Livingstone Blue Bears football

Last updated
Livingstone Blue Bears football
AmericanFootball current event.svg 2024 Livingstone Blue Bears football team
First season 1892; 133 years ago
Athletic directorClifton Huff
Head coach Sean Gilbert
3rd season, 9–20 (.310)
Stadium Alumni Memorial Stadium
(capacity: 6,000)
Year built2022
Field surfaceArtificial Turf
Location Salisbury, North Carolina
NCAA division Division II
Conference CIAA
Past conferencesIndependent (1892–1931)
Conference titles2 (1997, 1998)
ColorsColumbia blue and black [1]
   
MascotBlue Bear
Marching bandMarching Blue Bear Band
Outfitter Under Armour
Website bluebearathletics.com

The Livingstone Blue Bears football program is an intercollegiate American football team for Livingstone College located in Salisbury, North Carolina. The team competes in NCAA Division II as a member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). The school's first team was fielded in 1892 as the first historically black college to play football. [2] The team plays its home games at Alumni Memorial Stadium. [3]

Contents

History

1892: Founding

The Livingstone Blue Bears football team was founded in the fall of 1892. The members of the team all chipped in and purchased the first uniforms. They played their first game against Biddle on their front lawn, marking the first time two historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) faced off for a football game. [4] They played two 45-minute halves with Biddle winning 5–0. [5] They have since made a rivalry named the "Commemorative Classic" which is played every year. [6]

1883–1930: Early years

In 1903, the Blue Bears were featured in The Charlotte Observer , which stated: "Livingstone has defeated all comers this year, and claims the championship of the colored colleges of the state". [7] They finished that season with a known record of 3–0, defeating Bennett College twice and Y.M.I. once. [8] [9]

In 1906, the Livingstone self-proclaimed themselves "The Colored College Champions" under head coach Benjamin Butler Church. [10]

In 1913, Livingstone finished the season with a 5–0 record, their second and final undefeated season in school history.[ citation needed ]

In 1926, the Blue Bears finished the season with a 2–5 record. This would be their last season under Church before James Meeks took over in 1927. Church finished with a 42–20–9 during his 16 seasons with Livingstone.[ citation needed ]

1931–1973: Reclassification

The Blue Bears were Southern Independents from 1892 to 1930, joining the Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association (now the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) in 1931, finishing that season 0–5–3 (0–3–2).[ citation needed ]

In 1973, Livingstone College reclassified from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II along with the CIAA. They would finish the season 7–2–1.[ citation needed ]

1974–present: Rise to fame

In 1992, the 1892 football team was inducted into the Livingstone College Athletics Hall of Fame. [11]

In 1994, the Blue Bears hired Rudy Abrams, a Livingstone alumni, as their head coach. In 1997, he led them to an 8–2 (6–2) regular season record and a CIAA co-championship before losing in the inaugural Pioneer Bowl to Kentucky State, 30–26. In 1998, he led them to another CIAA co-championship with a 7–3 (6–2) regular season record before again losing in the Pioneer Bowl, this time to Tuckegee, 23–9. After the 1998 season, Abrams was hired to be the head football coach of the North Carolina Central Eagles, where he coached for four seasons before retiring in 2002. He finished his tenure at Livingstone with a 33–18–1 record. In 2005, Abrams was inducted into the Livingstone College Athletics Hall of Fame. [12]

In 2006, Tony Veal was inducted into the Livingstone College Athletics Hall of Fame. [13]

In 2019, both Charles Cooley and Michael Posey were inducted into the Livingstone College Athletics Hall of Fame. [14] [15]

In 2020, Livingstone hired 1992 third overall pick, Sean Gilbert, as their new head football coach. [16] His first season would be cancelled after the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. In his second season (first full) as head coach, Gilbert finished with a 1–8 (1–5) record.

Affiliations

Classifications

Conference memberships

Championships

Conference

SeasonConferenceCoachOverall RecordConference Record
1997 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Rudy Abrams 8–35–2
19987–45–2

† Co-champion

Playoff appearances

Bowl games

Season-by-season records

  = National champions
  = Conference champions
  = Conference co-champions
  = Conference division champions and championship game berth
  = Undefeated season

