Carroll Fighting Saints football

Last updated
Carroll Fighting Saints football
Carroll College logo.jpg
First season1920
Athletic directorCharlie Gross
Head coach Troy Purcell
5th season, 30–16 (.652)
StadiumNelson Stadium
(capacity: 7,000)
Field surfaceGrass
Location Helena, Montana
Conference Frontier Conference
All-time record42824416 (.634)
Claimed national titles6 (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2010)
Conference titles43
ColorsPurple and gold [1]
   
MascotFighting Saints (Halo)
Website carrollathletics.com

The Carroll Fighting Saint football program represents Carroll College of Helena, Montana, in college football. The team competes in the Frontier Conference, which is affiliated with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The Carroll Fighting Saints football team began playing in 1920 and is one of the most successful programs in the NAIA division of college football. The program has won six NAIA Football National Championships (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2010) and 40 conference championships, 14 while a member of the Montana Collegiate Conference and 26 as a member of the Frontier Conference. The team is currently coached by Troy Purcell who is in his fifth season at Carroll. The Carroll College Fighting Saints play their home games on campus at Nelson Stadium.

Contents

Notable alumni

In addition, the Carroll program has developed many well known talents either as a coach or a player, including the winningest coach in college football history, John Gagliardi, former Detroit Lions tight end, Casey FitzSimmons, and former Louisville head coach, Bobby Petrino. The team is currently coached by Troy Purcell and plays its home games on campus at Nelson Stadium.

Championships

National Championship game appearances

YearCoachResultScoreOpponent
2002 Mike Van Diest Won28–7 Georgetown (KY)
2003 Mike Van Diest Won41–28 Northwestern Oklahoma State
2004 Mike Van Diest Won15–13 St. Francis (IN)
2005 Mike Van Diest Won27–10 St. Francis (IN)
2007 Mike Van Diest Won17–9 Sioux Falls
2008 Mike Van Diest Lost23–7 Sioux Falls
2010 Mike Van Diest Won10–7 Sioux Falls
2011 Mike Van Diest lost24–20 St. Xavier

Conference championships

YearConferenceCoachPostseason result
1926Montana Collegiate Conference Wilbur Eaton
1927Montana Collegiate ConferenceWilbur Eaton
1928Montana Collegiate ConferenceWilbur Eaton
1931Montana Collegiate Conference Bill Jones
1940Montana Collegiate Conference Ed Simonich
1941Montana Collegiate ConferenceEd Simonich
1950Montana Collegiate Conference John Gagliardi
1951Montana Collegiate ConferenceJohn Gagliardi
1952Montana Collegiate ConferenceJohn Gagliardi
1953Montana Collegiate Conference Raymond Hunthausen
1954Montana Collegiate ConferenceRaymond Hunthausen
1955Montana Collegiate ConferenceRaymond Hunthausen
1956Montana Collegiate ConferenceRaymond Hunthausen
1960Montana Collegiate ConferenceJohn Hunthausen
1972Frontier Conference Bob Petrino Sr.
1973Frontier ConferenceBob Petrino Sr.
1974Frontier ConferenceBob Petrino Sr.
1976Frontier ConferenceBob Petrino Sr.
1978Frontier ConferenceBob Petrino Sr.NAIA Quarterfinal
1980Frontier ConferenceBob Petrino Sr.
1981Frontier ConferenceBob Petrino Sr.
1982Frontier ConferenceBob Petrino Sr.
1985Frontier ConferenceBob Petrino Sr.NAIA Semifinal
1986Frontier ConferenceBob Petrino Sr.NAIA Semifinal
1987Frontier ConferenceBob Petrino Sr.NAIA First Round
1988Frontier ConferenceBob Petrino Sr.NAIA Semifinal
1989Frontier ConferenceBob Petrino Sr.NAIA First Round
1990Frontier ConferenceBob Petrino Sr.
1993Frontier ConferenceBob Petrino Sr.NAIA First Round
2000Frontier Conference Mike Van Diest NAIA Semifinal
2001Frontier Conference Mike Van Diest NAIA Semifinal
2002Frontier Conference Mike Van Diest NAIA National Champion
2003Frontier Conference Mike Van Diest NAIA National Champion
2004Frontier Conference Mike Van Diest NAIA National Champion
2005Frontier Conference Mike Van Diest NAIA National Champion
2006Frontier Conference Mike Van Diest NAIA Quarterfinal
2007Frontier Conference Mike Van Diest NAIA National Champion
2008Frontier Conference Mike Van Diest NAIA Finalist
2009Frontier Conference Mike Van Diest NAIA Semifinal
2010Frontier Conference Mike Van Diest NAIA National Champion
2011Frontier Conference Mike Van Diest NAIA Final
2013Frontier Conference Mike Van Diest NAIA Semifinal
2014Frontier Conference Mike Van Diest NAIA Quarterfinal
2021Frontier Conference Troy Purcell NAIA First Round

