Prior to 1935, the school was known as Columbia University, and the football team was known as the "Irish" (due to an affiliation with Notre Dame).
During that time, the football team competed primarily against small Oregon colleges.
"Matty" Mathews, another former Notre Dame football player, took over as head coach in 1937 and remained in the position until 1942.
The school suspended its football program during World War II and did not field teams from 1943 to 1945.
The school cited the "extraordinary expenses" associated with maintaining a first-rate football program.