Athletic Department Football Films
Scope and Contents
This collection of Northwestern University football films dates between 1929 and 1984 with a gap for the period 1932–1934. The films record actual intercollegiate games although for many seasons not all contests are represented. The films are most complete for football seasons from the 1950s through the 1980s; beginning in the late 1950s, practice, junior varsity, and freshman team game films often are included. Northwestern team and Big Ten Conference football highlight films are scattered across the collection from the 1930s through the 1970s.
Games from 1929 to the late 1950s are usually recorded on single 16 millimeter reels. From the late 1950s through the 1980s games typically are recorded on multiple 16mm reels with each reel corresponding to one quarter of the game; some complete game reels may be found into the 1970s. A few games are documented by separate offensive, defensive, and kicking game reels and all 1984 games are recorded in this fashion. Films dating from 1929 and into the 1960s are predominately black-and-white; from the late 1960s through the 1980s the films are mainly in color. The great majority of films are silent.
One hundred and forty-three reels of Northwestern University football game films, 1984–1987, have been added to this series. The films are in 16 millimeter format. Almost all the games documented by the addition are represented by separate offense, defense, and kicking reels. Films are grouped together according to football season and arranged chronologically by game date.
In March, 1990 the University Archives and the Northwestern Football Office exchanged a number of films from the 1986 football season. The Archives' holdings now include:
1986 Duke: 4 reels (continuous game coverage)
*Army: Offense 2 reels, Defense 1 reel, Kicking 1 reel
Princeton: 4 reels (continuous game coverage)
Indiana: 4 reels (continuous game coverage)
Minnesota: 4 reels (continuous game coverage)
Wisconsin: 4 reels (continuous game coverage)
*Iowa: Offense 2 reels, Defense 2 reels, Kicking 1 reel
Purdue: 4 reels (continuous game coverage)
Ohio State: 4 reels (continuous game coverage)
Michigan State: 4 reels (continuous game coverage)
*Illinois: Offense 2 reels, Defense 2 reels, Kicking 1 reel
* = These reels have been replaced with continuous game coverage films, June 7, 1990. KBL.
In June, 1990 the University Archives replaced its films of the 1987 Duke and Iowa football games with reels of continuous game coverage. Continuous coverage features a chronological recording of the game with each quarter's action on a separate film reel.
Football highlight films from 1935 and 1957 (Big Ten Football Highlights of 1957) have been separated from the University Archives' general motion picture collection and added to this series. They have been placed in the appropriate locations based upon the chronological arrangement of the films in the series.
KBL
3/21/90
Seventy-eight reels of Northwestern University football game films, 1987 to 1989, have been added to this series. The films are in 16 millimeter format. Almost all the games documented by the addition are represented by reels of continuous game coverage, which features a chronological recording of the game with each quarter's action on a separate film reel.
These additions replaced the films of the 1987 games previously held by the University Archives.
Films are grouped together according to football season and arranged chronologically according to date.
Forty-nine reels of Northwestern University football game films, 1987–1989, have been added to this series. The films are in 16 millimeter format. Almost all the games documented by the addition are represented by reels of continuous game coverage, which features a chronological recording of the game with each quarter's action on a separate film reel. Films are grouped together according to football season and arranged chronologically by game date.
Dates
- 1929-1984
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions on use of the materials in the department for research; all patrons must comply with federal copyright regulations.
Extent
0.00 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collection of Northwestern University football films dates between 1929 and 1984 with a gap for the period 1932–1934. The films record actual intercollegiate games although for many seasons not all contests are represented. The films are most complete for football seasons from the 1950s through the 1980s; beginning in the late 1950s, practice, junior varsity, and freshman team game films often are included. Northwestern team and Big Ten Conference football highlight films are scattered across the collection from the 1930s through the 1970s.
Arrangement Note
The films are shelved chronologically according to year.
Method of Acquisition
Transferred to the University Archives by John J. Derning, Athletic Department, during the summer of 1986 (Accession #86–286).
Addition: Transferred to the University Archives by John J. Derning, Athletic Department, September 6, 1988 (Accession #88–206).
Addition: Transferred to the University Archives by Eilish McCormick, Athletic Department, on September 11, 1991 as Accession #91–166, and on August 2, 1993 as Accession #93-101.
Addition: Transferred to the University Archives by Bill Jarvis, Equipment Manager, Dyche Stadium, May 20, 1997 (Accession #97–53.
Existence and Location of Originals
Digitized transfers in DVD format of footage from the 1968 and 1969 Northwestern - University of Southern California games have been added to this series. These transfers, made from the Northwestern University Archives' 16mm films of these games were made by Mike Pikula of San Antonio, Texas, and improve upon earlier transfers.
Included are:
1968 NU Offense (1st half and 2nd half)
NU Defense (2nd half)
1969 Complete game by quarters
K. Leonard
July 10, 2006
A digitized transfer in DVD format of the 1929 Northwestern - Indiana football game has been added to this series. The transfer, made from the Northwestern University Archives' 16mm film of that game, was done by Mike Pikula of San Antonio, Texas.
K. Leonard
July 26, 2006
Digitized transfers in DVD format of the following games have been added to this series:
1954 Northwestern vs. University of Southern California
1970 Northwestern vs. UCLA
The transfers, made from the Northwestern University Archives' 16mm films of these games, were done by Graham Warger of Marlton, New Jersey.
K. Leonard
Nov. 6, 2006
Digitized transfers in DVD format of the following games have been added to this series:
1987 Northwestern vs. Purdue
1987 Northwestern vs. Illinois
The transfers, made from the Northwestern University Archives' 16mm films of these games, were made by Helix of Chicago.
K. Leonard
Feb. 1, 2007
A digitized transfer in DVD format of the 1968 Northwestern - Iowa football game has been added to this series. The transfer, made from the Northwestern University Archives' 16mm film of that game, was made by Graham Warger of Marlton, New Jersey.
K. Leonard
May 24, 2007
Separated Materials
Three-hundred-and-four reels of duplicate game films have been discarded.
Processing Information
Timothy J. Waltz; July, 1988.
Addition: Kevin B. Leonard; September 26, 1988.
Addition: Chris Mitchell; June 5, 1997.
Addition: Chris Mitchell; June 5, 1997.
- Title
- Guide to the Athletic Department Football Films
- Author
- Timothy J. Waltz
- Date
- 01/07/1988
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Repository Details
Part of the Northwestern University Archives Repository
Deering Library, Level 3
1970 Campus Dr.
Evanston IL 60208-2300 US
847-491-3635
specialcollections@northwestern.edu