What Is 1937 The Citadel Bulldogs football

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1937 The Citadel Bulldogs football team represented The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, during the 1937 college football season. Led by head coach John S. Griffith in his second year, the team compiled a 3–5–1 overall record and played as a member of the Southern Conference.

Key Facts

The 1937 The Citadel Bulldogs finished with a 3–5–1 overall record
Head coach John S. Griffith was in his second season leading the team
The team played as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon)
They won 2 games and lost 4 in conference play (2–4 SoCon record)
The season included a 0–0 tie against Furman on November 20, 1937

Overview

The 1937 The Citadel Bulldogs football team represented The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, during the 1937 college football season. Competing as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon), the Bulldogs played under head coach John S. Griffith, who was in his second year at the helm.

This season marked a transitional period for the program, as it continued to build competitiveness within a challenging regional conference. Despite a below-.500 record, the team demonstrated resilience through a schedule that included several strong southern programs.

Season Record: The Bulldogs finished the 1937 season with a 3–5–1 overall record, reflecting a modest performance against a competitive slate of opponents.
Conference Play: In Southern Conference competition, The Citadel went 2–4, highlighting struggles against league rivals despite pockets of strong play.
Head Coach: John S. Griffith led the team in his second season, continuing efforts to stabilize and improve the program after a 2–6–1 record in 1936.
Notable Result: A 0–0 tie against Furman on November 20, 1937, stood out as a rare scoreless deadlock in a season otherwise marked by decisive outcomes.
Home Games: The team played its home games at Johnson Hagood Stadium in Charleston, South Carolina, a venue that has hosted Citadel football since 1927.

Season Structure and Performance

The 1937 campaign featured a nine-game schedule typical of college football teams in the era, with matchups against regional rivals and conference foes. Games were played primarily on weekends, with limited media coverage compared to modern standards.

Opening Game: The season began with a loss to VPI (Virginia Tech), who defeated The Citadel 20–0 in a display of dominant defense.
First Win: The Bulldogs earned their first victory by defeating Newberry College 20–0, showcasing improved offensive execution.
Key Loss: A 33–0 defeat to rival South Carolina highlighted the gap between The Citadel and stronger in-state programs.
SoCon Win: The Citadel secured a 6–0 victory over George Washington, marking one of two conference wins during the season.
Final Game: The season concluded with a 19–0 loss to Richmond, ending a campaign that underscored the need for program development.
Scoring Summary: The team was shut out in four games, indicating offensive challenges throughout the season.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1937 season to adjacent years reveals trends in performance and coaching impact.

Season	Head Coach	Overall Record	SoCon Record	Key Result
1935	J. Quinn	3–5–1	2–4	Lost to VMI 19–0
1936	John S. Griffith	2–6–1	1–5	Tied Furman 0–0
1937	John S. Griffith	3–5–1	2–4	Tied Furman 0–0
1938	John S. Griffith	4–5	3–4	Beat Furman 13–6
1939	Bo Rowland	4–4–1	3–3–1	Beat VMI 13–6

The 1937 season represented a slight improvement over 1936, with one additional win and a better conference record. However, it still fell short of consistent competitiveness, a challenge that persisted into the late 1930s. The continuity of coaching under Griffith provided stability, but offensive limitations remained evident across multiple seasons.

Why It Matters

The 1937 season is a historical snapshot of The Citadel’s football program during its formative years in the Southern Conference. While not a championship contender, the team contributed to the development of college football traditions in South Carolina.

Institutional Legacy: The season is part of The Citadel’s long football history, which dates back to 1905 and includes numerous conference contests.
Coaching Development: John S. Griffith’s tenure laid groundwork for future coaches, despite limited success during his three seasons.
Regional Rivalries: Games against Furman, VMI, and South Carolina helped solidify enduring in-state rivalries still active today.
Historical Context: The 1937 season occurred during the Great Depression, a time when college sports provided morale-boosting entertainment.
Statistical Record: The 3–5–1 record is preserved in official NCAA and Southern Conference archives, contributing to historical databases.
Program Evolution: Struggles in the late 1930s underscore the challenges smaller military colleges faced in competing with larger programs.

Though overshadowed by more successful eras, the 1937 Bulldogs remain a part of The Citadel’s athletic identity, reflecting perseverance and dedication typical of military college sports programs.