VMI Keydets football
| VMI Keydets Football | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
 | |||
| First season | 1891 | ||
| Head coach | 3rd season, 9–24 (.273) | ||
| Stadium | Alumni Memorial Field (capacity: 10,000) | ||
| Year built | 1962[1] | ||
| Field surface | Bermuda grass | ||
| Location | Lexington, VA | ||
| Past conferences | Southern Conference | ||
| All-time record | 459–629–42 (.425) | ||
| Bowl record | 0–0 (–) | ||
| Current uniform | |||
 | |||
| Colors | Red and Yellow | ||
| Fight song | "The Spirit" | ||
| Mascot | Moe the Kangaroo | ||
| Website | vmikeydets.com | ||
The VMI Keydets football team represents the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia. The Keydets compete in the Big South Conference of the NCAA Division I FCS, and are currently coached by Sparky Woods, now in his 4th year. VMI plays their home contests at 10,000-seat Alumni Memorial Field, as they have since 1962.
VMI is biggest rivals against The Citadel, as the two teams have battled 67 times, with Citadel leading the series 35-30-2.[2] The winner of each game receives an award known as the "Silver Shako", which has rested at The Citadel since 2003. The last contest occurred on October 29, 2011, as The Citadel won convincingly 41-14. In addition to The Citadel, VMI has minor rivalries with William & Mary and Richmond. The Tribe and the Keydets first met in 1908, and William & Mary leads that series 52-33-2. VMI's competition with Richmond goes back farther, to just their third year of existence (1893). Richmond has won 41 games to VMI's 40, and the teams have tied five times. Also, the Keydets have played Virginia and Virginia Tech 82 and 79 times, respectively.
Conference affiliations
| Conference | Joined | Left |
|---|---|---|
| Big South | 2003 | |
| Southern | 1924 | 2002 |
| SAIAA | 1918 | 1921 |
| Independent | 1891 | 1918 |
History
19th century
VMI football dates back to 1873 with a one game season, a 4-2 loss to Washington and Lee.[3] No player or coaching records are known from that game. However, the first organized team started in 1891 under coach Walter Taylor. It was the first time VMI had an intercollegiate football team since that 1873 season. The Keydets went 3-0-1, beating and tying Washington and Lee once, and defeating St. John's and Pantops Academy.
From that year to before turn of the century, VMI had a combined 3 coaches and a total record of 29-10-1 (from 1892 to 1894, the school had no coach).
1900-1920
VMI continued to have usual success on the field. Sam Walker became the head coach 1900-1902, as he was replaced by future College Football Hall of Famer William Roper. Roper was less successful, going 5-6 with the Keydets in two years.[2]
Later in 1911, VMI saw even more success, under Alpha Brummage for two years. In that time, VMI went 14-2, their only losses to Virginia and St. John's. They were 7-1-2 under Henry Poaque the following year. In 1920, Blandy Clarkson lead VMI to its third perfect season at 9-0. At this time, VMI had joined the South Atlantic Intercollegiate Athletic Association and had been a member since 1918.
Alumni Field
Before VMI built Alumni Field in 1921, they played their games on the Parade Ground, which was in front of Barracks. The stadium was situated around the same place it is today, and was completed at a total cost of $69,000.[4] In the stadium's inaugural year, the Keydets went 3-5-1, which included drubbings of Roanoke, Hampden-Sydney, and Virginia.
Blandy Clarkson era
After two years with VMI, the Keydets were 12-5-1 under Clarkson. He led the Institute to 7-2 and 9-1 seasons in 1923 and '24, respectively. VMI joined the Southern Conference, where they would stay for 79 years. In their first season in the SoCon, the team went 6-3-1, good for 13th place in a crowded conference of 22.[5] When Clarkson left the Institute after the 1926 season, he compiled 34 total wins, 21 losses, and 2 ties in seven years with the Keydets.
William Raftery era
When William "Bill" Raftery took over head coach of VMI, he went 6-4 in his first year, among the last in the SoCon.[6] Raftery led the team to an 8-2 season in 1929, but it would be the last winning season for VMI until Raftery's final season in 1936. In ten years his total record at VMI was 38-55-5.
