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 Citadel Bulldogs vs Furman Paladins

Rival Team: Furman Paladins

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.

Traditions

Dress Parade

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.

Where to tailgate

Designated Tailgating Areas

If 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 Tailgate

Those 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.

Things to check out

Spike’s Kidet Club Kids Zone

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.

Cannon

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.

Souvenir Stands

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.

Cadet March On

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.

The Regimental Band and Pipes

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.

Spike and the Live Mascots

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.

Cheerleaders

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.

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