From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base
2003 NCAA Division III football season
| 2003 NCAA Division III football season |
|---|
| August – November 2003 |
| November – December 2003 |
| Salem Football StadiumSalem, VA |
| Saint John's (MN) (2) |
| Blake Elliott (WR, P, KR), Saint John's (MN) |
| NCAA Division III football seasons |
The 2003 NCAA Division III football season, part of the college football season organized by the NCAA at the Division III level in the United States, began in August 2003, and concluded with the NCAA Division III Football Championship, also known as the Stagg Bowl, in December 2003 at Salem Football Stadium in Salem, Virginia. The Saint John's (MN) Johnnies won their second Division III championship by defeating the three-time defending national champion Mount Union Purple Raiders, 24−6.
The Gagliardi Trophy, given to the most outstanding player in Division III football, was awarded to Blake Elliott, wide receiver, punter, and kick returner from Saint John's (MN).
| School | 2002 conference | 2003 conference |
|---|---|---|
| Husson Braves | No program | Independent |
| New Jersey City Gothic Knights | NJAC | Dropped program |
| Upper Iowa Peacocks | Iowa | Northern Sun (Division II) |
| Conference champions |
|---|
| American Southwest Conference – East Texas Baptist, Hardin–Simmons, and Mary Hardin–Baylor |
| Atlantic Central Football Conference – Frostburg State |
| Centennial Conference – Johns Hopkins and Muhlenberg |
| College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin – Wheaton (IL) |
| Empire 8 Conference – Ithaca |
| Freedom Football Conference‡ – Springfield |
| Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference – Hanover |
| Illini-Badger Football Conference – Concordia (WI) |
| Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference – Wartburg |
| Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association – Hope |
| Middle Atlantic Conference – Lycoming |
| Midwest Conference – St. Norbert |
| Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference – Saint John's (MN) |
| New England Football Conference – Westfield State (Bogan Division), Curry (Boyd Division) |
| Championship Game: Curry 36, Westfield State 0 |
| New England Small College Athletic Conference – Trinity (CT) |
| New Jersey Athletic Conference – Montclair State |
| North Coast Athletic Conference – Allegheny |
| Northwest Conference – Linfield |
| Ohio Athletic Conference – Mount Union |
| Old Dominion Athletic Conference – Bridgewater |
| Presidents' Athletic Conference – Waynesburg |
| Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference – Redlands |
| Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference – Centre and Trinity (TX) |
| University Athletic Association – Washington–Saint Louis |
| Upper Midwest Athletic Conference – Westminster (MO) |
| Upstate Collegiate Athletic Conference – Hobart and RPI |
| USA South Athletic Conference – Christopher Newport and Shenandoah |
| Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference – Wisconsin–La Crosse |
The 2003 NCAA Division III Football Championship playoffs were the 31st annual single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division III college football. The championship Stagg Bowl game was held at Salem Football Stadium in Salem, Virginia for the 11th time. This was the fifth bracket to feature 28 teams since last expanding in 1999.
* Overtime
| Team | Final Record | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1. St. John's (MN) (25) | 14–0 | 625 |
| 2. Mount Union | 13–1 | 595 |
| 3. Linfield | 11–1 | 575 |
| 4. Wartburg | 11–1 | 489 |
| 5. RPI | 11–2 | 483 |
| 6. Wheaton (IL) | 12–1 | 475 |
| 7. Bridgewater | 12–2 | 453 |
| 8. Wisconsin–La Crosse | 10–2 | 441 |
| 9. Baldwin–Wallace | 10–2 | 399 |
| 10. Ithaca | 10–3 | 355 |
| 11. Lycoming | 9–2 | 353 |
| 12. Bethel (MN) | 9–2 | 342 |
| 13. Springfield | 10–1 | 336 |
| 14. East Texas Baptist | 9–3 | 259 |
| 15. Mary Hardin–Baylor | 9–1 | 234 |
| 16. St. Norbert | 11–1 | 218 |
| 17. Montclair State | 9–2 | 189 |
| 18. Wisconsin–Stevens Point | 8–2 | 176 |
| 19. Christopher Newport | 8–3 | 175 |
| 20. Brockport | 9–2 | 163 |
| 21. Hampden–Sydney | 9–1 | 140 |
| 22. Waynesburg | 9–2 | 103 |
| 23. Simpson (IA) | 9–2 | 81 |
| 24. Trinity (TX) | 8–3 | 66 |
| 25. Johns Hopkins | 10–1 | 60 |
Others receiving votes: 26. Capital 50, 27. Hardin–Simmons 47, 28. Allegheny 42, 29. Trinity (CT) 38, 30. Redlands 22, 31. Hope 21, 32. Wisconsin–Whitewater 19, 32. Hanover 19, 34. Curry 18, 35. Concordia (WI) 16, 36. Washington & Jefferson 12, 37. Muhlenberg 9, 38. Rowan 7, 38. Augustana (IL) 7, 40. Delaware Valley 6, 41. Menlo 3, 42. Willamette 2, 43. New Jersey State 1, 43. Shenandoah 1.
Gagliardi Trophy: Blake Elliott
AFCA Coach of the Year: John Gagliardi
AFCA Regional Coach of the Year: Region 1: Mike DeLong, Springfield College Region 2: Jeff Hand, Waynesburg College Region 3: Ralph Harris, East Texas Baptist University Region 4: Mike Swider, Wheaton College Region 5: John Gagliardi, St. John’s University (Minn.)
- 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season
- 2003 NCAA Division I-AA football season
- 2003 NCAA Division II football season
Ask Mako anything about 2003 NCAA Division III football season — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.
Research with MakoFree with your Surf account
Create a free account to save articles, ask Mako questions, and organize your research.
Sign up freeThis content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.
Report