What Is 1936 La Salle Explorers football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1936 La Salle Explorers football team represented La Salle College in Philadelphia during the 1936 college football season, compiling a 4–3–1 record under head coach Marty Brill, who was in his second year leading the program.

Key Facts

The 1936 La Salle Explorers finished the season with a 4–3–1 overall record
Head coach Marty Brill was in his second season at the helm
The team played as an independent with no conference affiliation
They played their home games at Philadelphia's Municipal Stadium
La Salle's football program began in 1931 and was discontinued in 1941

Overview

The 1936 La Salle Explorers football team represented La Salle College, now known as La Salle University, during the 1936 college football season. Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the team competed as an independent, meaning it was not part of any formal athletic conference.

Under the leadership of head coach Marty Brill, who was in his second year, the Explorers played a challenging schedule against regional opponents. The team finished the season with a modest 4–3–1 record, reflecting both competitive matchups and growing pains typical of a young program.

Record: The 1936 La Salle Explorers posted a 4–3–1 overall record, indicating four wins, three losses, and one tie during the season.
Head Coach: Marty Brill led the team in his second season, having taken over the program in 1935 after its inaugural year under a different coach.
Home Stadium: The Explorers played their home games at Municipal Stadium in Philadelphia, a multi-purpose venue used for football and other events.
Independent Status: As an independent team, La Salle did not belong to a conference and scheduled opponents on a game-by-game basis.
Historical Context: The 1936 season occurred during the Great Depression, which affected college athletics funding and attendance across the nation.

How It Works

College football in 1936 operated under different structural and logistical conditions compared to today, especially for smaller institutions like La Salle. Understanding the team’s operations requires examining the roles of coaching, scheduling, and institutional support.

Coaching Structure: Marty Brill served as head coach with limited staff; most assistants were part-time or volunteer, common for small programs at the time.
Scheduling: Independent teams like La Salle arranged their own schedules, often playing nearby colleges to minimize travel costs.
Player Recruitment: Athletes were not on full scholarships; most were local students balancing academics and athletics without major financial aid.
Game Rules: The 1936 season followed NCAA football rules, including a 15-minute overtime period that was rarely used before the 1940s.
Equipment & Uniforms: Players wore leather helmets without face masks, and uniforms were made of heavy wool, increasing injury risk.
Media Coverage: Games were covered in local newspapers like the Philadelphia Inquirer, but there was no television or widespread radio broadcast.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1936 La Salle Explorers to other contemporary teams highlights differences in size, resources, and competitive level.

Team	Record (1936)	Coach	Stadium	Conference
La Salle Explorers	4–3–1	Marty Brill	Municipal Stadium	Independent
Notre Dame Fighting Irish	7–1–1	Elmer Layden	Notre Dame Stadium	Independent
Michigan Wolverines	1–6–1	Fritz Crisler	Ferry Field	Big Ten
Temple Owls	3–4–1	Pop Warner	Temple Stadium	Independent
Penn Quakers	4–4	George Munger	Franklin Field	Independent

The table illustrates that La Salle’s 4–3–1 record was competitive compared to regional peers like Temple and Penn. While not on par with national powers like Notre Dame, the Explorers held their own in a challenging independent landscape. Their performance reflected the typical output of a developing urban Catholic college program during the era.

Why It Matters

The 1936 season is a small but meaningful chapter in the history of college football and La Salle University’s athletic identity. Though the program was eventually discontinued, it laid the foundation for future sports initiatives at the school.

Program Development: The 1936 season was part of La Salle’s effort to establish a competitive football tradition starting in 1931.
Historical Legacy: The team contributed to the school’s early 20th-century identity, fostering school spirit and alumni engagement.
Discontinuation: La Salle dropped football in 1941 due to financial constraints and World War II, ending a 10-year run.
Revival Attempts: There have been periodic discussions about reviving football, but none have succeeded due to budget and Title IX concerns.
Educational Impact: The program provided athletic opportunities for student-athletes during a time of limited college sports access.
Cultural Context: The team played during a pivotal era in American history, reflecting broader societal challenges and changes.

Though the 1936 La Salle Explorers are largely forgotten today, their season remains a testament to the growth of collegiate athletics at smaller institutions and the enduring spirit of student competition.