The Presbyterian Blue Hose football program is the intercollegiate American football team for Presbyterian College located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS); while Presbyterian is a full member of the Big South Conference, it plays football in the Pioneer Football League. Presbyterian's first football team was fielded in 1913. The team plays its home games at the 6,500 seat Bailey Memorial Stadium in Clinton, South Carolina. The Blue Hose were coached by Kevin Kelley, who was hired to lead the program on May 6, 2021,[2] but who left at the end of the season. The current coach is Steve Englehart. The Blue Hose began a transition to non-scholarship football in 2017 and left Big South football after the 2019 season, while otherwise remaining a full Big South member. The Blue Hose football program played the 2020–21 season as an independent and joined the Pioneer League in July 2021 upon completion of its transition.
| Presbyterian Blue Hose football | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
 | |||
| First season | 1913; 111 years ago | ||
| Athletic director | Dee Nichols | ||
| Head coach | Steve Englehart 3rd season, 5–17 (.227) | ||
| Stadium | Bailey Memorial Stadium (capacity: 6,500) | ||
| Field surface | Grass | ||
| Location | Clinton, South Carolina | ||
| NCAA division | Division I FCS | ||
| Conference | Pioneer Football League | ||
| All-time record | 509–481–35 (.514) | ||
| Bowl record | 0–1 (.000) | ||
| Conference titles | 1 (SAC, 2005) | ||
| Rivalries | Newberry Wolves (Bronze Derby) | ||
| Colors | Blue and garnet[1] | ||
| Website | GoBlueHose.com | ||
History
editThe Presbyterian Blue Hose name originates from the blue stockings the players wore in the early 1900s.[3]
Classifications
edit- 1938–1950: NCAA College Division
- 1951–1956: Unknown
- 1957–1969: NAIA
- 1970–1992: NAIA Division I
- 1993–2010: NCAA Division II
- 2011–present: NCAA Division I FCS
Conference memberships
edit- 1913–1920: Independent
- 1921–1941: Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association
- 1942–1945: Independent
- 1946–1964: South Carolina Little Three
- 1964–1972: Carolinas Conference
- 1973–1974: NAIA independent
- 1975–2006: South Atlantic Conference
- 2007: NCAA Division II Independent
- 2008–2019: Big South Conference
- 2020: Division I FCS Independent
- Presbyterian played the 2020–21 season in a scheduling agreement with the Pioneer Football League. It was not eligible for the conference title, but was eligible for individual awards and honors.
- 2021–present: Pioneer Football League
Presbyterian vs. in-state NCAA Division I schools
edit| School | Record | Percentage | Streak | First Meeting | Last Meeting |
| Charleston Southern | 14–10 | .583 | Lost 2 | 1993 | 2016 |
| Clemson | 3–33–4 | .125 | Lost 15 | 1916 | 2010 |
| Coastal Carolina | 1–9 | .100 | Lost 9 | 2007 | 2016 |
| Furman | 13–42–1 | .223 | Won 1 | 1913 | 2014 |
| South Carolina | 3–12 | .200 | Lost 8 | 1915 | 1945 |
| South Carolina State | 0–2 | .000 | Lost 2 | 1989 | 1990 |
| The Citadel | 11–50–1 | .185 | Lost 12 | 1915 | 2010 |
| Wofford | 41–40–3 | .506 | Won 1 | 1914 | 2023 |
| Presbyterian 85 – In-State NCAA Division I Schools 198 – Ties 9 | |||||
Notable former players
edit- Justin Bethel, cornerback and special teams player for the New England Patriots
- Rock Ya-Sin, cornerback for the Las Vegas Raiders
- Bob Waters, quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers[4]
Playoff appearances
editNCAA Division II
editThe Blue Hose made one appearances in the Division II playoffs, with a combined record of 0–1.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Second Round | Central Arkansas | L, 28–52 |
NAIA
editThe Blue Hose appeared in the NAIA playoffs two times. Their combined record was 2–2.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Quarterfinals Semifinals |
Saginaw Valley State Central State (OK) |
W, 36–3 L, 6–28 |
| 1987 | First Round Quarterfinals |
Concord Pittsburg State |
W, 57–0 L, 21–42 |
Bowl games
editPresbyterian has participated in one bowl game, with the Blue Hose having a record of 0–1
| Season | Coach | Bowl | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Frank Jones | Tangerine Bowl | Middle Tennessee | L 12–21 |
References
edit- ^ Presbyterian College Brand Standards Guide (PDF). Retrieved November 10, 2022.
- ^ "Presbyterian hiring anti-punting HS coach Kelley". ESPN.com. May 6, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
- ^ "Traditions & Mission". Presbyterian College. Archived from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
What's a Blue Hose? It began in the early 1900s when sportswriters referred to the Presbyterian College sports teams as the "Blue Stockings" because of the blue socks (or hose) they wore. ... "The sports nickname was shortened to 'Blue Hose' in 1954," Hammet wrote, "presumably under the assumption that it sounded somewhat fiercer to carry onto the field of athletic battle." These days it also stands for fierce Scottish warriors, giving a nod to the College's Scottish heritage.
- ^ "Tribute to a Champion - the Bob Waters' Legacy Western Carolina's legendary football coach and administrator from 1969-88". Western Carolina. Retrieved April 1, 2017.