Gridiron Glory: A History of Anderson University Football
Anderson University, an institution with roots tracing back to the early days of women's higher education in the United States, embarked on a new chapter in its history with the launch of its football program. This article explores the origins of Anderson University, its athletic endeavors, and the exciting inception of its football team.
From Women's College to Comprehensive University
Anderson University's story began with one of the first institutions of higher learning for women in the United States. After facing closure during the Civil War, a new generation revived the dream of higher education in Anderson. In 1910, public-spirited citizens offered 32 acres of land and $100,000 to the South Carolina Baptist Convention, leading to the establishment of Anderson College. Granted a charter in 1911 by the South Carolina General Assembly, the college opened its doors in 1912, operating as a four-year institution for women until 1930.
In 1929, the South Carolina Baptist Convention approved the institution’s transition to a junior college, the first in the state. The Board of Trust voted in December 1989 to reinstate the College's four-year status, beginning in the fall of 1991, and the first graduate program began in 2004.
Today, Anderson University thrives as a vibrant campus community with a wide array of organizations, from Baptist student groups to academic and service organizations.
A Tradition of Athletic Excellence
Anderson University competes in NCAA Division II athletics, showcasing its talent in a variety of sports. These include men’s and women’s basketball, golf, soccer, tennis, baseball, volleyball, softball, cross country, and track and field. Trojan Athletics has consistently been a regional leader in NCAA Division II, and has recently experienced significant growth.
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In 2021, men’s lacrosse became the 19th athletic program, followed by women’s lacrosse in 2023, and the highly anticipated addition of football in 2024.
Anderson University is also home to the Anderson University Athletic Hall of Fame, established in 1997. Each year, new members are inducted, with nominees being carefully considered by an 11-member Hall of Fame committee headed by the university's Athletic Director.
The Dawn of Trojans Football
The inaugural season of Anderson University football in 2024 started with a pair of wins and a positive outlook, and while the campaign ended with a 3-8 overall record, expectations are high for the young team in 2025. The first Trojans roster in history was loaded with underclassmen, which means a sizeable core of returning talent this year, plus the potential of any transfers and new recruits.
The official announcement of a football program came five years prior, setting the stage for a historic moment in the university's history. The community of Anderson, having nurtured and supported the institution throughout its history, eagerly anticipated the arrival of football.
A Record-Breaking Debut
Even before kickoff on that Saturday afternoon, hundreds of Anderson University fans were lined up at the gates, eager to witness the first college football game in school history. Anderson fans helped fill the visitor’s side of Spero Financial Field as well, the attendance count reaching 6,356 for a stadium that holds 6,500 with standing room. They celebrated early and often as the NCAA Division II start-up team led by former Furman coach Bobby Lamb rolled to a 51-14 win against St. Andrews. It was 42-0 at halftime, and not many of the Trojans’ starters played much after that. Everyone got to be a part of this victorious debut.
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The game was a resounding success, with the Trojans dominating St. Andrews in a 51-14 victory. The atmosphere was electric, with fans filling Spero Financial Field to near capacity.
Significant "Firsts" in Anderson Trojans Football History
The historic game was filled with memorable "firsts" for the Anderson University football program:
- First player announced to crowd: Offensive left tackle Kamron Burris from Doraville, Georgia.
- First captains: Running back Bryson James, defensive lineman Ryan Richardson, wide receiver Jalon Warthen-Carr, quarterback Tyler Wesley, defensive back Carter Wit and linebacker Jerrod Woods.
- First national anthem: Performed by T.L. Hanna High School’s state championship marching band, which also performed at halftime
- First coin toss: St. Andrews called heads, and it was tails. That got a cheer. Anderson elected to take the ball first. That got a bigger cheer.
- First kickoff: Wesley Beckett caught a short kick at the 32 and took it 13 yards.
- First play from scrimmage: Anderson went for a deep pass right away, and Kenneth Brown was wide open for a likely touchdown, but Wesley’s pass was a little too strong and it was incomplete. This was immediately followed by the first collective audible groan in program history.
- First yards from scrimmage: James ran for 23 yards on the third play.
- First passing yards: It was a designed run, but a forward flip of the ball from Wesley to Monz Campbell counts as the first pass, and it went for 4 yards.
- First score: Wesley threw a 28-yard touchdown to Beckett with 12:51 in the first quarter for the first lead, 7-0. Ross Burnett added the first PAT.
- First penalty: Delay of game backed the Trojans up, turning a 37-yard field goal attempt into a 42-yarder, and Burnett missed.
- First rushing touchdown: Campbell had a 33-yarder up the right sideline for a 14-0 lead.
- First touchdown called back: J.B. Seay Jr. had a 53-yard run to the end zone nullified by a holding penalty.
- First pancake block by a quarterback: On a rushing play that got redirected, Wesley moved out in front of ball carrier Seay and leveled a defensive player.
