Throwback Thursday - 1920

Extracted from the 1920-1921 Serpentine:

The first football team that old Normal ever had was organized and developed this season by Coach Hall and Professor Mathers. The standing that the team made in athletic circles is conclusive evidence that football is here to stay, and we trust that its endeavor will be carried on with still more spirit and ability than was shown this year.

Much of the success of the team is due to the efforts of Bert Hall, whose coaching throughout the entire season was absolutely unquestionable. He took a group of awkward inexperienced men and made them into a real fighting unit that could really be called a football team.

Due to the fact that we did not get organized until the season began, we were unable to get the most desirable schedule, most of the schools having their football program all made out. However, by persistent effort, a schedule of games that any team would be proud to win was obtained and we managed to win all but two of them.

West Chester Normal shut out West Chester High, Swarthmore Prep, Phoenixville High, and Villanova Frosh and held Swarthmore Prep to just three points in their second win over them one month later. Losses came in the final two games of the season to Ursinus Reserves and Williamson Trade to finish the year 5-2. Left halfback Robert Von Bulow served as the team captain.

West Chester State Normal School's First Football Team