Columbia Lions (1941-45)

As I've probably mentioned before, Columbia is one of the toughest teams to research in this project because of its inconsistency. I have the Lions listed for no fewer than 59 uniform variations (not counting home and road uniforms as separate) from 1934-2016, an average of one uniform change every 1.4 years. Many of them are minor, but massive overhauls have continued well into the 21st century.

But this wasn't always the case in Upper Manhattan. The Lions' uniforms were pretty stable from 1936-45, with only two variations (and even that was minor -- a switch to blue numbers from white). Above is the blue-numbered version. Note the slight difference in the navy shoulder stripes around the collar. Really, Columbia almost resembles a Paleozoic Tennessee Titans here.

Columbia and Princeton -- two of the more
distinctive teams from this era -- face off in 1941. 

Columbia's offense lines up for the photographer in 1941.
Notice how every number ends in 0 or 1.
Perhaps it was an early way to number players by position?

What I like best about Columbia's uniforms from this era -- maybe I've said this before, I forget -- is how they stand out. In a time of dark, muddy, grainy, black-and-white photos, everyone looks the same, and it's a pain trying to determine which team is which. (I'm experiencing this right now while trying to research Vermont's 1930s uniforms, and those are pretty gaudy for that era.) But put Columbia's pale blue duds in there, and Anne Frank can spot those from a mile away (Clerks 2 reference there). Columbia's unis make researching their opponents a gazillion times easier. I wonder if 1940s uni-watchers talked about Columbia's uniforms the way their modern brethren discuss today's stylin'-and-profilin' teams?

A pair of swell posed shots. It appears No. 31
is standing on a plank of some sort to help him face upward
for the camera.

The team itself was wildly inconsistent, as you might expect with a war going on. The Lions were 0-8 in 1943 and scored 33 points all season. (Their opponents matched or exceeded that figure five times that year). Just two years later, they were 8-1 and ranked No. 20 in the nation, with the only loss coming at Penn.

In 1946 Columbia unveiled a revamped uniform with silver helmets and pants and plain light blue jerseys with a silver number. Think Doak Walker-era Detroit Lions.

An action shot from 1944. War-era photos are almost impossible to find
in researching old uniforms, especially for the smaller schools.

Other Lions unis that'll make you roar: 2015-16, 2014, 2013, 2003-05, 1996, 1984, 1983, 1978-82, 1974-76, 1971-73, 1970, 1965-67, 1955-56, 1952-54.