Indiana

 Hoosiers 1956 - 1958
(Authentic Reproduction)
 

 

 

 
For 1956 Coach Bernie Crimmins took the white shell with one-inch red stripe and added three-inch rounded or "Charger-style" red player numerals to both sides of the helmet for a look that was typical of the era. Needing some in-conference wins to secure his job, Crimmins allowed Dave Whitsell to receive more playing time as a two-way back and Tom Campbell was a fine compliment at left HB. The defense was porous giving up 263 points with every opponent scoring at least two TD's. Bob Skoronski was a force up front as he later proved with the Packers as a starting tackle for years and senior QB Chick Chickowski and end Brad Bomba were a talented pass-catch combo but there was little past that. Giving up 100 points in their opening three games, all losses, sealed the season early. Not surprisingly, Crimmins resigned following the 39-20 season finale loss to rival Purdue. 
 
Using a combination of the Single Wing and T-Formation in what he called the Side-Saddle T, Coach Phil Dickens was hired from Wyoming and planned to build around HB Dave Whitsell who was as versatile in a ten-year NFL career with the Lions, Bears, and Saints as a two-way back. Cousineau returned also but the season did not pan out as expected. "Phantom Phil" was a former Tennessee tailback and had taken Wyoming to an undefeated record in '56. On December 6, 1956, Rule 7 was adopted by the Big Ten which outlined strict financial need aid allowances to recruits. After Dickens signed on with the Hoosiers in January of 1957, there were immediate reports of rules violations with recruits receiving money for so-called incidental expenses and other inducements. The violations were so blatant that the IU administration was advised that Dickens would have to be fired if they were to maintain their conference affiliation. A compromise was reached with the NCAA where Dickens was suspended for a year on August 5, 1957, before even opening his first IU fall camp and was allowed no contact with any players, coaches, or in any way with the football program. Assistant Bob Hicks who had come from Wyoming with him, would lead the team for 1957. The oddball offensive formation was easy pickings for the Big Ten coaches and the inept Hoosiers were shut out five times in their first seven games, scored forty-seven points for the entire season, and gave up high double-digits to all but Villanova in their lone win in a 1-8 debacle. As per usual, the Purdue game ended in a major brawl involving players and fans. Maintaining the white shell with one-inch crimson center stripe, and side numerals, Dickens returned for the 1958 season and in an attempt to give the Hoosiers a psychological boost, ignored the concept of official team and school colors and dressed the team in light blue jerseys for their home opener on October 4th against West Virginia. Reviving the Single Wing offense, the 13-12 win seemed to propel the soph-laded team the remainder of the season. The 5-3-1 record included three Big Ten wins and it was obvious that big end Earl Faison was a true star, catching the passes of Tom McDonald and Tom Campbell with the highlight of his season a ninety-two yard TD run with a blocked field goal against Michigan State.

If interested in any of these Indiana helmets please click on the photos below.