McKendree University Athletics

Cap played football at McKendree in 1895 and again from 1899 to 1902. McKendree was routed in its opening game of 1899 and the team disbanded. Cap’s election as team captain in 1899 “settled ill feeling,” and McKendree went on to win every remaining game that season. “This marked the beginning of real foot ball [sic] at McKendree,” W.L. Clucas wrote in the 1905 McKendree Pigskin. Continuing as team captain, Cap led the team to winning seasons in 1900 and 1901, and to a record of 2-2 in 1902. He also was active in the beginnings of a track program. In 1902 an intramural “athletic meet” was held on campus. Cap won the shot put with a toss of 30’1’’, finished third in the standing broad jump and was second in the high kick. He was elected captain of the 1903 athletic meet. Cap returned to McKendree as president in 1923 after having served as a Methodist pastor, and his inaugural day featured a football game. He is remembered as a champion of athletics at McKendree.