Originally published in The News-Star newspaper, September 3, 2006

This past Thursday, the University of Louisiana at Monroe Warhawk football team took the field against Alcorn State University, and it was a time of pure excitement. Ace, our new Warhawk mascot, made his game debut, new music was played by the famous ULM Sound of Today Marching Band and a new era began.

Another era began as Ouachita Parish Junior College opened its doors Sept. 28, 1931, to more than 400 students, and President C.C. Colvert asked all interested young men to come out to field a football team.

We can get a picture of what happened from reading the Monroe Morning World of the day and Bob Anderson's book "Indian Territory." Brown Hall wasn't completed, but the women's dressing room, more finished than the men's, held the first team meeting as 40 players sat on all kinds of building materials and nail kegs.
There was no football field (and would not be until 1932), so for their first practice, the players dressed at the old Monroe City High School and then jogged or caught the streetcar to Jackson and Plum streets. Anderson reported the field had recently burned so all the players were covered with soot and "it was like a black fog over the field." Later practices were moved to Forsythe Park.

Our first game was played at 7:45 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10, 1931, at Forsythe Park against the Louisiana College freshman Kittens. The starting lineup consisted of Tom Witt, left end; Wayne McDonald, left tackle; William Frisbie, left guard; James Stewart, center; William Cole, right guard; Sherwood Moore, right tackle; Ernest Ingram, right end; Leo Young, quarterback; Paul Moore and Floyd McLeod, halfbacks; and Charles Wyatt, fullback. The coach was Paul Kemerer who had come to OPJC from Pennsylvania.

The first score of the game (and in our history) was a safety as William Cole fell on a blocked punt in the end zone. Quarterback Leo Young scored the first touchdown after a 4-yard run set up by Charles Wyatt. Although our team was less than one month old, they held the Louisiana College Kittens scoreless and to one first down in the game. Our first game as Indians ended with a 20-0 victory - and thus began the rich athletic tradition of our college.

One can only imagine the excitement! The Monroe World reported that the Forsythe Field was filled with a capacity crowd, many coming in from surrounding communities for the game. What a wonderful beginning for one of our many rich traditions here!

Not only did we win the game, but OPJC had a cheering section, and the Boys Municipal Band provided music. During half-time the cheering section staged a "snake dance" on the field.

So as you come out to watch the ULM Warhawks this fall, think back to that very first game. If we could figure out what a snake dance was, maybe President James Cofer could ask our spirit groups to stage one in honor of our 75th anniversary.

Have a great day at ULM.

Dr. John Knesel, ULM Professor