A Legacy Forged in Blue and White: The Gridiron Story of Bluefield State University Football
Bluefield State University, an institution with roots stretching back to the late 19th century, boasts a rich and complex history, particularly when it comes to its football program. From its early days as a beacon of opportunity for African American students to its evolution into a diverse, modern university, Bluefield State's gridiron journey reflects the broader social and demographic shifts of the region. This article explores the highs and lows of Bluefield State football, highlighting its championship years, the challenges of desegregation, and the eventual discontinuation of the program.
The Founding and Early Years
Bluefield State University was created as Bluefield Colored Institute by the legislature in 1895, a direct response to the demographic transformation spurred by the industrialization of southern West Virginia. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw thousands of African Americans migrating to Mercer, McDowell, Raleigh, and Fayette counties for jobs in mining and railroads. Republican politicians, seeking to secure their votes, promised to address key issues, including higher education for Black West Virginians.
The institution was strategically located on four acres in Bluefield, the largest city within the coalfields, placing it within 100 miles of 70 percent of West Virginia's Black population. Storer College of Harpers Ferry played a crucial role in establishing Bluefield, providing some of the first faculty members, including Professor Hamilton Hatter, a Black graduate of Bates College, who served as the first administrator or principal. Classes officially commenced in January 1897, with an initial enrollment of 40 students.
In 1906, Robert Page Sims, Hatter's assistant, succeeded him as principal, guiding the school through three pivotal decades marked by growth in size, curriculum, and reputation. Enrollment steadily increased, from 107 in 1910 to 281 in 1923, and reaching 338 in 1925. The state legislature recognized this progress by renaming the school Bluefield Institute in 1929, and in 1931, curriculum enhancements led to the adoption of the name Bluefield State Teachers College.
The "Wonder Team" Era: A Golden Age
The late 1920s marked a pinnacle for Bluefield State football. Twice, the Big Blues clinched national Negro College Athletic Association football championships, etching their name in the annals of HBCU football history.
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The 1927 season stands out as a testament to the team's exceptional talent and coaching. Under the guidance of head coach Harry R. Jefferson, the 1927 Bluefield Big Blue football team, representing the Bluefield Institute, achieved an impressive 8-0-1 record. This remarkable performance earned them recognition as the 1928 black college national co-champion. The team became known as the "Wonder Team," a fitting moniker for their dominant play. Quarterback Herbert Cain's exceptional skills were acknowledged with his selection as captain of the 1927 colored All-America team.
Key games from the 1927 season included:
- A tie against Wilberforce (0-0).
- Victories against West Virginia.
- A win against Storer.
Expansion and Transformation
Between 1920 and 1927, the campus underwent significant renovations, with existing buildings modernized and a new classroom building completed in 1930. The grounds expanded to 22 acres. Sims is credited with transforming Bluefield State from a "high graded school" into a four-year institution with a broad regional impact, becoming a hub for African American culture. The campus hosted prominent figures such as poet Langston Hughes, historian John Hope Franklin, boxer Joe Louis, and musicians Fats Waller, Dizzy Gillespie, and Duke Ellington.
In 1936, Henry Lake Dickason succeeded Sims, leading the school for 16 years and overseeing further expansion and program development. New facilities were constructed, including a gymnasium in 1938. In 1943, state lawmakers approved the name change to Bluefield State College. By 1947, Bluefield State received full accreditation from the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, followed by accreditation from the North Central Association two years later.
Desegregation and Shifting Demographics
The retirement of Dickason in 1952 coincided with significant changes in southern West Virginia. His successors, Gregory W. Whiting (1952-53 and 1957-58) and Stephen J. Wright (1953-57), led the college until Leroy Allen was appointed president in 1958. Allen's departure in 1965 marked the end of Black leadership at Bluefield State for the remainder of the 20th century. After an interim term by E. J. Scrafford (1965-66), Wendell G. Hardway assumed the presidency in 1966.
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After the mid-20th century, racial desegregation and population shifts in the coalfields transformed the historically Black residential college into a different institution. Starting in the late 1950s, the school transitioned into a two-year and four-year commuter college, serving a predominantly White student population from southern West Virginia. The last major physical expansion occurred in the 1960s, with the construction of a new student union building in 1963 and a new gymnasium in 1966.
Turmoil and Transition
Bluefield State experienced the unrest of the 1960s, marked by tensions stemming from the appointment of White presidents. A bombing in 1968 damaged the physical education building, prompting the administration to close the campus to the public and hire armed Pinkerton guards. President Hardway closed the dorms, effectively ending Bluefield State's role as a historically Black residential college.
Before leaving in 1973, Hardway approved a merger with Concord College (now Concord University), creating a dual-campus regional college. However, the experiment failed, and the schools were separated. After Billy Coffindaffer's departure in 1975, J. Wade Gilley became president in 1976.
The End of an Era: Discontinuation of the Football Program
Jerold O. Dugger, who served as president for 10 years, made the controversial decision to end the football program in 1981, sparking protests from alumni. Amid controversy, Dugger resigned in 1988.
Recent Developments
Redirecting the curriculum toward workforce development programs and two-year vocational education helped enrollment grow to nearly 2,500 in the mid-1980s, and distance-learning programs and new centers in Beckley, Welch, and Lewisburg spread Bluefield State's service across southern West Virginia. Its 1995 centennial celebration highlighted Bluefield State College's historic mission with the theme "Strong Past, Dynamic Future." Community college functions were separated from Bluefield State upon the creation of New River Community and Technical College in 2004.
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In December 2021, Bluefield State was authorized to offer master’s degrees. In May 2022, the school’s name was changed to Bluefield State University.
In November 2023, President Capehart announced his retirement. Shortly thereafter, a report by the Higher Learning Commission criticized Capehart and the university’s board for allowing the president to disband the faculty senate and change academic requirements without faculty input.
The current president is Dr.
Notable Alumni
Bluefield State has produced a number of notable alumni, including:
- Elizabeth Drewry, class of 1938, the first Black woman elected to the state legislature.
- Ted Bond, a Negro Leagues baseball player.
- Maceo Pinkard, a musician.
- Memphis Tennessee Garrison, an educator and civic activist.
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