May 10, 2019 Rest in Peace Ernest M. Sprague

Posted on May 9, 2019 by Barry Gallagher

Today’s post celebrates the memory of Ernest M. Sprague who went to rest in peace on this day in 1938. Mr. Sprague was seventy-two when he died. Ernest Marshall “Ernie” Sprague was born on October 20, 1865 in Farmington, Michigan. Yes, the story of this Wolverine “Pigskin Pioneer” goes way back to the Civil War!

(Note – Ernest M. Sprague is shown above with the 1887 Michigan Football team. He is standing in the middle of the back row. Photo courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library at The University of Michigan.)

Part I. Wolverine of the Day: Ernest M. Sprague

From Farm Boy to College Boy in 1886

Ernest M. Sprague left the family farm in 1886 to study engineering at The University of Michigan.  Sprague must have had some time on his hands, or maybe he was the kind of guy who needed a “physical” break from his studies. Anyway, he signed up to play the new game of “football” for a Michigan captain named Horace G. Prettyman. Mr. Prettyman was in the final year of his three-year tenure as Michigan’s football captain. The two most important things to know about Prettyman were that he loved Michigan football and he loved winning.

Sprague is listed as a “rusher” on the 1886 Michigan Football Roster which means that he was probably a pretty tough guy. The entire 1886 season was played during a two-week span in October. Captain Prettyman set up a two-game season against the same team. In this case, Albion College agreed to play “home-and-home” games with the Wolverines.

Ernest M. Sprague was a Wolverine “Pigskin Pioneer” who lettered in 1886 and 1887. Photo courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library at The University of Michigan.

The first game of the 1886 season was played in Albion and Michigan won by a score of 50-0. The Wolverines played the role of “gracious” hosts and eased up on their guests in game number two in Ann Arbor. Final score: Michigan 24   Albion 0. This would be the first time that a Michigan football “season” was played against the same team. It was also the first time that the entire season took place in the month of October (October 16 and 30).

Back for More football in 1887

Ernest M. Sprague must have enjoyed his time on the Michigan football team in 1886 because he came back for more in 1887. Although Horace Prettyman was still on the team in 1887, he was not the captain. John L. Duffy became the new leader of the Michigan Football team in 1887. He arranged a three-game schedule that was played in November. Michigan opened the season against Albion on November 12^th and won 32-0. They journeyed to Notre Dame on November 23^rd to “teach” the Irish how to play and won 8-0 in South Bend. The 1887 season ended on a high note with a 26-0 victory over a Harvard Club team on November 24, 1887.

Yes, Ernest M. Sprague played on two Michigan football teams and earned two varsity letters. His teams had a perfect record of 5 wins, 0 losses and 90 ties. You can’t do much better than that! In addition to playing on some winning teams, Sprague is connected to some interesting Michigan football “firsts.” Here they are:

So, on the eightieth anniversary of his passing, let us remember Ernest M. Sprague. He was truly a Maize and Blue “Pigskin Pioneer” who helped establish a winning football tradition in Ann Arbor. May Ernest Sprague always rest in peace. Go Blue!

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Sprague

http://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/fbteam/1887fbt.htm

Part II. May 10, 2019 National Day Calendar Update

• National Clean Up Your Room Day
• National Lipid Day
• Shrimp Day
• National Washington Day
• Military Spouse Appreciation Day – Friday Before Mother’s Day
• National Provider Appreciation Day – Friday Before Mother’s Day