The team conducted its first practice of the year, and held tryouts, at Northwestern Field on September 20, 1919.[1] Early signings included Snooks Dowd (Lehigh), Norb Sacksteder (Dayton), and Russ Finsterwald (Syracuse).[2] The team signed several new players in the week after the first practice, including Whipple, who played end for Notre Dame; Devereaux, who played end for Christian Brothers and the Dayton Triangles; Gordon, a tackle who played for Virginia; and Carmen, who played fullback and guard at Vanderbilt.[3] By late September, the Heralds had 42 candidates participating in their practice.[4]