NAIA football national championship

Last updated
NAIA football national championship
In operation 1956–present
Preceded bySmall college polls &
NAIA Division II Championship
Number of playoff teams20
Championship trophy Tom Osborne Trophy
Television partner(s) ESPN3
Most playoff championships Texas A&M–Kingsville (7)
Current champion Grand View (2)
Website NAIA Football

The NAIA football national championship is decided by a post-season playoff system featuring the best National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) college football teams in the United States. Under sponsorship of the NAIA, the championship game has been played annually since 1956. [1]

Contents

In 1970, NAIA football was divided into two divisions based on enrollment, Division I and Division II , with a championship game played in each division. In 1997, NAIA football was again consolidated back into one division. NAIA schools are allowed to offer 24 full varsity football scholarships which can be divided up as they wish. Junior varsity scholarship players do not count towards the total.

Texas A&I (now known as Texas A&M–Kingsville) is still the most prolific program with seven NAIA championships, despite having been in NCAA Division II since 1980. Carroll College of Montana is the most successful team still playing at the NAIA level, with six national titles.

Grand View is the current champion, having defeated defending champions Keiser in the 2024 title game, 35–7.

Game name

Over the years, the NAIA championship games were played under a variety of names:

Results

SeasonDateChampionScoreRunner-upLocationWinning
head coach(es)
1956 December 22, 1956 Montana State
Saint Joseph's (IN)
0–0 [c] Little Rock, Arkansas Tony Storti
Bob Jauron
1957 December 21, 1957 Pittsburg State 27–26 Hillsdale Saint Petersburg, Florida Carnie Smith
1958 December 20, 1958 Northeastern State 19–13 Arizona State–Flagstaff Saint Petersburg, Florida Harold "Tuffy" Stratton
1959 December 19, 1959 Texas A&I 20–7 Lenoir–Rhyne Saint Petersburg, Florida Gil Steinke
1960 December 17, 1960 Lenoir–Rhyne 15–14 Humboldt State Saint Petersburg, Florida Clarence Stasavich
1961 December 9, 1961 Pittsburg State 12–7 Linfield Sacramento, California Carnie Smith
1962 December 8, 1962 Central State (OK) 28–13 Lenoir–Rhyne Sacramento, California Al Blevins
1963 December 14, 1963 Saint John's (MN) 33–27 Prairie View A&M Sacramento, California John Gagliardi
1964 December 12, 1964 Concordia (MN)
Sam Houston State
7–7 [c] Augusta, Georgia Jake Christiansen
Paul Pierce
1965 December 11, 1965 Saint John's (MN) 33–0 Linfield Augusta, Georgia John Gagliardi
1966 December 10, 1966 Waynesburg 42–21 Wisconsin–Whitewater Tulsa, Oklahoma Carl DePasqua
1967 December 9, 1967 Fairmont State 28–21 Eastern Washington Morgantown, West Virginia Harold "Deacon" Duvall
1968 December 14, 1968 Troy State 43–35 Texas A&I Montgomery, Alabama Billy Atkins
1969 December 13, 1969 Texas A&I 32–7 Concordia (MN) Kingsville, Texas Gil Steinke
1970 December 12, 1970 Texas A&I 48–7 Wofford Greenville, South Carolina Gil Steinke
1971 December 11, 1971 Livingston 14–12 Arkansas Tech Birmingham, Alabama Mickey Andrews
1972 December 9, 1972 East Texas State 21–18 Carson–Newman Commerce, Texas Ernest Hawkins
1973 December 8, 1973 Abilene Christian 42–14 Elon Shreveport, Louisiana Wally Bullington
1974 December 14, 1974 Texas A&I 34–23 Henderson State Kingsville, Texas Gil Steinke
1975 December 13, 1975 Texas A&I 37–0 Salem Kingsville, Texas Gil Steinke
1976 December 11, 1976 Texas A&I 26–0 Central Arkansas Kingsville, Texas Gil Steinke
1977 December 10, 1977 Abilene Christian 24–7 Southwestern Oklahoma State Seattle, Washington DeWitt Jones
1978 December 16, 1978 Angelo State 34–14 Elon McAllen, Texas Jim Hess
1979 December 15, 1979 Texas A&I 20–14 Central State (OK) McAllen, Texas Ron Harms
1980 December 20, 1980 Elon 17–10 Northeastern State Burlington, North Carolina Jerry Tolley
1981 December 19, 1981 Elon 3–0 Pittsburg State Burlington, North Carolina Jerry Tolley
1982 December 18, 1982 Central State (OK) 14–11 Mesa State Edmond, Oklahoma Gary Howard
