BLUEFIELD, Va. — Bluefield College announced June 4 it is establishing a new football program at the school for the first time since World War II.
The announcement, made in front of alumni, friends, supporters, the media and local and state dignitaries, ended months of speculation and a nearly four-year-long feasibility study.
Bluefield College trustee chair Julie Johnson (from right); Dick Louthan, whose father played football at BC; and Tony Lotito, whose dad coached at BC, assist President David Olive in unveiling the new Ram football helmets.
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“This is a terrific day for Bluefield College,” said President David Olive. “We envision this new program broadening campus diversity, enhancing student enrollment and providing numerous opportunities for young men throughout our region to obtain a college education while pursuing their passion for football. Over the past few weeks as people have speculated about our starting a football program, I have sensed a great deal of excitement from not only the campus community, but from the surrounding community as well.”
The plan, Olive said, is to first hire a new head coach, who will recruit and field a team of players in club competition by the fall of 2011 and in intercollegiate play by the fall of 2012.
“This is something that is right for Bluefield College at this important point in time,” said BC alumnus and trustee Joseph K. Tatum. “What great times of tailgating, fun and fellowship we envision for the Greater Bluefield community at future home games. It also will be another opportunity for the college to instill Christian values into a group of student-athletes and to help prepare them for futures much brighter than they would have known otherwise.”
Preliminary plans also call for the new football team to practice and train at nearby Pocahontas High School, where BC officials made the formal announcement about the return of football. Vacant since 2008 when the Tazewell County Board of Education decided to consolidate the school, the Pocahontas facilities have been made available to Bluefield College through the generosity of the Tazewell County Industrial Development Authority.
“On behalf of the Tazewell County board of supervisors, Industrial Development Authority and Recreational Authority, we would like to thank Bluefield College for their interest in the Pocahontas community and congratulate them on their announcement being made today,” said county administrator Jim Spencer about the return of football to a community that once boasted the smallest high school varsity football program in Virginia. “Bluefield College is a great partner to Tazewell County, and today is another example of this cooperation. We expect great things in the future for both Bluefield College and the Pocahontas community.”
Games for the new football team will be played at nearby Mitchell Stadium in Bluefield, W. Va. Home to high school football teams, Mitchell Stadium seats 10,000 fans and was the site of games between West Virginia University and Virginia Tech in the 1950s and 1960s.
Former Virginia Governor and onetime U.S. Senator George Allen (right) congratulates Bluefield College on the reinstatement of intercollegiate football.
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“I am excited about Saturday collegiate football for Bluefield,” said Jim Justice, who played at Mitchell Stadium as captain of the 1965 Bluefield Beaver state championship team. “There is a tremendous amount of football history and heritage in this area, and I feel there are many young men who would like to play football after high school, but just do not get the opportunity. To get a great education in a Christian atmosphere and to have an opportunity to participate in intercollegiate athletics, especially football, is a win-win for any young man. Bluefield College should be applauded for its efforts to bring this level of excitement back to Bluefield.”
As the college rolled out the details of its new football program, it also rolled out a new Ram athletic logo, unveiling the image for the first time on a BC football helmet. Guests attending the program also participated in a ceremonial tailgate on the Pocahontas football field, marked already with lines for play and the new Ram logo for branding.
In addition to Tazewell County’s Spencer, also attending the press event announcing the program was former governor and one-time senator George Allen.
Unable to attend was Richard “Dick” Bogdan, who as a freshman running back played in the 1941 game which proved to be Bluefield’s last. The outbreak of World War II ended the football program and it was never restored until now.
Bogdan, now 87 years old, shared his excitement and advice for the new generation of Ramblin’ Reds.
“I think it [the return of football] is going to be a great thing for the college,” he said. “It was a whole different world when we played, a whole different game. We loved to play just for the fun of the game, and I encourage the next generation of players to play for your school, for the sport, and for the love of the game.”