Mansfield Athletics

Edwards was one of 14 faculty members on the staff in 1891. He was a professor of ancient languages and had come to Mansfield after graduating from Lafayette College. In May of 1891, Edwards put a call out to all the men of Mansfield for a football club. Edwards had played football at Lafayette and knew the rules of the game. The practices for the teams drew crowds to Smythe Park that May. Few had ever seen football and most were amused and interested as the Mansfield Advertiser described “organized brawl.” Then the paper went on to explain that the game “was of great interest to the normal women.” It is assumed that Edwards scored the first touchdown in Mountaineer history, since he is the only player ever mentioned as running the ball. Mansfield won that first game on May 28, 1891 by a 22-0 margin over Wellsboro High School. Edwards also served as the baseball coach at Mansfield for at least three years leading Mansfield to three winning seasons.