Allison Huber era
Allison Hubert took over for his predecessor Raftery in the 1937 season, which the Keydets went an even 5-5. Hubert's most successful fall with VMI was in 1940, where the squad finished 7-2-1, though it was only good enough to get them 7th in the conference. Hubert left with a 43-45-8 record after ten seasons. In the past 27 years VMI had only been under the command of three coaches.
Tom Nugent era
Arthur Morton left the Institute after just two years coaching and held a 9-8-1 record. Tom Nugent took his place in 1949. Though the first two years were nothing special, Nugent took the 1951 to their first SoCon championship with a 7-3 record. The season included a 34-0 shutout of Richmond, a 29-6 beating of Wofford, a 27-21 win over rival Citadel, and a 20-7 win over Virginia Tech in the season finale. Nugent left after the next year.
Alumni Memorial Field and John McKenna era
Possibly the greatest era in VMI football history was under John McKenna. In his thirteen years with the Keydets, McKenna had a record of 62-60-8, and won four SoCon championships. These occurred in 1957 (9-0-1), 1959 (8-1-1), 1960 (7-2-1), and 1962 (6-4).
In the same year VMI won the 1962 Southern Conference, 10,000-seat Alumni Memorial Field was built. Costs were around $250,000. A $15 million improvement was made to the stadium in 2006.[1]
Bob Thalman era
Bob Thalman came to VMI in 1971. Thalman brought another two SoCon championships to VMI in 1974 and '77. He departed in 1984 after a 1-9 season.
1985-2002
Eddie Williamson took over the head coaching position for four years, all losing seasons. He was followed by Jim Shuck, Bill Stewart, Ted Cain, and Cal McCombs until 2005. No coach could produce a winning season for the Keydets.
Big South
In 2003, VMI joined the Big South Conference after 79 years in the SoCon[2], when things were getting worse there. They were still under McCombs, who would be fired after 2005. Jim Reid would coach for two years, with a 3-19 total record. Sparky Woods, the current coach for the Keydets, became the 30th head coach in 2008. Still, VMI has not posted a winning season since 1981.
Current coaching staff
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Sparky Woods | Head Coach |
| Matt Campbell | Offensive Coordinator |
| AJ Christoff | Defensive Coordinator |
| Greg Shockley | Running Backs Coach |
| Mayur Chaudhari | Quality Control/Safeties Coach |
| Greg Harris | Outside Linebackers Coach |
| George Handler | Quality Control/Tight Ends |
| Winston October | Wide Receivers Coach |
| Don Woods | Chief of Staff/Defensive Line Coach |
Record vs. Big South opponents
| School | Series | First meeting | Last meeting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston Southern | VMI 6-5-0 | 2000 | 2011 |
| Coastal Carolina | CCU 2-6-0 | 2003 | 2011 |
| Gardner-Webb | GWU 0-8-0 | 2003 | 2010 |
| Liberty | LU 3-7-0 | 1995 | 2010 |
| Presbyterian | VMI 3-1-0 | 2007 | 2010 |
| Stony Brook | SBU 4-0-0 | 2008 | 2011 |
Championships
Bowl games
The Keydets have six wins and 18 losses in 24 minor bowl games. This includes nine Tobacco Bowls and and 15 Oyster Bowls.
