BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PIGSKIN CLUB
OF WASHINGTON, INCORPORATED
Rodney P. Savoy, Jr., Club Archivist Emeritus (Deceased)
The Pigskin Club was the brainchild of the late Dr. Charles B. Fisher, a former star football player on the Howard University football teams of 1917, 1919, and 1920. Being impressed with the benefits that derive from wholesome athletics, and understanding the problems incident to participation in competitive sports, Dr. Fisher conceived the idea of assembling men who had received benefits from such activities and forming them into an organization. He discussed these ideas with a number of his friends with like interests and called a meeting for Tuesday, July 25, 1938. In a note announcing a larger meeting, Dr. Fisher wrote:
"Dear Friend of Football:
On Saturday night, July 30, 1938, at nine o'clock, I am asking those whom I believe are interested in the formation of the Pigskin Club to meet at my home. To become a member requires no fee. The purpose and eligibility are stated on the enclosed card.
May I have the pleasure of seeing you?
Sincerely yours,
Charles B. Fisher, M.D.
"Organizer"
The purpose of this meeting was stated on a card, enclosed with the call for the initial meeting: "PIGSKIN CLUB-PURPOSE"
That there be an ever improving relationship between persons interested in the game of football; that there may be given encouragement for good, clean sport; that there may be a more perfect understanding among such persons; and, that there may be mutual benefits and pleasures derived from such association.
ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP
Satisfactory evidence of having played in college football competition. Satisfactory evidence of having made some outstanding contribution to the sport of football.
In response to Dr. Fisher's invitation, the following persons met at his home to plan for the formal organization of the Pigskin Club:
George Edward Brice Harold Douglas Martin
Frederick Sylvester Blackwell Robert Nicholas Mattingly
Raymond Elmer Contee Charles Lloyd Pinderhughes
Joseph Norman Dodson John Randolph Pinkett
William Henry Greene John Turner Rhines
George Edward Chalmers Hayes W. Napoleon Rivers
Harold Appo Haynes Alfred Kiger Savoy
Edwin Bancroft Henderson Emmett J. Scott
Leo Sigsbee Holton Charles Freeman West
Campbell Carrington Johnson Garnet Crummel Wilkinson
Formal organization of the Pigskin Club took place on the evening of Friday, October 7, 1938 at the 12th Street Branch YMCA, Officers elected were:
President…………………………Charles B. Fisher
Vice President……………………Edwin B. Henderson
Vice President……………………John R. Pinkett
Secretary…………………………George E. Brice
Treasurer…………………………William H. Greene
At this meeting the following persons were recognized as Charter Members:
Ralph Anderson John Gaddis Robert Pinderhughes
Thomas J. Banks Rosier Graves Charles Pinkett
Richard Blackwell Harry Greene John Rainey
F. S. Brice William H. Greene M. Grayson Rhines
George E. Brown Vernon Hayes John T. Richardson
Huver I. Brown George E.C. Hardy Willis Rivers
Artie Bruce Henry Haynes W. Napoleon Robinson
Whit Butt Harold Henderson Roscoe Savoy
John Carmichael Edwin Holton A. Kiger Sewell
Claude Clay Leo Jefferson Joseph Scott
Henry Coleman George Johnson Armond W. Tyson
Frank Contee Campbell McAlpin James G. West
Raymond Compton Harry McDuffie Charles Washington
Samuel Cupid Clyde Marshall Benjamin Wilkinson
Isaac Dixon C. Herbert Martin Garnet Wilson
Walter Dodson Joseph Martin Robert Young
Joseph Downing Ulysses Monroe
Lewis Francis Daniel Pearson
Since the first meeting, the Pigskin Club has become one of the leading and influential sports organizations in the Nation. Under the leadership of Charles B. Fisher, the Club became a rallying point for college lettermen, coaches and citizens interested in clean sports and fair play.
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