by Travis Normand
June 28, 2017

Yesterday the National Football Foundation released a statement that a group of college football leaders were planning a nationwide celebration to commemorate the game’s 150th anniversary.

IRVING, Texas (June 27, 2017) – College football, one of America’s most beloved and popular institutions, is getting ready to celebrate a big birthday.  And it plans to do so in style.

A group of college football leaders announced plans today to launch a nationwide celebration to commemorate the game’s 150th anniversary.

Click here to read the full statement at FootballFoundation.org.

While I think this is a fun idea, and I enjoy having a solid date that allows fans to commemorate the game of college football as being a specific age, I also recognize that many college football historians dispute the November 6, 1869 start/birth date and have pointed out that it may not be entirely accurate. (I also don’t expect football officials/executives to let historical facts get in their way of having a marketable event which produces interest and money). Regardless, whether or not this is the correct date is technically another discussion, as this commemoration is based upon the premise that college football was “born” on November 6, 1869 when Rutgers defeated the College of New Jersey (now Princeton), 6-4. Further, the commemoration will be celebrated across all divisions of college football during the 2019 season, with a focus on November 6.

For those keeping score, here are some key dates regarding college football’s “age”(assuming you accept November 6, 1869 as the official start date of college football).

• 2017 College Football Season: College football is 148 years old & 2017 is the 149th season.
• 2018 College Football Season: College football is 149 years old & 2018 is the 150th season.
• 2019 College Football Season: College football is 150 years old & 2019 is the 151st season.