- First kick to hit the roof of the Trojan Field House: Burnett on an extra point to make it 21-0.
- First caused turnover, first defensive touchdown: With St. Andrews backed up to its own goal line, Anderson’s Josh Matusik deflected a pass, Aaron Bryant intercepted it and walked right in to make it 28-0.
- First option play: Wesley to Zaidon Gunn for a 4-yard touchdown run to the right to make it 35-0.
- First blocked punt: Alex Ledford’s deflection set up the Trojans for a one-play, 15-yard scoring drive and it was 42-0.
- First field goal: Burnett from 38 yards on the first possession of the second half. He would add a pair of 25-yarders.
- First points allowed: Nahjiir Seagraves of St. Andrews had a 68-yard touchdown run with 5:14 left in the third quarter. Most of Anderson’s starters were long gone.
- First victory: Anderson’s defense was on the field as the Trojans wrapped up the 51-14 victory over St.
Bobby Lamb: Leading the Charge
Anderson University President Evans Whitaker and Vice President for Athletics Bert Epting introduced Robert Emory “Bobby” Lamb as the university’s first head football coach. “I am thrilled and excited to be chosen to lead the Anderson University Trojans Football program,” Lamb said. “I would like to thank Dr. Whitaker, Dr. Epting and the entire campus community for entrusting me with the opportunity to start football at such a prestigious university.
Lamb is a native of Commerce, Georgia. He played football for Furman University as a quarterback from 1982-1985. From 2002-2010, Lamb served as head coach at Furman with a record of 67-40. Lamb joined Mercer University in 2011 and was hired to resurrect their football team, according to Anderson University. “We are very excited to welcome Bobby and his family to Anderson University,” Epting said. “He has tremendous experience in building and sustaining football programs, recruiting at a high level and leading young men both on and off the field of play, all while integrating Christ into all he does.
Lamb’s appointment came after the university completed a 25-year, $1 million naming rights agreement with Spero Financial to create Spero Financial Field at Dr. Melvin and Dollie Younts Stadium. Philanthropist Dr. Melvin Younts will provide $3 million as a challenge gift in support of the Trojans Football program, according to the university. “Coach Bobby Lamb is a man of faith and integrity, and he is the perfect fit to lead our football program,” Whitaker said.
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Looking Ahead to 2025
Bobby Lamb will be back in charge at Anderson in 2025. He was brought in during the summer of 2021 to begin building the program from the ground up using decades of football experience and a proven track record that included more than 100 career NCAA Division I wins. After the team's season-opening wins last year, which including outscoring its opponents 95-28, the Trojans lost momentum against the talented roster of SAC teams. Anderson’s lone conference win, on the way to a 1-7 record in SAC play, came against UVA Wise in October (20-13).
Heading into the 2025 campaign, Anderson was selected by the SAC coaches to finish eighth among the 10 teams in the conference after the elimination of the two-division format.
Anderson University Football Schedule 2025*Aug. 30 (Sat): Noon at Shorter*Sept. vs. Erskine*Sept. vs. Tusculum*Sept. at Mars Hill*Sept. at Emory & Henry*Oct. vs. UVA Wise*Oct. at Lenoir-Rhyne*Oct. vs. Carson-Newman*Oct. vs. Wingate*Nov. vs. Newberry - Veteran’s Appreciation Game*Nov. at Catawba
What Was The Anderson Football Record In 2024?3-8 (1-7 SAC)*Anderson 51, St. Andrews 14*Anderson 44, LaGrange 14*Limestone 52, Anderson 5*Barton 27, Anderson 13*Catawba 44, Anderson 41*Anderson 20, UVA Wise 13*Emory & Henry 34, Anderson 3*Tusculum 30, Anderson 28*Carson-Newman 28, Anderson 7*Mars Hill 31, Anderson 16*Lenoir-Rhyne 27, Anderson 24
2025 SAC Preseason Football Coaches’ Poll*Lenoir-Rhyne*Wingate*Carson-Newman*Emory & Henry*Mars Hill*Catawba*Newberry*Anderson*UVA Wise*Tusculum
Every SAC and home Anderson University football game will stream live on FloCollege and the FloSports app. Game replays, highlights and breaking news will also be available on both platforms.
The first round of the 2025 NCAA Division II Playoffs will be Nov. 22.The 2025 Division II Football Championship title game will be played Dec. 20, 2025, at McKinney ISD Stadium in McKinney, Texas
A University on the Rise
Anderson University's commitment to excellence extends beyond athletics. The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education ranks Anderson University #25 among all universities in the United States (both public and private) for “Best Student Engagement.” Anderson University is one of fewer than 50 colleges or universities in the United States recognized as an Apple Distinguished School-a distinction AU has received four consecutive times.
The university's estimated economic impact on the local economy is more than $300 million annually.
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