Northeastern State RiverHawks football

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Northeastern State RiverHawks football
Northeastern State RiverHawks football logo.svg
First season1909;117 years ago (1909)
Athletic directorMatt Cochran
Head coach Darrin Chiaverini
2nd season, 10–12 (.455)
Stadium Doc Wadley Stadium
(capacity: 8,300)
FieldGable Field
Year built1915
Location Tahlequah, Oklahoma
NCAA division Division II
Conference Independent
All-time record477–455–32 (.511)
Claimed national championships
2 NAIA: (1958, 1994)
Conference championships
21
Rivalries Central Oklahoma (rivalry)
ColorsGreen and white [1]
   
Fight song"Northeastern, Northeastern"
MascotRowdy the RiverHawk
Marching bandRiverHawk Marching Band
Outfitter Nike
Website www.goriverhawksgo.com

The Northeastern State RiverHawks football program represents Northeastern State University in college football and competes in the NCAA Division II. In 2012, Northeastern State became an all-sports member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), [2] but its football program became an independent in August 2024. [3] NSU's home games are played at Doc Wadley Stadium in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

Contents

Northeastern's football program dates back to 1909. [4] The RiverHawks claim twenty-one conference championships, and appeared in four NAIA football championships in 1958, 1980, 1994, and 1995. [5] NSU has twice qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs, in 1999 (when it reached the national semifinals) and Northeastern State.

The team is currently coached by Darrin Chiaverini, who began his tenure in 2024. [6]

Conference affiliations

Championships

National championship seasons

SeasonCoachSelectorsRecordBowl
1958 Harold Stratton NAIA Playoffs11–0Won NAIA Championship
1994 Tom Eckert 11–2Won NAIA Championship
National Championships2

Postseason appearances

NAIA

Northeastern State made nine appearances in the NAIA playoffs, with a combined record of 9–7.

YearRoundOpponentResult
1958 Semifinals
National Championship		 St. Benedict's (KS)
Arizona State–Flagstaff 		W, 19–14
W, 19–13
1980 Quarterfinals
Semifinals
National Championship		 Angelo State
Kearney State
Elon 		W, 10–3
W, 14–0
L, 10–17
1982 Quarterfinals
Semifinals		 Ouachita Baptist
Central State (OK) 		W, 38–23
L, 17–28
1983 Quarterfinals Central Arkansas L, 7–18
1987 First Round Pittsburg State L, 0–57
1990 QuarterfinalsCentral ArkansasL, 14–26
1991 QuarterfinalsCentral ArkansasL, 14–30
1994 Quarterfinals
Semifinals
National Championship		 Moorhead State
Langston
Arkansas–Pine Bluff 		W, 14–7
W, 3–0
W, 13–12
1995 Semifinals
National Championship		Arkansas–Pine Bluff
Central State (OH) 		W, 17–14
L, 7–37

Former players

The program has had 14 NFL Draft selections, most recently Michael Bowie, an offensive lineman selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round in 2013. [7] The program's highest draft pick was Rosie Manning, chosen 42nd overall in the second round of the 1972 NFL draft. [7]

Former NSU defensive back JoJo Polk played professionally following his graduation in 2000. In his rookie season of arena football, he tripped over a fallen receiver and slammed headfirst into the padded wall at the edge of the field. The impact broke his C-6 vertebra, leaving him unable to move his legs and temporarily without feeling in his hands. He was told that he would not be able to walk again but was nevertheless able to recover and play football again. [8] Polk went on to play eight seasons in the Arena Football League and was named the 2001 Most Inspirational Player of the Year.

Stadium

The Riverhawks have played their home games at Doc Wadley Stadium since 1964. The current capacity of the stadium is at 8,300. [9]

Northeastern State homecoming game, 2007 NSU Football.jpg
Northeastern State homecoming game, 2007

See also

References

  1. ↑ Northeastern State University Graphic Standards (PDF). Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association - Conference History". themiaa.com. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  3. ↑ Sermersheim, Jake (November 24, 2023). "NSU football leaves MIAA". Tahlequah Daily Press.
  4. ↑ "Year by Year Results". cfbdatawarehouse.com. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  5. ↑ "2013 Northeastern State RIverHawks football media guide" (PDF). Northeastern State University. goriverhawksgo.com. p. 97. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Darrin Chiaverini hired as Northeastern State's head football coach". Northeastern State University RiverHawks. December 24, 2024. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  7. 1 2 "Northeastern State in the NFL Draft". Northeastern State University Athletics. Retrieved December 31, 2025.
  8. ↑ Polk Playing Football After Medical Miracle
  9. ↑ "2014 Northeastern State RIverHawks football media guide" (PDF). Northeastern State University. goriverhawksgo.com. p. 21. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
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