a quick reminder that today we proudly remember, and loudly celebrate, the 65th anniversary of columbia’s greatest victory. on that glorious day, coach lou little’s lions, led by lou kusserow, gene rossides and bill swiacki, upended the three time defending national champion army team, snapping their 37 game unbeaten streak in the process. indeed, so formidable was the cadets’ squad that no one had scored on them until kusserow’s 5 yard run in the second quarter. much later in the game, swiacki, who still holds columbia receiving records for yards per reception in a season and career made the most consequential catch of his time as a lion, laying out in the end zone to grab rossides’ 28 yard toss to bring the blue to within 20-14. forty years later, the legendary army coach, red blaik, still insisted swiacki trapped the ball. to which we quietly respond, criticism of officials is the saddest refuge of sore losers. and the game film speaks for itself. in any event, two minutes later kusserow scored again (1 of 45 tds he recorded for columbia during his career) and the game was tied. the exotically named place kicker ventan yablonski then put the lions ahead for good at 21-20. the victory was secured when the two – way playing kusserow intercepted an army pass. 35,000 jubilant fans shook the immense wooden bleachers of the old baker field to their foundations! that beloved stadium is gone (and we are all safer for its demolition) and the site has had no finer moment since. given the unfortunate changes to collegiate athletics, it likely never will. thus we solemnize an unrepeatable moment when, for one day, columbia was as good a team as there was in the land and there was no question about who owns new york.
roar lion fans! all honor to the memory of the valiant 1947 columbia football squad!
paulie b