A new era in Greensboro College athletics began in the fall of 1997 with the first season of Pride football. Head Coach Marion Kirby, who won four State Championships during 23 years at Greensboro Page High School, led the Pride into its first season, welcoming over 100 recruits in mid-August for the first series of preseason practices.

Just three and a half weeks after the players arrived, it was time for the first game. A crowd of 2,713 was on hand at Jamieson Stadium for the historic event, as the Pride took on nationally ranked Catholic University, a team that later qualified for the NCAA Division III Playoffs.

The players raced from the dressing room to the sideline in their bright new uniforms, as the Pride mascot paraded around the field with a large banner showing the newly-designed Pride logo. A disk jockey provided music and the cheerleaders led the crowd in support of the new GC team.

The first half was considered a success, as the Pride trailed just 13-0 after two quarters against one of the nation’s top offensive teams. The final score was 49-7, with Catholic’s size and experience winning out in the second half. Even so, nearly everyone in the crowd stayed until the finish.

Greensboro’s highlight of the first game was the team’s first ever touchdown. Fullback Andrew Bailey scored on a 6-yard pass from quarterback Tommy Waters with 3:56 left in the game. James Thomas added the extra point, and Greensboro was on the scoreboard.

The opener was just one of many games against highly-regarded opponents. The Pride faced a schedule that would have challenged the most experienced teams. Although GC finished 0-9, the team nearly claimed a win in its Homecoming game on Oct. 25 and finished the season with many positive memories.

Greensboro’s first ever Homecoming opponent was Newport News Apprentice. The Pride fell behind 24-0 in the second period, but scored before halftime and trailed 24-6 at the intermission. The second half was dominated by the Pride, which rallied for a 27-24 lead with 2:05 remaining in the fourth quarter on a 7-yard touchdown run by Rickey McAuley and a conversion kick by Thomas. Newport News scored its only points of the second half with 1:25 left in the game, when Ramon Jones hauled in a 50-yard pass from Christopher Cox, as the Builders ducked out with a 30-27 win.

GC outgained Newport News 409-392 in total offense, as Brian Osbourn rushed for 90 yards and Wesley Wilder completed 13 of 25 passes for 153 yards. The game featured a 22-yard pass completion by punter Brandon Pierceall, who connected with John Finley for a first down on the play. GC also scored its first two-point conversion, with Wilder hitting Jeramie Burchette following a touchdown by Osbourn in the third quarter.

Despite its status as a first-year program, the Greensboro team had an excellent kicking game. Pierceall was ranked 10th nationally in NCAA Division III in punting, with an impressive 41.5 yards per punt. He had several punts of over 53 yards, including a school record 66-yarder.

Thomas, who connected on 4 of 6 field goal attempts, went 2 for 2 from 40-49 yards. He hit a 43-yarder against Emory & Henry, then struck from 46 yards against Newport News.

The passing of Wilder and the receiving of Mark Bauer and Tim Sneed also were highlights. Wilder, a freshman, completed 63 of 118 passes (53.4%) for 670 yards and 3 touchdowns. He established several school records in the Pride’s game against Methodist on Nov. 1, completing 21 of 38 passes for 215 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Bauer finished the year with 26 catches for 310 yards and 1 touchdown, while Sneed caught 23 passes for 310 yards and 3 touchdowns. Greensboro’s first season of football involved significant struggles, as the team battled to overcome numerous injuries and a lack of college experience. Even so, the squad improved throughout the year and scored points in eight of its nine games.