham Kernwein]: A player for Stagg from 1923–1925, Kernwein later continued his football career professionally, playing in the NFL.

Notes and References

The University of Chicago did not field a football team between 1940 and 1962. Prior to the relaunch of the varsity team in 1969, a club team operated from 1963 to 1968. This means the current varsity team is 56 years old as of 2025.
"Angie Torain." University of Chicago. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
The University of Chicago Identity Guidelines (PDF). Retrieved September 18, 2018.
"UChicago football set to join Midwest Conference as affiliate member in 2017" (Press release). Athletics & Recreation, The University of Chicago. May 11, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2017.
Bearak, Barry (September 16, 2011). "At the University of Chicago, Football and Higher Education Mix". The New York Times. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
"History of UChicago Athletics". University of Chicago. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
Lukas, Paul (October 10, 2012). "Uni Watch history lesson: the wishbone-C". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
UAA Football Composite Results (PDF), archived from the original (PDF) on May 28, 2019, retrieved May 28, 2019.
"The University of Chicago Athletics" (PDF). The University of Chicago Athletics. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
"The University of Chicago Athletics". The University of Chicago Athletics. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
"College Football Data Warehouse". Archived from the original on October 25, 2008. Retrieved October 24, 2008.

External Links

Official website
Media related to Chicago Maroons football at Wikimedia Commons