This article covers the program's early years prior to the hiring of Shell as the school's first head football coach.
[12][13] According to the Haverfordian, "The day, as regards temperature and brightness, was all that could be desired, though the frost of the previous night made the footing somewhat uncertain.
"[14] The starting lineup for Swarthmore against Haverford was Caley, Carter, Seaman, Field, Butler, Powell, and Grundy at forward; Browning, Moore, Thomas at halfback; and Sharpless at fullback.
[14] The rivalry with Haverford was not renewed until the 1882 season, and Swarthmore did not achieve a win the series until 1883.
The grounds were used as a baseball diamond as well, and Garrison fell onto the pitcher's mound which had been filled with gravel.
One newspaper account described the reaction to the accident: "All merriment was hushed and the usually noisy crowd was awe-stricken.