Sports and the War

When the U.S. entered the war in 1917 the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Association had voted to discontinue athletic relations for the time being. Although official games were suspended throughout Wisconsin, the students at Ripon College made up their own interclass teams to keep the game going.

On November 10, 1917 the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Association had unanimously resolved to resume athletic relations.

Ripon’s Football Teams

“Ripon is proud of its football team…the excellent spirit and its willingness to fight against all odds.”       

Freshman Interclass Team, Fall 1917

Ripon’s Football Team, Fall 1918

Ripon’s Inter-Class Basketball Champs,

Spring 1919

Like football, basketball had interclass teams. For the 1918-1919 school year each class had its own team: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors. The Freshmen ("Frosh"), pictured above, were the winners of the 1919 interclass basketball season.

Sources:

1919 Crimson, p.120            

1920 Crimson, p.142, 146

1917-1918 Course Catalogue, p.22

By Jennifer Baker