Livingstone Blue Bears football | |||
---|---|---|---|
| |||
First season | 1892; 133 years ago | ||
Athletic director | Clifton Huff | ||
Head coach | Sean Gilbert 3rd season, 9–20 (.310) | ||
Stadium | Alumni Memorial Stadium (capacity: 6,000) | ||
Year built | 2022 | ||
Field surface | Artificial Turf | ||
Location | Salisbury, North Carolina | ||
NCAA division | Division II | ||
Conference | CIAA | ||
Past conferences | Independent (1892–1931) | ||
Conference titles | 2 (1997, 1998) | ||
Colors | Columbia blue and black [1] | ||
Mascot | Blue Bear | ||
Marching band | Marching 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]
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]
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 ]
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 ]
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.
Season | Conference | Coach | Overall Record | Conference Record |
---|---|---|---|---|
1997† | Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association | Rudy Abrams | 8–3 | 5–2 |
1998† | 7–4 | 5–2 |
† Co-champion
![]() | This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (December 2023) |
![]() | This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (December 2023) |
= National champions
= Conference champions
= Conference co-champions
= Conference division champions and championship game berth
= Undefeated season
Year | Coach | Overall | Conference | Standing |
---|---|---|---|---|
1892 | Unknown | 0–1 | N/A | N/A |
1893 | No team | |||
1894 | No team | |||
1895 | No team | |||
1896 | No team | |||
1897 | No team | |||
1898 | No team | |||
1899 | No team | |||
1900 | No team | |||
1901 | Unknown | 3–0 | N/A | N/A |
1902 | No team | |||
1903 | Unknown | 3–0 | N/A | N/A |
1904 | No team | |||
1905 | Unknown | 1–0 | N/A | N/A |
1906 | Benjamin Butler Church | 4–0–1 | N/A | N/A |
1907 | Benjamin Butler Church | 0–1 | N/A | N/A |
1908 | Benjamin Butler Church | 1–0 | N/A | N/A |
1909 | Benjamin Butler Church | 0–1 | N/A | N/A |
1910 | No team | |||
1911 | No team | |||
1912 | Benjamin Butler Church | 3–1–1 | N/A | N/A |
1913 | Benjamin Butler Church | 5–0 | N/A | N/A |
1914 | Benjamin Butler Church | 5–1 | N/A | N/A |
1915 | Benjamin Butler Church | 3–0–2 | N/A | N/A |
1916 | Benjamin Butler Church | 2–2 | N/A | N/A |
1917 | No team | |||
1918 | No team | |||
1919 | No team | |||
1920 | Benjamin Butler Church | 1–0 | N/A | N/A |
1921 | Benjamin Butler Church | 1–0–1 | N/A | N/A |
1922 | Benjamin Butler Church | 5–1–1 | N/A | N/A |
1923 | Benjamin Butler Church | 3–2–2 | N/A | N/A |
1924 | Benjamin Butler Church | 3–3–1 | N/A | N/A |
1925 | Benjamin Butler Church | 4–3–1 | N/A | N/A |
1926 | Benjamin Butler Church | 2–5 | N/A | N/A |
1927 | James Meeks | 3–3–1 | N/A | N/A |
1928 | James Meeks | 3–3–1 | N/A | N/A |
1929 | James Meeks | 3–3–3 | N/A | N/A |
1930 | James Meeks | 0–7–2 | N/A | N/A |
Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association (1931–1949) | ||||
1931 | Bertrand C. Jacobs | 0–5–3 | 0–3–2 | 11th |
1932 | William Reid | 0–4 | --- | --- |
1933 | Unknown | 0–1 | --- | --- |
1934 | Harry Parker | 1–5 | --- | --- |
1935 | Robert Gill | 0–4 | --- | --- |
