Great Lakes in Lake County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Great Lakes Athletics
By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010
1. Great Lakes Athletics Marker
Throughout WWI and WWII, athletic opportunities for recruits included swimming, basketball, hockey, water polo, boxing, wrestling and track and field. But, it was in football that Great Lakes achieved national prominence. Among the thousands of recruits streaming through the gates were players from Notre Dame, Northwestern, Iowa, Washington, Detroit, Ohio State and a host of others. One of the players who would achieve fame in professional football was George Halas (“Papa Bear” of the Chicago Bears). The 1918 undefeated season culminated in Pasadena, California in the [1919] Rose Bowl where Great Lakes defeated the Mare Island Marines, 17-0. During WWII, the Great Lakes Bluejackets twice defeated Notre Dame in football and the baseball team competed well against professional teams.
Erected by Naval Station Great Lakes.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • Sports • War, World I • War, World II.
Location. 42° 18.706′ N, 87° 50.409′
By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010
2. Photo on Great Lakes Athletics Marker
[Caption reads] Great Lakes against Northwestern in 1918; George Halas and Paddy Driscoll are pictured in center circle.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. World War II (here, next to this marker); Women at Great Lakes (here, next to this marker); The Post War Era (here, next to this marker); Wings over Great Lakes (here, next to this marker); Great Lakes History Trail (here, next to this marker); Fighting Tradesmen (here, next to this marker); Base Realignment and Closure (here, next to this marker); Origins of the Base / Construction (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Great Lakes.
Also see . . .
1. Naval Station Great Lakes. (Submitted on November 13, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Great Lakes Naval Museum. (Submitted on November 13, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Great Lakes Naval Training Station. (Submitted on November 13, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010
3. Photo on Great Lakes Athletics Marker
[Caption reads] Sailors Boxing with Jack Kennedy Referring
By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010
4. Photo on Great Lakes Athletics Marker
[Caption reads] Boat Races during the 1930's
By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010
5. Photo on Great Lakes Athletics Marker
[Caption reads] Baseball Players during WWII
By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010
6. Photo on Great Lakes Athletics Marker
Great Lakes-Illinois football game at the naval station.
By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010
7. Great Lakes Athletics Marker
On right. Looking northwest.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 744 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 13, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 7. submitted on November 14, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
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