1944 South Dakota State Jackrabbits football team

The 1944 South Dakota State Jackrabbits football team was an American football team that represented South Dakota State University during the 1944 college football season. In its third season under head coach Thurlo McCrady, the team compiled a 1–1 record and was outscored by a total of 27 to 13.[1]

1944 South Dakota State Jackrabbits football
ConferenceNorth Central Conference
Record1–1 (0–0 NCC)
Head coach
Seasons
← 1942
1945 →

Schedule

edit
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
October 21SDSC ERC (Army)
  • State Field
  • Brookings, SD
W 6–02,000[2]
October 28at Concordia–MoorheadMoorhead, MNL 7–27[3]
November 3River Falls StateCancelled

Hobo Day

edit

Due to wartime restrictions, the annual "Hobo Day" game matched the school's civilian football team against the school's Army training program squad. The Army team was coached by Capt. John Olson, the college's military post commandant.[4]

At halftime of one of Hobo Day game, the team paid tribute to 12 former South Dakota State athletes who lost their lives in World War II. The 12 athletes honored were:

  1. Lt. Leon Anderson, football 1942, killed in action in France
  2. Lt. Tom Archer, football 1941, Africa
  3. Sgt. Glenn Darr, football and basketball, missing in action in air raid over Europe
  4. Ensign Alvin Ekberg, football, air raid on the Marshall Islands
  5. Pvt. Bob Gilbert, football 1942, Italy
  6. Lt. Harry Henningsen, football 1940, Kelley Field, Texas
  7. Lt. Carl Tharop, basketball 1940, southwest Pacific
  8. Lt. (sg) Irwin Lee, football 1923, southwest Pacific
  9. Lt. Raymond Oehler, football 1943, France
  10. Capt. Donald Smith, football 1940, air raid over Europe
  11. Maj. Clifford Trapp, football 1938, Indianapolis
  12. A/C Thomas Ward, football and basketball 1942, Corpus Christi

[5]

Early end to season

edit

On November 1, the final game of the season against River Falls Teachers was cancelled. The River Falls squad cancelled due to the loss of players to the selective service and injuries. Following the cancellation, the Jackrabbits disbanded the football squad.[6]

References

edit
  1. ^ "2007 South Dakota State Football Media Guide". South Dakota State University. 2007. p. 77. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  2. ^ "Rabbits Grab Loose Ball for Hobo Day Win". Argus Leader. October 22, 1944. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Rabbits Fall to Concordia". Argus-Leader. October 29, 1944. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Hobo Day Plans Announced". Rapid City Journal. October 10, 1944. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Rabbits Missing in War Get Tribute". Argus Leader. October 20, 1944. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Game Off; Rabbits Disband; Turn to Basketball Drills". Argus Leader. November 1, 1944. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.