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frontier Conference</span> College atheltic conference in the United States

The Frontier Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The conference was founded in 1934. Member institutions are located in the U.S. state of Montana, with associate members in the states of Arizona, Idaho, and Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montana Technological University</span> Public university in Butte, Montana, United States

Montana Technological University, popularly known as Montana Tech, is a public university in Butte, Montana. Founded in 1900 as the Montana State School of Mines, the university became affiliated with the University of Montana in 1994. After undergoing several name changes, in 2017 the Montana University System Board of Regents voted to designate Montana Tech as part of Special Focus Four-Year Universities, the only such designation in the Montana University System. To recognize this new designation and the greater independence with it, the name was officially changed in 2018 from Montana Tech of the University of Montana to Montana Technological University. Montana Tech's focus is on engineering, applied and health science.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carroll College</span> Catholic college in Helena, Montana, US

Carroll College is a private Catholic college in Helena, Montana. The college has 21 buildings on a 63-acre campus, has over 35 academic majors, participates in 15 NAIA athletic sports, and is home to All Saints Chapel. The college motto, in Latin, is “Non scholae, sed vitae.” The college translates this into English as “Not for school, but for life.” Carroll's colors are purple and gold and the school's athletics teams are known as the Fighting Saints.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bluefield University</span> Baptist university in Bluefield, Virginia, US

Bluefield University is a private Baptist university in Bluefield, Virginia. It offers 22 majors and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The 82-acre (330,000 m2) campus is about 150 ft (46 m) from the state line between Virginia and West Virginia. It is affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia. Bluefield University merged with Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine medical school system located at the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Troy Trojans football</span> American football team representing Troy University (Alabama, USA)

The Troy Trojans football program represents Troy University at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level, where it has competed since 2001. The football program joined the Sun Belt Conference in 2004. The current head football coach is Gerad Parker. Troy has won 23 conference championships, with eight in the Sun Belt Conference. The Trojans play home games at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy, Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saint Joseph's Hawks</span> Athletics teams of Saint Josephs University

The Saint Joseph's Hawks are the athletic teams that represent Saint Joseph's University of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Hawks compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association as a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference and of the Philadelphia Big 5. The school also has intramurals and extramurals, the latter of which compete within the City 6. The school is mostly known for its men's basketball team. The Hawk became the school's mascot in 1929. It first flapped its wings at a basketball game in 1956 in a win over La Salle University. The Saint Joseph's school colors are crimson and gray.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montana State Bobcats football</span> Football program of Montana State University

The Montana State Bobcats football program competes in the Big Sky Conference of the NCAA's Division I Football Championship Subdivision for Montana State University. The program began in 1897 and has won three national championships. It is the only college football program in the nation to win national championships on three different levels of competition, NAIA, NCAA Division II, and NCAA Division I-AA. Through the 2022 season, the Bobcats had played in 1,049 games with an all-time record of 525–492–32.

The Southern Oregon Raiders football team represents Southern Oregon University in the sport of American football. The Raiders team competes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) as an associate member of the Frontier Conference. Southern Oregon University has fielded an official football team since 1927 and has an all-time record of 349–351–15. The Raiders play in Raider Stadium in Ashland, Oregon, which has a capacity of 5,000. Southern Oregon has played in two NAIA national championship games, winning one, and have won thirteen conference championships in multiple conferences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willamette Bearcats</span> Athletic teams of Willamette University

The Willamette Bearcats are the athletic teams of Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, United States. Competing at the non-scholarship National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III level, the school fields twenty teams. Most teams compete in the Northwest Conference with their primary rivals being Linfield College. The main athletic venues of the school are McCulloch Stadium, Cone Field House, and Roy S. "Spec" Keene Stadium. Willamette moved to the NCAA's Division III in 1998 after previously being a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) institution. The 1993, men's basketball team won the school's only team national championship, while the 1997 football team lost in the national championship game.

