Pigskin History
Charter Members
The founding members who established the Pigskin Club of Washington, Inc. on October 7, 1938 at the 12th Street Branch YMCA.
Founded October 7, 1938 — 12th Street Branch YMCA, Washington, D.C.
Brief History of the Pigskin Club of Washington, Incorporated
Rodney P. Savoy, Jr., Club Archivist Emeritus (Deceased)
The Pigskin Club was the brainchild of the late Dr. Charles B. Fisher, a former star football player on the Howard University football teams of 1917, 1919, and 1920.
Being impressed with the benefits that derive from wholesome athletics, and understanding the problems incident to participation in competitive sports, Dr. Fisher conceived the idea of assembling men who had received benefits from such activities and forming them into an organization. He discussed these ideas with a number of his friends with like interests and called a meeting for Tuesday, July 25, 1938.
Formal organization of the Pigskin Club took place on the evening of Friday, October 7, 1938 at the 12th Street Branch YMCA.
Since the first meeting, the Pigskin Club has become one of the leading and influential sports organizations in the Nation. Under the leadership of Charles B. Fisher, the Club became a rallying point for college lettermen, coaches and citizens interested in clean sports and fair play.
Founder's Invitation — July 1938
"Dear Friend of Football:
On Saturday night, July 30, 1938, at nine o'clock, I am asking those whom I believe are interested in the formation of the Pigskin Club to meet at my home. To become a member requires no fee. The purpose and eligibility are stated on the enclosed card. May I have the pleasure of seeing you?
Sincerely yours, Charles B. Fisher, M.D. "Organizer"
Club Purpose
That there be an ever improving relationship between persons interested in the game of football; that there may be given encouragement for good, clean sport; that there may be a more perfect understanding among such persons; and, that there may be mutual benefits and pleasures derived from such association.
Eligibility for Membership
Satisfactory evidence of having played in college football competition. Satisfactory evidence of having made some outstanding contribution to the sport of football.
The Original Pigskin Club
Founders & Early Members
Charles S. Fisher, Founder 1938, surrounded by the original Pigskin Club members
First Officers — October 7, 1938
Planning Meeting Attendees
Those who met at Dr. Fisher's home to plan the formal organization of the Club
George Edward Brice
Frederick Sylvester Blackwell
Raymond Elmer Contee
Joseph Norman Dodson
William Henry Greene
George Edward Chalmers Hayes
Harold Appo Haynes
Edwin Bancroft Henderson
Leo Sigsbee Holton
Campbell Carrington Johnson
Harold Douglas Martin
Robert Nicholas Mattingly
Charles Lloyd Pinderhughes
John Randolph Pinkett
John Turner Rhines
W. Napoleon Rivers
Alfred Kiger Savoy
Emmett J. Scott
Charles Freeman West
Garnet Crummel Wilkinson
Charter Members
Recognized at the formal organization meeting, October 7, 1938
52 charter members
Est. October 7, 1938 — Washington, D.C.
Ralph Anderson
Thomas J. Banks
Richard Blackwell
F.S. Brice
George E. Brown
Huver I. Brown
Artie Bruce
Whit Butt
John Carmichael
Claude Clay
Henry Coleman
Frank Contee
Raymond Compton
Samuel Cupid
Isaac Dixon
Walter Dodson
Joseph Downing
Lewis Francis
John Gaddis
Rosier Graves
Harry Greene
William H. Greene
Vernon Hayes
George E.C. Hardy
Henry Haynes
Harold Henderson
Edwin Holton
Leo Jefferson
George Johnson
Campbell McAlpin
Harry McDuffie
Clyde Marshall
C. Herbert Martin
Joseph Martin
Ulysses Monroe
Daniel Pearson
Robert Pinderhughes
Charles Pinkett
John Rainey
M. Grayson Rhines
John T. Richardson
Willis Rivers
W. Napoleon Robinson
Roscoe Savoy
A. Kiger Sewell
Joseph Scott
Armond W. Tyson
James G. West
Charles Washington
Benjamin Wilkinson
Garnet Wilson
Robert Young
Charter member list is based on historical records as documented by Rodney P. Savoy, Jr., Club Archivist Emeritus. Please contact the Pigskin Club of Washington to report any corrections or additions.