Great Lakes in Lake County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Great Lakes Football Team
Great Lakes History Trail Stop 9
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010
1. The Great Lakes Football Team Marker
Throughout WWI and WWII, athletic opportunities for recruits included swimming, basketball, hockey, water polo, boxing, wrestling and track & field. But, it was in WWI 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 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° 18.678′ N, 87° 50.14′ W. Marker is in Great Lakes, Illinois, in Lake County. Marker is on Decatur Avenue near Mahan Road, on the right when traveling east. Marker is along the southern boundary of Ross Field. Touch for map
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Building One (here, next to this marker); "Brick Row" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); United States Naval Training Station (about 400 feet away); Rededication of Naval Training Center Great Lakes (about 400 feet away); LT John Philip Sousa Bandstand (about 400 feet away); Building Four (approx. 0.2 miles away); Original Architectural Design (approx. 0.2 miles away); Women at Great Lakes (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Great Lakes.
Also see . . .
1. Great Lakes Naval Museum. (Submitted on November 16, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Great Lakes Naval Training Station. (Submitted on November 16, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010
2. Photo on Football Team Marker
[Caption reads] Stadium, U.S. Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Ill.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010
3. Football Team Photo on Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010
4. The Great Lakes Football Team Marker
Looking north across Ross Field, where the stadium once was located.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2010
5. The Great Lakes Football Team Marker
Looking northeast, with Building 1 in background.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,112 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 16, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
