1930s Spring Games
Head Coach Dabo Swinney has repeatedly expressed support for the NCAA permitting teams to play an exhibition game during the spring. Such games would be against teams not scheduled for the fall season.
This idea appears in the Duke football gameday program and has been proposed by many coaches as a spring fundraiser, similar to how some Division I basketball teams hold preseason exhibition games.
Clemson vs. Furman Spring Game Proposal
Swinney supports a Clemson vs. Furman Spring Game at Death Valley to raise money for breast cancer awareness, a key focus of Dabo’s All In Team Foundation. This event could potentially raise $1 million in a day for the cause he and his wife, Kathleen, deeply care about.
Historical Precedent
There is historical precedent for a spring game between Clemson and Duke, as the two schools met each March in 1937, 1938, and 1939. This was a joint initiative by Duke Head Coach Wallace Wade and Clemson Head Coach Jess Neely.
"Clemson playing against Duke in this era, even in the spring, was a big deal, because both teams were led by Hall of Fame head coaches and featured All-Americans."
Although both schools were part of the Southern Conference, they did not face each other in the regular seasons of those years.
Potential Media Interest
Could the ACC Network capitalize on exhibition Spring Games between conference schools as valuable programming slots in March, April, and May?
Such games would offer unique content during the college football offseason, generating fan interest and additional revenue streams.
"Many coaches have proposed a Spring Game be played as a fundraiser like some Division I basketball teams have done in recent years as a preseason exhibition game."
Author's summary: Dabo Swinney advocates for spring exhibition games, citing past Clemson-Duke matches and their potential as fundraisers and media opportunities in the college football offseason.