Washington University Bears football

Last updated
Washington University Bears football
Washington-st-louis logo from NCAA.svg
First season1887;138 years ago (1887)
Athletic directorAnthony J. Azama
Head coach Aaron Keen
5th season, 30–12 (.714)
Stadium Francis Olympic Field
(capacity: 3,300)
Year built1903
Field surfaceFieldTurf
Location St. Louis, Missouri
NCAA division Division III
Conference CCIW
All-time record546–494–33 (.524)
Playoff appearances3 (Div. III)
1999, 2013, 2016
Playoff record0–3 (Div. III)
Conference titles19
Rivalries Chicago Maroons [1]
Consensus All-Americans55
ColorsRed and green [2]
   
Fight songFight for Washington
Marching bandBear Nation Varsity Band
Outfitter Nike
Website bearsports.wustl.edu

The Washington University Bears football team represents Washington University in St. Louis in college football. The team competes at the NCAA Division III level as an affiliate member of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW). They are a primary member of the University Athletic Association, of which they were a founding member. They were previously a founding member of the Missouri Valley Conference whose bigger schools split into the Big Eight Conference and then added a few members to form the Big 12 Conference. [3]

Contents

On September 4, 2024, the Division III web outlet D3sports.com reported that the CCIW would expel Washington from football membership after the 2025 season, with the report soon confirmed by the conference office. [4] On October 18, 2024, the North Coast Athletic Conference announced that Washington would join as a football-only member, beginning in the 2026 season. [5]

The school's first football team was fielded in 1887. The team plays its home games at the 3,300 seat Francis Olympic Field.

Former Washington University Bears football player and head coach Jimmy Conzelman is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. [6] Another former head coach, Weeb Ewbank, later coach of AFL, NFL, and Super Bowl champion teams is also in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. [7]

Two former Washington University head coaches have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame: Bob Higgins in 1954 [8] and Carl Snavely in 1965. [9]

Two former Washington University players have also been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame: Harvey Jablonsky in 1978 [10] and Shelby Jordan in 2013. [11] Both Jablonsky and Jordan were All-Americans. Jordan went on to win Super Bowl XVIII with the Los Angeles Raiders.

Former Bears linebacker Brandon Roberts won the Vincent dePaul Draddy Trophy from the National Football Foundation as the nation's top football student-athlete in 2002. Roberts is the only non-FBS recipient of the award. [12]

History

Conference memberships

YearsConference
1887–1906Independent
1907–1942 Missouri Valley Conference
1943–1946No team
1947–1962Independent
1963–1972 College Athletic Conference
1973–1987Independent
1988–2017 University Athletic Association [13]
2015–2016 Southern Athletic Association
2018–2025 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin [14]

