If there’s one thing Michiganders love, it’s their sports teams. From the Tigers to the Lions to the Wolverines and Spartans, Michigan sports fans take their loyalties seriously. This sports obsession is nothing new, though – Michiganders have been enjoying athletic events for over a century. The footage below offers a unique look into Michigan’s sports culture during the 1920s.

This video shows warm-ups completed by the University of Michigan Wolverines in the 1920s. Michigan football has a long history — they played their first game in 1879.

The footage above shows an early game by the team now known as Michigan State Spartans. At the time this film was captured in 1923, MSU was known by its original name: Michigan Agricultural College (MAC).

The Michigan-Ohio State rivalry runs deep: here we see the Wolverines defeating the Buckeyes during a 1926 matchup. Go Blue!

Football isn’t the only sport with an interesting history in Michigan. In 1923, Detroit resident Ernie Hartman amassed 2024 points overall during a bowling championship — the highest score in the world at that time.

This fascinating film shows golfers Sidney R. Small and Harley G. Higbie as they competed in the Detroit District Golf Championships. Between 1924 and 1934, Small and Higbie each claimed several championships. In the footage above, Small took home the prize.

A day at the ballpark is an American tradition, and Michiganders have been watching the Detroit Tigers play since the late 19th century. This footage shows the excitement experienced by baseball fans after the Tigers claimed the World Series from the Yankees in 1926.

For more amazing historical footage of Michigan, check out the King Rose Archives page on YouTube.

Now that you’ve taken a quick trip back in time, are you feeling nostalgic? Check out this article about Michigan’s iconic soft drink!

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