Ralph “Moon” Baker transforms Northwestern football from a perennial Big Ten doormat into a championship program, cementing his legacy as the original Wildcat.
Football Bio
June 28, 1902 – Rochelle, Illinois – Ralph Baker, the Northwestern halfback from 1924 to 1926, arrived in this life.
The FootballFoundation.org writes that before Ralph “Moon” Baker arrived on the Evanston, Illinois, campus, Northwestern was a perennial Big Ten doormat. Through his efforts and those of some talented teammates, Northwestern improved to break even in his first season and became Big Ten co-champions in his senior season.
Ralph spent his freshman year at Illinois before transferring to Northwestern in 1924. Baker’s talent and enthusiasm not only changed Northwestern’s won-lost record but also its nickname. Known as the “Purple” or “Fighting Methodists,” Baker inspired a sportswriter to dub Northwestern’s teams the “Wildcats.”
Baker kicked two first-half field goals to take Northwestern into the locker room leading 6-0 against the legendary “Four Horseman” team of Notre Dame. However, a furious Notre Dame comeback resulted in a 13-6 Notre Dame victory.
In his 1926 senior season, Baker earned consensus All-American status. Against Chicago, he threw two touchdown passes in the first game ever played at Northwestern’s Dyche Stadium.
The National Football Foundation selected Ralph Baker for entrance into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1981. After his playing days, Ralph coached when he wasn’t working at his day job in the business world.
Ralph “Moon” Baker leaves an undeniable mark on the Northwestern program through his leadership and athletic dominance. He secures his legacy as the player who single-handedly gave the Wildcats their iconic nickname. Today, his 1981 induction into the College Football Hall of Fame permanently honors his pivotal role in elevating Northwestern into a gridiron powerhouse.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1981.
- Consensus First-Team All-American: 1926.
- Second-Team All-American: 1924.
- Big Ten Co-Champion: 1926.
- 2× First-Team All-Big Ten: 1924, 1926.
- Northwestern Team Captain: 1926.
- Legacy Icon: Inspired the “Wildcats” team nickname.