Seasons

YearHead coachConferenceOverall recordConference record
1887Unknown—1–0—
1888—1–0—
1889 Arthur L. Tuttle
(player-coach)		—1–0—
1890—2–0—
1891—4–1–1—
1892—3–2—
1893Unknown—1–1—
1894Unknown—2–1—
1895Unknown—2–0—
1896Unknown—0–2—
1897Unknown—0–2—
1898 Edwin W. Lee —6–0—
1899 Arthur N. Sager —5–1–0—
1900Edwin W. Lee—3–2–1—
1901 Gordon Clarke —5–3–1—
1902 Hugh White —2–6–1—
1903 L. W. Boynton —4–4–2—
1904L. W. Boynton—4–7—
1905 Charles A. Fairweather —7–3–2—
1906 J. Merrill Blanchard —2–2–2—
1907J. Merrill BlanchardMVC1–5–10–1
1908 Francis M. Cayou MVC4–4–10–2
1909Francis M. CayouMVC3–40–2
1910Francis M. CayouMVC3–40–2
1911Francis M. CayouMVC4–2–20–0–2
1912Francis M. CayouMVC4–40–2
1913 William P. Edmunds MVC1–50–4
1914William P. EdmundsMVC2–2–10–1–1
1915William P. EdmundsMVC3–21–1
1916William P. EdmundsMVC3–3–10–2
1917 Red Rutherford MVC4–31–2
1918 Red RutherfordMVC6–0— (WWI)
1919 Red RutherfordMVC5–22–2
1920 George Rider MVC4–41–4
1921George RiderMVC4–3–12–3
1922George RiderMVC1–5–10–5–1
1923 Byron Wimberly MVC3–51–4
1924Byron WimberlyMVC4–40–4
1925 Bob Higgins MVC2–5–11–4–1
1926Bob HigginsMVC1–70–6
1927Bob HigginsMVC5–2–22–2–1
1928 Al Sharpe MVC2–5–10–2
1929Al SharpeMVC3–4–10–1–1
1930 Al SharpeMVC4–2–22–2
1931 Al SharpeMVC2–70–3
1932 Jimmy Conzelman MVC4–41–2
1933 Jimmy ConzelmanMVC4–51–2
1934 Jimmy ConzelmanMVC7–31–0†
1935 Jimmy ConzelmanMVC6–43–0‡
1936 Jimmy ConzelmanMVC3–71–1
1937Jimmy ConzelmanMVC4–62–2
1938 Jimmy ConzelmanMVC6–3–12–1–1
1939 Jimmy ConzelmanMVC6–3–14–1†
1940 Frank Loebs MVC3–61–3
1941 Frank LoebsMVC4–51–3
1942 Tom Gorman MVC5–52–3
1943No Football
1944No Football
1945No Football
1946No Football
1947 Weeb Ewbank —5–3—
1948Weeb Ewbank—9–1—
1949 Irv Utz —7–2—
1950Irv Utz—2–7—
1951 Irv Utz—5–4—
1952Irv Utz—4–5—
1953 Carl Snavely —7–2—
1954Carl Snavely—6–3—
1955 Carl Snavely—5–4—
1956Carl Snavely—6–3—
1957Carl Snavely—5–3—
1958Carl Snavely—4–4—
1959 Lynn Hovland —1–7—
1960Lynn Hovland—2–7—
1961Lynn Hovland—0–9—
1962 Dave Puddington —5–3—
1963Dave PuddingtonCAC6–2–11–1
1964Dave PuddingtonCAC6–3–13–1‡
1965Dave PuddingtonCAC7–23–1
1966Dave PuddingtonCAC7–24–0†
1967Dave PuddingtonCAC5–4–12–2
1968 Richard D. Martin CAC2–80–4
1969Dick MartinCAC2–71–3
1970Dick MartinCAC5–43–1‡
1971Dick MartinCAC4–51–3
1972Don McCrightCAC6–34–0†
1973Don McCright—6–2–1—
1974Don McCright—5–4—
1975Don McCright—4–5—
1976Don McCright—3–6—
1977Chris Gianoulakis—5–4—
1978Chris Gianoulakis—5–4—
1979Chris Gianoulakis—2–7—
1980Ken Henderson—2–7—
1981Ken Henderson—2–7—
1982Ken Henderson—2–7—
1983Fred Remmy—2–6–1—
1984Fred Remmy—4–5—
1985Fred Remmy—3–7—
1986Fred Remmy—2–7—
1987Ken Woody—1–8—
1988Ken WoodyUAA2–81–3
1989 Larry Kindbom UAA4–52–2
1990Larry KindbomUAA7–32–2
1991Larry KindbomUAA6–41–3
1992Larry KindbomUAA4–61–3
1993Larry KindbomUAA6–41–3
1994Larry KindbomUAA7–33–1‡
1995Larry KindbomUAA9–13–1‡
1996Larry KindbomUAA7–33–1‡
1997Larry KindbomUAA6–43–1
1998Larry KindbomUAA6–42–2
1999Larry KindbomUAA8–34–0†*
2000Larry KindbomUAA6–43–1
2001Larry KindbomUAA8–24–0†
2002Larry KindbomUAA6–44–0†
2003Larry KindbomUAA6–44–0†
2004Larry KindbomUAA6–43–0†
2005Larry KindbomUAA6–42–1
2006Larry KindbomUAA6–42–1
2007Larry KindbomUAA7–31–2
2008Larry KindbomUAA5–51–2
2009Larry KindbomUAA4–61–2
2010Larry KindbomUAA7–32–1
2011Larry KindbomUAA6–42–1
2012Larry KindbomUAA5–53–0†
2013Larry KindbomUAA8–33–0†*
2014Larry KindbomUAA4–61–2
2015Larry KindbomSAA / UAA6–45–3 / 2–1‡
2016Larry KindbomSAA / UAA8–37–1‡ / 2–1‡*
2017Larry KindbomUAA3–60–2
2018Larry KindbomCCIW8–27–2
2019Larry KindbomCCIW7–36–3
2020 Aaron Keen CCIWDid not play due to COVID-19 [15] DNP
2021Aaron KeenCCIW7–47–2
2022Aaron KeenCCIW8–37–2
2023Aaron KeenCCIW7–36–3
2024Aaron KeenCCIW8–27–2

†- Conference champions ‡- Conference co-champions *- Playoff Appearance [16]

Postseason appearances

NCAA Division III playoffs

The WashU Bears have made three appearances in the NCAA Division III playoffs, with a combined record of 0–3.

