103 Years Ago Today in Rutgers Football History

[Source]

The longest on-campus unbeaten streak begins at Rutgers under new head coach Foster Sanford. It would last almost six years:

22 - Longest On-Campus Unbeaten Streak
(19-0-3 at Neilson Field from November 15, 1913 - October 25, 1919)

20 - Longest On-Campus Winning Streak
(at Rutgers Stadium from November 2, 1974 - November 11, 1978)

10 - Longest Off-Campus Winning Streak
(September 24, 1960 - November 18, 1961)

 

[beaced]

The longest on-campus unbeaten streak begins at Rutgers under new head coach Foster Sanford. It would last almost six years:

22 - Longest On-Campus Unbeaten Streak
(19-0-3 at Neilson Field from November 15, 1913 - October 25, 1919)

20 - Longest On-Campus Winning Streak
(at Rutgers Stadium from November 2, 1974 - November 11, 1978)

10 - Longest Off-Campus Winning Streak
(September 24, 1960 - November 18, 1961)

If memory serves me well,I saw each of those 20 "longest on campus wins".Had season tickets and sat around midfield in section ZZ. Wasn't aware then of the streak.

 

[Scarlet_Scourge]

The good old days

 

[RUsince52]

Saw all the on campus and off campus games during the streak. Never actually saw Nelson Field, only pictures and what my dad told me.
Also, a lot of games that could be considered a losing streak over the years. Ah, memories.

 

[Source]

Saw all the on campus and off campus games during the streak. Never actually saw Nelson Field, only pictures and what my dad told me.
Also, a lot of games that could be considered a losing streak over the years. Ah, memories.

RUsince52,
I have also seen photos of Neilson Field but I have trouble discerning where the exact boundaries were. Across the way are the Quad Dorms - did one sideline line up with one of the Quad dorms? Where was the other sideline? Was the scoreboard at the end zone closest to the Quad and was it actually down in the corner, closer to College Ave than George Street?

 

[RUsince52]

RUsince52,
I have also seen photos of Neilson Field but I have trouble discerning where the exact boundaries were. Across the way are the Quad Dorms - did one sideline line up with one of the Quad dorms? Where was the other sideline? Was the scoreboard at the end zone closest to the Quad and was it actually down in the corner, closer to College Ave than Geroge Street?

I'll try to ask my uncle who was actually there with my dad as youngsters growing up in NB. Will get back to you.

 

[Source]

I'll try to ask my uncle who was actually there with my dad as youngsters growing up in NB. Will get back to you.

Thanks. When you do ask him, try to have him explain the landmarks. It's probably the only guess I would understand unless he's been down there recently and can cite up-to-date landmarks.

The landmarks that surround the area from that time and are still there would be the Quad Dorms and Demerest Hall. Senior Street is still partially there now running into the parking deck (going toward George Street) at one end. I believe the house (now Army ROTC building) is still there at corner of Senior Street and College Avenue.

I don't believe Neilson Field extended past (or to) Senior Street but I don't know where the sideline closest to College Avenue would have been. Did it cut into the steps or the boundaries of Brower Commons cafeteria?

And while I'm pestering you and your uncle, was he around when the whole area eventually got turned into the field house? What sports were held there?

 

[RUsince52]

Thanks. When you do ask him, try to have him explain the landmarks. It's probably the only guess I would understand unless he's been down there recently and can cite up-to-date landmarks.

The landmarks that surround the area from that time and are still there would be the Quad Dorms and Demerest Hall. Senior Street is still partially there now running into the parking deck (going toward George Street) at one end. I believe the house (now Army ROTC building) is still there at corner of Senior Street and College Avenue.

I don't believe Neilson Field extended past (or to) Senior Street but I don't know where the sideline closest to College Avenue would have been. Did it cut into the steps or the boundaries of Brower Commons cafeteria?

And while I'm pestering you and your uncle, was he around when the whole area eventually got turned into the field house? What sports were held there?

