Presented for you here is a brief, and definitely incomplete, visual history of the Tommie-Johnnie football series. A visual record of a match-up that dates back to 1901 will almost never encompass all the people and places that made it into the rivalry it is today. Consider the above just a small sample from the '60s, '70s and 2000s that should give you a decent feel for how St. Thomas has changed, even as the rivalry hasn't. Want to see even more? Explore the gigapan below, which allows you to zoom in and explore proof sheets from the '60s and '70s.
The rich history of Tommie-Johnnie football goes back much farther than 1969, but it’s not a bad place to start . Here you get to see the Armory (left) and O’Shaughnessy Hall.
Tommies, sporting classic beanies, ride the bus to Saint John’s for the 1964 tilt. The Tommies lost that game 0-24.
On the bus to the 1964 game at Saint John’s. The Tommies would lose 0-24.
Yes, the Tommies lost the 1964 game at Saint John’s, but check out the car in the background.
Another loss at Saint John’s in 1966, 0-21. But that is an impressive crowd stacked up in the bleachers.
The 1967 game saw a 13-2 win for the Tommies in O’Shaughnessy Stadium. The important thing here is to note that the game was played at night.
Some things, like a campus under construction, never change. Here in the background of the 1969 game, O’Shaughnessy Educational Center is being built. The Tommies lost 11-33.
1969 head coach Nate Harlan.
The mascot and cheerleaders in 1969. Note also the dirt track.
Another view from 1969 of the pep band, but this one shows you where the new scoreboard currently sits. Awfully empty out there in 1969.
A 1977 loss for St. Thomas at Saint John’s, 20-25.
Offensive line coach Mark Dienhart assists a player off the field at St. John’s in 1977.
Father Dease made an appearance at the 2003 game, a 12-15 St. Thomas loss.
The Tommies almost ended 10-game losing streak in 2008 at St. Thomas, but lost 9-12. (Photo by Mike Ekern ’02)
Running back Ben Wartman appeared to cross into the end zone in 2008, but game officials did not call it a score. The Tommies fumbled on the next play and Saint John’s would go on to win 9-12. The losing streak would continue. (Photo by Mike Ekern ’02)
St. Thomas head coach Glenn Caruso (left) shakes hands with Saint John’s head coach John Gagliardi in 2008. (Photo by Mike Ekern ’02)
2010. Overtime at Saint John’s. The Johnnies miss an extra point and St. Thomas snaps a 12-year losing streak, taking the game 27-26. (Photo by Thomas Whisenand)
The 2010 Tommie crowd goes wild as St. Thomas snaps a 12-year losing streak with a 27-26 overtime victory. (Photo by Thomas Whisenand)
In 2011 St. Thomas romped over Saint John’s 63-7. Shown here is Jack Gavin, celebrating a touchdown. (Photo by Mike Ekern ’02)
The 2011 crowd was estimated at 10,425, a record in UST’s O’Shaughnessy Stadium. Temporary bleachers filled one end zone (foreground here). In 2012 the Tommies will attempt to build their first three-game win streak in the Tommie-Johnnie series since they did it in 1954-57. (Photo by Thomas Whisenand)
