Today Tidbit... Curmudgeons and Cheerleaders

Princeton was the first school to have cheerleaders elected by the student body to lead organized yells and songs at football games. Princeton went so far as to organize separate cheer teams for football practices. One supported the varsity, and the other supported the scrubs or scout team.

All that racket became too much for a curmudgeonly Princeton alum who penned the following letter to the editor, published the day before the Tigers took on Yale in 1897. The third paragraph is wonderful writing!

‘This Should be Removed Altogether,’ Hartford Courant, November 19, 1897.

Unfortunately for the Tigers, the gentlemen from Yale prevailed 6-0 the following day, leaving Princeton with little to cheer for. Hopefully, the curmudgeon enjoyed a quiet train ride home.

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