What Is 1913 Tulane Green Wave football team

Overview

The 1913 Tulane Green Wave football team represented Tulane University during the 1913 college football season, marking an early chapter in the school's athletic history. Competing as an independent with no formal conference alignment, the team played under head coach Clark Shaughnessy, who began his tenure that year and helped lay the foundation for future program growth.

Tulane finished the season with a 3–2 overall record, showcasing moderate success against regional opponents. The team demonstrated offensive capability, scoring 114 points across five games, while allowing 45 points defensively. This season was part of the broader development of Southern college football in the early 20th century.

• Season Record: The team finished with a 3–2 win-loss record, reflecting a competitive but inconsistent performance across the five-game schedule.
• Head Coach:Clark Shaughnessy led the team in his first year, later becoming a notable figure in American football strategy and coaching.
• Opponents: Tulane faced regional teams including Louisiana College and Mississippi College, typical of Southern independent schedules at the time.
• Scoring: The Green Wave scored 114 total points, averaging 22.8 points per game, a strong output for the era.
• Defensive Performance: The defense allowed 45 points over five games, averaging 9.0 points per game against, showing relative strength.

How It Works

The 1913 season operated under the rules and structures typical of early 20th-century college football, with independent scheduling and limited national oversight. Teams like Tulane arranged their own games, relied on local talent, and played under evolving NCAA regulations.

• Independent Status:Tulane had no conference affiliation in 1913, meaning the team scheduled opponents independently without league constraints.
• Game Rules: The sport followed 1913 NCAA football rules, including six-man downs and a 110-yard field, differing from modern standards.
• Recruitment: Players were primarily local New Orleans-area athletes, with no formal national scouting or scholarships at the time.
• Coaching Role:Clark Shaughnessy implemented early offensive strategies that later influenced the development of the T-formation.
• Season Length: The team played only five games, a shorter schedule compared to modern 12-game seasons.
• Facilities: Games were held on on-campus fields, as Tulane Stadium was not constructed until 1926.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1913 Tulane Green Wave with the 1912 and 1914 teams to contextualize performance trends and program development.

This table shows that while the 1913 team maintained the same win-loss record as 1912, it scored more points than the previous year but allowed more defensively. The program saw peak performance in 1914 before declining in later years, reflecting the instability of early college football programs.

Why It Matters

The 1913 season is significant as part of Tulane’s foundational years in intercollegiate football, helping shape the identity of the Green Wave. It also highlights the regional nature of college football before national conferences and television exposure.

• Historical Development: The 1913 season contributed to the long-term growth of Tulane’s football program into a regional competitor.
• Coaching Legacy:Clark Shaughnessy later became a football innovator, influencing modern offensive systems.
• Southern Football: Tulane was among early Southern programs helping expand college football beyond the Northeast.
• Independent Model: The season exemplifies how schools operated without conference ties in the sport’s formative years.
• Statistical Benchmark: The team’s scoring output set a program high for the era, showing offensive improvement.
• Educational Role: Athletics like football helped promote Tulane University regionally during a time of institutional growth.

Understanding the 1913 season provides insight into the evolution of college sports, the role of coaching, and how universities used athletics to build identity and reputation in the early 20th century.