1930 Michigan Football Jersey

In February 2008, an item claimed by its seller to be an actual 1930 Wolverine jersey came up for bid on eBay. The description said that the jersey was previously owned by Francis Cornwell, the right guard on coach Harry Kipke’s squad (see lead photo).

It looks to be authentic. The jersey number (28) and the name ‘Cornwell’ is sewn on with prominent maize thread. The 1930 team photo from the University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library website features Cornwell donning a #28 jersey that is very similar to the one for sale.

Cornwell and his jersey participated in a wonderful season in M history as Coach Kipke’s Wolverines finished 8-0-1, the lone blemish a scoreless tie at home with Michigan State College. That tie cost the Wolverines consideration for the national title, settling for a share of the conference crown with Northwestern. And although this was a year before a certain future President arrived on campus, the squad featured some very famous names. The sons of both Fielding Yost and the legendary Willie Heston suited up for the Wolverines in 1930- two chips off the old block M.

One Comment

  • Larry

    For some reason I like this era Michigan jersey. Is that darker material black or dark blue?

    I know Michigan has not had a lot of drastic uniform changes over history. They did not wear those friction strips on the front like the Red Grange jersey or that other teams wore.