In the early 1900s, football was not the first intercollegiate sport at Loras (then known as St. Joseph’s College), but it didn’t take long for foot-ball or socker football  – as it was called by many – to take over as the No. 1 extra-curricular love on the hilltop campus.  And as it begins its second century, the Loras gridiron history has few equals among small colleges for glory, heroics, color and rivalries.

             Baseball had the honor as the school’s first competitive sport (a game with then Iowa City, the present University of Iowa, was played in 1903) but an infant form of football was around, even in the 19^th Century as pickup games were played with the day students versus the boarders and against amateur teams from the city.  As early as 1905, The College Spokesman carried an account of two on-campus games between class teams, and added: ``Our material Is equal to any in the state, and with a good coach we soon would be in condition to carry off the honors from many a hard fought field.’’

         In November 1906, The College Spokesman wrote: ``Socker football is being played whenever the field is not occupied by the lovers of the more strenuous Rugby football.  It will be played more later on…’ The campus publication was oh-so right.

      Even before the first college game with an outside foe, enthusiasm, expectations and pride ran high.  The sport had arrived in a big way, and football quickly became and remains an integral part of Loras.  And what a storied history it has been.

Learn More...FOLLOW THE LINKS ABOVE!