Bowl Season Hall of Fame
Warren Miller, a New Orleans attorney and civic leader, was the driving force behind making an ambitious idea into reality. He is considered one of the founders of the Sugar Bowl Football Classic, which debuted on January 1, 1935.
Fred Digby, considered the “Father of the Sugar Bowl,” first came up with the idea for a New Year’s Day football classic in 1927, along with Colonel James M. Thompson, the New Orleans Item publisher. Every fall, Digby called for action, but it wasn’t until 1934 when Miller pulled together multiple proposals to put a plan into action.
On February 15, 1934, the New Orleans Mid-Winter Sports Association was formally organized under a constitution and by-laws written by Miller, who was instituted as the organization’s first president.
For months the membership rolls were kept open, but many were still skeptical and saying: “It can’t be done.” Even some who sat in on early discussions failed to maintain their interest. After one year the rolls were closed and limited to the original 39 organizers.
Even after the birth of the association, its future looked dark because of the many obstacles it faced, but Miller had a comprehensive program and was a determined leader. Meanwhile, Digby continued to lend encouragement in The Item, and their associates remained enthusiastic.
On December 2, 1934, the executive committee went into session at the New Orleans Athletic Club to consider eligible teams, and after long deliberation, invited Tulane University’s Green Wave, unbeaten in the South, and Temple University’s Owls, the only unbeaten team in the North.
The famous Glenn “Pop” Warner was coach at Temple, Ted Cox at Tulane. First announcement of the selection failed to create much enthusiasm, but within 24 hours after fans scanned team records, sentiment changed and the sale of tickets soon exceeded $40,000.
Thus assured of financial success, the Sugar Bowlers breathed easier when the Green Wave and the Owls waged an exciting contest in which Tulane overcame a 14-point deficit to win, 20-14.
Tulane and Temple each received $27,800 from the gate receipts provided by an attendance of 22,026. Admission prices were $1.50 and $3.50.
Under the charter drawn by Mr. Miller, attorney-president, it was stipulated that it was to be a “voluntary, non-profit civic organization whose members serve without remuneration.”
The Sugar Bowl began recognizing the game’s Most Outstanding Player in 1948 and named the honor the Miller Award, after its first president. Following Digby’s death in 1958, the award was re-named as the Miller-Digby Award.
In March of 2018, Miller and Digby were honored with the Legacy Award from the Football Bowl Association, now known as Bowl Season.
