Stetson University Athletics

Fort Benning Soldiers built Doughboy Stadium in 1924-25 as a memorial to comrades killed in World War I. It was funded by contributions from Soldiers and military units around the world. Gen. John J. Pershing poured the first load of concrete during the ground breaking ceremony in 1924. The first game at Doughboy took place Sept. 16, 1925, against Stetson. A formal dedication was celebrated on October 17 with a game between the Blue Tide of Fort Benning and a team from Oglethorpe University out of Atlanta before a crowd of 9,000. Fort Benning's decisive victory foreshadowed a lengthy period on success for Fort Benning football. Dwight D. Eisenhower, who earned five stars before becoming president of the United States, helped coach the Doughboys to an all-Army championship the following year.

Norman College came into existence because the people in the Mell Association in the 1890’s were interested in providing a good education for their children. While in session in 1897, the Association discussed establishing a Baptist Preparatory School. A committee was named with Rev. R.A. Jessup as chairman. Mr. J. B. (Wheeler) Norman, Jr., was also on this committee. J. B. Norman Several churches made bids for the school by offering land and money. The Mt. Zion Baptist Church, located about 1 mile east of the present site of Norman Park, offered $4,000 and 16 acres of land. Mr. J. S. Weeks, Sr. donated the land, while Mr. J.B. Norman and Mr. K.V. Horne led in monetary gifts from the congregation. Because of the interest and generosity of the Norman family, the school founded in 1900, was named Norman Institute. In 1900 the Norman Institute was started offering grades 1-12. In the mid 1920’s the Junior College curriculum was added. In 1928 the name was changed to Norman Junior College, and by 1951 the name was again changed to Norman College.