1936 | S.E. Barnes | 2–6–1 | --- | --- |
1937 | S.E. Barnes | 2–5 | --- | --- |
1938 | S.E. Barnes | 3–4–1 | --- | --- |
1939 | S.E. Barnes | 3–5–1 | --- | --- |
1940 | S.E. Barnes | 4–2–2 | --- | --- |
1941 | Benjamin Hargroves | 2–6 | --- | --- |
1942 | No team | |||
1943 | Unknown | 0–3 | --- | --- |
1944 | Unknown | 0–2 | --- | --- |
1945 | No team | |||
1946 | William Goodrum | 0–5 | --- | --- |
1947 | William Goodrum | 2–5 | --- | --- |
1948 | Maurice Sneed | 2–6 | --- | --- |
1949 | Edward L. Mitchell | 2–4 | --- | --- |
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (1950–present) | ||||
1950 | Edward L. Mitchell | 0–6–1 | --- | --- |
1951 | Luther Green | 0–4–2 | --- | --- |
1952 | Edward L. Mitchell | 3–4 | --- | --- |
1953 | Edward L. Mitchell | 3–4 | --- | --- |
1954 | Edward L. Mitchell | 5–2 | --- | --- |
1955 | Edward L. Mitchell | 2–6 | --- | --- |
1956 | David Shinholster | 4–4 | --- | --- |
1957 | Edward L. Mitchell | 6–2–1 | --- | --- |
1958 | Edward L. Mitchell | 6–2 | --- | --- |
1959 | Arthur W. Browne | 5–3–1 | --- | --- |
1960 | Charles R. Cox | 7–2–2 | --- | --- |
1961 | Charles R. Cox | 5–4 | --- | --- |
1962 | Charles R. Cox | 2–8 | --- | --- |
1963 | Charles R. Cox | 0–8–1 | --- | --- |
1964 | Elijah Johnson | 2–8 | --- | --- |
1965 | John D. Marshall | 3–5 | 3–5 | 13th |
1966 | John D. Marshall | 6–3–1 | 5–1–1 | 3rd |
1967 | John D. Marshall | 3–6 | 2–4 | 13th |
1968 | John D. Marshall | 4–4 | 4–3 | 8th |
1969 | John D. Marshall | 5–3 | 4–3 | 8th |
1970 | John D. Marshall | 2–7 | 1–4 | 6th (Southern) |
1971 | John D. Marshall | 4–6 | 3–3 | T–3rd (Southern) |
1972 | John D. Marshall | 2–8 | 0–4 | 5th (Southern) |
1973 | Baxter Holman | 7–2–1 | --- | --- |
1974 | Baxter Holman | 9–2 | --- | --- |
1975 | Baxter Holman | 7–3–1 | --- | --- |
1976 | Baxter Holman | 6–5 | --- | --- |
1977 | Baxter Holman | 4–7 | --- | --- |
1978 | Andrew Littlejohn | 5–4–1 | --- | --- |
1979 | Andrew Littlejohn | 3–8 | --- | --- |
1980 | Andrew Littlejohn | 0–10 | --- | --- |
1981 | Mel Rose | 3–7 | --- | --- |
1982 | Mel Rose | 5–5 | --- | --- |
1983 | Mel Rose | 5–4 | --- | --- |
1984 | Mel Rose | 3–7 | 2–5 | 5th (Southern) |
1985 | David Corley | 7–3 | 5–2 | 2nd (Southern) |
1986 | David Corley | 3–5–2 | 2–4–1 | 4th (Southern) |
1987 | William M. Spencer | 2–8 | 2–5 | 6th (Southern) |
1988 | William M. Spencer | 3–6 | 1–5 | 5th (Southern) |
1989 | Fletcher Jones | 1–8 | 1–5 | 4th (Southern) |
1990 | Delano Tucker | 3–6 | 2–4 | 3rd (Southern) |
1991 | Delano Tucker | 5–5 | 3–3 | 5th |
1992 | Delano Tucker | 3–7 | 2–4 | 8th |
1993 | Delano Tucker | 1–10 | 1–7 | 11th |
1994 | Rudy Abrams | 5–5 | 5–3 | T–3rd |
1995 | Rudy Abrams | 5–4–1 | 4–3–1 | 4th |
1996 | Rudy Abrams | 8–2 | 7–1 | 2nd |
1997 | Rudy Abrams | 8–3 | 5–2 | T–1st |
1998 | Rudy Abrams | 7–4 | 5–2 | T–1st |
1999 | Gregory Richardson | 4–7 | 2–5 | 6th |
2000 | Gregory Richardson | 2–8 | 1–5 | 5th (Western) |
2001 | Gregory Richardson | 1–8 | 0–6 | 5th (Western) |
2002 | George Johnson | 3–7 | 2–5 | 4th (Western) |
2003 | George Johnson | 3–7 | 3–4 | 3rd (Western) |
2004 | George Johnson | 2–8 | 2–5 | 4th (Western) |
2005 | Lamonte J. Massie | 1–9 | 1–6 | 4th (Western) |
2006 | Lamonte J. Massie | 1–9 | 1–6 | 5th (Western) |
