• Leathernecks Help Dedicate Yost Field House (1923)

    Check out this promotional bulletin produced by the U.S. Marine Corps in anticipation for their game against Michigan on November 10, 1923: Note that the print is signed by John Lejeune, the namesake of Marine Corps base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. You’ll also notice that it mentions that 2000 Marines would be in attendance for the game and with them, the Secretary of the Navy Edwin Denby.   Denby attended Michigan law school at the end of the century and even  played center for the 1895 football squad. Strapping lad! But this is what really why this caught my attention.  The visit by the Marines coincided with the dedication of the newest super structure in college athletics—Yost Field House. According to the Michigan Daily [via Robert Soderstrom’s The Big House]: The Marines, 1500 strong, together with their famous band, made an inspiring sight as they entered the field house.  They marched in a column of squads the full length of the building in an aisle between the thousands of spectators seated in the stands and standing on either side. Naturally The Bentley has some great photos, here’s one: You can clearly see the Marines on either side of the seated attendees and the band up front.  It’s unconfirmed if the light shining through the windows is the grace of God.…