YearRoundOpponentResult
1999 First Round Hardin–Simmons L, 21–28
2013 First Round Franklin L, 10–17
2016 First Round Wisconsin–Oshkosh L, 13–49

Bowl games

The WashU Bears have made two NCAA Division III bowl appearances, with a combined record of 0–2.

YearBowlCoachOpponentResult
2021 Isthmus Bowl Aaron Keen Wisconsin–River Falls L, 27–48
2022 L, 24–31

NFL draft picks


1937 — 9th Round, 3rd Pick, 83rd Overall — Chicago Cardinals — Dwight Hafeli — End [17]
1938 — 3rd Round, 2nd Pick, 17th Overall — Philadelphia Eagles — Joe Bukant — FB [18]
1942 — 3rd Round, 4th Pick, 19th Overall — Chicago Cardinals — Bud Schwenk — QB [19]
1950 — 21st Round, 12th Pick, 273rd Overall — Cleveland Browns — Leroy Vogts — G [20]
1955 — 20th Round, 1st Pick, 230th Overall — Chicago Cardinals — Jim Burst — HB [21]
1973 — 7th Round, 1st Pick, 157th Overall — Houston Oilers — Shelby Jordan — T [22]

Source: [23] [24]

All-Americans


1929 — Harvey Jablonsky
1933 — Glynn Clark (AP Honorable Mention)
1934 — Harry Brown (AP Honorable Mention)
1935 — Bob Hudgens (AAB Honorable Mention, NEA Honorable Mention); Joe Bukant (AP Honorable Mention)
1936 — Dwight Hafeli (AP Honorable Mention)
1937 — Raymond Hobbs (Colliers)
1941 — Wilson “Bud” Schwenk (AP Honorable Mention)
1956 — Ed Lind (AP Honorable Mention, Little All-America First Team)
1957 — Ed Lind (AP Honorable Mention, Little All-America Honorable Mention); Don Polkinghorne (Little All-America First Team)
1960 — Paul Isham (AP Little All-America Honorable Mention)
1962 — Paul Isham (AP Honorable Mention)
1963 — Arnie Edwards (AP Honorable Mention)
1964 — James Powers (AP Honorable Mention)
1970 — James Marx (AP Honorable Mention)
1971 — Stu Watkins (AP Little All-America Honorable Mention)
1972 — Shelby Jordan (Kodak First Team); Stu Watkins (AP Little All-America Honorable Mention)
1973 — Stu Watkins (Kodak First Team)
1974 — Marion Stallings (Kodak First Team)
1981 — Dave Bolton (Sporting News Honorable Mention)
1988 — Paul Matthews (Kodak First Team, AP Little AllAmerica Second Team, Pizza Hut Third Team, Football Gazette Honorable Mention)
1989 — Eric Nyhus (Pizza Hut First Team, Football Gazette Second Team); Stacey Hightower (Football Gazette Honorable Mention, Pizza Hut Honorable Mention)
1990 — Eric Nyhus (Football Gazette Second Team)
1991 — Michael Lauber (Champion U.S.A. Second Team, Football Gazette Third Team); Jeff Doyle (Football Gazette Third Team); Aaron Keen (Football Gazette Honorable Mention)
1992 — Michael Lauber (Champion U.S.A. Honorable Mention, Football Gazette Honorable Mention)
1993 — Jeff Doyle (Champion U.S.A. Third Team, Football Gazette Second Team); Aaron Keen (Football Gazette Honorable Mention)
1994 — Matt Gomric (Division III First Team, Football Gazette First Team)
1995 — Chris Nalley (Hewlett-Packard First Team, Football Gazette Second Team, American Football Quarterly First Team); Josh Haza (Hewlett-Packard Honorable Mention)
1996 — Chris Nalley (Hewlett-Packard First Team, Foot- ball Gazette First Team, American Football Quarterly First Team); Joe El-Etr (Hewlett-Packard Second Team, Football Gazette Second Team), Aaron Boehm (HewlettPackard Third Team).
1997 — Joe El-Etr (Hewlett-Packard Second Team), Brad Klein (Hewlett-Packard Second Team, Football Gazette Second Team).
1999 — Tim Runnalls (Hewlett-Packard First Team, Football Gazette Lineman of the Year and First Team, Burger King Coaches’ Association First Team, AFCA Aztec Bowl selection, D3football.com Second Team), Kevin Dym (D3football.com Third Team)
2000 — James Molnar (D3football.com Second Team), Jonathan Feig (D3football.com Third Team)
2001 — James Molnar (Hewlett-Packard Honorable Mention)
2003 — Rick Schmitz (CoSIDA Third Team)
2005 — Joe Rizzo (Associated Press Little Second Team, Football Gazette Second Team, D3football.com Honorable Mention), Brad Duesing (Football Gazette Honorable Mention)
2006 — Drew Wethington (Football Gazette Third Team)
2010 — Brandon Brown (D3football.com First Team)
2015 — Alex Hallwachs (D3football.com Third Team), Quincy Marting (D3football.com Honorable Mention)
2016 — Matt Page (AFCA First Team, D3football.com Second Team), Kevin Hammarlund (AFCA Second Team, D3football.com Honorable Mention)
2017 — Johnny Davidson (D3football.com Third Team)
2018 — Hank Michalski (AFCA Second Team) [25]

