What Is 1937 Maine Black Bears football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1937 Maine Black Bears football team represented the University of Maine during the 1937 college football season, finishing with a 4–3 record under head coach Fred Brice, who was in his 17th season.

Key Facts

The 1937 Maine Black Bears football team had a final record of 4 wins and 3 losses.
Head coach Fred Brice led the team in his 17th season at the University of Maine.
The team played its home games at Alumni Field in Orono, Maine.
They competed as an independent team with no conference affiliation.
The 1937 season marked the continuation of a modest football program during the pre-World War II era.

Overview

The 1937 Maine Black Bears football team represented the University of Maine during the 1937 college football season. Competing as an independent with no conference ties, the team was led by head coach Fred Brice, who was in his 17th year at the helm.

The Black Bears played their home games at Alumni Field in Orono, Maine, a venue that hosted the program for decades. Though not a national contender, the team reflected the modest scale of collegiate athletics in the northeastern United States during the 1930s.

Record: The team finished the season with a 4–3 overall record, winning just over half of its games.
Coach:Fred Brice, in his 17th season, continued to build the foundation of Maine’s football program.
Home Field: Alumni Field in Orono served as the team’s home stadium, with limited seating and facilities typical of the era.
Independence: The Black Bears competed as an independent team, meaning they were not part of any athletic conference.
Historical Context: The 1937 season occurred during the Great Depression, which impacted college sports funding and attendance.

Season Structure & Performance

The 1937 season featured a short schedule typical of the era, with most teams playing between five and eight games. Maine’s opponents included regional colleges and smaller universities, reflecting the geographic and competitive scope of the program.

Game Count: The team played seven total games, a standard number for independents during the 1930s.
Offensive Output: While exact statistics are scarce, the team scored enough points to win four contests, indicating modest offensive capability.
Defensive Record: The Bears allowed points in every game, but specific defensive stats from 1937 are not officially recorded.
Notable Opponent: One of their games was against Bates College, a traditional regional rival in Maine.
Season Highlight: A win over Bowdoin College stood out as a key victory during the season.
Final Game: The season concluded in November 1937, likely with a loss, contributing to the 4–3 final record.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1937 Maine Black Bears to other teams of the era highlights the team’s regional focus and limited resources.

Team	Record	Coach	Conference	Notable Fact
Maine Black Bears (1937)	4–3	Fred Brice	Independent	Played at Alumni Field in Orono
Notre Dame (1937)	7–1	Elmer Layden	Independent	Ranked in final AP Poll
Michigan (1937)	4–4	Fritz Crisler	Big Ten	Used innovative winged helmet design
Bowdoin Polar Bears (1937)	3–4	John E. Magee	Independent	Lost to Maine that season
Bates Bobcats (1937)	5–2	William H. Flanagan	Independent	One of Maine’s opponents

The table illustrates how Maine’s performance compared to both national powerhouses and regional rivals. While not dominant, the Black Bears were competitive within their regional circuit, finishing ahead of some in-state opponents.

Why It Matters

The 1937 season is a small but meaningful part of the University of Maine’s athletic history, reflecting the evolution of college football in rural America.

Program Legacy: Each season, including 1937, contributed to the long-term development of Maine’s football identity.
Historical Insight: The season offers a window into collegiate sports during the Great Depression and pre-World War II era.
Coach Longevity: Fred Brice’s 17-year tenure highlights early coaching stability in college football.
Regional Rivalries: Games against Bates and Bowdoin helped establish enduring in-state athletic rivalries.
Amateur Roots: The 1937 team exemplifies the amateur nature of college sports before widespread scholarships.
Archival Value: Records from this season are preserved in university archives and historical databases.

Though overshadowed by larger programs, the 1937 Maine Black Bears represent the grassroots level of American college football, where tradition and regional pride were foundational.