What Is 1917 Presbyterian Blue Hose football

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1917 Presbyterian Blue Hose football team represented Presbyterian College during the 1917 college football season, finishing with a 2–3 record under head coach Walter A. Johnson. The team played as an independent and was part of the early development of the school's athletic program.

Key Facts

The 1917 Presbyterian Blue Hose football team had a final record of 2 wins and 3 losses.
Head coach Walter A. Johnson led the team during the 1917 season.
Presbyterian College competed as an independent with no conference affiliation.
The team played its home games at Limestone Field in Clinton, South Carolina.
The 1917 season occurred during World War I, which affected college sports nationwide.

Overview

The 1917 Presbyterian Blue Hose football team represented Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina, during the 1917 college football season. Competing as an independent, the team was in its early years of organized football and played under head coach Walter A. Johnson.

That season, the Blue Hose compiled a 2–3 overall record, facing regional opponents in a limited schedule shaped by the challenges of World War I. Despite the disruptions, the team continued to build the foundation for Presbyterian’s long-standing football tradition.

Season record: The team finished with a 2–3 win-loss record, reflecting the competitive but inconsistent performance typical of small-college programs at the time.
Head coach: Walter A. Johnson was in his second year as head coach, having taken over the program in 1916 and working to establish consistent play.
Home venue: The Blue Hose played home games at Limestone Field, a modest on-campus field that served as the primary athletic space before modern upgrades.
Independent status: Presbyterian did not belong to a conference in 1917, scheduling games independently against nearby colleges and military teams.
Historical context: The 1917 season occurred during World War I, leading to reduced rosters and travel constraints for many college teams across the U.S.

Team Structure and Season Details

The 1917 campaign was shaped by limited resources, regional competition, and the broader impact of global events on collegiate athletics. Games were arranged on short notice, and player availability fluctuated due to wartime enlistments.

Opponent level: The Blue Hose faced a mix of small colleges and military training units, including schools like Erskine and Lenoir.
Game frequency: The team played only five documented games in 1917, a lower number than typical seasons due to wartime limitations.
Player roster: Rosters were small, often under 30 players, with many students balancing academics and military preparation.
Coaching staff: Walter A. Johnson managed all aspects of the program with minimal assistant support, common for small schools at the time.
Scoring data: Specific point totals for each game are not fully recorded, but two victories indicate offensive capability against weaker opponents.
Season timeline: Games were played between September and November 1917, aligning with the traditional college football calendar despite wartime conditions.

Comparison at a Glance

Presbyterian’s 1917 season can be better understood by comparing it to peer institutions and national trends during the same year.

Team	Record (1917)	Coach	Conference	Notable Context
Presbyterian Blue Hose	2–3	Walter A. Johnson	Independent	Small roster impacted by World War I
Georgia Tech	9–0	John Heisman	Independent	National champions; dominant season
Notre Dame	5–1–1	Knute Rockne (assistant)	Independent	Emerging national program
Harvard	3–1–2	Edward N. Robinson	Independent	Reduced schedule due to war
Centre College	4–2	James G. Johns	Independent	Kentucky-based small college with similar challenges

While powerhouse programs like Georgia Tech dominated, smaller schools such as Presbyterian faced greater logistical and personnel hurdles. The comparison highlights how World War I disproportionately affected smaller athletic departments, limiting travel, funding, and player availability.

Why It Matters

The 1917 season is a window into the resilience of college football during a global crisis and the early development of Presbyterian’s athletic identity. Though records are sparse, the season reflects broader trends in American sports history.

Institutional legacy: The 1917 team contributed to the foundation of Presbyterian’s football program, which continues today at the NCAA Division I FCS level.
Historical significance: Seasons like 1917 illustrate how world events directly influenced college sports, from roster size to scheduling.
Coach development: Walter A. Johnson’s leadership during this period helped shape future coaching standards at the college.
Regional competition: Games against nearby schools fostered early rivalries and regional athletic networks in the South.
Archival value: Even incomplete records provide historians with insight into early 20th-century college life and athletics.
War impact: The 1917 season exemplifies how global conflicts can disrupt and reshape educational and athletic programs.

Though overshadowed by larger programs, the 1917 Presbyterian Blue Hose season remains a meaningful chapter in the history of small-college football and American sports during wartime.