Colorado College Tigers football, 1882–1899

The Colorado College Tigers football program represented Colorado College of Colorado Springs, Colorado. The school was the first college in the Western United States to organize a college football program. This article covers the program's first two decades from 1882 to 1899.

Significant milestones in the period covered include the following:

• In 1882, Colorado College played and won its first game, defeating a team of volunteer firemen known as the Sigafus Hose Company.
• On April 11, 1885, Colorado College defeated the University of Denver, 12–0, in the first college football game played west of the Mississippi River.
• On November 28, 1889, Colorado College lost an intercollegiate game for the first time, falling by a 14–6 score in the first of what would become 90 rivalry games with the Colorado School of Mines.
• On November 29, 1890, Colorado College won a 44–0 victory over the first University of Colorado football team.
• In 1898, Washburn Field opened and became the home field for Colorado College football for the next 125 years.
• In 1899 and 1900, Colorado College won consecutive Colorado Football Association championships, defeating the University of Colorado both years.

1880s

1882

The 1882 Colorado College football team represented Colorado College during the 1882 college football season. In its first season of college football, the team played three games, compiling a 2–1 record, including two victories over a team of firefighters known as the Sigafus Hose Company.

1883

The 1883 Colorado College football team represented Colorado College during the 1883 college football season. In its first season under head coach E. B. Curtis, the team played two games against the Crowell Hose Company and compiled a 1–1 record.

1884

The 1884 Colorado College football team represented Colorado College during the 1884 college football season. In its second and final season under head coach E. B. Curtis, the team played two games and compiled a 2–0 record. In its first game against a collegiate opponent, the team defeated the University of Denver by a 12–0 score on April 11, 1885.

1885

The 1885 Colorado College Tigers football team represented Colorado College during the 1885 college football season. In its first season under head coach R. D. McLeod, the team played two games against non-collegiate opponents and compiled a 2–0 record.

1886

The 1886 Colorado College Tigers football team represented Colorado College as an independent during the 1886 college football season. The team scheduled one game against Colorado Springs High School, winning by a forfeit.

1889

The 1889 Colorado College Tigers football team represented Colorado College as an independent during the 1889 college football season. The team compiled a 0–1 record, losing for the first time in an intercollegiate game by a 14–6 score against the Colorado School of Mines.

1890s

1890

The 1890 Colorado College Tigers football team represented Colorado College as an independent during the 1890 college football season. The team compiled a 4–1 record, including a 44–0 victory over 1890 Colorado Silver and Gold football team (the first team to represent the University of Colorado) on November 29, 1890.

1891

The 1891 Colorado College Tigers football team represented Colorado College as an independent during the 1891 college football season. In its first season under head coach George K. Olmstead, the team compiled an 0–2 record, losing to both Colorado Mines and Colorado.

1892

The 1892 Colorado College Tigers football team represented Colorado College as an independent during the 1892 college football season. In its second season under head coach George K. Olmstead, the team compiled a 2–1 record.

1894

The 1894 Colorado College Tigers football team represented Colorado College as a member of the Colorado Football Association (CFA) during the 1894 college football season. In its first and only season under head coach Harvey Noble, the team compiled a 1–1 record (0–1 against CFA opponents), outscored opponents by a total of 20 to 8, and tied for last place in the CFA.

1895

The 1895 Colorado College Tigers football team represented Colorado College as a member of the Colorado Football Association (CFA) during the 1895 college football season. In its second and final season under head coach R. D. McLeod, the team compiled a 1–2–1 record, finished in last place in the CFA, and were outscored by a total of 82 to 32.

1896

The 1896 Colorado College Tigers football team represented Colorado College as a member of the Colorado Football Association (CFA) during the 1896 college football season. In its first and only season under head coach Pope Lamson, the team compiled a 3–3–1 record (0–2 against conference opponents), finished in last place in the CFA, and were outscored by a total of 102 to 44.

1897

The 1897 Colorado College Tigers football team represented Colorado College as a member of the Colorado Football Association (CFA) during the 1897 college football season. In its first and only season under head coach Browning Smith, the team compiled a 3–5 record (0–2 against conference opponents) and finished in last place in the CFA.

1898

The 1898 Colorado College Tigers football team represented Colorado College as a member of the Colorado Football Association (CFA) during the 1898 college football season. In its first and only season under head coach Charles Wilson, the team compiled a 5–1–1 record (1–1 against conference opponents), finished in second place in the CFA, shut out six of seven opponents, and outscored all opponents by a total of 129 to 6.

1899

The 1899 Colorado College Tigers football team represented Colorado College as a member of the Colorado Football Association (CFA) during the 1899 college football season. In its first and only season under head coach John Clark, the team compiled a 3–2–1 record (2–0 against conference opponents), won the CFA championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 96 to 28.

References