1983 December 17, 1983 Carson–Newman 36–28 Mesa State Grand Junction, Colorado Ken Sparks
1984 December 15, 1984 Carson–Newman
Central Arkansas
19–19 [c] Conway, Arkansas Ken Sparks
Harold Horton
1985 December 21, 1985 Hillsdale
Central Arkansas
10–10 [c] Conway, Arkansas Dick Lowry
Harold Horton
1986 December 20, 1986 Carson–Newman 17–0 Cameron Jefferson City, Tennessee Ken Sparks
1987 December 19, 1987 Cameron 30–2 Carson–Newman Lawton, Oklahoma Brian Naber
1988 December 17, 1988 Carson–Newman 56–21 Adams State Jefferson City, Tennessee Ken Sparks
1989 December 16, 1989 Carson–Newman 34–20 Emporia State Jefferson City, Tennessee Ken Sparks
1990 December 8, 1990 Central State (OH) 38–16 Mesa State Grand Junction, Colorado Billy Joe
1991 December 14, 1991 Central Arkansas 19–16 Central State (OH) Wilberforce, Ohio Mike Isom
1992 December 12, 1992 Central State (OH) 19–16 Gardner–Webb Boiling Springs, North Carolina Billy Joe
1993 December 11, 1993 East Central 49–35 Glenville State Ada, Oklahoma Hank Walbrick
1994 December 10, 1994 Northeastern State 13–12 Arkansas–Pine Bluff Pine Bluff, Arkansas Tom Eckert
1995 December 2, 1995 Central State (OH) 37–7 Northeastern State Tahlequah, Oklahoma Rick Comegy
1996 December 7, 1996 Southwestern Oklahoma State 33–31 Montana Tech Weatherford, Oklahoma Paul Sharp
1997 December 20, 1997 Findlay 14–7 Willamette Savannah, Tennessee Dick Strahm
1998 December 19, 1998 Azusa Pacific 17–14 Olivet Nazarene Savannah, Tennessee Vic Shealy
1999 December 18, 1999 Northwestern Oklahoma State 34–26 Georgetown (KY) Savannah, Tennessee Tim Albin
2000 December 16, 2000 Georgetown (KY) 20–0 Northwestern Oklahoma State Savannah, Tennessee Bill Cronin
2001 December 15, 2001 Georgetown (KY) 49–27 Sioux Falls Savannah, Tennessee Bill Cronin
2002 December 21, 2002 Carroll (MT) 28–7 Georgetown (KY) Savannah, Tennessee Mike Van Diest
2003 December 20, 2003 Carroll (MT) 41–28 Northwestern Oklahoma State Savannah, Tennessee Mike Van Diest
2004 December 18, 2004 Carroll (MT) 15–13 (2 OT) Saint Francis (IN) Savannah, Tennessee Mike Van Diest
2005 December 17, 2005 Carroll (MT) 27–10 Saint Francis (IN) Savannah, Tennessee Mike Van Diest
2006 December 16, 2006 Sioux Falls 23–19 Saint Francis (IN) Savannah, Tennessee Kalen DeBoer
2007 December 15, 2007 Carroll (MT) 17–9 Sioux Falls Savannah, Tennessee Mike Van Diest
2008 December 20, 2008 Sioux Falls 23–7 Carroll (MT) Rome, Georgia Kalen DeBoer
2009 December 19, 2009 Sioux Falls 25–22 Lindenwood Rome, Georgia Kalen DeBoer
2010 December 18, 2010 Carroll (MT) 10–7 Sioux Falls Rome, Georgia Mike Van Diest
2011 December 17, 2011 Saint Xavier 24–20 Carroll (MT) Rome, Georgia Mike Feminis
2012 December 13, 2012 Marian (IN) 30–27 (OT) Morningside Rome, Georgia Ted Karras Jr.
2013 December 21, 2013 Grand View 35–23 Cumberlands (KY) Rome, Georgia Mike Woodley
2014 December 19, 2014 Southern Oregon 55–31 Marian (IN) Daytona Beach, Florida Craig Howard
2015 December 19, 2015 Marian (IN) 31–14 Southern Oregon Daytona Beach, Florida Mark Henninger
2016 December 17, 2016 Saint Francis (IN) 38–17 Baker Daytona Beach, Florida Kevin Donley
2017 December 16, 2017 Saint Francis (IN) 24–13 Reinhardt Daytona Beach, Florida Kevin Donley
2018 December 15, 2018 Morningside 35–28 Benedictine Daytona Beach, Florida Steve Ryan
2019 December 21, 2019 Morningside 40–38 Marian (IN) Grambling, Louisiana Steve Ryan
2020 [d] May 10, 2021 Lindsey Wilson 45–13 Northwestern (IA) Grambling, Louisiana Chris Oliver
2021 December 18, 2021 Morningside 38–28 Grand View Durham, North Carolina Steve Ryan
2022 December 17, 2022 Northwestern (IA) 35–25 Keiser Durham, North Carolina Matt McCarty
2023 December 18, 2023 Keiser 31–21 Northwestern (IA) Durham, North Carolina Doug Socha
2024 December 21, 2024 Grand View 35–7 Keiser Durham, North Carolina Joe Woodley
  1. Not to be confused with the NCAA Division I bowl of the same name.
  2. Not to be confused with the later Camellia Bowl (now Salute to Veterans Bowl) contested in Montgomery, Alabama.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Game ended in a tie with both teams as co-champions.
  4. Game played in spring 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Champions

