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Troy University Athletics will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1984 National Championship during Troy’s football game against Florida A&M this season.

Troy and Florida A&M will meet on Sept. 21 at Veterans Memorial Stadium. That game is a fitting one for a celebration of the 1984 team, as the Trojans knocked off Florida A&M by a score of 17-3 on Sept. 15, 1984, during that championship season.

During the anniversary celebration, all members of the 1984 team will receive complimentary tickets to the game and will join the 2024 team for Trojan Walk prior to the game. Also, Troy Athletics will hold a special pregame tailgate party at Tailgate Terrace for the team along with a team-only reception on Sept. 20 in the Stadium Club at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Troy will also wear special 1984 throwback helmets during the Florida A&M game and fans in attendance will receive free commemorative posters celebrating the Trojans’ second national championship.

The 1984 team was led by head coach Chan Gailey, in just his second season with the Trojans. Gailey would go on to coach with the Denver Broncos the following season, where he remained until 1991.

Troy’s dangerous “wishbone” offense was guided by offensive coordinator Jay Jefcoat. Jefcoat, who passed away in 2014, also led Charles Henderson to its only sate championship in 1980. Jefcoat coached the CHHS Trojans from 1978 through 1982 and from 1990 until 1995. The Troy defense was led by defensive coordinator Rick Rhoades, who would go on later to lead Troy to another national championship in 1987 as head coach.

Troy’s talented 1984 roster included legendary Trojans like quarterback Mike Turk, kicker Ted Clem, running back Ted Horstead, receiver Rufus Cox, linebacker Robert Bradley and defensive back Freddie Thomas. Turk, Horstead and Thomas would all go on to be inducted into the Troy Athletics Hall of Fame. Horstead became the first Trojan runner to ever eclipse 1,000 yards in a season in 1984.

Troy started the 1984 season on a seven-game winning streak with wins over Nicholls State, Florida A&M, Livingston (West Alabama), West Georgia, Valdosta State, Mississippi College and Delta State before an Oct. 27 13-10 loss at North Alabama caused the only blemish on the Trojans’ season.

Troy bounced back to win the final two games of the regular season, including a 42-39 win over Jacksonville State in the Battle for the Ol’ School Bell. Troy earned the No. 3 seed in the Division II Playoffs, defeating Central State 31-21 in the quarterfinals.

Troy earned a spot in the national championship with a 45-3 throttling of No. 8 Towson State in the semifinals on Dec. 1. Then, Troy defeated top-seed North Dakota State in one of the most legendary games in Troy Football history.

Senior quarterback Carey Christensen – who missed a good chunk of the season due to injury – lead Troy to a comeback win in the title game, which was capped off by a last-second 50-yard field goal to lift Troy over North Dakota State 18-7.

All members of the 1984 team that wish to RSVP for the championship celebration can do so by calling Kyle George, at (334) 670-5650 or via E-Mail at kylegeorge@troy.edu.