The Lindenwood Lions football team represents Lindenwood University in football. Lindenwood is a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC). The Lions were provisional members of the NCAA Division I FCS for the 2022 season before becoming an active member during the 2023–2024 academic year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montana Tech Orediggers football</span> Montana Technological University college American football team

The Montana Tech Orediggers football program represents Montana Technological University in college football as members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), as members of the Frontier Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Oklahoma Bronchos football</span> College football team (University of Central Oklahoma)

The Central Oklahoma Bronchos football team represents the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) in college football. The team is a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), which is in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Bronchos football program began in 1902 and has since compiled over 600 wins, two national championships, and 27 conference championships. As of 2022, the Bronchos are ranked fifth in NCAA Division II for wins. In 1962, the Bronchos went 11–0 on the season and defeated Lenoir–Rhyne University (NC) 28–13 in the Camellia Bowl to claim its first NAIA national championship. Twenty years later, Central Oklahoma defended its home turf and defeated Colorado Mesa University 14–11 in the NAIA national championship game to take its second title and finish the season with a 10–2 record. Despite its rich history in football, Central Oklahoma has struggled beginning in the late 2000s. The program has not participated in the NCAA Division II playoffs since 2003. The Bronchos play their home games at Chad Richison Stadium, a 12,000-seat football stadium built in 1965, and remodeled in 2022. The Bronchos have enjoyed nine undefeated home seasons and are 5–1 in playoff games at Wantland Stadium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Troy Trojans</span> Athletic teams representing Troy University

The Troy Trojans are the sports teams of Troy University. They began playing in the NCAA's Division I-A in 2001, became a football only member of the Sun Belt Conference in 2004, and joined that conference for all other sports in 2005. Troy University's athletics nickname was the Red Wave until the early 1970s when the student body voted to change the name to Trojans.

The 2005 Saint Francis Cougars football team represented the University of Saint Francis, located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in the 2005 NAIA football season. They were led by head coach Kevin Donley, who served his 8th year as the first and only head coach in the history of Saint Francis football. The Cougars played their home games at Bishop John M. D'Arcy Stadium and were members of the Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) Mideast League (MEL). The Cougars finished in 1st place in the MSFA MEL division, and they received an automatic bid to the 2005 postseason NAIA playoffs.

The 2014 Southern Oregon Raiders football team was an American football team that represented Southern Oregon University as a member of the Frontier Conference during the 2014 NAIA football season. In their fourth season under head coach Craig Howard, the Raiders compiled a 13–2 record and won the NAIA national championship, defeating Marian (Indiana), 55–31, in the NAIA National Championship Game.

The 2010 Carroll Fighting Saints football team was an American football team that represented Carroll College as a member of the Frontier Conference during the 2010 NAIA football season. In their 12th season under head coach Mike Van Diest, the Saints compiled a 14–0 record and won the NAIA national championship, defeating Sioux Falls, 10–7, in the NAIA National Championship Game.

The 2007 Carroll Fighting Saints football team was an American football team that represented Carroll College as a member of the Frontier Conference during the 2007 NAIA football season. In their ninth season under head coach Mike Van Diest, the Saints compiled a perfect 15–0 record and won the NAIA national championship, defeating Sioux Falls, 17–9, in the NAIA National Championship Game.

The 2005 Carroll Fighting Saints football team was an American football team that represented Carroll College as a member of the Frontier Conference during the 2005 NAIA football season. In their seventh season under head coach Mike Van Diest, the Saints compiled a perfect 14–0 record and won the NAIA national championship, defeating Saint Francis (Indiana), 27–10, in the NAIA National Championship Game.

The 2003 Carroll Fighting Saints football team was an American football team that represented Carroll College as a member of the Frontier Conference during the 2003 NAIA football season. In their fifth season under head coach Mike Van Diest, the Saints compiled a perfect 15–0 record and won the NAIA national championship, defeating Northwestern Oklahoma State, 41–28, in the NAIA National Championship Game.

The 2002 Carroll Fighting Saints football team was an American football team that represented Carroll College as a member of the Frontier Conference during the 2002 NAIA football season. In their fourth season under head coach Mike Van Diest, the Saints compiled a 12–2 record and won the NAIA national championship, defeating Georgetown (Kentucky), 28–7, in the NAIA National Championship Game. It was the first of six national championships between 2002 and 2010.

References

  1. "CARROLL COLLEGE" . Retrieved November 12, 2021.