1943 Alabama Informals football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1943 Alabama Informals football Southeastern Conference SEC 0–0 0–0 Frank Thomas The 1943 Alabama Crimson Tide football team was to represent the University of Alabama in the 1943 college football season; however, the season was canceled due to the effects of World War II. In February 1943, the Army instituted a policy that prohibited their cadets from participation in intercollegiate athletics. Unsure if a season would occur, head coach Frank Thomas proceeded through spring practice as if it would be played. By summer, only two Alabama players were available to compete on the squad as a result of the Army prohibition on its trainees competing in intercollegiate athletics, and on August 23, 1943, the University announced its decision to cancel the 1943 season. The cancellation marked only the third time since the inaugural 1892 season that Alabama did not field a football team. Although not officially sanctioned by the University, an independent team called the Alabama Informals was organized in October 1943. Coached by former Crimson Tide player Mitchell Olenski, the Informals were composed of 17-year-old and draft deferred students ineligible for military service. The Informals were allowed to play their games at Denny Stadium and utilize the equipment of the Crimson Tide football team. The squad lost to 1943 Howard Bulldogs Howard, defeated the Marion Military Institute twice and finished the season with an overall record of two wins and one loss (2–1). At the conclusion of the season, SEC officials met in an effort to bring a full football schedule back for the 1944 season. By May 1944, all SEC schools, with the exception of Vanderbilt, indicated they would field teams for the 1944 season. Football officially returned on September 30, 1944, when the Crimson Tide played LSU to a tie in their season opener. 3 1943 Crimson Tide In February 1943, the United States Department of War announced they would take over both classroom space and athletic facilities at 271 colleges and universities to be utilized for the training of United States Army soldiers.Army forecasts abandonment of college football Bob Considine International News Service 13 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VE1PAAAAIBAJ&pg=7231%2C4857950 St. Petersburg Times February 13, 1943 November 26, 2012College leaders are grimly determined to carry on Harold Claassen Associated Press B1 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DActAAAAIBAJ&pg=1984%2C2284079 The Miami News February 13, 1943 November 26, 2012 July 2026 InternetArchiveBot As part of the Department's order, only students under 18 years of age or those with 4-F draft classifications were permitted to compete in intercollegiate athletics. At the time of the announcement, coach Thomas was quoted as saying:"Army–Navy programs not figured at all in our plans for athletics next fall."As such, preparations continued towards fielding a team for the 1943 season. On March 8, spring practice commenced at Denny Stadium and 55 student-athletes reported the first day.Tiders start spring drills 11 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WNU-AAAAIBAJ&dq=alabama%20football&pg=6341%2C2655696 The Tuscaloosa News March 7, 1943 November 26, 2012 At that time coach Thomas acknowledged he did not know how many of his players would be eligible to play in the fall due to rules the prohibited active-duty servicemen playing intercollegiate football. As they entered practice, only 15 lettermen returned to the squad from the 1942 team. These players included: Jack Aland, Johnny August, Bill Baughman, Andy Bires, Charley Compton, Ted Cook, Leon Fichman, Ted McKosky, Jim McWhorter, Norman Mosley, Mitchell Olenski, Kenny Reese, Lou Scales, John Staples and Don Whitmire. Two weeks into the practices, coach Thomas held the first scrimmage of the spring on March 22.Tiders hold scrimmage drill 7 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZtU-AAAAIBAJ&pg=6376%2C3258143 The Tuscaloosa News March 23, 1943 November 26, 2012 On March 26, Herbert Chapman, Billy DeWitt, James Grantham, Henry "Red" Jones, Jim McWhorter and Lou Scales became the first Alabama players to be called into active duty from the enlisted reserve corps.Six Tide gridders called to Army 7 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=adU-AAAAIBAJ&pg=5545%2C3375605 The Tuscaloosa News March 26, 1943 November 26, 2012 As they were now enlisted as active servicemen, they were all ineligible to play in the fall for the Crimson Tide. In June, the SEC developed a plan