April 10, 1866

George Petrie was born in Montgomery. He was a historian, college professor and coach of Auburn University’s first football team. Petrie fell in love with the new sport of football while a graduate student at Johns Hopkins University. In 1891, he organized and coached the first football team at what was then the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama. The school played its first game in Atlanta against the University of Georgia and won 10-0. Petrie helped Thomas M. Owen establish the Alabama Department of Archives and History in 1901, the first state archives in the nation. Petrie also wrote “The Auburn Creed,” which is said to embody the spirit of Auburn.

Read more at Encyclopedia of Alabama.

Dr. George Petrie, far right, poses with students and faculty of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama (now Auburn University) in 1890. Back row, from left: Groce Harrison, Will Weisinger, Prof. P.H. Mell, Annie Mell and Petrie. Middle row, from left: Wallace Dunlap and Arthur St. C. Dunstan holding Moses Hardin. Front row, from left: William Audley Marshall and Chilton Thorington. (From Encyclopedia of Alabama, courtesy of Auburn University Libraries)

Cadets study in the classroom of Dr. George Petrie in Samford Hall on the campus of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama (now Auburn University) in Lee County in 1893. (From Encyclopedia of Alabama, courtesy of Auburn University Libraries)

The first football team at the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama (now Auburn University) in 1892. George Petrie, the first Auburn head coach, is seen back row, far right. (From Encyclopedia of Alabama, courtesy of Auburn University Libraries)

Dean of the Graduate School Dr. George Petrie, right, is pictured with College Surgeon Dr. John Hodges Drake on the campus of Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University) during the early 1920s. (From Encyclopedia of Alabama, courtesy of Auburn University Libraries)

A portrait of historian and educator George Petrie taken in 1905. During his 53-year career at Auburn University, Petrie taught history, coached the school’s first football team and served as dean of the graduate school. (From Encyclopedia of Alabama, courtesy of Auburn University Libraries)

For more on Alabama’s Bicentennial, visit Alabama 200.