Huggins and Scott Auctions takes great pleasure in presenting treasures from the estate of Arthur J. “Dutch” Bergman. A halfback for Notre Dame from 1915-1916, and 1919, Bergman went on to a lengthy career as a college football coach, along with shorter stints in basketball and baseball. Held by the Bergman family for more than one hundred years, these ancient relics make their way to the market for the first time in our current auction.



Only the mighty Army football team stood in the way of a perfect season for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame in 1916. The 1916 national champion Cadets gave the Irish a 30-10 whipping on 11/4/1916, for the only blot on their stellar 8-1 record. One of the great treasures from Bergman's estate, is this Type I 1916 Notre Dame team photo. This oversized 13-5/8 x 9-1/4" matte finish print remains in very pleasing Ex condition, with deference to a couple of minute surface impressions.



Other than the defeat by Army, the 1916 ND squad was very impressive, recording lopsided shutouts in all eight of their victories. There's no mystery to the team's success, as eight of those seen in the offered photo played in the NFL a few years later, including team captain Stan Cofall, who was named the NFL's first vice president. As if this isn't enough to highly recommend this rare antique photograph, third year assistant coach Knute Rockne is seen at the right end of the middle row. At the opposite end of the middle row, we see head coach Jesse Harper, and future coaches Bergman, Harry Baujan, and Jimmy Phelan are also present and accounted for. LOA from Bergman's estate.



The complete roster of those pictured is :



Front row: Frank Coughlin (NFL), Charlie Bachman, Frank Rydzewski (NFL), Stan Cofall (captain, NFL), Cy DeGree (NFL), Arnold McInerny, Gil Ward;



Middle row: Jesse Harper (head coach), John Miller (NFL), Dave Philbin, Frank "Bodie" Andrews, Frederick "Fritz" Slackford (NFL), Steve Fitzpatrick, Knute Rockne (assistant coach, most revered college football coach of all-time);



Back row: Ray Whipple (NFL), "Dutch" Bergman (NCAA coach), Jimmy Phelan (coach in the NFL, AAFC, and NCAA), Hollis "Hoot" King, Harry Baujan (NFL player, NCAA coach), Chester Grant.

Opening Bid $750.