YearCoachOverallConferenceStanding
1892 Unknown0–1N/AN/A
1893No team
1894No team
1895No team
1896No team
1897No team
1898No team
1899No team
1900No team
1901Unknown3–0N/AN/A
1902No team
1903 Unknown3–0N/AN/A
1904No team
1905Unknown1–0N/AN/A
1906Benjamin Butler Church4–0–1N/AN/A
1907Benjamin Butler Church0–1N/AN/A
1908Benjamin Butler Church1–0N/AN/A
1909Benjamin Butler Church0–1N/AN/A
1910No team
1911No team
1912 Benjamin Butler Church3–1–1N/AN/A
1913Benjamin Butler Church5–0N/AN/A
1914Benjamin Butler Church5–1N/AN/A
1915Benjamin Butler Church3–0–2N/AN/A
1916Benjamin Butler Church2–2N/AN/A
1917No team
1918No team
1919No team
1920Benjamin Butler Church1–0N/AN/A
1921Benjamin Butler Church1–0–1N/AN/A
1922Benjamin Butler Church5–1–1N/AN/A
1923Benjamin Butler Church3–2–2N/AN/A
1924Benjamin Butler Church3–3–1N/AN/A
1925Benjamin Butler Church4–3–1N/AN/A
1926Benjamin Butler Church2–5N/AN/A
1927James Meeks3–3–1N/AN/A
1928James Meeks3–3–1N/AN/A
1929James Meeks3–3–3N/AN/A
1930James Meeks0–7–2N/AN/A
Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association (1931–1949)
1931Bertrand C. Jacobs0–5–30–3–211th
1932William Reid0–4------
1933Unknown0–1------
1934Harry Parker1–5------
1935Robert Gill0–4------
1936S.E. Barnes2–6–1------
1937S.E. Barnes2–5------
1938S.E. Barnes3–4–1------
1939S.E. Barnes3–5–1------
1940S.E. Barnes4–2–2------
1941Benjamin Hargroves2–6------
1942No team
1943Unknown0–3------
1944Unknown0–2------
1945No team
1946William Goodrum0–5------
1947William Goodrum2–5------
1948Maurice Sneed2–6------
1949Edward L. Mitchell2–4------
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (1950–present)
1950Edward L. Mitchell0–6–1------
1951Luther Green0–4–2------
1952Edward L. Mitchell3–4------
1953Edward L. Mitchell3–4------
1954Edward L. Mitchell5–2------
1955Edward L. Mitchell2–6------
1956David Shinholster4–4------
1957Edward L. Mitchell6–2–1------
1958Edward L. Mitchell6–2------
1959Arthur W. Browne5–3–1------
1960Charles R. Cox7–2–2------
1961Charles R. Cox5–4------
1962Charles R. Cox2–8------
1963Charles R. Cox0–8–1------
1964Elijah Johnson2–8------
1965 John D. Marshall 3–53–513th
1966John D. Marshall6–3–15–1–13rd
1967John D. Marshall3–62–413th
1968John D. Marshall4–44–38th
1969John D. Marshall5–34–38th
1970John D. Marshall2–71–46th (Southern)
1971John D. Marshall4–63–3T–3rd (Southern)
1972John D. Marshall2–80–45th (Southern)
1973Baxter Holman7–2–1------
1974Baxter Holman9–2------
1975Baxter Holman7–3–1------
1976Baxter Holman6–5------
1977Baxter Holman4–7------
1978Andrew Littlejohn5–4–1------
1979Andrew Littlejohn3–8------
1980Andrew Littlejohn0–10------
1981Mel Rose3–7------
1982Mel Rose5–5------
1983Mel Rose5–4------
1984Mel Rose3–72–55th (Southern)
1985David Corley7–35–22nd (Southern)
1986David Corley3–5–22–4–14th (Southern)
1987William M. Spencer2–82–56th (Southern)
1988William M. Spencer3–61–55th (Southern)
1989Fletcher Jones1–81–54th (Southern)
1990Delano Tucker3–62–43rd (Southern)
1991Delano Tucker5–53–35th
1992Delano Tucker3–72–48th
1993Delano Tucker1–101–711th
1994 Rudy Abrams 5–55–3T–3rd
1995Rudy Abrams5–4–14–3–14th
1996Rudy Abrams8–27–12nd
1997Rudy Abrams8–35–2T–1st
1998Rudy Abrams7–45–2T–1st
1999 Gregory Richardson 4–72–56th
2000Gregory Richardson2–81–55th (Western)
2001Gregory Richardson1–80–65th (Western)
2002George Johnson3–72–54th (Western)
2003George Johnson3–73–43rd (Western)
2004George Johnson2–82–54th (Western)
2005Lamonte J. Massie1–91–64th (Western)
2006Lamonte J. Massie1–91–65th (Western)
2007Lamonte J. Massie0–100–75th (Western)
2008Lamonte J. Massie2–82–55th (Western)
2009Lamonte J. Massie
Eric Brown (Interim)
0–100–76th (Western)
2010Elvin James0–110–76th (Southern)
2011Elvin James1–90–76th (Southern)
2012Elvin James2–82–55th (Southern)
2013Daryl Williams3–71–66th (Southern)
2014Daryl Williams5–52–54th (Southern)
2015Daryl Williams5–34–32nd (Southern)
2016Daryl Williams2–81–66th (Southern)
2017Daryl Williams0–100–76th (Southern)
2018Daryl Williams3–61–56th (Southern)
2019Daryl Williams4–61–66th (Southern)
2020No team
2021 Sean Gilbert 1–81–55th (Southern)
2022Sean Gilbert4–63–54th (Southern)

