It’s never easy to start over, but that’s exactly what the Mercer Bears football program did when they returned to the field after a hiatus of more than 70 years. At first, there were plenty of cheap Mercer football tickets because they didn’t have a built-in fanbase or a history of which to speak. But the Bears have quickly found their footing on the field and started to develop a loyal fanbase in the football-crazy state of Georgia. And now, last-minute Mercer football tickets are in high demand, just like any other football program.

Part One

While they didn’t always field a team, Mercer began playing football as early as 1891. The Bears eventually found a home in the Dixie Conference in 1931, allowing Mercer to play other Southern schools. However, the program was shut down after the 1941 season following the start of World War II, and the school decided not to pick it back up after the war.

Bears Reborn

It wasn’t until 2013 that Mercer played another football game. But when they returned, the Bears returned in style. Mercer kicked off the 2013 season against Reinhardt, another school that had played a football game in over half a century. The Bears packed over 12,000 fans into their 10,200-seat stadium and beat Reinhardt 40-37 on their way to a 10-2 season.

Finding a Home

The Bears played the 2013 season in the Pioneer Football League before finding a permanent home the next year in the Southern Conference. Bobby Lamb coached Mercer for the program’s first seven seasons after their rebirth, leading the Bears to a 41-39 record. While Mercer didn’t rule college football overnight, Lamb helped establish a strong foundation for the Bears to build upon in the years to come.