Johnson Hagood Stadium

On the edge of a former mariner’s graveyard stands Johnson Hagood Stadium. It’s a place where the roar of the crowd mixes with echoes of the past. Johnson Hagood Stadium opened in 1948. It replaced an older stadium deemed “unserviceable”. This new stadium, designed by Halsey & Cummings, could hold over 22,000 eager fans. The first game pitted The Citadel against Davidson. The formal dedication followed a few weeks later with a Citadel-Clemson matchup. This game drew a record 16,000 spectators. Johnson Hagood Stadium wasn’t always owned by The Citadel. The city of Charleston originally owned it. The Citadel purchased it in 1963. The stadium is named after Brigadier General Johnson Hagood. He was a Citadel alumnus, class of 1847. He commanded Confederate forces in Charleston during the Civil War. Later, he served as South Carolina’s Comptroller and Governor. He played a key role in reopening The Citadel after the war. In the summer of 1999, Johnson Hagood Stadium made headlines. Remains of crewmen from the H.L. Hunley were discovered beneath the stadium. The Hunley was the first submarine to sink an enemy battleship. The stadium’s location was once a mariners’ graveyard. During the stadium’s construction in 1948, gravestones were moved, but not the bodies. This oversight led to a surprising discovery decades later. The remains were later reinterred at Magnolia Cemetery. Johnson Hagood Stadium has seen many upgrades. The Altman Athletic Center opened in 2001. A major renovation in 2005 added a new media center and luxury skyboxes. The west side tower, with its suites and club seats, debuted in 2008. The stadium’s field is named Sansom Field, after alumnus William B. Sansom. Even with its modern amenities, Johnson Hagood Stadium carries a heavy history. The name itself has sparked controversy, linked to Hagood’s role in the Confederate army and comments about burying black soldiers with their white commander. This has led some to call for a name change. But for now, Johnson Hagood Stadium remains a testament to a complex past. It’s a place where football, history, and controversy collide.