A History of Bridgewater College Football

Bridgewater College students have held an interest in football since the college’s inception. The first organized team originated in September 1889, when Bridgewater men created “a football association”. The Bridgewater Eagles are the athletic teams that represent Bridgewater College, located in Bridgewater, Virginia, in NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports. The Eagles compete as members of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. This article delves into the history of Bridgewater College Football, from its humble beginnings to its aspirations for future success.

Early Years and Initial Challenges (1898-1937)

Popularity for the sport increased throughout the 1890s, and the first Bridgewater College Football team was established in 1898. This team was coached by Professor Ottis Mendenhall and captained by Robert E. Lee Strickler. Bridgewater played its first game against another school on December 9, 1899, against West Central Academy and lost by one touchdown (5-0). This was the only game of the 1899 season. The BC football team also only played one game in 1900, where they defeated West Central Academy 11-7. There are no recorded football games in 1901 or 1902. Competition returned in 1903, when the Bridgewater football team held a record of 3-1-1. 1904 brought less success, with the team losing two of their three games. Bridgewater Football at this time was loosely organized, belonging to no official conference and allowing professors to both coach and play on the team.

In the spring of 1905, the school removed football from the institution’s athletics due to beliefs that it caused permanent injury and contributed to the negligence of studies. Football returned to Bridgewater as an intercollegiate sport in 1925 due to student demand. The period of BC football from 1925-1937 can best be described as a low point for the program. The team played a total of 70 games against 18 different colleges (primarily in Virginia) and won only 10 games, loosing 58 others and tying two. These significant loses can be attributed to the poor funding and recruitment strategies put in place by the college. The main high schools Bridgewater obtained its students from did not have a football team, and it made no effort to scout for players. The team had a small coaching staff, did not publicize the team, and often scheduled games against opponents from much larger schools with better resources. Due to the poor performance record, moral and attitude surrounding the BC football team was low.

Re-emergence and Gradual Improvement (1948-1980)

After significant interest was shown through intramural football in 1948, the college resumed intercollegiate football competitions in 1949 with a schedule of four games. Despite a poor record of loosing 9 out of 10 games between 1949 ad 1950 seasons, the student body continued to show support for the football program, voting to retain football as an intercollegiate sport in 1951. Football began to resemble the modern program with the two weeks conditioning camp being established in 1956, and the installment of spring football practices in 1957. During this time, Bridgewater football competed in the Mason-Dixon Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Bridgewater football, however, continued to have poor performances, loosing 73 out of the 102 games played between 1949 and 1963. The team was once again in discussion to be disbanded, but the college opted to support a larger coaching staff in order to help improve play. The period of 1964 to 1980 saw improvement in the Bridgewater College football program, decreasing its losses to 86 out of 147 games. During this time, Bridgewater Football changed conferences (along with all Bridgewater sports) from the Mason Dixon Conference to the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) in 1975. The Bridgewater Football team won its first conference championship in 1980, claiming the ODAC football title and ODAC Coach of the Year for John S. Spencer.

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Modern Era and Pursuit of Excellence (1981-Present)

Modern BC football has built upon the success of its predecessors and is now a formidable force in the ODAC. Bridgewater has represented the ODAC seven times out of the conference’s 30 NCAA tournament appearances. In 2001, Bridgewater Football reached the Stagg Bowl, the Division III national championship. Much of Bridgewater Football’s growth can be attributed to head coach Michael Clark, who led the Eagles from 1995 to 2021.

The Lemn Era and the Promise of 2025

Led by head coach Scott Lemn, he’s taken the Eagles to two bowl games, including the Neptune Bowl in 2022 and the Cape Henry Bowl in 2023. Going into his fifth season, he knows what it takes to win in the ODAC and has led his 2022 squad to a 9-2 season and saw them ranked in the D3Football poll. Now going into the 2025 season, he’s looking to use his strong group of veterans to take his team to an ODAC championship.