to allow its member schools to discontinue athletic teams due to the war efforts, but retain the overall structure of the conference.Southeastern heads talking of duration conference freeze Associated Press 9 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lbtSAAAAIBAJ&pg=4684%2C6609986 The Evening Independent June 26, 1943 November 26, 2012 By August, the prospect of Alabama fielding a football team for the 1943 season was in doubt. On August 17, coach Thomas spoke to a civic group in Birmingham and stated he did not think the school would field a team in 1943 due to the unwillingness of the Army to change their policy that prohibited their cadets from participating in intercollegiate athletics.Alabama on verge of abandoning grid for duration United Press 6 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6oxJAAAAIBAJ&pg=1290%2C97301 The News and Courier August 8, 1943 November 26, 2012 July 2026 InternetArchiveBot On August 23, 1943, the University Physical Education and Athletics Committee officially canceled the 1943 season.Alabama withdraws Associated Press 18 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=D38tAAAAIBAJ&pg=4509%2C4230686 The Gazette Montreal, Quebec August 27, 1943 November 26, 2012Intercollegiate football abandoned at University 1 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=olQ_AAAAIBAJ&pg=2377%2C2159822 The Tuscaloosa News August 23, 1943 November 26, 2012 The decision was made at that time because only two Alabama players were available to compete on the squad. As the season was canceled, coach Thomas spent his time leading war bond drives and serving as president of the Tuscaloosa Exchange Club during the time the season was originally scheduled.Scott Richard Legends of Alabama Football 2013 Skyhorse Publishing 9781613216989 https://books.google.com/books?id=yFBlAgAAQBAJ&q=1943+ALabama+football+season&pg=PT37 March 13, 2014 The cancellation marked only the third time since 1892 that Alabama did not field a football team. The only other seasons the Crimson Tide did not field teams were in 1898 due to University policy that prohibited athletic teams from traveling off campus to compete and again in 1918 due to the effects of World War I. Schedule At the time of the cancellation of the season, Alabama had four games scheduled: a pair against LSU, and one each against Tulane and Georgia. no September 25 y LSU rivalry Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, Louisiana N/A October 16 y Tulane Tulane Stadium New Orleans N/A October 23 Georgia Legion Field Birmingham, Alabama N/A November 13 LSU rivalry Legion Field Birmingham, Alabama N/A NFL draft Several players that were varsity lettermen from the 1942 squad, scheduled to play as part of the 1943 team, were drafted into the National Football League (NFL) in the 1944 draft.https://www.pro-football-reference.com/colleges/alabama/drafted.htm Alabama Drafted Players/Alumni April 7, 2012 Sports Reference, LLC Pro-Football-Reference.comNational Football League http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/fulldraft?abbr=A&collegeName=Alabama&abbrFlag=0&type=school Draft History by School–Alabama March 16, 2013 July 15, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140715084011/http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/fulldraft?abbr=A&collegeName=Alabama&abbrFlag=0&type=school dead These players included the following: Year Round Overall Player name Position NFL team1944 9 78 Mitchell Olenski Tackle Brooklyn Tigers 9 82 Don Whitmire Tackle Green Bay Packers 22 221 Ted Cook Ted Cook (American football) End Brooklyn Tigers 27 279 Andy Bires 1 End New York Giants 27 281 Jack McKewan 1 Tackle Chicago Bears Alabama Informals 1943 Alabama Informals football Independent 2–1 Mitchell Olenski 1st Denny Stadium none none Although Alabama officially did not participate as part of the 1943 college football season, a team composed of 17-year old and draft deferred students was organized as the Alabama Informals in October 1943.New colleges set grid hopes 7 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KN0-AAAAIBAJ&pg=6456%2C439303 The Tuscaloosa News Associated Press January 12, 1944 June 23, 2012Tide Informals prepare for chest charity game 11 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2lQ_AAAAIBAJ&pg=6407%2C4786755 The Tuscaloosa News Associated Press October 31, 1943 June 23, 2012 Not officially sanctioned by the University, the Informals were allowed to utilize both equipment and the facilities of the Crimson Tide.Howard to play Alabama Informals in chest game 1 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2VQ_AAAAIBAJ&pg=3842%2C4690295 