A History of the Mississippi College Football Program

Mississippi College's football program, with a legacy spanning 117 years, has experienced periods of success, challenges, and transformations. From its humble beginnings in 1907 to its recent discontinuation, the program has left an indelible mark on the college and its community. This article explores the history of Mississippi College football, highlighting key moments, influential figures, and the factors that shaped its trajectory.

Early Years and Founding Figures

Mississippi College first fielded a football team in 1907, marking the beginning of intercollegiate football at the institution. The inaugural game, coached by Robertson, resulted in a 6-0 victory over Chamberlain-Hunt Academy. In the same year, the team faced Mississippi A&M College (now Mississippi State), losing 23-0. Despite the loss, it was considered a success, due to the game being one of their first efforts, whereas A&M had been participating in intercollegiate football for several years.

Dana Xenophon Bible's arrival as athletic director in 1914 injected momentum into the football program. Under his guidance, the team achieved a record of five wins out of eight games. The students dedicated the 1916 annual to Bible, recognizing his impact on the athletic department. C.R. "Dudy" Noble succeeded Bible, coming to Mississippi College from Mississippi State University (Mississippi A&M). In 1917, the team secured six wins out of nine games, with a victory over Mississippi A&M as a highlight.

The Stanley L. Robinson Era and "Goat" Hale

Stanley L. Robinson's arrival as head coach in 1920 marked a significant era for Mississippi College football. Robinson, an athlete from Colgate University, previously coached at the University of Vermont and Mississippi A&M College. The 1921 season was the most successful of Robinson’s career. MC defeated Tulane 14-0, Louisiana College 68-0, Union University 35-0, Birmingham-Southern 27-6, University of Mississippi 26-7 and Millsaps 56-0. Mississippi College tied the University of Florida 7-7, and their only two losses were to Mississippi A&M (14-13) and Baylor University (26-0).

Edwin "Goat" Hale, captain and halfback, starred on the 1921 team. Hale's performance led to his election to the National Football Hall of Fame in 1963. In 1916, Hale led the Choctaws to a 74-6 victory over Ole Miss.

Hiatus During World War II

In February 1942, the Board of Trustees decided to discontinue intercollegiate football and baseball for the duration of World War II. In 1945, MC President, Dr. D.M. Nelson, announced that football would be resumed in the fall of that year. Coach Stanley L. Robinson returned to Mississippi College in 1946.

International Game and MC Sports Hall of Fame

In 1962, the University of Mexico traveled to Jackson to play Mississippi College in football. Memorial Stadium was decorated with flags and had more than 40,000 spectators. The football team was scheduled to play in Mexico City on November 23, 1963. The assassination of President John F. Kennedy prevented the game.

The MC Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1973 with members including Coach Stanley L. Robinson and Edwin "Goat" Hale.

Gulf South Conference and NCAA Division II Success

Mississippi College joined the Gulf South Conference (GSC) for the 1972-1973 academic year, with football commencing in the GSC in 1973. They went 3-4 in conference play. The Choctaws have three Gulf South Conference football titles - 1979, 1988 (shared with Jacksonville State and Tennessee-Martin), and 1990.

The Choctaws have made six postseason appearances - five at the Division II level and one in Division III. Division II appearances occurred in 1979, 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1991. Division III occurred in 2009.

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The Choctaws advanced through the 1989 playoffs, defeating Texas A&I (34-19), St. Cloud State (55-24), Indiana (Pennsylvania) (26-14), and Jacksonville State (3-0). However, the NCAA Committee vacated Mississippi College's national title in 1989 due to recruiting violations. Fred McAfee runs for yardage in the snow in Mississippi College’s 3-0 victory over Jacksonville State in the 1989 Division II National Championship game at Florence, Ala.

American Southwest Conference and Return to Division II

MC dropped from Division II to Division III and left the GSC after the 1995 football season. The team landed in the American Southwest Conference, which was founded in 1996. Mississippi College played in the American Southwest Conference from 1996-2013, winning the title in 1997 and 2009 (shared with Mary Hardin-Baylor). The Choctaws returned to the Gulf South Conference and NCAA Division II in 2014.

Recent Seasons and Coaching Changes

John Bland became the 15th head football coach at Mississippi College in January 2014. In nine seasons with the Choctaws, Bland compiled a 23-59 record, with just one season of .500 or better (5-5 in 2019). In Gulf South Conference competition, Bland is 12-47, winning one or less games six times.

Mississippi College was a middle-of-the-pack performer in the Gulf South Conference in 2022, finishing the season with a 3-4 conference record and a 4-7 overall mark. It was an improvement from 2021, however, when the Choctaws were 2-5 in the GSC. A highlight of the 2022 season for Mississippi College was the team’s 500th win, a 49-40 victory over Valdosta State in October.

Rivalries

Mississippi College has faced Millsaps more times than any other opponent (52), but the two haven’t met since 2013, the final season of MC’s stint at the Division III level (1996-2013). Their first meeting was in 1920, and the rivalry game became known as the Backyard Brawl, since both schools were located near Jackson, Mississippi. Another longtime rivalry for Mississippi College began in 1935 and remains current. MC and Delta State University have met 42 times in the Heritage Bell Classic, with Delta State holding the all-time advantage at 24-16-2.

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Discontinuation of the Football Program

Mississippi College announced they had completed their three-year transition into a full-fledged Division II program back in 2016. However, on November 18, 2024, Mississippi College announced that the Board of Trustees has made the decision to not only change their name to Mississippi Christian University, but to also cut the football program. MC finished with some momentum to end the season, with wins in two of their last three games, losing what we now know is the last game in school history by just six points to Delta State this past Saturday. According to the school, they're calling the decision a "strategic realignment of athletics," that is meant to "further allow the institution to further its commitment to excellence in intercollegiate Division II play across its remaining 17 sports and pursue needed facility upgrades."

Robinson-Hale Stadium

The stadium was built in 1985 and named after two significant contributors to the program, Stanley L. Robinson, who coached the team from 1920 to 1923 and again from 1928 to 1953, and Edwin Hale, who played for the Choctaws between 1915 and 1921 and was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. The first game at the stadium was played October 12, 1985. Prior to the 2005 season, the stadium saw major renovations that included the installation of a state-of-the art synthetic playing surface. A running track, the James E. Parkman Track, is also part of the complex.

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