References

  1. ↑ Washington University in St. Louis Football record Book (PDF), archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-12-04, retrieved May 23, 2019
  2. ↑ "Color Palettes" . Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  3. ↑ Big Eight Conference Football Championship History , retrieved May 23, 2019
  4. ↑ Coleman, Patrick; McHugh, Dave (September 4, 2024). "CCIW to cut Wash U loose". D3football.com. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  5. ↑ Eisner, Matt (October 18, 2024). "Football to join North Coast Athletic Conference for 2026 season". studlife.com. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  6. ↑ "Jimmy Conzelman – Pro Football Hall of Fame Official Site".
  7. ↑ "Weeb Ewbank – Pro Football Hall of Fame Official Site".
  8. ↑ Bob Higgins – NFF Hall of Fame , retrieved May 23, 2019
  9. ↑ Carl Snavely – NFF Hall of Fame , retrieved May 20, 2019
  10. ↑ Harvey Jablonsky – NFF Hall of Fame , retrieved May 23, 2019
  11. ↑ Shelby Jordan – NFF Hall of Fame , retrieved May 23, 2019
  12. ↑ William V. Campbell Trophy® Recipients , retrieved May 20, 2019
  13. ↑ UAA Football composite results (PDF), retrieved May 20, 2019
  14. ↑ Coleman, Patrick; McHugh, Dave (September 6, 2024). "CCIW to cut Wash U loose". d3football.com .
  15. ↑ WashU Announces Cancellation of Fall Sport Competitions, July 22, 2020, retrieved June 11, 2021
  16. ↑ "2017 Washington University Football Record Book" (PDF). Retrieved April 9, 2017.
  17. ↑ "Los Angeles Seeks Berth in National Grid League", St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, MO, p. 56, December 13, 1936
  18. ↑ "Detroit Draws Clint Frank, Pittsburgh Gets White in Draft; Bukant to Eagles", St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, MO, p. 17, December 12, 1937
  19. ↑ "Schwenk, Drafted by Cardinals, Does Not Intend to Join Pros", St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, MO, p. 9, December 23, 1941
  20. ↑ "Four St. Louis Area Athletes Picked in Pro Football Draft", St. Louis Star-Times, St. Louis, MO, p. 16, January 23, 1950
  21. ↑ "Four Mizzou Men Selected in Draft, But One is a Junior", St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, MO, p. 22, January 28, 1955
  22. ↑ "Bears' Jordan Picked by Oilers", St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, MO, p. 58, January 31, 1973
  23. ↑ NFL Draft History — Washington St. Louis , retrieved May 23, 2019
  24. ↑ DraftHistory.com Colleges Beginning with W , retrieved May 26, 2019
  25. ↑ Washington University in St. Louis Football record Book (PDF), retrieved May 20, 2019
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