Usa edcp relief location map.png
ButtonWhite.svg
SXU
ButtonWhite.svg
Southern Oregon
ButtonWhite.svg
Lindsey Wilson
ButtonWhite.svg
NWC
ButtonWhite.svg
Keiser
ButtonYellow.svg
Grand View
ButtonYellow.svg
SFU
ButtonYellow.svg
Marian
ButtonYellow.svg
Georgetown
ButtonOrange.svg
Morningside
ButtonRed.svg
Carroll
National championships among active programs: ButtonRed.svg 6, ButtonOrange.svg 3, ButtonYellow.svg 2, ButtonWhite.svg 1

Active programs

TeamTitlesYears
Carroll (MT) 62002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2010
Morningside 32018, 2019, 2021
Grand View 22013, 2024
Saint Francis (IN) 22016, 2017
Marian (IN) 22012, 2015
Georgetown (KY) 22000, 2001
Saint Xavier 12011
Southern Oregon 12014
Lindsey Wilson 12020
Northwestern (IA) 12022
Keiser 12023

Former programs

TeamTitlesYears
Texas A&I 71959, 1969, 1970, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979
Carson–Newman 51983, 1984 [a] , 1986, 1988, 1989
Central Arkansas 31984 [a] , 1985 [a] , 1991
Central State (OH) 31990, 1992, 1995
Sioux Falls 32006, 2008, 2009
Pittsburg State 21957, 1961
Saint John's (MN) 21963, 1965
Abilene Christian 21973, 1977
Elon 21980, 1981
Central Oklahoma 21962, 1982
Northeastern State (OK) 21958, 1994
Montana State 11956 [a]
Saint Joseph's (IN) 11956 [a]
Lenoir–Rhyne 11960
Concordia Moorhead 11964 [a]
Sam Houston State 11964 [a]
Waynesburg 11966
Fairmont State 11967
Troy 11968
West Alabama 11971
East Texas A&M 11972
Angelo State 11978
Hillsdale 11985 [a]
Cameron 11987
East Central 11993
Southwestern Oklahoma State 11996
Findlay 11997
Azusa Pacific 11998
Northwestern Oklahoma State 11999
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Shared title

