![]() In June, the SEC developed a plan to allow its member schools to discontinue athletic teams due to the war efforts, but retain the overall structure of the conference. As they were now enlisted as active servicemen, they were all ineligible to play in the fall for the Crimson Tide. On March 26, Herbert Chapman, Billy DeWitt, James Grantham, Henry "Red" Jones, Jim McWhorter and Lou Scales became the first Alabama players to be called into active duty from the enlisted reserve corps. Two weeks into the practices, coach Thomas held the first scrimmage of the spring on March 22. ![]() These players included: Jack Aland, Johnny August, Bill Baughman, Andy Bires, Charley Compton, Ted Cook, Leon Fichman, Ted McKosky, Jim McWhorter, Norman Mosley, Mitchell Olenski, Kenny Reese, Lou Scales, John Staples and Don Whitmire. As they entered practice, only 15 lettermen returned to the squad from the 1942 team. At that time coach Thomas acknowledged he did not know how many of his players would be eligible to play in the fall due to rules the prohibited active-duty servicemen playing intercollegiate football. On March 8, spring practice commenced at Denny Stadium and 55 student-athletes reported the first day. "Army–Navy programs not figured at all in our plans for athletics next fall." Īs such, preparations continued towards fielding a team for the 1943 season. At the time of the announcement, coach Thomas was quoted as saying: As part of the Department's order, only students under 18 years of age or those with 4-F draft classifications were permitted to compete in intercollegiate athletics. In February 1943, the United States Department of War announced they would take over both classroom space and athletic facilities at 271 colleges and universities to be utilized for the training of United States Army soldiers. Football officially returned on September 30, 1944, when the Crimson Tide played LSU to a tie in their season opener. By May 1944, all SEC schools, with the exception of Vanderbilt, indicated they would field teams for the 1944 season. The squad lost to Howard, defeated the Marion Military Institute twice and finished the season with an overall record of two wins and one loss (2–1).Īt the conclusion of the season, SEC officials met in an effort to bring a full football schedule back for the 1944 season. The Informals were allowed to play their games at Denny Stadium and utilize the equipment of the Crimson Tide football team. Coached by former Crimson Tide player Mitchell Olenski, the Informals were composed of 17-year-old and draft deferred students ineligible for military service. The cancellation marked only the third time since the inaugural 1892 season that Alabama did not field a football team.Īlthough not officially sanctioned by the University, an independent team called the Alabama Informals was organized in October 1943. By summer, only two Alabama players were available to compete on the squad as a result of the Army prohibition on its trainees competing in intercollegiate athletics, and on August 23, 1943, the University announced its decision to cancel the 1943 season. Unsure if a season would occur, head coach Frank Thomas proceeded through spring practice as if it would be played. In February 1943, the Army instituted a policy that prohibited their cadets from participation in intercollegiate athletics. The 1943 Alabama Crimson Tide football team was to represent the University of Alabama in the 1943 college football season however, the season was canceled due to the effects of World War II.
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