1932

March 12
Oscar Martin Solem signed a three-year contract to coach Iowa football. Described as big and genial, “Ossie” Solem was a Minnesota graduate who had been a successful coach and athletic director at Drake for 11 years.

Years after his Iowa career was over, Solem remembered its beginnings: “I don’t know of anyone who stepped into a more unfortunate situation. I got my first paycheck and it was just one half a check. So I said, ‘Gee, what’s this all about?” and they said, ‘Well you know the athletic fund is exhausted, hasn’t been able to meet expenses in over a year.’ It was a pretty discouraging thing, I’ll tell you.”

1932
For the third straight year, Iowa failed to defeat a Big Ten opponent, but mid-season something different did happen. The Hawkeyes played their first night game ever against George Washington University in Washington, D.C., losing 21-6.

Iowa vs Northwestern, November 11, 1932. The Hawkeyes lose another one, 6-44.

Copyright © 2005, University of Iowa Alumni Association Team names, logos, and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. No logos, photographs, videos, or graphics on this site may be reproduced without written permission.