1930s Spring Games | The Last Word

Head Coach Dabo Swinney has publicly supported the NCAA allowing teams to play an exhibition game in the spring. Such games would be against teams not on the fall schedule.

The following information is from the Duke football gameday program. Several coaches have suggested hosting a Spring Game as a fundraiser, similar to recent Division I basketball preseason exhibitions.

Swinney supports a Clemson vs. Furman Spring Game at Death Valley to raise funds for breast cancer awareness. This cause is a key focus of the Dabo’s All In Team Foundation. A single day event could generate $1 million for the foundation, which he and his wife Kathleen are deeply committed to.

Historical Precedent

Interestingly, Clemson and Duke have a history of Spring Games. They met each March in 1937, 1938, and 1939. The games were jointly proposed 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."

During those years, both schools were in the Southern Conference but did not face each other in the regular seasons of 1937, 1938, or 1939.

Potential Media Impact

There is speculation that the ACC Network would welcome exhibition Spring Games between conference schools, providing valuable broadcast content during March, April, and May.

Such games could enhance fan engagement and offer additional fundraising opportunities.

"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."

Overall, these exhibition games combine tradition, fundraising potential, and media opportunity.

Author’s summary: The revival of spring football exhibitions between ACC schools merges historical tradition with fundraising and broadcasting benefits, championed notably by Coach Dabo Swinney.

Clemson University Athletics — 2025-11-02