All-time record vs. current CIAA teams

Rivalries

Johnson C. Smith

Elizabeth City State

Head coaches

No.YearsName
11892William J. Trent [17]
21901Unknown
31903Unknown
41906–1909
1912–1916
1920–1926
Benjamin Butler Church [10]
51927–1930James Meeks [18]
61931Bertrand C. Jacobs [19]
71932William Reid [20]
81933Unknown
91934Harry Parker [21]
101935Robert Gill [22]
111936–1940Samuel E. Barnes [23]
121941Benjamin Hargrave [24]
131943–1944Unknown
1946–1947William Goodrum
1948Maurice Sneed
1949Unknown
1950–1958Edward L. Mitchell
1959Ted Browne
1960–1962Charles R. Cox
1963–1964Unknown
1965–1972 John D. Marshall
1973–1977Baxter D. Holman Jr.
1978–1980Andrew Littlejohn
1981–1984Mel Rose
1985–1986David Corley
1987–1989Bill Spencer
1990–1993Delano Tucker [25]
1994–1998 Rudy Abrams [26]
1999–2001 Gregory Richardson
2002–2004George Johnson Jr. [27]
2005 Ben Coates [27]
#2005–2006 Robert Massey [28]
2007–2009Lamonte J. Massie [29]
#2009Eric Brown [30]
2010–2012Elvin J. James [31]
2013–2019Daryl Williams [32]
2020– Sean Gilbert

# Interim head coach

Individual accomplishments

All-Americans

YearPlayerOrganization
2022Kevin Larkins Jr.BTR

BTR = BOXTOROW

Award winners

  • CIAA Offensive Player of the Year
    Joseph White – 1982
    Joseph White – 1983
    Joseph White – 1984
    Rob Clodfelter – 1992
    Wilmont Perry – 1996
    Wilmont Perry – 1997
    Jalen Hendricks – 2014
    Drew Powell – 2015
  • CIAA Rookie of the Year
    Chris Williams – 1997
    Jason Ocean – 2000
  • CIAA Defensive Player of the Year
    Ronnie Washburn – 1998
    Jason Ocean – 2003
  • CIAA Defensive Rookie of the Year
    Robert Massey-Brice – 2008
    Kevin Larkins Jr. – 2022
  • CIAA Offensive Rookie of the Year
    Drew Powell – 2012

Black College Football Hall of Fame members

NamePositionYearsInductedRef.
Ben Coates TE1987–19902022 [33]

CIAA Hall of Fame members

NamePositionYearsInductedRef.
George JohnsonHC-1985 [34]
Alfred TylerQB-1989 [35]
Ben Coates TE1987–19902018 [36]
Johnny Stoutamire Jr.DB1974–19782021 [37]

Livingstone Athletics Hall of Fame members

NamePositionYearsInductedRef.
1892 Livingstone football team 1992 [11]
Rudy Abrams HC1960–1963, 1994–19982005 [12]
Tony Veal--2006 [13]
Charles CooleyG, C, K1995–19982019 [14]
Michael PoseyDB1997–20012019 [15]

Notable former players

PlayerPos.Years
Rudy Abrams 1960–1963
Sherman Simmons LB1972–1973
Ben Coates TE1987–1990
John Terry OL1990–1991
Wilmont Perry RB1994–1998
Drew Powell QB2012–2015

References

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  2. "The Birthplace of Black College Football". Livingstone College Athletics. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  3. Speaks, Shaquira (4 September 2022). "HBCU Livingstone College unveils new football field in Salisbury". Queen City News. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  4. "The Birthplace of Black College Football". Livingstone College Athletics. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  5. "Football Kickoff!". JCSU Library. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  6. Becton, Stan (23 June 2023). "A history of every HBCU football classic". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  7. "Untitled". The Charlotte Observer . December 1, 1903 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
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  9. "LIVINGSTONE DEFEATS Y. M. I. FOOTBALLERS". Asheville Citizen-Times . November 27, 1903 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  10. 1 2 "Images From The Past: Ben B. Church". The Black College Football Museum. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
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  12. 1 2 "Rudy Abrams (2005) - Livingstone Athletics Hall of Fame". Livingstone College Athletics. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  13. 1 2 "Tony Veal (2006) - Livingstone Athletics Hall of Fame". Livingstone College Athletics. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  14. 1 2 "Charles Cooley (2019) - Livingstone Athletics Hall of Fame". Livingstone College Athletics. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  15. 1 2 "Michael Posey (2019) - Livingstone Athletics Hall of Fame". Livingstone College Athletics. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
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  27. 1 2 "Coates to coach alma mater Livingstone". ESPN . Associated Press. 28 December 2004. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  28. "Robert Massey - Head Football Coach - Staff Directory". WSSU Rams. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  29. Davidson, David (15 December 2018). "Springs retiring, Massie-Sampson hired as AD at Livingstone". Salisbury Post . Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  30. "Livingstone Announces Change in Football Leadership". Livingstone College Athletics. 21 September 2009. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  31. "Elvin J. James Named 33rd Livingstone College Football Coach". Livingstone College Athletics. 16 December 2009. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  32. Davidson, Dennis (17 January 2020). "Williams out as Livingstone's football coach". Salisbury Post . Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  33. "Black College Football Hall Of Fame Class Of 2022 To Be Inducted On Saturday Night". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
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  35. "Alfred Tyler (1989) - CIAA Hall of Fame Members". Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  36. "Ben Coates (2018) - CIAA Hall of Fame Members". Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  37. "Johnny Stoutamire, Jr. (2021) - CIAA Hall of Fame Members". Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
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