Turkey Trophy
During the first year, Garfield met Wiley for the first time, and the result of that gridiron battle gave Wiley a 69-0 victory. Wiley-Garfield games were barred for the next two years and during this time, Garfield created a student body by and for Garfield, her first loyal followers.
In 1915, the second gridiron battle between the Red and Purple was scheduled. Apparently the Northsiders were doomed to defeat before they ever played. The Wabash Valley looked on Wiley as the champion. If anyone was to dispute that championship, it was least of all Garfield.
A short time before the game, a small band of boosters, the nucleus of the Boosters Club that contributed much to our future spirit, collected enough money to purchase an attractive trophy. On an evening when the team was more or less halfheartedly practicing for the coming game, the trophy was taken onto the field. A transformation took place when the players learned that someone believed in them. On Thanksgiving Day, the boys went onto the field to fight their hearts out for Garfield. Against overwhelming odds, the Purple and White boys gave their all and a brilliant triumph of 7-6 was their reward. The Spirit of 7-6 was, that day, born. With the newly born spirit, Garfield beat the odds.
In 1915, 1917 and 1922, the score was 7-6 and every year and in every game, it was that “never die” determination of the athletes, the Student Body, the Faculty, the Alumni, and the followers that carried them to victory.
This “Spirit of 7-6″, this intangible force which has lent us strength, was first conceived by “Jim” Conover, booster, former football player and principal of Garfield. Mr. Conover deserves the title of the father of the “Spirit of 7-6″, which gave us victory.
1915 Football Team
This “Spirit of 7-6″, this intangible force which has lent us strength, was first conceived by “Jim” Conover, booster, former football player and principal of Garfield. Mr. Conover deserves the title of the father of the “Spirit of 7-6″, which gave us victory.
Reprinted from the 1971 Benedictus
David Smith was visiting the site and left a message. He found a postcard showing Garfield High School with a postmark of May 30, 1916. He said he will be contacting the Historical Society, however if anyone would be interested in it he will send it to them gratis. If interested, please check the guestbook at http://www.garfieldhs.com/42.html.