The Tuscaloosa News October 29, 1943 November 26, 2012 The team was led by head coach Mitchell Olenski, and John Gresham and Al Alois served as assistant coaches. At the time of its creation, the Alabama Informals squad was the second created by a SEC school forced to abandon their football team for the year after Vanderbilt.Alabama resumes Informals football 6 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MI1JAAAAIBAJ&pg=3187%2C7052606 Associated Press The News and Courier October 30, 1943 November 26, 2012 July 2026 InternetArchiveBot Schedule In addition to the three games played, the Informals were also scheduled to compete against Draper Prison at the Cramton Bowl on November 27.Informal–Draper Prison game is cancelled 7 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7lQ_AAAAIBAJ&pg=4761%2C5698858 The Tuscaloosa News Associated Press November 23, 1943 June 23, 2012 The game was canceled by University officials that stated the students on the team needed to focus on final examinations instead. November 6 l Howard (AL) Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL 6–42 7,000 November 12 w y 1943 Marion Cadets Marion Perry County H.S. Stadium Marion, AL 31–12 November 20 w Marion Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL 19–13 Game summaries Howard (AL) Howard 14 7 7 14 Alabama 0 0 0 6 November 6 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, Alabama 7,000 Source:Seadogs slap Informals 42–6 as 7,000 see game https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4FQ_AAAAIBAJ&pg=6460%2C5071353 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News November 7, 1943 11 June 23, 2012 The Informals first opponent was a team composed of players that were part of the V-12 Navy College Training Program at Howard College (now Samford University).2011 Samford Football Media Guide 2011 Samford University Homewood, Alabama 152 http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/samf/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2011-12/misc_non_event/2011_FB_MG_Records.pdf June 23, 2012 March 14, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140314030849/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/samf/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2011-12/misc_non_event/2011_FB_MG_Records.pdf dead In the game, the Seadogs won 42–6 with the majority of gate receipts collected for the Tuscaloosa Service Center War Chest. The Howard squad featured two former Crimson Tide players: Bill Harris at tackle and Billy Dabbs at fullback.Former Tiders now Seadogs https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3FQ_AAAAIBAJ&pg=6448%2C4893973 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News November 2, 1943 7 November 27, 2012 Howard scored six touchdowns in the game. Cecil Duffee and Billy Dabbs scored on runs of 19 and 16-yards in the first quarter; Duffee scored on a 34-yard reception from Tris Mock in the second quarter; Stephenson scored on an eight-yard run in the third quarter; and Charley Spier scored on a 40-yard interception return in the fourth quarter. The only Alabama points of the contest came in the fourth quarter, down 35–0 when John Wade threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Barton Greer. Although not included as part of Alabama's all-time record, this is the only loss Alabama ever had against Howard. At Marion Alabama 6 6 12 7 Marion 0 6 0 6 November 12 Perry County H.S. StadiumMarion, Alabama Sources:Informals top Marion Cadets https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=51Q_AAAAIBAJ&pg=6615%2C5343016 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News November 15, 1943 12 June 23, 2012Alabama's Informals score first victory https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6P1PAAAAIBAJ&pg=2678%2C1328525 Associated Press Google News Archives The Evening Independent November 13, 1943 11 November 27, 2012 After their loss against Howard, the Informals traveled to play the Marion Military Institute Cadets at Perry County High School Stadium.https://mmiarchivist.blogspot.com/2009/04/when-mi-played-university-of-alabama-in.html When MI played the University of Alabama in football! April 27, 2009 Marion Military Institute Archives MMI Foundation June 23, 2012 Against the Cadets, Alabama scored at least one touchdown in all four quarters for the 31–12 victory. The Informals scored first on an 80-yard Barton Greer touchdown run, only to see the Cadets tie the game at 6–6 on the next possession on a 40-yard touchdown pass. Alabama responded with a 20-yard touchdown run on a reverse