By the first week of October, practice had resumed for the University of Washington football team.[2] Head coach Ralph Nichols put the team through its paces, assisted by team captain Jack Lindsay, a halfback in 1895 projected as fullback in 1896.[2] Professor Van der Veer was placed in charge of physical training, centered around running on the school's track.[2]
"The uniform will be purple and gold stripes in both the sweater and the stockings," a contemporary news report noted.[2]
The team captain for 1895, a center named Harris, did not return for the 1896 season.[2]