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University of Toronto logo.1877-2000
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The University of Toronto (U of T) Varsity Blues is one of three of the oldest university football programs in Canada (the other two football programs are McGill and Queen's University). Before the U of T football program started in 1898 with the Canadian Intercollegiate Rugby Football Union (CIRFU), U of T was part of the Ontario Rugby Football Union (ORFU) from 1883 to 1897 in which U of T did not win any championships.Before U of T became one of the oldest football university programs in Canada, the Varsity Blues had some significant dates in their school history. One of the first documented games in U of T history was in 1861 where this game that was played was played using unique rules that required the players to bounce or kick the ball towards the opposition's goal. This pick-up game was played by a group of students on what is known now as the Ontario Legislative Building in Queen's Park.
The next significant year in U of T football history was in 1877 when rugby rules were introduced to the school by then captain J.H. Mayne Campbell. Also in the same year, U of T's first team was formed. With the rugby rules starting to be understood by the football club, the foundation was in place.
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Following the knowledge of rugby rules by the players, U of T's first interuniversity game was played in Detroit in 1879 when U of T played the University of Michigan in which the game ended in a 0-0 tie. Their first Canadian university game was in 1881, when McGill played U of T in which McGill defeated U of T, two tries to nothing.As stated earlier, U of T's first official university competition was in 1898 when they were part of the CIRFU in which they stayed until the 1970 season, and during that time, U of T were fairly successful with championships. Varsity's first championship was in the inaugural season of the CIRFU when they won their first ever Yates Cup. This championship was the first of two for U of T.
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Team photo of U of T from 1898.Circa 1898
University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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During the 1900s, U of T won five Yates Cups (1901, 1903, 1905, 1908, and 1909), but 1909 was their most significant season. In the 1909 season, U of T was the first ever team to win the Grey Cup when they defeated the Toronto Parkdale Canoe Club 26-6. The reason as to why U of T won the first ever Grey Cup was because during those times, any unions that was under the Canadian Rugby Union (CRU) umbrella was allowed to participate in the Grey Cup; if their health allowed them to.6
Game action from 1908 between U of T and McGill.Circa 1908
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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View of Rosedale Field from the 1909 Grey Cup.4 December 1909
Rosedale Field, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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The 1909 Grey Cup and Yates Cup champions.Circa 1909
University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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In the 1910s, the winning ways continued for U of T. In this decade, U of T won five more championships. U of T first championship in that decade was in 1910 when they won another Yates Cup by finishing in first place in the CIRFU. Much like last season, they won their second straight Grey Cup, when the Hamilton Tigers was defeated 16-7.10
The 1910 Grey Cup and Yates Cup champions.Circa 1910
University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Song program for U of T during the 1910 Grey Cup.26 November 1910
Convocation Hall, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Much like the 1910 season, 1911 was going the same way. U of T once again won the Yates Cup and their third Grey Cup when the Toronto Argonauts were defeated 14-7. The 1914 season was a bittersweet season for U of T as they won their last Yates Cup in the decade, but suffered their first defeat in Grey Cup action as the Toronto Argonauts defeated the Varsity squad 14-2. For the next four seasons (1915-1918), the CIRFU ceased operations due to World War I.13
During the 1920s, U of T was still continuing their winning ways with four more championships in the decade. U of T's first championships was in 1920, when once again they won their 11th Yates Cup in school history. Also in 1920, U of T won their last Grey Cup when they once again defeated the Toronto Argonauts 16-3.14
Team photo from the 1920 season.Circa 1920
Varsity Stadium, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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