I'll see what he remembers, but I know he hasn't been in that area for at least 20 years for today's landmarks.
I was looking at something a while back about the fieldhouse and it made reference to the fact it was built in one corner of what had been Neilsen Field. I use to go to the Middlesex County Sportsman Show in the fieldhouse as a kid. It was a rectangular building with a dirt floor and windows in a row along the top of the roof. I think the lacrosse team used it to practice and maybe baseball for throwing and catching.
Browsers Commons was attached to the fieldhouse with the entrance across from the gym.

 

[PiscatawayMike]

The longest on-campus unbeaten streak begins at Rutgers under new head coach Foster Sanford. It would last almost six years:

22 - Longest On-Campus Unbeaten Streak
(19-0-3 at Neilson Field from November 15, 1913 - October 25, 1919)

20 - Longest On-Campus Winning Streak
(at Rutgers Stadium from November 2, 1974 - November 11, 1978)

10 - Longest Off-Campus Winning Streak
(September 24, 1960 - November 18, 1961)

Source, as always, thanks for posting. For whatever reason, I didn't know this info. I should have. I was 10-14 years old during the 5-year span in bold. When people say Rutgers football has always been bad, I tell them RU won quite often when I was a kid. This is proof.

 

[Source]

Source, as always, thanks for posting. For whatever reason, I didn't know this info. I should have. I was 10-14 years old during the 5-year span in bold. When people say Rutgers football has always been bad, I tell them RU won quite often when I was a kid. This is proof.

Yes, Piscataway Mike. The reality is that Rutgers had periods where it was good and periods where it was bad. That unbeaten streak, by the way, was helped by the fact that Foster Sanford wanted Rutgers to play games in New York to publicize themselves to fans and alumni. We won some of those Polo Grounds/Ebbetts Field/Yankee Stadium games and we lost some. But back at Neilson Field, Rutgers ran the table until the last home game of the 1919 season against West Virginia.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

check the lower right of this 1910 map

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

Also.. check this map.. I know there are 1930s aerial photos online somewhere.. I cannot seem to find them without some heinous watermarks...

 

[RUsince52]

check the lower right of this 1910 map

Found another map that shows the entire athletic grounds in a polygon shape with the stadium tucked in the lower right corner. Looks like the sidelines ran College Ave and George St, but on my map can't tell if Senior St ran all the way to George St. Still checking.

 

[RUsince52]

Also.. check this map.. I know there are 1930s aerial photos online somewhere.. I cannot seem to find them without some heinous watermarks...

That's a better view and Senior St stopped at some point. The old fieldhouse is also shown. But when did College Park move to Maryland ?
I think that was the original FDHS.

 

[RUsince52]

Thanks. When you do ask him, try to have him explain the landmarks. It's probably the only guess I would understand unless he's been down there recently and can cite up-to-date landmarks.

The landmarks that surround the area from that time and are still there would be the Quad Dorms and Demerest Hall. Senior Street is still partially there now running into the parking deck (going toward George Street) at one end. I believe the house (now Army ROTC building) is still there at corner of Senior Street and College Avenue.

I don't believe Neilson Field extended past (or to) Senior Street but I don't know where the sideline closest to College Avenue would have been. Did it cut into the steps or the boundaries of Brower Commons cafeteria?

And while I'm pestering you and your uncle, was he around when the whole area eventually got turned into the field house? What sports were held there?

