Flashback to '26: Campus Life a Century Ago

The bee's knees! Take a gander at 1926 as we flip through photos from The Chestnut Burr, Kent State University's student-produced yearbook, published from 1914 through 1985. These snapshots capture campus life during the Jazz Age — a time of bobbed hair, fraternity pins and collegiate style that was simply swell.

To ambitious youth entering college, to joyouse, busy youth in college, to idealistic, serious youth leaving college; to the spirit of youth everywhere, we dedicate this book.

Dedication in the Chestnut Burr from the editors

1925 Football Team — "Athletics at Kent State were in an unusually depressed condition when Coach Merle Wagoner and Director Frank L. Oktavec came to take charge in the fall of '25. The college had lost 37 consecutive games scoring only one touchdown in all these games. Although Kent won but one game she can boast of going through a whole season with but one defeat."

Football coach 1925 — Merle Wagoner began his work as coach in October, '25. "The success of this season cannot be attributed to any one player but we do owe Coach Wagoner much praise for the success of the past season. His general good spirits and his contagious enthusiasm have already won fro him the respect of the college men and there is no doubt but what his success for another season will prove just as successful."

Football players in 1925 — The football team tied 3 games, won 1 game and lost 1 game in the 1925 season.

Men's Basketball Team 1926 — Basketball Squad 1926

Women's Basketball 1926 — Blockheads This notorious gang is as yet unconquered! To them is given the honor of having one of the fastest and snappiest teams ever playing at Kent State. The team work of Strayer and Blalock is inconceivable anad truly make one's hair raise to witness such accurate shots, made from all angles on the floor. Since to them "To win is to live," may Good Luck be their referee in their final struggle with the Macaronis for supremacy.

Sorority members in 1926 — Y.W.C.A. Cabinet "With the coming of spring, one begins to look back over the work which he has done to measure to some degree his success. In turning back the leaves of time for the Y.W.C.A., we find many things to its credit iwht he additional word success."

Chestnut Burr copy is copyrighted by Ivan R. Statler and Helen Hahn

Enter Kent State Token to view hidden content:

The Chestnut Burr yearbook captures Kent State Normal College in the Roaring Twenties

Mailing Address