Maroon and White Nation
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Mississippi State football: the history of Davis Wade Stadium

By Josh Barnhill

Nov 14, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; A general view of Davis Wade Stadium during a game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and Alabama Crimson Tide game. The Crimson Tide defeated the Bulldogs 31-6. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; A general view of Davis Wade Stadium during a game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and Alabama Crimson Tide game. The Crimson Tide defeated the Bulldogs 31-6. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 28, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; The sun sets behind Davis Wade Stadium before the game against the Mississippi Rebels and Mississippi State Bulldogs. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; The sun sets behind Davis Wade Stadium before the game against the Mississippi Rebels and Mississippi State Bulldogs. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /

Davis Wade Stadium has been home to the Mississippi State Bulldogs football program since 1914. 

This is a walk through the 102-year history of Davis Wade Stadium – also known as Scott Field to many as that was the name until 2001. It’s an interesting historical perspective of the stadium in which the Bulldogs play, but also a review of Mississippi State football history.

1914-1935

Mississippi A&M moved from the Hardy Athletic Field to the “New Athletic Field” in 1914. It was just a grassy area on campus to play football and run track. It wasn’t until 1920 that it was named “Scott Field” after Olympic sprinter Don Magruder Scott – who was also a football player for the Aggies (as we were known back then).

The first season was a successful one, 6-2 under E.C. Hayes, including a 4-0 mark on the New Athletic Field. Imagine being a fan at that time – pulling up to the game in your horse and buggy, and either standing on the sidelines to watch or getting a better view atop your carriage.

The program had mixed results for a while, joining the Southern Conference in 1921, then installing 3,000 permanent stands in 1928. The stands in total held 6,000, half of which were removable.

A&M changed their name to ‘Mississippi State College’, and the nickname to ‘Maroons’ in 1932. Then in 1933 we joined up with the newly formed SEC. Only Sewanee from the SEC would come to Starkville to play in those first few years – and we beat them soundly…. of course, their tenure in the SEC was short-lived.

Here is a picture of what the games looked like during this time period.

All of this was building to the great years that would follow.

Next: 1936-1947

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