Presbyterian Blue Hose football

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
2024 Presbyterian Blue Hose football team
First season1913; 111 years ago
Athletic directorDee Nichols
Head coachSteve Englehart
3rd season, 11–23 (.324)
StadiumBailey Memorial Stadium
(capacity: 6,500)
Field surfaceGrass
LocationClinton, South Carolina
NCAA divisionDivision I FCS
ConferencePioneer Football League
All-time record509–481–35 (.514)
Bowl record0–1 (.000)
Conference titles1 (SAC, 2005)
RivalriesNewberry Wolves
(Bronze Derby)
ColorsBlue and garnet[1]
   
WebsiteGoBlueHose.com

History

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The Presbyterian Blue Hose name originates from the blue stockings the players wore in the early 1900s.[3]

Classifications

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  • 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

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See also List of Presbyterian Blue Hose football seasons

Presbyterian vs. in-state NCAA Division I schools

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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

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Playoff appearances

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NCAA Division II

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The 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

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The 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

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Presbyterian 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

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  1. ^ Presbyterian College Brand Standards Guide (PDF). Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  2. ^ "Presbyterian hiring anti-punting HS coach Kelley". ESPN.com. May 6, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ "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.
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