Great Lakes in Lake County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Great Lakes Athletics
Photographed 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. A significant historical year for this entry is 1918.
Location. 42° 18.706′ N, 87° 50.409′ W. Marker is in Great Lakes, Illinois, in Lake County. Marker is on Farragut Avenue near Sampson Road, on the right when traveling east. Marker is in the Historic District of Naval Station
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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); Base Realignment and Closure (here, next to this marker); Fighting Tradesmen (here, next to this marker); The Golden Thirteen (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Great Lakes.
Also see . . . Great Lakes Naval Training Station. Encyclopedia of Chicago website entry (Submitted on November 13, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed 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.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010
3. Photo on Great Lakes Athletics Marker
[Caption reads] Sailors Boxing with Jack Kennedy Referring
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010
4. Photo on Great Lakes Athletics Marker
[Caption reads] Boat Races during the 1930's
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010
5. Photo on Great Lakes Athletics Marker
[Caption reads] Baseball Players during WWII
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010
6. Photo on Great Lakes Athletics Marker
Great Lakes-Illinois football game at the naval station.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010
7. Great Lakes Athletics Marker
On right. Looking northwest.
Photographed By Via, unknown
8. Naval Station Great Lakes
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Credits. This page was last revised on February 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 875 times since then and 18 times this year. 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. 8. submitted on February 22, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