Bridgewater football is primed for success in 2025, with quarterback Jaicere Bateman returning for his junior season after a stellar sophomore year. Not only is Bateman returning to the Eagles, but running back Brendan Robinson and receivers Ian Browne and Evan Welsh are also set for big seasons. Bateman had a historic season in 2024, breaking the program record for total completions with 204 and against Randolph Macon, set the single game record for completions with 32. He threw for 2,143 yards and 18 touchdowns while also rushing for 249 yards and nine touchdowns. Now a junior, he’s set to have an even bigger season. Robinson led the charge on the ground with 535 yards and four touchdowns and Browne is the top returning receiver and he had 327 yards. Both Browne and Welsh are set to have breakout seasons as veterans in the wide receiver room.

Defensive back Elijah Choy is the top returning tackler and he had 39 tackles including 3.5 tackles for loss and half a sack. On the defensive line, Andrew Brown had 28 tackles including 4.5 tackles for loss and one sack. While the offense has several strong veterans returning, the defense is another story. The majority of the defense was seniors, paving the way for a new group of players to take over.

A Look at the 2024 Season

In 2024, Bridgewater Football recorded the following results:

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Sep 6 - at #7 Susquehanna - L, 7-41
Sep 14 - vs Southern Virginia - W, 80-0
Sep 21 - at Millsaps College - W, 28-14
Oct 5 - at Ferrum * - W, 41-15
Oct 12 - vs Averett * - W, 63-7
Oct 19 - vs Shenandoah * - W, 22-21
Oct 26 - at (RV) Randolph-Macon * - L, 16-49
Nov 2 - vs Hampden-Sydney * - L, 21-28
Nov 9 - vs Washington and Lee * - L, 7-23
Nov 16 - at Guilford * - W, 58-0

The Road Ahead: 2025 Schedule

Here’s what to know about Bridgewater football. Bridgewater Football 2025 Schedule FloCollege and FloFootball are the exclusive home of all ODAC Conference* and Bridgewater home games. Subscribe here to not miss any of the action.

Sep 6 - 7 PM - vs Stevenson (FloCollege)
Sep 13 - 12 PM - at Susquehanna
Sep 20 - 2 PM - vs #21 Randolph-Macon * (FloCollege)
Sep 27 - 2 PM - at Averett * (FloCollege)
Oct 4 - 1 PM - at Shenandoah * (FloCollege)
Oct 11 - 2 PM - vs Roanoke * (FloCollege)
Oct 18 - 2 PM - vs Gallaudet * (FloCollege)
Oct 25 - 2 PM - at Washington and Lee * (FloCollege)
Nov 8 - 1 PM - at Hampden-Sydney * (FloCollege)
Nov 15 - 2 PM - vs Guilford * (FloCollege)

Bridgewater Football Coaching Staff

Scott Lemn - Head Football Coach
Peyton Allen - Defensive Coordinator
Dustin Green - Defensive Pass Game Coordinator
Patrick Hofmann - Offensive Line Coach
Deion Richardson - Running Backs Coach
Kevin Barr - Tight Ends Coach
Rob McCoy - Linebackers Coach
Derrick Jenkins - Cornerbacks Coach

2025 D3 Football Preseason Rankings

North Central (Ill.)
Mount Union
Johns Hopkins
Susquehanna
St. John's (Minn.)

Other Bridgewater College Athletics

In 2014, the Bridgewater College baseball team won the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) tournament and finished the season in the NCAA Division III South Regional Championship. The Eagles lost to Emory University, the eventual College World Series Runner-Up. The equestrian team has consistently been one of the top teams in the Zone 4 Region 2 of the IHSA, winning the title in 2006 and 2011, and also winning the ODAC championship in 2007 and 2009. In 2011, Bridgewater's first ever trip to the IHSA National Show resulted in a tie for fifth place in the team standings with the University of Kentucky. Bridgewater riders finished in the Top 10 in seven of the eight classes.

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