Source - This is what I found out. Nielsen Field was just about opposite the Gym. There was the main entrance at the corner of College and Senior St and an entrance for kids off George St at the Bishop Place end. The kids had small stands to root for RU in the end zone. The College Ave side was the home side with permanent wooden stands and the visitor side was bleachers type seating. It was taken down in the spring because the baseball diamond (home plate) was near the home side about the 15 yard line left end zone. Right center had a big drop off that went to George St. The Senior St end also housed the locker rooms and some equipment storage. Beyond that end of the stadium was partially open property.
The fieldhouse was just past the library and the street stopped for a parking area. At the right end attached was the University Commons, changed to Brower in 1974. There was the Quad with a basketball court and a walk way leading to " The Ledge " overlooking the river.
On the other side of College Ave was open property belonging to RU and where the first FB game took place. Ray St went all the way thru to College Ave, but stopped at Sicard St when the Gym was built. When I was a kid the area behind the Gym was all grass and fenced in. Between the Gym and Senior St were outdoor basketball courts and the opposite side had 2 tennis courts. They later built the BB practice facility where the outdoor courts were located. The grass area later was completely paved for parking. Turned out great for stickball and touch football because initially there weren't many cars. Across the street at the upper end of Sicard St was Walt's Lunchonette. Corner of Bartlett and Sicard was Patti' s.
Forgot to ask about the scoreboard, but there was a track that circled the field too. The end toward Bishop was trees and some buildings.

 

[Source]

RUsince52,

Thank you very much for your detailed explanation. I get a little confused along the way because I'm not sure of the orientation sometimes when you write "right" or left." I guess I need a starting compass to fully appreciate that.

But thank you and your uncle and whoever else provided the information. One thing I've been trying to discover is where Lou Gehrig hit two monstrous home runs to either the Raritan & Delaware Canal, or the Raritan River along side it. I have been told the home plate of old Neilson Field is close to the door way of today's Records Hall entering from the Brower Commons side. You state the 15 yard line is where home plate might have been located and, assuming so, the 15 yard line would have acted as the right field line as well.

Again, thanks for taking the time to explain.

 

[RUsince52]

RUsince52,

Thank you very much for your detailed explanation. I get a little confused along the way because I'm not sure of the orientation sometimes when you write "right" or left." I guess I need a starting compass to fully appreciate that.

But thank you and your uncle and whoever else provided the information. One thing I've been trying to discover is where Lou Gehrig hit two monstrous home runs to either the Raritan & Delaware Canal, or the Raritan River along side it. I have been told the home plate of old Neilson Field is close to the door way of today's Records Hall entering from the Brower Commons side. You state the 15 yard line is where home plate might have been located and, assuming so, the 15 yard line would have acted as the right field line as well.

Again, thanks for taking the time to explain.

Yes, that would have been the first base line heading towards the visitors stands for football.
That could be about right about Brower Commons. When the fieldhouse was no longer needed, a few depts took over the space one of which was the records area so it could very well be around where home plate was situated. Not sure of any of the diamonds dimensions or how far the canal was beyond George St. Probably a shot over the football stands would have been 300 ft so it's entirely possible. Whether it went on a fly, don't know.

 

[Source]

Yes, that would have been the first base line heading towards the visitors stands for football.
That could be about right about Brower Commons. When the fieldhouse was no longer needed, a few depts took over the space one of which was the records area so it could very well be around where home plate was situated. Not sure of any of the diamonds dimensions or how far the canal was beyond George St. Probably a shot over the football stands would have been 300 ft so it's entirely possible. Whether it went on a fly, don't know.

Was their a right field fence before you got to George Street or was it open? How about center and left field as well?

 

[RUsince52]

Was their a right field fence before you got to George Street or was it open? How about center and left field as well?

A few things. The football scoreboard was behind the end zone opposite Senior St. They usually got about 300 kids that got in free and had their own little stands and a cheerleader would be sent over by them.
Don't think the baseball diamond had a HR fence just the perimeter fence around the athletic field. My uncle thought it would be a tremendous shot to hit a ball in the canal and no way to reach the river. It might have been easier to reach the LF fence. His memories are from the late 1920' s as a youngster.

 

[Source]

A few things. The football scoreboard was behind the end zone opposite Senior St. They usually got about 300 kids that got in free and had their own little stands and a cheerleader would be sent over by them.
Don't think the baseball diamond had a HR fence just the perimeter fence around the athletic field. My uncle thought it would be a tremendous shot to hit a ball in the canal and no way to reach the river. It might have been easier to reach the LF fence. His memories are from the late 1920' s as a youngster.