List of appearances by team

Current NAIA members


Qualified teams

  • Teams in bold participated in the 2024 playoffs .
  • Updated ahead of the 2024 playoffs.
TeamAppearancesFirstLastWinsLossesTiesTotalPct.
Arizona Christian Firestorm 2202020220202.000
Avila Eagles 1202220220101.000
Baker Wildcats 21198020241920039.487
Benedictine Ravens 1619852024815023.348
Bethany Swedes 1019781999310013.231
Bethel (KS) Threshers 3198420200303.000
Bethel (TN) Wildcats 72006202347011.364
Campbellsville Tigers 4199720151405.200
Carroll Fighting Saints 24197820224218060.700
Central Methodist Eagles 1202120210101.000
College of Idaho Coyotes 2201920233205.600
Concordia (MI) Cardinals 5201720213508.375
Concordia (NE) Bulldogs 1200220021102.500
Cumberland Bulldogs 1199319930101.000
Cumberlands Patriots 91988201969015.400
Dakota Wesleyan Tigers 1199219920101.000
Dickinson State Blue Hawks 2519812024824032.250
Doane Tigers 6197220163609.333
Dordt Defenders 2202020231203.333
Eastern Oregon Mountaineers (Oregon College)3197520162305.400
Evangel Crusaders 51988202378015.467
Faulkner Eagles 2201320140202.000
Friends Falcons 5199220240404.000
Georgetown Tigers 24198720242720047.574
Graceland Yellowjackets 1200520050101.000
Grand View Vikings 13201120241511026.577
Hastings Broncos 81991200938011.273
Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats 4202120243306.500
Jamestown Jimmies 5197920071506.167
Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes 72001202446010.400
Keiser Seahawks 620192024104014.714
Langston Lions 81973201828010.200
Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders 820142022127019.632
Louisiana Christian Wildcats 1202320230101.000
Marian Knights 12201020232010030.667
McPherson Bulldogs 2200920100202.000
MidAmerica Nazarene Pioneers 1220002024611017.353
Midland Warriors 3197919940303.000
Missouri Valley Vikings 13197420161113024.458
Montana State–Northern Lights 1200620060101.000
Montana Tech Orediggers 1119712024510015.333
Montana Western Bulldogs 6199420241506.167
Morningside Mustangs 21200420243417051.667
Northwestern Red Raiders 26197220243322055.600
Oklahoma Panhandle State Aggies (Panhandle State)1198119810101.000
Olivet Nazarene Tigers 3199820203306.500
Ottawa (AZ) Spirit 3201920240202.000
Ottawa (KS) Braves 1019972023110011.091
Peru State Bobcats 3198919916208.750
Pikeville Bears 2200520240101.000
Point Skyhawks 1201520150101.000
Reinhardt University Eagles 92015202368014.429
Rocky Mountain Battlin' Bears 4199820181405.200
St. Ambrose Fighting Bees 1319842013412016.250
St. Francis (IL) Fighting Saints 2198720111203.333
Saint Francis (IN) Cougars 20199920243317050.660
St. Thomas Bobcats 2202320241102.500
Saint Xavier Cougars 16200220231915034.559
Southeastern Fire 2201620170202.000
Southern Oregon Raiders 719872017136019.684
Southwestern Moundbuilders 8198420242608.250
Sterling Warriors 3201320170303.000
Tabor Bluejays 5200320153508.375
Taylor Trojans 2199819991203.333
Texas Wesleyan Rams 1202420240000
Union (Kentucky) Bulldogs 1200820080101.000
Valley City State Vikings 91976201419010.100
William Penn Statesmen 9197520120202.000

