Hogan, James J.
Football
b. Nov. 1, 1876, Glenbane, County Tipperary, Ireland
d. March 20, 1910
An All-American tackle at Yale three years in a row, from 1902 through 1904, Hogan has often been cited as an example of professionalism in the early years of intercollegiate sports. As captain of the team in 1904, Hogan lived free of charge in luxurious Vanderbilt Hall, ate free meals at the University Club, had his tuition paid by Yale Athletic Association, and was given a two-week vacation in Cuba, all expenses paid, when the season was over.
His family moved from Ireland to Torrington, CT, when he was young and Hogan played several seasons of sandlot football before entering Yale at the age of twenty-five. The 5-foot-10, 210-pounder was often used as a ball-carrier from the tackle back formation. One opponent called him "the strongest tackle I ever saw."
Hogan was also an excellent student who graduated with honors and then earned a law degree from Columbia University. He died of a kidney disease.