by Whitey Blanchiak to take a 12–6 halftime lead. In the third quarter, the Informals extended their lead to 24–6 after Lowell Edmondson scored on a 35-yard touchdown pass from Greer and on a four-yard Frank MacAlpine touchdown run in the third quarter. In the fourth, Greer scored on a run for Alabama and Marion scored the final points of the game on a punt returned for a touchdown in their 31–12 loss. Marion Marion 13 0 0 0 Alabama 0 12 7 0 November 20 Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, Alabama Source:Informals rally to trip Cadets https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7FQ_AAAAIBAJ&pg=6487%2C5605724 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News November 21, 1943 10 June 23, 2012 After their victory over Marion, the Informals defeated the Cadets for the second consecutive week at Denny Stadium 19–13. After they took a 7–0 lead on an 85-yard drive, the Cadets extended it to 13–0 by the end of the first quarter when Jimmy Scruggs scored on a touchdown reception. The Informals responded with a pair of second-quarter touchdowns to make the halftime score 13–12. Touchdowns were scored on a Frank MacAlpine run and on a 21-yard Whitey Blanchiak reception from Barton Greer. Alabama then scored the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter on a 55-yard interception return for a touchdown. Roster Alabama Informals 1943 rosterAlabama Informals' roster https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3FQ_AAAAIBAJ&pg=6607%2C4894759 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News November 2, 1943 7 November 27, 2012 Quarterbacks Farris Deep Tom Edwards Dwight Evens Sam Oliveri Running backs Whitey Blanciak Jim Callahan Don Dahlene Lowell Edmondson Barton Greer Joe Marion Frank McAlpine Billy Mills John Wade Bob Woolridge Ends Pete Crow Herman Dow Al Judd Bill Monheimer William Stanton Tackles George Kachickas Carl Licht Read Northern Nick Terlizzi Joe Triolo Guards Oscar Jones Shorty Lackie Lorrin Loeb Bob Okin Gus Ross Art Sizemore Center Bert Bertini Hudon Conway Coaching staff Mitchell Olenski – Head coach Al Alois – Assistant coach John Gresham – Assistant coach Aftermath On December 10, 1943, SEC officials met in Nashville in an effort to bring a full football schedule back for the 1944 season.SEC scraps peace-time eligibility restrictions: Football revival hinted https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xEcsAAAAIBAJ&pg=6391%2C3263102 Associated Press Google News Archives The Spartanburg Herald December 11, 1943 6 November 27, 2012 In order to have enough students eligible to participate on a team, the SEC changed its eligibility restrictions to allow for any civilian to play as long as they had not played four years of college football or professionally. At that time, Alabama along with Tennessee and Vanderbilt indicated they might reform their respective teams and resume conference play for the 1944 season.Grid resumption seen for SEC 7 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DlU_AAAAIBAJ&pg=5688%2C7386513 The Tuscaloosa News Associated Press December 7, 1943 November 26, 2012 On January 12, 1944, all SEC members, with the exceptions of Mississippi and Mississippi State, indicated their intent to field football teams the following fall.Signs point to revival of Dixie gridiron loop https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=euleAAAAIBAJ&pg=3418%2C2744767 Associated Press Google News Archives The Youngstown Daily Vindicator January 12, 1943 11 November 27, 2012 On May 19, 1944, every SEC school with the exception of Vanderbilt (who fielded an informal team) agreed to play a full conference schedule the following fall.South to field 11 grid teams 7 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kd0-AAAAIBAJ&pg=5889%2C5641511 The Tuscaloosa News Associated Press May 19, 1944 November 26, 2012 Football officially returned to Alabama for the first time since the 1942 season on September 30, 1944, when the Crimson Tide played LSU to a tie in their season opener.Crimson given outside chance https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2OU-AAAAIBAJ&pg=6468%2C3490229 Associated Press Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News September 27, 1944 7 March 3, 2014Alabama–LSU grid battle ends in 27–27 deadlock https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2-U-AAAAIBAJ&pg=6496%2C3634673 Associated Press Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News October 1, 1944 6 November 27, 2012 References 30em Alabama Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football seasons Crimson Tide