| Year | Bowl Game | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 | Tobacco Bowl | Richmond Spiders | W 14-7 |
| 1952 | Tobacco Bowl | Virginia Cavaliers | L 33-14 |
| 1963 | Oyster Bowl | Navy Midshipmen | L 21-12 |
| 1964 | Tobacco Bowl | Virginia Cavaliers | L 20-19 |
| 1967 | Tobacco Bowl | William & Mary | L 33-28 |
| 1969 | Tobacco Bowl | Virginia Cavaliers | L 28-10 |
| 1974 | Tobacco Bowl | Virginia Tech Hokies | W 22-17 |
| 1975 | Tobacco Bowl | Richmond Spiders | L 24-19 |
| 1976 | Boston | Virginia Tech Hokies | L 37-7 |
| 1976 | Oyster Bowl | Virginia Cavaliers | W 13-7 |
| 1978 | Tobacco Bowl | Richmond Spiders | W 23-6 |
| 1980 | Oyster Bowl | Virginia Tech Hokies | L 21-6 |
| 1981 | Oyster Bowl | The Citadel Bulldogs | W 14-0 |
| 1982 | Tobacco Bowl | Richmond Spiders | W 14-0 |
| 1982 | Oyster Bowl | Virginia Tech Hokies | L 14-3 |
| 1984 | Oyster Bowl | Virginia Tech Hokies | L 54-7 |
| 1987 | Oyster Bowl | William & Mary Tribe | L 17-6 |
| 1988 | Oyster Bowl | The Citadel Bulldogs | L 31-20 |
| 1990 | Oyster Bowl | William & Mary Tribe | L 59-47 |
| 1991 | Oyster Bowl | The Citadel Bulldogs | L 14-17 |
| 1992 | Oyster Bowl | Richmond Spiders | L 41-18 |
| 1993 | Oyster Bowl | William & Mary Tribe | L 49-6 |
| 1994 | Oyster Bowl | The Citadel Bulldogs | L 58-14 |
| 1995 | Oyster Bowl | Georgia Southern Eagles | L 31-13 |
Undefeated seasons
| Year | Record | Coach |
|---|---|---|
| 1894 | 6-0 | None |
| 1899 | 1-0 | Samuel Boyle, Jr. |
| 1920 | 9-0 | Blandy Clarkson |
| 1957 | 9-0 | John McKenna |
Conference Championships
| Year | Record | Coach |
|---|---|---|
| 1894 | 7-3 | Tom Nugent |
| 1957 | 9-0 | John McKenna |
| 1959 | 8-1-1 | John McKenna |
| 1960 | 7-2-1 | John McKenna |
| 1962 | 6-4 | John McKenna |
| 1974 | 7-4 | Bob Thalman |
| 1977 | 7-4 | Bob Thalman |
Future schedules
2012
| Date | Opponent |
|---|---|
| Sep. 1 | @ Delaware State |
| Sep. 15 | Richmond |
| Sep. 22 | @ Navy |
| Oct. 6 | Coastal Carolina |
| Oct. 13 | @ Charleston Southern |
| Oct. 20 | Presbyterian |
| Oct. 27 | @ Gardner-Webb |
| Nov. 3 | @ Stony Brook |
| Nov. 10 | The Citadel |
| Nov. 17 | Liberty |
2013
| Date | Opponent |
|---|---|
| Sep. 14 | Bucknell |
| Sep. 21 | @ Virginia |
| Oct. 12 | Charleston Southern |
| Oct. 19 | @ Coastal Carolina |
| Oct. 20 | Gardner-Webb |
| Oct. 27 | @ Liberty |
| Nov. 3 | @ Presbyterian |
| Nov. 10 | @ The Citadel |
| Nov. 17 | Stony Brook |
2014
| Date | Opponent |
|---|---|
| Sep. 6 | @ Bowling Green[9] |
| Nov. 15 | The Citadel |
Head coaches
Sparky Woods, the current Keydet head coach, is the 30th all-time. (Note: From 1892-1894, the team had no coach)[2]
| Name | Joined | Left |
|---|---|---|
| Walter Taylor | 1891 | 1891 |
| George Bryant | 1895 | 1896 |
| R. N. Groner | 1897 | 1897 |
| Samuel Boyle | 1898 | 1899 |
| Sam Walker | 1900 | 1902 |
| William Roper | 1903 | 1904 |
| Ira Johnson | 1905 | 1906 |
| Charles Roller | 1907 | 1908 |
| William Gloth | 1909 | 1910 |
| Alpha Brummage | 1911 | 1912 |
| Henry Poaque | 1913 | 1913 |
| Frank Gorton | 1914 | 1916 |
| Earl Abell | 1917 | 1917 |
| Earl Abell & Mose Goodman | 1918 | 1918 |
| Red Fleming | 1919 | 1919 |
| Blandy Clarkson | 1920 | 1926 |
| W. C. Raftery | 1927 | 1936 |
| Allison Hubert | 1937 | 1946 |
| Arthur Morton | 1947 | 1948 |
| Tom Nugent | 1949 | 1952 |
| John McKenna | 1953 | 1965 |
| Vito Ragazzo | 1966 | 1970 |
| Bob Thalman | 1971 | 1984 |
| Eddie Williamson | 1985 | 1988 |
| Jim Shuck | 1989 | 1993 |
| Bill Stewart | 1994 | 1996 |
| Ted Cain | 1997 | 1998 |
| Donny White # | 1998 | 1998 |
| Cal McCombs | 1999 | 2005 |
| Jim Reid | 2006 | 2007 |
| Sparky Woods | 2008 |
Pound sign (#) denotes interim head coach
Facilities
Alumni Memorial Field
Alumni Memorial Field at Foster Stadium, located on the VMI campus, has been the home of VMI football games since 1962. Completed at a cost of around $250,000, Foster seats 10,000. The stadium went through a major $15 million renovation process in 2006, with new ticket booths, concourses, restrooms, and a new scoreboard and jumbotron. The field's surface is Bermuda Grass.
