What Is 1938 Tulane Green Wave football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1938 Tulane Green Wave football team represented Tulane University during the 1938 college football season, finishing with a 6–4 record under head coach Red Dawson, and played in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They outscored opponents 154 to 98, with a 3–2 conference record, and played their home games at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans.

Key Facts

The 1938 Tulane Green Wave finished the season with a 6–4 overall record
They competed in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), posting a 3–2 conference record
Head coach Red Dawson led the team in his fifth season at the helm
Tulane outscored all opponents 154 to 98 over the 10-game season
The team played home games at Tulane Stadium, a 35,000-seat venue in New Orleans

Overview

The 1938 Tulane Green Wave football team represented Tulane University during the 1938 college football season, competing as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Under the leadership of head coach Red Dawson, the team completed its fifth season with a balanced mix of offensive strength and defensive resilience.

The Green Wave finished the season with a 6–4 overall record and a 3–2 mark in conference play, showcasing competitiveness against strong regional opponents. Playing their home games at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, the team drew support from a passionate fan base during a pivotal era in college football history.

Season record: The Green Wave posted a 6–4 overall record, reflecting a competitive but inconsistent performance across ten games.
Conference affiliation: As a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), Tulane faced tough regional rivals including LSU and Mississippi State.
Head coach:Red Dawson was in his fifth year as head coach, having led the team since 1934 with a focus on disciplined play.
Scoring stats: Tulane outscored opponents 154 to 98 for the season, averaging 15.4 points per game while allowing 9.8.
Home venue: All home games were played at Tulane Stadium, a 35,000-seat facility located on the university's campus in New Orleans.

Season Performance

The 1938 campaign featured a mix of victories and narrow defeats, with Tulane demonstrating offensive capability but struggling with consistency in key matchups. Several games were decided by single digits, highlighting the team's competitiveness in a challenging SEC schedule.

Season opener: Tulane defeated Spring Hill College 26–0 on September 24, setting a strong tone with a shutout victory.
SEC opener: A 13–6 win over Mississippi State marked a solid conference debut under tough weather conditions.
Key loss: The Green Wave fell to LSU 14–0 in the annual rivalry game, marking their first loss to the Tigers since 1925.
Offensive leader:Jimmy Pitts emerged as a key running back, contributing significantly to the team's 154 total points.
Defensive effort: Tulane recorded three shutouts during the season, including victories over Spring Hill and Southwestern Louisiana.
Final game: The season concluded with a 20–13 win over Vanderbilt, boosting morale after a mid-season slump.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1938 Tulane Green Wave to other SEC teams reveals their mid-tier standing in a highly competitive conference.

Team	Overall Record	SEC Record	Points For	Points Against
Tulane Green Wave	6–4	3–2	154	98
Alabama	7–2	4–2	157	86
LSU	6–4	3–3	132	95
Mississippi State	5–5	2–4	101	98
Vanderbilt	4–5	2–5	98	105

The Green Wave ranked competitively in scoring defense, allowing fewer points than Alabama and LSU despite a similar win-loss record. Their balanced performance placed them in the upper half of the SEC’s mid-tier teams, though they did not qualify for a bowl game.

Why It Matters

The 1938 season is a notable chapter in Tulane football history, illustrating the program’s strength during a golden era of Southern college football. Though not a national contender, the team maintained a strong regional presence and contributed to the growing prestige of the SEC.

Historical context: The 1938 season occurred during the Great Depression, a time when college football provided vital community entertainment.
Program legacy: Tulane had previously reached a national championship game in 1937, making 1938 a follow-up year of transition.
SEC influence: As an early SEC member, Tulane helped shape the conference’s competitive standards in its first decade.
Local pride: Games at Tulane Stadium brought together New Orleans communities, strengthening civic identity through sports.
Player development: Several 1938 players went on to play professionally or serve in World War II, linking sports to broader societal roles.
Historical record: The season is preserved in NCAA archives and Tulane’s athletic history, contributing to long-term program documentation.

The 1938 Tulane Green Wave may not have claimed a title, but their season reflects the resilience and regional significance of college football during a transformative period in American history.