A Look Into Norfolk’s Past

Text by Andra Moss
Photo courtesy of Princeton Tigers Football

November 1907—another beautiful autumn in Norfolk. Cue the foliage, firepits and front-page football on Mountain Road.

In the early 1900s, college football was the second most popular sport in the nation behind professional baseball, with tens of thousands rattling the bleachers every Saturday afternoon. By 1906 the game had undergone some needed reforms—the extreme violence was somewhat reduced, players had to actually be students—and they tossed in a little something new to liven up the game: the forward pass.

On Nov. 4, 1907, sharp-eyed readers of The Berkshire Eagle might have spotted this small note: “The Princeton university football eleven is to have a three days’ practice in Norfolk, Conn., preparatory for its game with Yale.” That game would go on to become a “game of the year” and it started, at least for Princeton, with a private train-car ride up to the main Norfolk station.

The team arrived in high style on Wednesday, Nov.13, according to The Journal, in Meriden, Conn.: “Thirty strong, the football squad of Princeton . . . left New York this morning for Norfolk, Conn., where the finishing touches to the preparation for the game with the Elis will be put on. Almost as many coaches as players are in the entourage and there is noticeable a spirit of confidence that augurs well for a Tiger triumph on Saturday.”

The team reached town at 2:10 p.m., and the entire party was stewarded to the Norfolk Inn, decorated in the school’s colors of orange and black in their honor. 

The 1907 “Princeton eleven” were piloted by Head Coach William Roper, who brought his wife, infant daughter, her nanny and his football team along with him to Norfolk. The Journal speculated that “it was decided to take the players to the Connecticut Hills for secret practices, because it was thought the cool air would prove invigorating.” The Robbins School provided the training ground, and the team used the adjacent athletic field for two days of final practice. 

Of the team’s first full day in Norfolk, The Morning Journal-Courier in New Haven reported: “The eleven had little practice today. Arising early this morning the squad after a light breakfast was sent into the woods and across the country by the coaches. The crisp air of the morning put a great deal of life into the men and they went through a light signal drill at 11 o’clock in a lively fashion.” Coach Roper directed the workout, which was described as “snappy throughout.” Punting and goal kicking were practiced.

In addition to the players and coaches, there must have been quite a press corps, as multiple newspapers reported on everything from the team’s fitness (“It was reported by Manager Wheeler that the men were all in good condition with the exception of Booth, who has a severe gash over the eye.” –The Scranton Truth) to the lineup (“During the few days that Princeton has been at Norfolk, Siegling has shown a great deal of improvement, and is now believed to be the strongest candidate for the position.” –The Journal) and, of course, the hospitality: “Coach Roper said last night: ‘The air has been of the most beneficial kind for the men up here at Norfolk. . . .The people of Norfolk have treated the fellows fine. The Norfolk club and the Royal Arcanum club have been hospitable and the Princeton players will long remember it’” (The Morning Journal-Courier). 

But The Hartford Courant had the ultimate scoop on Friday: “Head Coach Bill Roper and Gresham Poe spent part of the day hunting. When they returned, Poe carried a partridge and Roper a rabbit. It was learned later that the rabbit was a pet rabbit that had escaped from a zoological garden kept by Landlord Schoff in connection with the Inn.”

Perhaps that explains why the rabbit’s foot did not bring good luck. The Tigers lost 12-10 in New Haven the following day.