Troy University Athletics
Troy to Honor 1986 NCAA Gulf South Champions on Sept. 12
7/14/2026 2:53:00 PM | Football
TROY, Ala. – Troy Athletics will honor the 1986 Gulf South Championship football team on Sept. 12 when Troy plays host to Alabama State at The Vet. Kickoff between the Trojans and Hornets is set for 3 p.m.
The celebration will be the first of three this fall, with Troy set to honor the 1996 Southland Conference champions on Nov. 7 and the 2006 Sun Belt champions on Nov. 21.
• All returning members of the 1986 Gulf South champions will receive up to four complimentary tickets to the game and can join the team for Trojan Walk leading up to kickoff.
• Troy Athletics will host a special tailgate party for the 1986 Gulf South champions and their families in Tailgate Terrace.
• The celebration will culminate with an on-field recognition during the game.
• All members of the 1986 Gulf South championship team wanting to return for the celebration are asked to visit TroyTrojans.com/1986FB and fill out the RSVP form.
Head coach Rick Rhoades and his 1986 Trojans laid the groundwork for Troy's third National Championship the following season as the '86 squad posted a 10-2 overall record, including a perfect 8-0 run through the Gulf South Conference. The Trojans won nine straight games at one point in the season, winning seven of their eight Gulf South contests by double-digits.
Led by All-American and future Troy University Sports Hall of Fame inductee Freddie Thomas, the Trojans defeated Jacksonville State, 45-43, to clinch an undefeated Gulf South season, then knocked off Virginia Union, 31-7, in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Playoffs.
The celebration will be the first of three this fall, with Troy set to honor the 1996 Southland Conference champions on Nov. 7 and the 2006 Sun Belt champions on Nov. 21.
• All returning members of the 1986 Gulf South champions will receive up to four complimentary tickets to the game and can join the team for Trojan Walk leading up to kickoff.
• Troy Athletics will host a special tailgate party for the 1986 Gulf South champions and their families in Tailgate Terrace.
• The celebration will culminate with an on-field recognition during the game.
• All members of the 1986 Gulf South championship team wanting to return for the celebration are asked to visit TroyTrojans.com/1986FB and fill out the RSVP form.
Head coach Rick Rhoades and his 1986 Trojans laid the groundwork for Troy's third National Championship the following season as the '86 squad posted a 10-2 overall record, including a perfect 8-0 run through the Gulf South Conference. The Trojans won nine straight games at one point in the season, winning seven of their eight Gulf South contests by double-digits.
Led by All-American and future Troy University Sports Hall of Fame inductee Freddie Thomas, the Trojans defeated Jacksonville State, 45-43, to clinch an undefeated Gulf South season, then knocked off Virginia Union, 31-7, in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Playoffs.
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