1930s Spring Games | The Last Word

Head Coach Dabo Swinney has repeatedly expressed support for the NCAA allowing teams to hold an exhibition game during the spring. Such games would be played against opponents not scheduled in the fall season.

The idea appears in the Duke football gameday program. Several coaches have suggested Spring Games as fundraisers, similar to preseason exhibition games in Division I basketball. Swinney supports a Clemson vs. Furman Spring Game at Death Valley to raise money for breast cancer awareness, a key cause of Dabo’s All In Team Foundation.

It would easily raise $1 million in one day for the cause he and his wife, Kathleen, are most passionate about.

Historically, Clemson and Duke played Spring Games in March of 1937, 1938, and 1939. This tradition began from a joint idea by Duke Head Coach Wallace Wade and Clemson Head Coach Jess Neely.

Such exhibition games would likely be welcomed by the ACC Network, offering valuable content during March, April, and May. Clemson versus Duke matchups in this era attracted considerable attention due to the presence of Hall of Fame coaches and All-American players. Although both teams were in the Southern Conference, they did not face each other during the regular seasons of those years.

Summary

Dabo Swinney supports spring exhibition games as fundraisers, inspired by historic Clemson-Duke matchups that offered competitive and charitable opportunities in the 1930s.

Clemson University Athletics — 2025-11-02

1930s Spring Games | The Last Word

Summary

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