Sprinturf Field
Sprinturf Field serves as the Keydets practice facility, made of artificial grass. It also serves host to 1-2 lacrosse games throughout the season.[11]
Traditions
- Moe the Kangaroo
VMI chose a kangaroo to represent the school as a mascot in 1947, when two cheerleaders saw one on a magazine cover and thought how "uncommon the animal was as a mascot".[12] Originally the kangaroo was named TD Bound, but later changed to Moe at an unknown time. VMI is one of four colleges with a marsupial mascot. Zippy of Akron is the one other school with a kangaroo mascot.
- 12th Man
Around 45 minutes before VMI home games, the Corps of Cadets march from their barracks down to Foster Stadium while the regimental band plays. VMI uniquely requires every student to attend the football games from start to finish.[13]
- Little John
A replica of a 1750 Howitzer cannon, "Little John" is a corps-owned cannon fires when the Keydets come on to the field, and after every VMI score and quarter end. The one currently in use was designed by Col. Cary S. Tucker. The previous one was retired to the VMI museum after the undefeated 1957 football team finished.[14]
- Military Classic of the South
Arguably VMI's biggest rival, The Citadel and the Keydets have played 66 times in a match up known as the Military Classic of the South. The teams first met in 1920, where VMI rolled to a 35-0 shutout win in Lynchburg.[2] The most recent meeting occurred in 2007, when The Citadel prevailed 70-28. The Silver Shako (the trophy for winning the contest) has rested in Charleston since 2003. The Classic has been set to be played once every year through 2014.
Notable players
| Name | Team(s) | Played |
|---|---|---|
| Tim Maypray | Montreal Alouettes | 2010-present |
| Gregory Clifton | Washington Redskins | 1993 |
| Sam Horner | Redskins, New York Giants | 1960-62 |
| Joe Muha | Philadelphia Eagles | 1946-50 |
| Ray Reutt | Pittsburgh Steelers | 1943 |
| Mark Stock | Redskins, Steelers, Indianapolis Colts | 1989, 93, 96 |
| Bobby Thomason | Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers | 1949-57 |
| Mike Wooten | Redskins | 1987 |
NCAA Records
Team single game
- Most Rushing Attempts: 90 vs. East Tennessee State, 1990 (FCS record)
- Fewest passing yards allowed: -16 vs. Richmond, 1957 (FBS record)
Individual single season
- Most punts: 101, Jim Bailey, 1969 (FCS record)
See also
References
- ^ a b Alumni Memorial Field at Foster Stadium - Home of VMI Keydets Football
- ^ a b c d e 2010 VMI Football Record Book
- ^ Virginia Military Institute Summary
- ^ The 1921 Bomb
- ^ 1924 Southern Conference Year Summary
- ^ 1927 Southern Conference Year Summary
- ^ VMI Event Calendar 2012
- ^ VMI Event Calendar 2013
- ^ Bowling Green Falcons 2014 Schedule
- ^ VMI Event Calendar 2014
- ^ Sprinturf Field
- ^ VMI Kangaroo
- ^ 12th Man
- ^ Little John
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