Dickinson System
The Dickinson System was a mathematical point formula that awarded national championships in college football. Devised by University of Illinois economics professor Frank G. Dickinson, the system ranked national teams from 1924 to 1940. The 1924 ratings were made retroactively by Dickinson during the 1925 college football season, the first in which a number 1 team was designated at the end of the season. The retroactive choice on October 16, 1925, for the 1924 season was Notre Dame.
The system was originally designed to rank teams in the Big Nine conference. Chicago clothing manufacturer Jack Rissman then persuaded Dickinson to rank the nation's teams under the system, and awarded the Rissman Trophy to the winning university.
The Dickinson System was the first to gain widespread national public and media acceptance as a "major selector" according to the NCAA prior to the establishment of the Associated [Press poll] in 1936.
Trophies
Rissman Trophy
The original Dickinson System prize was the Rissman Trophy, named after Chicago clothing manufacturer Jack F. Rissman, 'a trophy to go to the team which would be scientifically picked by the Dickensen system of rating '.The Rissman Trophy was permanently awarded to Notre Dame following their third Dickinson title in 1930.
Rockne Trophy
Following the retirement of the Rissman Trophy and the death of Knute Rockne in early 1931, the second Dickinson trophy was named the Knute Rockne Intercollegiate Memorial Trophy.Minnesota retired the Rockne Trophy after winning their third Dickinson title in 1940.