On December 8, 1896, Thomas "Doggie" Trenchard was engaged to train the Western University of Pennsylvania (WUP) athletes commencing on January 1.
[5] His appointment rekindled hope that the WUP would regain some measure of respect in athletic competitions.
Second, the remaining student body was too apathetic to be bothered with the rigors of training for a spot on the team.
"[8] In its first and only season under head coach Thomas Trenchard, the team compiled a 1–3 record and was outscored by a total of 91 to 9.
On October 8, 1897, the WUP eleven played a practice game against the Pittsburgh High School team.
The WUP eleven played a sloppy game and were unable to score until coach Trenchard inserted himself into the lineup and carried the ball over the goal line in the final two minutes.
[1] Coach Trenchard's early season frustrations were summarized best in the October 22nd issue of The Pittsburg Press: "W.U.P.
If Trenchard had more hearty co-operation of the students and faculty the prospects for a champion team would certainly be brighter.
[11] The game at Latrobe, Pa. started on a positive note for The Western U., as the offense with coach Trenchard at halfback, moved the ball to the 10-yard line.
The Latrobe defense stiffened and the WUP offense did not come close to scoring again, even though Coach Trenchard had Robinson and Sterrett of the Greensburg A.
The Greensburg Athletic Association and Washington & Jefferson Presidents ended the season with the best football records in Pennsylvania.