Vic Schwall dresses the Cardinals' mascot, Stumpy, in a sweater.
The 1948 Sportfolio features Vic Schwall, a sophomore halfback who had a notable year in 1946, finishing as the leading scorer in the Big Nine Conference while playing for Northwestern University. The image depicts Schwall creatively converting a sweater into a coat for “Stumpy,” the mascot of the Northwestern football team. Schwall's involvement with the mascot reflects a lighter side of collegiate sports during a time when football was a prominent focus in American athletics. The Northwestern Wildcats, known for their competitive spirit, fielded a team with a maximum limit of 35 players as dictated by league regulations. This era in college football was marked by increasing fan engagement and elaborate traditions, including the use of mascots to foster school spirit.