Today's Tidbit... The 1921 San Diego East-West Christmas Classic
Although the Rose Bowl and Shrine Bowl are the only postseason games to survive the 1920s, numerous attempts were made to hold games in warm-weather cities between college or all-star teams over the holidays. One was the San Diego East-West Christmas Classic, played only in 1921 and 1922. The 1922 game saw West Virginia take down Gonzaga 21-13, but it was the 1921 game that was most memorable.
The 1921 game occurred 101 years ago today after rain fell in San Diego for eight days. While the San Diego Athletic and Recreation Association expected the field to be a quagmire, they did not postpone the game due in part to their having insured themselves against rain to the tune of $25,000. They could not collect on the policy without playing the game, and the $25K made up for getting only 3,000 attendees.
Centre entered the game 9-0, with wins over Clemson, Virginia Tech, Kentucky, Auburn, and Tulane, but their 6-0 upset of Harvard caught the nation's attention.
Conversely, Arizona's was 8-1, but they had scheduled smaller-college teams, other than Texas A&M, to whom they lost 17-13, so the betting money was on the Centre Praying Colonels. The betting money was right as Centre outswam the Wildcats 38-0.
Centre made only two of six goals after touchdown attempts, as the puddles were problematic for drop kickers.
Of course, the best part of the game was the pictures left behind. Here are six images of the wettest postseason game for your viewing pleasure.
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Yes. Balboa was built in 1914 for a World's Fair/Expo and was the home field for the WWI Navy base team that called Balboa Park home.
Was the game played at Balboa Stadium?