You mean opposite Senior Street (all the way down at the other end of the field) or opposite as in the Senior Street end but over in the right corner?

Also, let your uncle know:

On April 26, 1923 New York Yankees scout Paul Krichell witnessed Columbia’s right fielder clobber two home runs at Neilson Field, including one to the tall trees that plunked into the Delaware & Raritan Canal next to the Raritan River. The April 10, 1943 Targum reported one homer went 400 feet into the canal. Krichell signed the player that weekend and exactly 50 days after the Columbia-Rutgers baseball game, Lou Gehrig made his New York Yankees debut. He still hadn’t turned 20.

 

[RUsince52]

You mean opposite Senior Street (all the way down at the other end of the field) or opposite as in the Senior Street end but over in the right corner?

Also, let your uncle know:

On April 26, 1923 New York Yankees scout Paul Krichell witnessed Columbia’s right fielder clobber two home runs at Neilson Field, including one to the tall trees that plunked into the Delaware & Raritan Canal next to the Raritan River. The April 10, 1943 Targum reported one homer went 400 feet into the canal. Krichell signed the player that weekend and exactly 50 days after the Columbia-Rutgers baseball game, Lou Gehrig made his New York Yankees debut. He still hadn’t turned 20.

Thanks, I'll pass it along to him
He was about 2 years old at the time so didn't see it happen, but he'll be interested to hear the story.
Yes, the scoreboard was not at the Senior St end of the field.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

You mean opposite Senior Street (all the way down at the other end of the field) or opposite as in the Senior Street end but over in the right corner?

Also, let your uncle know:

On April 26, 1923 New York Yankees scout Paul Krichell witnessed Columbia’s right fielder clobber two home runs at Neilson Field, including one to the tall trees that plunked into the Delaware & Raritan Canal next to the Raritan River. The April 10, 1943 Targum reported one homer went 400 feet into the canal. Krichell signed the player that weekend and exactly 50 days after the Columbia-Rutgers baseball game, Lou Gehrig made his New York Yankees debut. He still hadn’t turned 20.

On this page.. I found this photo captioned "Members of the Student Army Training Corps marching on Neilson Field, ca. 1917."

Perhaps you can find a better scan of it.. or the original. Or maybe a later one from WWII era before they built on it.

Here's a better one from this page 13 ways of looking at a football stadium.. which is great.. has maps... great except for hating big time football.. You can make out where the infield is.. based on the location of the covered stand in the map earlier in this thread.. the river is to the right in this photo... off-screen... but remember, the river and canal BEND right there.. so that is also the river in the top-right. The buildings on the top-left are College Ave, imho. George Street is behind the stands to bottom-right. I think the photo is taken from an upper floor of the building you see on College Ave at the corner of the athletic field (on the map above)

And I'll throw this in just for fun.. the kenlew collection is great.. could use higher def rescanning

 

[RUsince52]

On this page.. I found this photo captioned "Members of the Student Army Training Corps marching on Neilson Field, ca. 1917."

Perhaps you can find a better scan of it.. or the original. Or maybe a later one from WWII era before they built on it.

Here's a better one from this page 13 ways of looking at a football stadium.. which is great.. has maps... great except for hating big time football.. You can make out where the infield is.. based on the location of the covered stand in the map earlier in this thread.. the river is to the right in this photo... off-screen... but remember, the river and canal BEND right there.. so that is also the river in the top-right. The buildings on the top-left are College Ave, imho. George Street is behind the stands to bottom-right. I think the photo is taken from an upper floor of the building you see on College Ave at the corner of the athletic field (on the map above)

And I'll throw this in just for fun.. the kenlew collection is great.. could use higher def rescanning

There is actually an old photo of Robeson and 2 other players standing at home plate and you can see where the diamond was situated, but it's the same angle. Couldn't find any dimensional pictures, but I'm sure if you looked in the archives, you'd find others.
If you're familiar with the area the one map of NB with all the factories listed gives a good overview. It shows the surrounding streets and where the Gym was built on College Ave. I lived 4 blocks away as a kid growing up in NB.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

There is actually an old photo of Robeson and 2 other players standing at home plate and you can see where the diamond was situated, but it's the same angle.

