The Military Classic of the South takes place each year between The Citadel and VMI. The two schools first met in 1920 making it the 13th oldest rivalry in the FCS. Extra bragging rights were added to the rivalry in 1976 when the winner started taking home the Silver Shako. You won’t want to miss The Citadel try to extend their 40-30-2 record against VMI, so make sure to be in attendance for the Military Classic of the South.
The rivalry between The Citadel and Furman goes back to 1913 and has been contested every year since 1919, with the exception of 1943 through 1945. The Paladins are one of if not the biggest rival of The Citadel meaning you want to miss it when Furman comes to town.
The Citadel Bulldogs Tailgate Guide
Atmosphere
Tailgating and college football are huge in the south so it should come as no surprise that you’ll find a fun tailgating atmosphere at The Citadel. On game days, you’ll see a sea of blue and white tents outside Johnson Hagood Stadium. Fans from all over the Charleston area come out to root on the Bulldogs and tailgate before the game making a trip to Johnson Hagood Stadium a fun time for college footballs and tailgate aficionados.
The tailgating atmosphere at The Citadel is rather relaxed compared to other larger South Carolina schools. You’ll mainly see people having a few beers, joking around, and playing tailgating games. While you may not find the raucous atmosphere that you’ll see at SEC schools, the fans here are jovial and more than happy to talk ball and share stories.
One of the best traditions surrounding a Bulldogs football game is the Military Dress Parade. The parade typically takes place on Friday, but if you’re attending the homecoming game you’ll be in luck as the parade is held at 11:00 am on Saturday.
The Citadel is a fun tailgating destination, so don’t hesitate to come out and tailgate before a Bulldogs football game.
When attending a game at The Citadel, arrive by Friday night to enjoy the Military Dress Parade. The parade typically takes place on Friday afternoon and is one of the biggest traditions at The Citadel making it a must-see.
Designated Tailgating AreasIf you want to consume alcohol at your tailgate, then make sure to tailgate in the designated areas. You can only have alcohol in these areas, so get here early if you want a spot.
The Citadel Club TailgateThose of you who want to tailgate without the hassle of setting up a tailgate will want to join The Citadel Club. The club offers free tailgates to members and nonmembers can join for a fee. The Citadel Club tailgate not only provides you with plenty of food and drinks, but is also an excellent way to meet fellow diehard Bulldogs fans.
The Citadel Bulldogs Stadium Guide
In Game
The Citadel Bulldogs have won the last two Southern Conference titles meaning you’ll be in for a treat when taking in a game at Johnson Hagood Stadium. The Bulldogs recent success means not only will you get to see one of the best teams in the conference play you’ll also experience an energetic crowd. Fans from all over Charleston have been coming out to support the team during their current run of success creating a fun in-game atmosphere any college football fan will enjoy.
The team and fans aren’t the only things that make attending a Bulldogs game a memorable experience. The Citadel is also home to some great traditions. The firing of the cannon after every Bulldogs score is sure to get you out of your seat, and the cadet march before the game is a fun way to kick off the game. You also won’t want to miss The Regimental Band and Pipes or any of the three Bulldogs mascots during your visit to the Citadel.
Finally, The Citadel provides plenty of entertainment for the families in attendance. The Spike’s Kidet Club Kids Zone is the perfect place to take restless kids, and the young ones will enjoy the opportunity to pick up a souvenir at one of the stands as well.
The Citadel provides a fantastic fan experience full of excellent football and even better traditions making a trip to Charleston a must for any FCS football fan.
The Kids Zone is located in the southeast corner and is the perfect place to take the kids before or during the game. It opens 90 minutes before kickoff giving you plenty of time to let the young ones work out their excess energy before the game.
Following every Bulldogs score a Civil War replica cannon is fired. The cannon is a fun way to celebrate when the Bulldogs score and works everyone into a frenzy making it one of the most exciting parts of any game.
Stop by one of the two souvenir stands inside Johnson Hagood Stadium to pick up a keepsake from your trip to The Citadel. The stand feature a variety of Bulldogs gear including t-shirts, caps, and much more.
No trip to The Citadel is complete without seeing the Cadet March On. The march takes place 20 minutes before kickoff and is one of the biggest and best traditions found at The Citadel. Be in your seat early, so you don’t miss seeing the cadets enter the field.
Enjoy The Regimental Band and Pipes during your trip to The Citadel. The band puts on a fantastic show at Bulldogs football games, so arrive at your seat early and catch their pregame performance.
The Citadel has not one but three mascots you can see on game days. The costumed mascot named Spike is loved by children especially and gets into shenanigans throughout the game, while the two live mascots General II and Boo X are a big part of game days as well.
Show your support for The Citadel and join the cheerleaders as they cheer on the team. The cheerleaders lead a variety of cheers throughout the game, so join in and give the Bulldogs as much of a home field advantage as possible.
Fight Songs
Go Dogs
Go Dogs, Go down the Field,
Let’s win this game!
Fight’em and Bite’em,
The Corps sings your fame!
Rah Rah Rah!
Fight on and never yield,
It’s plain to see
That the Corps will take the Dogs
To Vic to ry!
All Hail the Bulldogs
All Hail to the Bulldogs,
March to victory
Long live The Citadel, so proud are we.
And yield, we will never.
We’re Blue/White forever.
We will fight, we will win, we will conquer in the end,
A Bulldog triumph today.
The Citadel Ramble
The Citadel has a bulldog
With short and grizzly hair.
Carolina has a gamecock–
Now wouldn’t they make a pair?
And when they get together
There’s bound to be a scrap.
Just watch that Citadel Bulldog
Wipe that gamecock off the map!
CHORUS
Oh! they rambled, they rambled.
They rambled all around.
In and out of town,
Oh! they rambled, they rambled.
They rambled ’till the Bulldogs cut `em down.
The Fighting Light Brigade
We’re here cheering loudly, as the Brigadiers parade.
Bucks, we claim you proudly as THE FIGHTING LIGHT BRIGADE!
March on, ye valiant warriors; your courage shall not fade;
As we yell, we yell like hell for you, THE FIGHTING LIGHT BRIGADE!
The Citadel Forever
While now we pass in review, marching along,
We praise thee, O Citadel, in our lusty song,
As bearing the colors proud, we pledge anew,
To thee, our Alma Mater dear,
Allegiance proud and true.
With brave, loyal hearts aflame, we march away,
To train for the victories that we must win some day;
When passing in life’s review, Mem’ries of thee,
O Citadel, shall our inspiration be.
The Citadel Alma Mater
Oh Citadel, we sing thy fame
For all the world to hear.
And in the Paths our fathers showed us
Follow without fear.
Peace and Honor, God and Country,
We will fight for thee.
Oh Citadel, we praise thee now
And in Eternity.
Oh Citadel, though strife surrounds us,
We will ever be
Full conscious of the benefits
That we derive from thee.
Stand forever, yielding never
To the tyrant’s Hell
We’ll never cease our struggles for
Our mighty Citadel.
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