Not yet qualified

Former NAIA members

NCAA Division I FBS

TeamAppearancesFirstLastWinsLossesTiesTotalPct.
Sam Houston Bearkats 1196419641012.750
Troy Trojans (Troy State)11968196820021.000

NCAA Division I FCS

TeamAppearancesFirstLastWinsLossesTiesTotalPct.
Abilene Christian Wildcats 21973197740041.000
Arkansas–Pine Bluff Golden Lions 2199419952204.500
Central Arkansas Bears 13197619921210224.542
East Texas A&M Lions (East Texas State)2197219803104.750
Eastern Washington Eagles (Eastern Washington State)2196719671102.500
Elon Phoenix 61973198194013.692
Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs 2198719923205.600
Lindenwood Lions 61998201056011.455
Montana State Bobcats 1195619560011.500
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (Arizona State–Flagstaff)1195819581102.500
Prairie View A&M Panthers 1196319631102.500
Presbyterian Blue Hose 2197919872204.500
St. Thomas (MN) Tommies 1198319830101.000
Tarleton Texans 4197819903407.429
Wofford Terriers 1197019701102.500

NCAA Division II

Team (former names)AppearancesFirstLastWinsLossesTiesTotalPct.
Adams State Grizzlies 2198819894206.667
Angelo State Rams 3197819804206.667
Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys 2197119941203.333
Arkansas–Monticello Boll Weevils 2198819932204.500
Black Hills State Yellow Jackets 2200620070202.000
Carson–Newman Eagles 1119721992205126.788
Catawba Indians 1198819880101.000
Central State Marauders 919871995146020.700
Central Oklahoma Bronchos (Central State)61962198574011.636
Central Washington Wildcats 919841998117119.605
Chadron State Eagles 2198919900202.000
Colorado Mesa Mavericks (Mesa State)71982199097016.563
Concord Mountain Lions 8197719920808.000
Concordia Golden Bears 2196419692114.625
CSU Pueblo ThunderWolves (Southern Colorado)1198219820101.000
East Central Tigers 2198319943104.750
Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds 1198319830101.000
Edinboro Fighting Scots (Edinboro State)1197019700101.000
Emporia State Hornets 5196219892507.286
Fairmont State Falcons 4196519882305.400
Findlay Oilers 1319641997219131.694
Fort Hays State Tigers 1199019900101.000
Glenville State Pioneers 3197319943306.500
Grand Valley State Lakers 1197819781102.500
Harding Bison 2198919920202.000
Henderson State Reddies 2197419852204.500
Hillsdale Chargers 81957198867114.464
Lenoir–Rhyne Bears 3195919624206.667
Mars Hill Lions 1198019800101.000
Mary Marauders 1019932004710017.412
McKendree Bearcats 91997201039012.250
Midwestern State Mustangs 1199119911102.500
Minnesota–Crookston Golden Eagles 1199719970101.000
Minnesota State–Moorhead Dragons (Moorhead State)81981199428010.200
Minot State Beavers 71970200937010.300
Missouri Southern State Lions 11972197220021.000
Nebraska–Kearney Lopers (Kearney State)4196319801405.200
New Mexico Highlands Cowboys 3196619690303.000
Northeastern State RiverHawks 91958199597016.563
Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers (Northwestern State)12198720101210022.545
Northern Michigan Wildcats 2196019670202.000
Northern State Wolves 5196119880505.000
Ohio Dominican Panthers 1200720071102.500
Ouachita Baptist Tigers 2197519820202.000
Pittsburg State Gorillas 71957198895014.643
Saginaw Valley State Cardinals 3197919842305.400
Shepherd Rams 4198319921405.250
Shorter Hawks 1200820080101.000
Sioux Falls Cougars 16198820103612048.750
Southeastern Oklahoma State Savage Storm (Southeastern State)1198819881102.500
Southern Connecticut State Owls 1195919590101.000
Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm 1201120110101.000
Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs (Southwest State)2198719900202.000
Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs (Southwestern State)3197719963205.600
Sul Ross Lobos 2196519820202.000
Texas A&M–Kingsville Javelinas (Texas A&I)819591979161017.941
Tiffin Dragons 2199319941203.333
UVA Wise Cavaliers (Clinch Valley)2199519960202.000
Walsh Cavaliers 1200620060101.000
Washburn Ichabods 2198619880202.000
West Alabama Tigers (Livingston)2197119722103.667
West Liberty Hilltoppers (West Liberty State)2197019710202.000
Western New Mexico Mustangs 2199019930202.000
Western Oregon Wolves 2198519970202.000
Western State Colorado Mountaineers (Western State)4197619912406.333
William Jewell Cardinals 61973199066012.500
Winona State Warriors 1199319930101.000

