Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

We're pleased to announce the availability of our new book called "Cadets, Cannons and Legends: The Football History of Morgan Park Military Academy." The book focuses on the exploits of a tiny school in Chicago which was consistently one of the toughest teams in the country in the early part of the 20th century. While the book focuses on high school football history, there is information on the Bears and Cardinals, especially when the latter club trained at the school in the 30s and 40s and paid $2.50 per man daily for room and board. However, in true Cardinals' fashion at the time, the Cards failed to pay their bill in a timely fashion! Available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.

High School football is the best football.

Will definitely be getting this book, eventually -- I'm behind in books I have that I want to read but haven't got to yet.

Many years ago when I was researching claimed 'titles' (as they were in the early days) for high school's from the Great State of Washington I would see Morgan Park played for various "midwest" championships against Ohio teams. Similar to when Everett HS (WA), led by George Wilson (aka Wildcat Wilson), played and beat East Technical HS (Cleveland, OH) for the "National Championship" in 1920.

I would assume so but did Morgan Park ever play North Division HS out of Chicago? Seattle HS beat them in 1906 and claimed a National Championship.

I'm behind in books I have that I want to read but haven't got to yet.

I know exactly what you mean. I get a new book, it gets inserted at the bottom of my pile. I've determined it takes about 3 years from the time I get a book to the time I actually read it. I do "cheat" sometimes... Like I wanted to read the PFRA 1958 Colts book sooner than later, and when Adam (conace) let me borrow his Neft/Cohen encyclopedia.

Ironically, Morgan Park and North Division never played, although there always seemed to be a public request for a post-season match. In 1904, after Morgan Park defeated University High School of Cleveland, OH and the University of Chicago freshmen, the team challenged North Division to a "championship" game. When North Division failed to respond, both the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Inter Ocean newspapers encouraged such a game. The Tribune went so far as to propose a date and location for the game, but it was never acknowledged by North Division.

ChrisBabcock wrote:I know exactly what you mean. I get a new book, it gets inserted at the bottom of my pile. I've determined it takes about 3 years from the time I get a book to the time I actually read it.

Glad I'm not alone on the multi-year delay. I used to put the books I wanted to read immediately/soon on my desk and other new books I have a shelve reserved to put them in order -in the queue- of when I'd want to get to them. The stack on my desk isn't just a few books anymore. Though similarly, when I get a book I really want to read and get it when I know I have some time I'll read it instantly.

Joe Ziemba wrote:Ironically, Morgan Park and North Division never played, although there always seemed to be a public request for a post-season match. In 1904, after Morgan Park defeated University High School of Cleveland, OH and the University of Chicago freshmen, the team challenged North Division to a "championship" game. When North Division failed to respond, both the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Inter Ocean newspapers encouraged such a game. The Tribune went so far as to propose a date and location for the game, but it was never acknowledged by North Division.

That's interesting and surprising. Guess I'll have to read about who they did play when I get the book.

Not surprising is that they played -and beat- the Chicago freshman. When I went/go through newspapers for the best WA HS teams from back then I'll inevitably get to the game where they beat the University of Washington freshman. Or when I've come across (usually purchased) Thanksgiving game programs from back then to see the list of results it's inevitable I'll see that they beat "U. of Washington", freshmen.