What Is 1938 Saint Louis Billikens football

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1938 Saint Louis Billikens football team represented Saint Louis University during the 1938 college football season, compiling a 4–4–1 record under head coach Cecil Muellerleile. The team played as an independent and did not belong to a conference.

Key Facts

The 1938 Saint Louis Billikens finished the season with a 4–4–1 overall record
Cecil Muellerleile was the head coach during the 1938 season
The team played as an independent with no conference affiliation
They played their home games at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, Missouri
The Billikens scored 90 points while allowing 88 points over nine games

Overview

The 1938 Saint Louis Billikens football team represented Saint Louis University in the 1938 college football season. Competing as an independent, the team was led by head coach Cecil Muellerleile in his second year at the helm.

The Billikens finished the season with a balanced 4–4–1 record, scoring 90 points while allowing 88. Their schedule featured a mix of regional opponents and larger programs, reflecting the competitive landscape of non-conference college football at the time.

Sportsman's Park: The Billikens played home games at Sportsman's Park, a multi-purpose stadium also used by the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, located in downtown St. Louis.
Head Coach:Cecil Muellerleile led the team in his second season, having taken over in 1937 and continuing through the 1939 season before stepping down.
Scoring Output: The offense tallied 90 points across nine games, averaging about 10 points per game, which was modest by 1930s standards.
Defensive Performance: The defense allowed 88 points, indicating a tightly contested season where most games were decided by narrow margins.
Independent Status: As an independent, the Billikens were not part of any formal conference, allowing scheduling flexibility but reducing postseason opportunities.

Season Performance

The 1938 campaign featured a mix of wins, losses, and one tie, highlighting the team’s inconsistency against varied competition. Games were played against both regional colleges and stronger national programs, testing the squad’s depth and preparation.

Opening Game: The Billikens opened the season with a 13–0 win over Central Methodist, setting a positive tone with a shutout victory.
Mid-Season Challenge: A 19–0 loss to Missouri revealed gaps in talent compared to major state programs, underscoring the difficulty of the schedule.
Close Contest: The team tied Drake 6–6, a result that reflected strong defensive play but also offensive struggles in critical moments.
Strong Finish: They ended the season with a 20–0 win over Iowa State Teachers, showcasing improved form in the final game.
Win-Loss Breakdown: Of their four wins, two were shutouts, while three of their losses were by single digits, indicating competitive matchups.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1938 Billikens compare to select peer teams from the same season:

Team	Record	Points For	Points Against	Coach
Saint Louis	4–4–1	90	88	Cecil Muellerleile
Missouri	6–3	132	83	Don Faurot
Drake	3–4–1	77	78	Vic Hurt
Washington University	5–3–1	118	74	Jack Ryder
Iowa State	4–4	98	95	Jim Yeager

The table shows that Saint Louis held its own against similarly sized programs. While not as dominant as Missouri or Washington University, their performance was on par with regional peers like Drake and Iowa State. The close point differential suggests the team was competitive throughout the season, despite lacking a standout winning streak.

Why It Matters

The 1938 season is a snapshot of Saint Louis University’s football history during an era when college football was growing in popularity but before the sport became fully commercialized. These records help preserve the legacy of a program that eventually discontinued football in 1949.

Historical Record: The 4–4–1 season is documented in college football archives, contributing to the historical continuity of the Billikens program.
Local Rivalries: Games against Missouri and regional schools helped foster Midwestern college football culture in the pre-war era.
Program Development: Muellerleile’s tenure reflected efforts to stabilize and improve the team during a transitional decade for collegiate athletics.
Stadium Legacy: Playing at Sportsman's Park linked the team to St. Louis’s broader sports identity, shared with baseball’s Cardinals and Browns.
Amateur Era: The season exemplifies college football before athletic scholarships dominated, emphasizing student-athlete participation.
Discontinuation Context: The modest performance and financial pressures of the time contributed to the program’s end in 1949 after World War II.

Though not a championship season, 1938 remains a documented chapter in the athletic history of Saint Louis University, illustrating the challenges and efforts of mid-tier programs in early 20th-century college football.