[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 137 (Saturday, September 28, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1794]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      ESCANABA ESKYMOS CENTENNIAL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 27, 1996

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, on October 25, 1996, the Escanaba High 
School Eskymos football will be celebrating its 100th anniversary. In 
September of 1897, Escanaba won its first game against St. Joseph 
Catholic School. It was not the type of football we think of today.
  At the turn of the century the usual procedure for organizing a 
football team was to find a ball, improvise some equipment and find an 
open field. Most of the uniforms were handmade. What little padding the 
players had was soft and sewn into their jerseys, and headgear was 
almost non-existent. Most times the games were arranged by students, as 
faculty regarded football as a waste of time which interfered with 
their education. Players would improvise and quarrel over which rules 
to follow. It was a fast-paced and brutal sport.
  Michigan high school football traditionally revolved around fierce 
rivalries. As documented in 1994 by Michigan History Magazine, Michigan 
football fans witnessed, the beginning of one of the greatest rivalries 
and most exciting games in Michigan football history when Escanaba met 
Ishpeming in 1901. Escanaba played in Ishpeming, a small northern 
Michigan mining community, and during the second half, two linemen 
began fighting. Then the two coaches stormed onto the field, followed 
by fans from both sides, bringing the game to a halt. Police were 
forced to restore order. Conceding defeat, the Escanaba players walked 
off the field with 12 minutes left to play, saying that they feared for 
their lives.
  In 1903 Escanaba won its first Upper Peninsula championship and went 
on to challenge for the State championship title but coming up a little 
short against Benton Harbor.
  Escanaba would rebound to win the State championship in 1904, and 
again in 1907. In 1908 the Eskymos were 5-0, but the lower Michigan 
champions from Ann Arbor refused to acknowledge or play the Eskymos for 
the State championship. By such an unsportsman-like tactic, Ann Arbor 
wound up becoming the State champions.
  In 1910 the Escanaba Eskymos won eight games against other Upper 
Peninsula teams, outscoring their opponents 131 points to 10. Escanaba 
won the Upper Peninsula championship but Detroit Central High School 
would not play Escanaba for the championship and erroneously, Detroit 
would hold the State title that year.
  Until formal playoffs began in 1975, there would be no more 
championship games between Upper Peninsula and Lower Michigan teams.
  In 1920 Escanaba beat Ishpeming 103 to 0 and one of the star backs on 
the tam put his name into the record books. Marmaduke ``Duke'' Christie 
scored 10 touchdowns and 6 extra points for a total of 66 points in one 
game. This record stands today in Michigan record books as the most 
points in one game for an individual player.
  Beginning in 1962, the Eskymos were coached by Jerry Cvengros, a 
native of Ironwood, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and a 
letterman in football. Coach Cvengros would go on to coach the Eskymos 
for the next 23 years and set the all-time winning record for the 
Eskymos. His teams won 79 percent of their games, won the Upper 
Peninsula football title nine times, and became runner-up in class A 
high school football in 1979. They would not lose a single game in 1981 
en route to winning the Class A State Title.
  Escanaba's last title was in 1989 as the Upper Peninsula football 
champions. In the 99 years that Escanaba has fielded a football team 
their all-time record of 512 games puts them in third place for all 
high schools in the State of Michigan.
  This October 25th, the Escanaba Eskymos will host the Menominee 
Maroons for the 100th meeting of these two long-time rivals.
  Mr. Speaker, Members of the U.S. House of Representatives, please 
join with me in congratulating all Escanaba Eskymo team members, 
coaches, teachers and fans, past and present, on 100 great seasons! The 
Eskymos have continued to display their devotion to the game, their 
sportsmanship and pride in their school teams. The Escanaba Eskymos and 
their outstanding record of success have made a lasting impact on their 
community, the Upper Peninsula, the State of Michigan and this Nation. 
We wish them continued gridiron success!

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