The origins of college football in the United States date to the late 19th century. Influenced by European sports such soccer and rugby, American football gradually adopted rules which shaped the sport into the modern version played today. The first college football teams emerged in the northeastern United States. Gradually, the game spread west and south. This photographic exhibit highlights some of the earliest teams in the state of Florida, the origins of in-state rivalries, and the development of big time college football in the Sunshine State. Organized college football in Florida also dates to the late 19th century. In the late 1800s, schools like Stetson in Deland, the Florida Agricultural College (FAC) in Lake City, and the West Florida Seminary in Tallahassee, fielded club teams that competed in intra-college contests on a limited basis. The first intercollegiate college football game in Florida was played on November 22, 1901, and pitted Stetson against FAC.
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Image Number: PR13037
General Note: The coach of Stetson University's early football team was C. B. Rosa (middle rear, wearing hat).
Image Number: RC02435
General Note: Back row, far right: W.S. "Buddy" McLin. Front row, far right: Guyte McCord.
Image Number: RC01140
General Note:There are 20 names but 16 persons in the photo. Order is uncertain. W.W. Hughes, coach; F.B. Winthrop, mgr.; A.B. Clark, capt.; C.W. Peters; G.P. McCord; E.P. Watson; L.M. Murray; W.H. Provence; William McLendon Mullen (back 4th from left); W.W. Dickey; J.T. Howard; A.B. Clark; ? Williams; and F.W. Buchholz. Substitutes: I.J. Belcher, R.F. Bradford, Jr., T.H. Hancock, W.S. McLin, F.F. Rawls, J.H. Sheats, and William Van Brunt. Schedule: FSC vs Bainbridge 5-0 FSC vs FAC 6-0 FSC vs FAC 0-6.
Image Number: PR13064
General Note:1. Speck Campbell; 3. Carl Farriss; 5. Ed Mickle; 6. Fred Botts; 7. Carney Wilder; 8. Coach Carlton Robinson; 10. Harry Garwood; 13. J. G. Black.
Image Number: PR13085
General Note: Standing in the rear at the left is Dr. A.A. Murphree.
Image Number: N033756
General Note: In photograph are Fleming Appleyard and William Towns Appleyard.
Image Number: N030701
General Note: The college was located in Pinellas County at Sutherland, now Palm Harbor.
Image Number: PR24570
Accompanying Note: This is the "drove of gators."
Image Number: PR24572
Image Number: PHF004
General Note: University of Miami vs. an unidentified team.
Image Number: PR12752
General Note: Front (L-R): David Middlebrooks, RT; Jack Tully, RG; Buddy Bryant, C; Jim Quigley, LG; Leonard Gilbert, LT; Jack MacMillan, QB (Kneeling).
