Falcons First Football 1955 USAFA VS DU
- Christina DeSantis
- Aug 6
- 4 min read
It was a crisp autumn day in 1955, the United States Air Force Academy was just 89 days old, and it's very first class of cadets was only a few months into their demanding training. Housed in renovated World War II barracks at a temporary site at Lowry Air Force Base, these cadets were enduring a rigorous new life while simultaneously building a college from the ground up. It was against this backdrop that a team of these young men took to the gridiron at DU Stadium in Denver for the historic inaugural game of the Air Force Falcons football team.
The air was quite electric with a sense of newness and pride. Nearly 18,000 spectators, including an excited contingent of cadets, filled the stands. The occasion was marked by two significant "firsts": the inaugural Cadet march-on, a precursor to a tradition that continues to this day, and the first time an Air Force game was broadcast live on the radio.
The game itself, however, started with a jolt. The opponent, the University of Denver freshmen junior varsity, won the coin toss, took the kickoff, and, on the very first play from scrimmage, scored a touchdown. A hush fell over the crowd as the Falcons found themselves trailing 7-0 in the blink of an eye. But this team, forged in the crucible of a brand-new academy, was not one to be defeated easily. They dug in, demonstrated a profound sense of grit, and fought their way back. The Falcons rallied to an impressive 34-18 victory, giving their inaugural season a triumphant start. As one cadet in attendance at the time would later recall, "We were very proud and excited cadets!"
A Glimpse into the Beginning
These videos offer a unique look at the early days of the Academy and its football program, with practices taking place at Lowry Air Force Base as cadets endured their initial training.
1955 Air Force Academy Football Practice
This historical film provides a look at the first class of cadets at their temporary home at Lowry Air Force Base in Colorado. The footage of some of the very first football practices gives a unique glimpse into the environment where the inaugural Falcons team was forged.
The First Falcons on the Field
This short clip takes you right to the action, showing the very first football practice of the Air Force Falcons. It’s a powerful visual of the team coming together from scratch, preparing for a game that would make history just a few weeks later.
USAFA Falcons Football Players
The story of that first team is not just about a game; it's about the extraordinary character of the young men who played it. The players were a mix of talent, many of whom had never played college football before. Their stories are a testament to the unique opportunities and challenges of the Academy.
BROCK STROM
One of the most notable members of that team was co-captain Brock Strom. A starter from day one, Strom would go on to become the Academy's first consensus All-American in 1958. His legendary career earned him a place in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1985. But his story didn't end there. After graduation, he flew 90 combat missions as a navigator in Vietnam and was part of the team that developed the Global Positioning System (GPS), embodying the spirit of service and innovation that the Academy instills.
JOHN WHITE
The other co-captain, John White, was a "dive-bombing fullback" who, by one account, had never played football before because his high school didn't have a team. His presence on the squad speaks volumes about the raw talent and potential that the Academy was able to attract and develop. These players and their teammates were not just athletes; they were future leaders and heroes.
1955 Air Force Falcons Football Season Schedule
The Falcon Mascot - Mach 1
The Falcon's proud presence at games is one of the Academy's most enduring traditions, but it didn't begin on that first game day. The first class of cadets officially chose the Falcon as the mascot on September 25, 1955. They selected the falcon for its characteristics that typify the Air Force: speed, graceful flight, courage, and alertness. Although a peregrine falcon named "Mach 1" was presented to the cadets just three days before the inaugural game, the renowned live falconry team and its performances would not begin until the following year, in 1956. The spirit of the Falcon, however, was already flying high.
Rich Mayo USAFA Falcon's Starting Quarterback - Resilience and Perseverance
While the inaugural team laid the foundation for the Falcons, it was the next generation of cadets who built upon it to achieve the program’s first major success. A perfect example of this is Rich Mayo, a member of the Class of 1961 who became a legend on the field.
Mayo’s story embodies the perseverance of the Academy’s early cadets. A talented athlete, he initially struggled with the rigors of the Academy and even considered leaving. However, he stayed the course and went on to become the starting quarterback who, in 1958, led the team to an incredible undefeated season. Playing alongside members of the Class of 1959, he guided the Falcons to a tie in the Cotton Bowl—the only unbeaten season in the Academy's history.
His achievements extended far beyond the football field. Mayo was also an Academic All-American, and after graduation, he had a distinguished career as a fighter pilot before going on to become a doctor. His journey from a struggling cadet to a football hero and a decorated professional showcases the incredible character and diverse talents of the men who built the Air Force Academy's legacy.
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