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Livingstone Blue Bears football

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Livingstone Blue Bears football
2023 Livingstone Blue Bears football team
First season1892
Athletic directorClifton Huff
Head coachSean Gilbert
3rd season, 9–20 (.310)
StadiumAlumni Memorial Stadium
(capacity: 6,000)
Year built2022
Field surfaceArtificial Turf
LocationSalisbury, North Carolina
NCAA divisionDivision II
ConferenceCIAA
Past conferencesIndependent (1892–1931)
Conference titles2 (1997, 1998)
ColorsColumbia blue and black[1]
   
MascotBlue Bear
Marching bandMarching Blue Bear Band
OutfitterUnder Armour
Websitebluebearathletics.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]

History

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1892: Founding

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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 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

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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

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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

[edit]

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

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Classifications

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Conference memberships

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Championships

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Conference

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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

Playoff appearances

[edit]

Bowl games

[edit]

Season-by-season records

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  = 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 Elvis James 0–11 0–7 6th (Southern)
2011 Elvis James 1–9 0–7 6th (Southern)
2012 Elvis 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)

All-time record vs. current CIAA teams

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Rivalries

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Johnson C. Smith

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Elizabeth City State

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Head coaches

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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

Individual accomplishments

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All-Americans

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Year Player Organization
2022 Kevin Larkins Jr. BTR

BTR = BOXTOROW

Award winners

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  • 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

[edit]
Name Position Years Inducted Ref.
Ben Coates TE 1987–1990 2022 [33]

CIAA Hall of Fame members

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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]

Livingstone Athletics Hall of Fame members

[edit]
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]

Notable former players

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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

References

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  1. ^ "Brand Guide". Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  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 icon
  8. ^ "FOOTBALL TO-DAY". Salisbury Evening Sun. November 30, 1903 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  9. ^ "LIVINGSTONE DEFEATS Y. M. I. FOOTBALLERS". Asheville Citizen-Times. November 27, 1903 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  10. ^ a b "Images From The Past: Ben B. Church". The Black College Football Museum. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  11. ^ a b "1892 Football Team (1992) - Livingstone Athletics Hall of Fame". Livingstone College Athletics. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  12. ^ a b "Rudy Abrams (2005) - Livingstone Athletics Hall of Fame". Livingstone College Athletics. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  13. ^ a b "Tony Veal (2006) - Livingstone Athletics Hall of Fame". Livingstone College Athletics. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  14. ^ a b "Charles Cooley (2019) - Livingstone Athletics Hall of Fame". Livingstone College Athletics. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  15. ^ a b "Michael Posey (2019) - Livingstone Athletics Hall of Fame". Livingstone College Athletics. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  16. ^ Davidson, Dennis (January 30, 2020). "Sean Gilbert named new Livingstone football coach". Salisbury Post. Salisbury, North Carolina. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  17. ^ "Black College Football Celebrates 130 Years". Sports Illustrated. 27 December 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  18. ^ "Livingstone 1927 Season". Bisonville. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  19. ^ "Livingstone 1931 Season". Bisonville. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  20. ^ "Livingstone 1932 Season". Bisonville. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  21. ^ "Livingstone 1934 Season". Bisonville. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  22. ^ "Livingstone 1935 Season". Bisonville. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  23. ^ "Livingstone 1936 Season". Bisonville. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  24. ^ "Livingstone 1941 Season". Bisonville. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  25. ^ "Who coached football in 1990 at Livingstone College?". Sports Answers. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  26. ^ Wertz Jr., Langston (September 24, 1994). "Coach has Livingstone at 3-0 (continued)". The Charlotte Observer. Charlotte, North Carolina. p. 23. Retrieved October 12, 2020 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  27. ^ a b "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.
  34. ^ "George Johnson (1985) - CIAA Hall of Fame Members". Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  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.
  38. ^ Fullwood III, Sam (August 23, 1981). "The Coach: A Mix Of Ambition, Organization, And Ego (continued)". The Charlotte Observer. Charlotte, North Carolina. p. 6C. Retrieved October 12, 2020 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  39. ^ Buckley, Doug (July 18, 1972). "Abrams Named Head Football Coach". The Charlotte News. Charlotte, North Carolina. p. 8A. Retrieved October 12, 2020 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  40. ^ Gowing, Dale (April 15, 1980). "Garinger Hires Abrams". The Charlotte News. Charlotte, North Carolina. p. 1C. Retrieved October 12, 2020 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  41. ^ Wertz Jr., Langston (September 24, 1994). "Abrams has Livingstone rolling at 3-0". The Charlotte Observer. Charlotte, North Carolina. p. 1B. Retrieved October 12, 2020 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.