West Georgia College’s intercollegiate football program traces back to the institution’s beginnings as The Fourth District A&M School in 1910. This first iteration of the football team lasted until 1959. Between 1959 and 1979, numerous propositions of reestablishing the football program would circulate within administration and the student body. These included study committees weighing the advantages and disadvantages of a football program, student ballots, and faculty ballots. The consensus was largely in favor of reestablishing the program and president Maurice Townsend would approve its return at the NCAA Division III level on May 14, 1980 as the West Georgia College Braves.

Under coach Bobby Pate, the 1981 and 1982 seasons would be successes that would see the Braves winning the 1982 Stagg Bowl. Following their victory at the Division III level, the Braves would move into the Division II Gulf South Conference where it continues to compete today. The University of West Georgia would change its mascot from the Braves to the Wolves in 2006.