A Return to the Gridiron
Football is back at Centenary! President Christopher L. Holoman made it official at a press conference on November 10, in a landmark moment for Centenary Athletics.
"For more than 120 years, athletics has been an important part of the student experience at Centenary College," said Holoman at the morning event at the College's Mayo Field. "We haven't played football here for quite some time, but the wait is over. Today, I am so excited and proud to announce that Centenary will be bringing college football back to Shreveport-Bossier City."
Shreveport mayor Adrian Perkins and Board of Trustees chairman Archer Frierson joined Holoman and Centenary athletic director David Orr in celebrating the football announcement.
“This is a big day for our city, because our city absolutely loves sports,” said Mayor Perkins. “But most importantly, this city really loves Centenary. Being able to join those two things today means the world to me and will mean the world to the city. It makes me very proud to look around and see all the Centenary graduates and the impact that you have had on this city.”
Centenary's previous football history began with the Gents' first game in the fall of 1894 and ended in November of 1941, with a brief attempted revival in the 1960s. More than 50 years later, the decision has been made to bring the sport back with an expected initial season set for Fall 2024. Applications to join a conference will begin immediately and the search for a head coach is underway. A hire is expected to be made in early 2022.
Mayo Field, the current home of the Gents and Ladies soccer teams as well as Gents lacrosse, will undergo extensive renovations over the next few years to also become the home field for the new Gents football team. Holoman announced that Centenary has already received gifts of over $1.25 million to support the re-establishment of football. In conjunction with The College's upcoming bicentennial in 2025, Centenary will be embarking on a number of other capital and curricular projects to support students, professors, and programs.
"Today represents one of the final steps in a careful process rooted in our current strategic plan that, along other initiatives, calls for exploring new athletic opportunities," said Holoman. "I am so grateful for the enthusiastic support that we have received from the Shreveport-Bossier City community and we look forward to hosting exciting college football Saturdays right here in the heart of the city."