2007 | Lamonte J. Massie | 0–10 | 0–7 | 5th (Western) |
2008 | Lamonte J. Massie | 2–8 | 2–5 | 5th (Western) |
2009 | Lamonte J. Massie Eric Brown (Interim) | 0–10 | 0–7 | 6th (Western) |
2010 | Elvin James | 0–11 | 0–7 | 6th (Southern) |
2011 | Elvin James | 1–9 | 0–7 | 6th (Southern) |
2012 | Elvin James | 2–8 | 2–5 | 5th (Southern) |
2013 | Daryl Williams | 3–7 | 1–6 | 6th (Southern) |
2014 | Daryl Williams | 5–5 | 2–5 | 4th (Southern) |
2015 | Daryl Williams | 5–3 | 4–3 | 2nd (Southern) |
2016 | Daryl Williams | 2–8 | 1–6 | 6th (Southern) |
2017 | Daryl Williams | 0–10 | 0–7 | 6th (Southern) |
2018 | Daryl Williams | 3–6 | 1–5 | 6th (Southern) |
2019 | Daryl Williams | 4–6 | 1–6 | 6th (Southern) |
2020 | No team | |||
2021 | Sean Gilbert | 1–8 | 1–5 | 5th (Southern) |
2022 | Sean Gilbert | 4–6 | 3–5 | 4th (Southern) |
![]() | This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (December 2023) |
No. | Years | Name |
---|---|---|
1 | 1892 | William J. Trent [17] |
2 | 1901 | Unknown |
3 | 1903 | Unknown |
4 | 1906–1909 1912–1916 1920–1926 | Benjamin Butler Church [10] |
5 | 1927–1930 | James Meeks [18] |
6 | 1931 | Bertrand C. Jacobs [19] |
7 | 1932 | William Reid [20] |
8 | 1933 | Unknown |
9 | 1934 | Harry Parker [21] |
10 | 1935 | Robert Gill [22] |
11 | 1936–1940 | Samuel E. Barnes [23] |
12 | 1941 | Benjamin Hargrave [24] |
13 | 1943–1944 | Unknown |
1946–1947 | William Goodrum | |
1948 | Maurice Sneed | |
1949 | Unknown | |
1950–1958 | Edward L. Mitchell | |
1959 | Ted Browne | |
1960–1962 | Charles R. Cox | |
1963–1964 | Unknown | |
1965–1972 | John D. Marshall | |
1973–1977 | Baxter D. Holman Jr. | |
1978–1980 | Andrew Littlejohn | |
1981–1984 | Mel Rose | |
1985–1986 | David Corley | |
1987–1989 | Bill Spencer | |
1990–1993 | Delano Tucker [25] | |
1994–1998 | Rudy Abrams [26] | |
1999–2001 | Gregory Richardson | |
2002–2004 | George Johnson Jr. [27] | |
2005 | Ben Coates [27] | |
# | 2005–2006 | Robert Massey [28] |
2007–2009 | Lamonte J. Massie [29] | |
# | 2009 | Eric Brown [30] |
2010–2012 | Elvin J. James [31] | |
2013–2019 | Daryl Williams [32] | |
2020– | Sean Gilbert |
# Interim head coach
Year | Player | Organization |
---|---|---|
2022 | Kevin Larkins Jr. | BTR |
BTR = BOXTOROW
Name | Position | Years | Inducted | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ben Coates | TE | 1987–1990 | 2022 | [33] |
Name | Position | Years | Inducted | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
George Johnson | HC | - | 1985 | [34] |
Alfred Tyler | QB | - | 1989 | [35] |
Ben Coates | TE | 1987–1990 | 2018 | [36] |
Johnny Stoutamire Jr. | DB | 1974–1978 | 2021 | [37] |
Name | Position | Years | Inducted | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
1892 Livingstone football team | 1992 | [11] | ||
Rudy Abrams | HC | 1960–1963, 1994–1998 | 2005 | [12] |
Tony Veal | - | - | 2006 | [13] |
Charles Cooley | G, C, K | 1995–1998 | 2019 | [14] |
Michael Posey | DB | 1997–2001 | 2019 | [15] |
Player | Pos. | Years |
---|---|---|
Rudy Abrams | 1960–1963 | |
Sherman Simmons | LB | 1972–1973 |
Ben Coates | TE | 1987–1990 |
John Terry | OL | 1990–1991 |
Wilmont Perry | RB | 1994–1998 |
Drew Powell | QB | 2012–2015 |