BilldGopher
Section 211
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2008
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Was in Anoka yesterday enjoying Mrs. Billd's birthday by doing some antiquing in some local shops. One of the things I always look for is UM football memorabilia and the like.
Sure enough in one of the cases was a card on top of a bound album that read "1940s Minnesota Football Season" or similar. I had the case opened and the binder brought out to find where some fan had pulled the sports articles from every game creating their own personal record of the football games that were played. Probably 90% was taken from the Minneapolis Star peach section that had the game write-ups plus the picture diagram galleries that were done back in the day to show how a play unfolded.
Deep Gopher football scholars will note the significance of the two seasons that were included: 1940 and 1941. These were the two undefeated Natties with the team led by Heisman Trophy winner Bruce Smith. Not a surprise that a lot of the clippings were focused on Smith and his exploits that were monumental at the time.
Anywho, the asking price was pretty steep so I called Mrs. Billd over to look as we paged through the articles. Its condition wasn't great but hey it happened 85 years ago so probably shouldn't be too critical.
Just like we marvel today over witnessing some really great players...Eslinger comes to mind with his recent nomination to the Hall of Fame...whoever put that together knew they were watching someone special in Maroon and Gold. It is now back in the display case until the next person comes along and asks for it to be brought out to page through and maybe even purchase. Really should be in the McNamara Center or in the trophy case but that's another issue. Regardless, pretty cool to see. Ski U Mah.
Sure enough in one of the cases was a card on top of a bound album that read "1940s Minnesota Football Season" or similar. I had the case opened and the binder brought out to find where some fan had pulled the sports articles from every game creating their own personal record of the football games that were played. Probably 90% was taken from the Minneapolis Star peach section that had the game write-ups plus the picture diagram galleries that were done back in the day to show how a play unfolded.
Deep Gopher football scholars will note the significance of the two seasons that were included: 1940 and 1941. These were the two undefeated Natties with the team led by Heisman Trophy winner Bruce Smith. Not a surprise that a lot of the clippings were focused on Smith and his exploits that were monumental at the time.
Anywho, the asking price was pretty steep so I called Mrs. Billd over to look as we paged through the articles. Its condition wasn't great but hey it happened 85 years ago so probably shouldn't be too critical.
Just like we marvel today over witnessing some really great players...Eslinger comes to mind with his recent nomination to the Hall of Fame...whoever put that together knew they were watching someone special in Maroon and Gold. It is now back in the display case until the next person comes along and asks for it to be brought out to page through and maybe even purchase. Really should be in the McNamara Center or in the trophy case but that's another issue. Regardless, pretty cool to see. Ski U Mah.
