History: Becoming the Bulldogs
The story of Howard College athletics begins on April 6, 1878. A Howard College baseball team edged Southern University 42-35. In 1891, Howard established itself as a southern leader in athletics by forming the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) with the University of Alabama and the Agricultural and Medical College (Auburn).
Early in the Howard College history, students became interested in athletics. This interest was understandable because many hailed from rural backgrounds and were accustomed to the strenuous activity of life in military units.
In the twilight of 1901, Howard College played its first basketball game. Football began the following fall with a 6-0 victory over Marion Institute, played at the Alabama State Fair. By 1901 students participated in baseball, basketball, football and tennis. During the 1909-1910 school year, the university added track and field, and a rowing team. To promote athletics, the Howard College Athletic Association began the same year.
The Howard College “Baptist Tigers” played their first full schedule of organized baseball games in 1905 and football games in 1906. The college retained the nickname until 1916. Because Auburn’s teams were also known as “Tigers,” Howard College’s students chose “the Crimson Bulldog” over the “Baptist Bears.”
For many years Howard cultivated a bitter rivalry with Birmingham-Southern. It was a custom for Southern students to kidnap a Howard student and shave his head.
During the years surrounding World War I, many colleges discontinued athletics, but the Bulldogs played on. Because most males were at war, many Bulldog teams paid a high price to continue playing. As battles raged overseas, Howard College fielded competitive women’s basketball and women’s tennis teams. To revive athletics after the war, Howard College offered its first academic scholarship in 1920 to Dan Gaylord. Bulldog swimming and riding clubs debuted in 1928. Next >
