1909 Western State Hilltoppers football team

The 1909 Western State Hilltoppers football team was an American football team that represented Western State Normal School (later renamed Western Michigan University) during the 1909 college football season. In their third season under head coach William H. Spaulding (who later went on to coach at Minnesota and UCLA), the Hilltoppers compiled a 6–1 record.[1] Tackle John McGuiness was the team captain.[2]

1909 Western State Hilltoppers football
Conference	Independent
1909 record	6–1
Head coach	William H. Spaulding (3rd season)
Captain	John McGuiness

1909 Midwestern college football independents records
	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
Iowa State Normal			–					6	–	0	–	0
Notre Dame			–					7	–	0	–	1
Michigan Agricultural			–					8	–	1	–	0
Carthage			–					6	–	1	–	0
Michigan			–					6	–	1	–	0
Western State (MI)			–					6	–	1	–	0
Mount Union			–					8	–	2	–	0
Lake Forest			–					5	–	1	–	1
Haskell			–					7	–	2	–	0
Detroit College			–					3	–	1	–	2
Butler			–					5	–	3	–	0
Central Michigan			–					4	–	3	–	0
St. Mary's (OH)			–					4	–	3	–	0
Cincinnati			–					4	–	3	–	1
Doane			–					3	–	2	–	3
Buchtel			–					4	–	4	–	0
Rose Poly			–					4	–	4	–	0
Marquette			–					2	–	2	–	1
North Dakota Agricultural			–					2	–	2	–	1
Wabash			–					3	–	4	–	1
Miami (OH)			–					3	–	4	–	0
Ohio			–					2	–	4	–	2
Saint Louis			–					3	–	5	–	0
Michigan State Normal			–					2	–	4	–	0
Fairmount			–					2	–	5	–	1
Heidelberg			–					0	–	7	–	2

The fall of 1909 was the sixth fall term in the school's history.[3] By early October 1909, the school had an enrollment of more than 550 students. Dwight B. Waldo was the school's president.[4]

On November 27, 1909, the school held a dinner in honor of the football team. Coach Spaulding was the toastmaster, and President Waldo spoke about "The Event," referring to the football team's victory over Kalamazoo College. The women of the sewing and cooking departments were in charge of the event, including decorations and planning, preparing, and serving the meal.[5]

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Source
	Otsego Independents		W 61–0	[1]
October 9	at Albion	Albion, MI	L 6–10	[6]
October 16	at Battle Creek High School	Battle Creek, MI	W 15–0	[7]
	Dowagiac High School		W 47–0	[1]
October 30	Benton Harbor College	Woodward Avenue grounds Kalamazoo, MI	W 28–3	[8]
November 13	Kalamazoo	Kalamazoo, MI	W 26–6	[9]
	Central Michigan	(rivalry)	W 11–0	[1]

References

1. "Football Records: Year-By-Year Results - 1906-09". Western Michigan Football Media Guide. Western Michigan University. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
2. "Football History: All-Time Captains". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
3. "Western Normal Ready". Detroit Free Press. September 26, 1909. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
4. "Over 550 in Thus Far: Western Normal's Attendance Largest in Its History". Detroit Free Press. October 10, 1955. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
5. "Western Normals Rejoice". Detroit Free Press. November 28, 1909. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
6. "Kalamazoo Bites the Dust: Falls Before Albion's Rush in Well-Played Game". Detroit Free Press. October 10, 1909. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
7. "Normals Score Thrice". Detroit Free Press. October 17, 1909. p. 23 – via Newspapers.com.
8. "College Loses To Kalamazoo". The News-Palladium. October 30, 1909. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
9. "Football of Saturday". Detroit Free Press. November 14, 1909. p. 13.