Prior to 1891, a type of rugby football was played between class and intramural teams. VMI adopted the “new style” football in 1891, after Cadet Walter H. Taylor encountered it while talking with enthusiastic players from Princeton and other northern colleges. VMI’s first intercollegiate game was played on October 31, 1891 against Washington and Lee, resulting in a 6-0 victory for the Institute. More football photos in the VMI Archives digital collections.
VMI’s first intercollegiate team, 1891