 

[RUsince52]

Thanks. Looks like he wants him to throw a screwball to second to confuse the runner. Home plate looks a little dusty, must be practice.

 

[FELONIOUSMONK]

Can we entice Sanford to return?1000 bucks should do the trick.

 

[RUsince52]

Can we entice Sanford to return?1000 bucks should do the trick.

Do we still have a playbook for the single wing ?
If so, use it tonight.

 

[Source]

Can we entice Sanford to return?1000 bucks should do the trick.

Here's a warm and fuzzy memory for Rutgers fans. By the way, the 1918 Rutgers-Penn State game was the first since peace was announced in World War I. Up until that game, you had to get permission from the assigned military commandant to Rutgers College for permission to play games.

The November 12, 1918 Daily Home News reported that three days earlier at New Beaver Field, “… before the game, (Paul) Robeson while practicing forwards, threw one for 80 yards. This gained the admiration of the Keystone State rooters.” Rutgers beat Penn State College 26-3.

The November 14 edition explained how dominant Rutgers had been during the season in progress, “In five games, the opposition made 87 line plays and 21 forward passes with one first down by scrimmage and two through the forward pass. If scrimmage alone were considered, the ball according to the above formula would be six yards behind the starting point.” Teams that Foster Sanford coached in this era acquired their nickname after its next game, according to the November 19 Daily Home News, “The sports writers favorite phrase in referring to Rutgers since Saturday is the ‘scarlet scourge.’”

How nasty was Rutgers 1918 defense? The yardage gained by Ursinus, Pelham Bay NTS, Lehigh, Hoboken NTS and Penn State was a combined total of 18 yards. Ursinus’ total offense was minus 12 yards.

 

[RUsince52]

Here's a warm and fuzzy memory for Rutgers fans. By the way, the 1918 Rutgers-Penn State game was the first since peace was announced in World War I. Up until that game, you had to get permission from the assigned military commandant to Rutgers College for permission to play games.

The November 12, 1918 Daily Home News reported that three days earlier at New Beaver Field, “… before the game, (Paul) Robeson while practicing forwards, threw one for 80 yards. This gained the admiration of the Keystone State rooters.” Rutgers beat Penn State College 26-3.

The November 14 edition explained how dominant Rutgers had been during the season in progress, “In five games, the opposition made 87 line plays and 21 forward passes with one first down by scrimmage and two through the forward pass. If scrimmage alone were considered, the ball according to the above formula would be six yards behind the starting point.” Teams that Foster Sanford coached in this era acquired their nickname after its next game, according to the November 19 Daily Home News, “The sports writers favorite phrase in referring to Rutgers since Saturday is the ‘scarlet scourge.’”

How nasty was Rutgers 1918 defense? The yardage gained by Ursinus, Pelham Bay NTS, Lehigh, Hoboken NTS and Penn State was a combined total of 18 yards. Ursinus’ total offense was minus 12 yards.

And to think now we have trouble throwing an 8 yard pass.
He was probably throwing against the wind too !

 

[Source]

Can we entice Sanford to return?1000 bucks should do the trick.

Believe it or not, College Football Hall of Fame Coach George Foster Sanford never took a salary at Rutgers. He was enticed by the football powers of the time (Yale and others) with top salary to go coach there but turned everyone down. His ran an insurance business in NYC and would come down to coach in the afternoon.

However, he did take business from some heavy hitting Rutgers alumni for his insurance business. That probably resulted in more bucks than any football coach in America would have received at the time.

And that company is still around in New Jersey! :

"Family owned and operated, Sanford Insurance Group has been serving the tri-state area’s insurance needs for well over a century. The agency is currently run by George Foster Sanford IV and Bruce R. Sanford."

http://sanfordinsnj.com/

 

[FELONIOUSMONK]

Thank you Source. Nice bit of RU trivia