Pro, college, and high school football have now begun in earnest.  Alabama, Auburn, and Hartselle  sport undefeated records.  This column remembers some of the football lore in this state’s past and suggests some reading that the most avid fans might wish to take a look at.

April 20, 1895 – The outlook for football at Auburn is encouraging.  Many of last season’s team, in addition to scrubs and substitutes, will return.  Arrangements have been made to secure an intelligent coach, J. W. Heisman, who was once an end rush for Pennsylvania and is now a power on the sidelines as a football mentor.

Sept. 11, 1907 – New Auburn football Coach Keinholtz is now at the school and is preparing his team for the games scheduled his autumn.  Many students are seeking the chance to represent API on the playing field.

Feb. 5, 1912 – State. Sen. Charles W. Sherrod of Lawrence County is a trustee of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute (API).  He is very desirous that a game of football be played between the University of Alabama and Auburn.  He sees no reason why they should not.

Feb. 22,   1912 –  A tangible estimate of Auburn’s football material for next fall will be gathered next Saturday when last fall’s

varsity squad will play a game with the all-class team, the stars of the four class teams, who will be selected by Coach Donahue.

March 1, 1924 – For the second summer there will be a course in athletics under the direction of Alabama Coach Wallace Wade. This will include football, basketball, baseball, and track.  Coach Wade will be assisted by Coach Henry Crisp.

Sept. 29, 1932 – Ralph Jordan, voted the most outstanding Tiger athlete last year, has been named to Auburn’s coaching staff.

March 1, 1949 – Billy Cadenhead, star UA football player and husband of Hartselle’s Sarah Pattillo Cadenhead, has added his hand and footprints to the collection of other gridiron greats at  the Capstone’s Denny Chimes.

Aug. 12, 1975 – Martha Witt Burleson Smith died.  She was the first woman elected to the “A” Club at the University of Alabama.  She guest-wrote a Grantland Rice sports column before a Tide Rose Bowl game.

May 5, 1987 – H. G. (Shorty) Long died at age 81.  He coached and taught at MCHS during 1930-34.  He was captain of the 1929 Auburn football team.

For the football fan who combines interest with a desire to read about it as well, here are some noted publications related to the game:

(1922) “Method of Ranking College Football teams” (Thomas)

(1932) “An Examination of Football Scores” (McFarland)

(1938) “Ten Thousand and One Scores” (Houlgate)

(1941) “National Football Champions” (Boand)

(1955) “Junior College Football Rating Systems” (Grafton)

(1970) “Saturday’s America”  (Jenkins)

(1975) “On Any Given Sunday”  (Thompson)

(1985) “Beating the Spread” (Tuber)