NCAA Division III

TeamAppearancesFirstLastWinsLossesTiesTotalPct.
Anderson Ravens 2197019811203.333
Austin Kangaroos 4197919902316.417
Bluffton Beavers 2198719881203.333
Cal Lutheran Kingsmen 5197119824408.500
Carthage Firebirds 2197119730202.000
Central Dutch 1196619660101.000
Concordia–Moorhead Cobbers 2197819815016.917
Concordia–Wisconsin Falcons 1199019900101.000
Eureka Red Devils 2199119940202.000
Franklin Grizzlies 1197219720101.000
Geneva Golden Tornadoes 5198720053407.429
Greenville Panthers 1199019900101.000
Gustavus Adolphus Golden Gusties 1195819580101.000
Hanover Panthers 6197419891607.143
Hardin–Simmons Cowboys 51992199655010.500
Howard Payne Yellow Jackets 2199219950202.000
Lewis & Clark Pioneers 2198919910202.000
Linfield Wildcats 15196119942612038.684
McMurry War Hawks 1198019800101.000
Nebraska Wesleyan Prairie Wolves 4198820002305.400
Pacific Lutheran Lutes 15197919962412036.667
Redlands Bulldogs 1197619761102.500
Saint John's Johnnies 3196319824105.800
Texas Lutheran Bulldogs 3197419764105.800
Trine Thunder (Tri-State)2199820012204.500
Waynesburg Yellow Jackets 11966196620021.000
Westminster Titans 17197019973111042.738
Whitworth Pirates 1196019600101.000
Willamette Bearcats 3196819974307.571
Wilmington Quakers 3198019832305.400
Wisconsin–La Crosse Eagles (Wisconsin State–La Crosse)719731990106016.625
Wisconsin–Platteville Pioneers (Wisconsin State–Platteville)1197019700101.000
Wisconsin–River Falls Falcons (Wisconsin State–River Falls)1197919790101.000
Wisconsin–Stevens Point Pointers (Wisconsin State–Stevens Point)3197719890-505
Wisconsin–Whitewater Warhawks (Wisconsin State–Whitewater)1196619661102.500

Discontinued programs

TeamAppearancesFirstLastWinsLossesTiesTotalPct.
Azusa Pacific Cougars 81998201197016.563
Cameron Aggies 4197419877209.778
Dana Vikings 1198719870101.000
Humboldt State Lumberjacks 1196019601102.500
Huron Screaming Eagles 4198620003407.429
Iowa Wesleyan Tigers 1199119910101.000
Lambuth Eagles 81994200978015.467
Malone Pioneers 2199519981203.333
Oregon Tech Battling Owls 1198819882103.667
Robert Morris Eagles 1201620160101.000
St. Benedict's Ravens 1195819580101.000
Saint Joseph's Pumas 1195619560011.500
St. Mary of the Plains Cavaliers 3198919910303.000
Salem International Tigers (Salem)3197519851304.250
Trinity Trolls 1199419940101.000
Trinity International Trojans 1200420040101.000
West Virginia Tech Golden Bears 1198919890101.000
Westmar Eagles 1198719870101.000
Western Washington Vikings 4199219964408.500
Whittier Poets 1196119610101.000

See also

References

  1. "NAIA Football Championship History". National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Retrieved April 7, 2008.