Before the 1921 season could begin, there was trouble in the Outrigger Canoe Club Clubhouse. On June 15, 1921 a meeting of the membership was called to discuss the phrasing of a motion to amend the Club’s Bylaws to change the purpose of the Club to take part in and promote “amateur” sports, rather than “aquatic” sports as stated in the current Bylaws. Some members insisted that the Club participate only in swimming, surfing, fishing and canoeing along with dancing and lunching at the Club. Others wanted to participate in football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, track and field, and other recognized amateur sports.
Those who were opposed to “amateur” sports blamed the Club’s participation in football for an increase in initiation fees from ten to twenty-five dollars and and increase in dues from ten to twelve dollars yearly. When shown that the football team covered all its expenses from game entrance fees, they backed down. Members then backed a resolution stating that the sentiment of the meeting was to change the constitution so as to allow participation in all amateur sports at the direction of the directors.
And with that, the Outrigger Canoe Club fielded its third, and what would be final, football team, again under the coaching of Dr. Paul Wittington. The Senior League expanded to seven teams in 1921 and included the University of Hawaii, Navy, National Guard, the Town Team, Palama, Honolulu, and the Outrigger Canoe Club. Each team played each league team once, with the winner earning the right to play the University of Oregon on New Year’s Day.
Outrigger started out strong winning three of its first four games, but only managed a tie and three losses during the second half of the season. The Pearl Harbor Navy team went undefeated and faced the Oregon Beavers on New Year’s Day.
Members of the Outrigger team were: Adams, guard; W. “Andy” Anderson, guard; W. Bryant, end; Campbell, quarterback and fullback; Cooper, line; Crowell, line; Dexter, center, end; Arthur Gall, end; H. Gall, end; Gilmore, tackle; J. Hall, end; Jimmy Hart, line and back; Bill Hollinger, back; Horton, fullback; David Kahanamoku, guard; Allan McGuire, quarterback; Tom Muirhead, end, guard; Esmond Parker, end; Bill Paty, tackle; Quick, halfback; Quinn, halfback; Jack Slade, back; Joe Stickney, halfback; Bill Thompson, end; Weddington, fullback; and Paul Withington, tackle, kicker.
The 1921 season was the last football season for the Outrigger team. Dr. Wittington announced in December 1921 that he had severed relations with Outrigger and would coach the Palama team in 1922. No reason was given for the end of Outrigger football, perhaps it was because Wittington left and there was no one to organize the team, or the players lost interest. A number of Outrigger players played on the Town Team until it too disappeared into history after the 1939 season.
Results
October 15, 1921–Outrigger Canoe Club 20, Honolulu Athletic Club 0
October 23, 1921–U.S. Marines 43, Outrigger Canoe Club 3
October 30, 1921–Outrigger Canoe Club 7, Palama 0
November 6, 1921–Outrigger Canoe 7, National Guard 0
November 13, 1921–Pearl Harbor Navy 19, Outrigger Canoe Club 7
November 26, 1921–Outrigger Canoe Club 12, University of Hawaii 12 (tie)
December 11, 1921–Town Team 27, Outrigger Canoe Club 7
December 18, 1921–Pearl Harbor Navy 14, Outrigger Canoe Club 0
OCC Season Record: 3-4-1
OCC League Record: 3-2-1
Final Senior League Standings
1. Pearl Harbor Navy 6-0
2. Town Team 4-2
3. Outrigger Canoe Club 3-2-1 (tie)
3. University of Hawaii 3-2-1 (tie)
5. Palama Settlement 2-4
6. National Guard 1-5 (tie)
6. Honolulu Athletic Club 1-5 (tie)