From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base
NCAA Division III football championship
NCAA football championship
NCAA football championship
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| title | NCAA Division III |
| football championship | |
| current_season | 2025 NCAA Division III football season |
| current_season2 | |
| last_season | |
| upcoming_season | |
| logo | NCAA logo.svg |
| logo_size | 180 |
| sport | American football |
| founded | |
| inaugural | 1973 |
| ceo | |
| coo | |
| organizer | |
| ame | |
| fame | |
| country | United States |
| confed | |
| champion | Wisconsin–River Falls |
| champ_season | 2025 |
| most_champs | Mount Union (13 titles) |
| tv | ESPN |
| level | 3 |
| related_comps | Division II |
| website | |
| current |
football championship The NCAA Division III football championship is an American college football tournament played annually to determine a champion at the NCAA Division III level. It was first held in 1973, as a single-elimination playoff with eight teams. Over the past 50 seasons, the number of participants has grown to 40. In 2025, 27 playoff bids went to conference champions via automatic qualification, leaving 13 places for at-large selections.
The Division III championship game, known as the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl or Stagg Bowl (named after football coach Amos Alonzo Stagg), was held at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas in 2024. Other Stagg Bowl sites have included Annapolis, Maryland (2022), Canton, Ohio (2021, 2025, 2027), Shenandoah, Texas (2018–2019), Salem, Virginia (1993–2017, 2023, 2026), Bradenton, Florida (1990–1992), Phenix City, Alabama (1973–1982, 1985–1989), and Kings Island, Ohio (1983–1984).
West and East Region Championships (1969–1972)
The Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl was founded by the NCAA in October 1969. Along with its counterpart, the Knute Rockne Bowl, it was "created by the NCAA ... for its College Division II schools, those 100-plus smallest schools in the NCAA."{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/70476713/?match=1&clipping_id=137790415
The NCAA thus provided postseason opportunities for College Division teams too small to compete for spots in the four regional bowls it had established in 1964 (as of 1969, these were the Camellia Bowl for the West, the Pecan Bowl for the Midwest, the Grantland Rice Bowl for the Mideast, and the Boardwalk Bowl for the East). At least for the sport of football, this accommodation in 1969 foreshadowed the decision to subdivide the College Division four years later, into Division II and Division III.
Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl (West Region championship)
| NCAA Division III | border=1 | color=#ffffff}}" | Year | NCAA Division III | border=1 | color=#ffffff}}" | Date | NCAA Division III | border=1 | color=#ffffff}}" | Champion | NCAA Division III | border=1 | color=#ffffff}}" | Runner-up | NCAA Division III | border=1 | color=#ffffff}}" | Score | NCAA Division III | border=1 | color=#ffffff}}" | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Wittenberg | William Jewell | 27–21 | Springfield, Ohio | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1970 | Capital | Luther | 34–21 | Columbus, Ohio | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1971 | Samford (vacated) | Ohio Wesleyan | 20–10 | Phenix City, Alabama | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1972 | Nov 24 | Heidelberg | Fort Valley State | 28–16 |
Knute Rockne Bowl (East Region championship)
| NCAA Division III | border=1 | color=#ffffff}}" | Year | NCAA Division III | border=1 | color=#ffffff}}" | Date | NCAA Division III | border=1 | color=#ffffff}}" | Champion | NCAA Division III | border=1 | color=#ffffff}}" | Runner-up | NCAA Division III | border=1 | color=#ffffff}}" | Score | NCAA Division III | border=1 | color=#ffffff}}" | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Nov 29 | Randolph–Macon | Bridgeport | 47–28 | Bridgeport, Connecticut | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1970 | Nov 28 | Montclair State | Hampden–Sydney | 7–6 | Atlantic City, New Jersey | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1971 | Nov 26 | Bridgeport | 17–12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1972 | Nov 24 | Slippery Rock | 27–22 |
National Championships (1973–present)
When the College Division was subdivided into the current Division II and Division III in 1973, the NCAA made the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl the Division III national championship game. Initially, Phenix City, Alabama (site of the 1971 and 1972 Stagg Bowls) continued as the host city.
Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl
| NCAA Division III | border=1 | color=#ffffff}}" | Year | NCAA Division III | border=1 | color=#ffffff}}" | Date | NCAA Division III | border=1 | color=#ffffff}}" | Champion | NCAA Division III | border=1 | color=#ffffff}}" | Runner-up | NCAA Division III | border=1 | color=#ffffff}}" | Score | NCAA Division III | border=1 | color=#ffffff}}" | Att. | NCAA Division III | border=1 | color=#ffffff}}" | Venue | NCAA Division III | border=1 | color=#ffffff}}" | City | NCAA Division III | border=1 | color=#ffffff}}" | Winn. coach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Dec. 8 | Wittenberg | 41–0 | 5,000 | Garrett–Harrison Stadium | Phenix City, Alabama | Dave Maurer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1974 | Dec. 7 | Central (IA) | 10–8 | 5,500 | Ron Schipper | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1975 | Dec. 6 | Wittenberg | 28–0 | 6,000 | Dave Maurer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1976 | Dec. 4 | Saint John's (MN) | 31–28 | 7,214 | John Gagliardi | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1977 | Dec. 3 | Widener | 39–36 | 7,852 | Bill Manlove | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1978 | Dec. 2 | Baldwin–Wallace | 24–10 | 7,500 | Lee Tressel | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1979 | Dec. 1 | Ithaca | 14–10 | 6,500 | Jim Butterfield | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1980 | Dec. 6 | Dayton | 63–0 | 8,701 | Rick E. Carter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1981 | Dec. 5 | Widener | 17–10 | 6,100 | Bill Manlove | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1982 | Dec. 4 | West Georgia | 14–0 | 9,000 | Bobby Pate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1983 | Dec. 1 | Augustana (IL) | 21–17 | 3,800 | Galbreath Field | Kings Mills, Ohio | Bob Reade | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1984 | Dec. 8 | Augustana (IL) | 21–12 | 2,300 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1985 | Dec. 14 | Augustana (IL) | 20–7 | 1,879 | Garrett–Harrison Stadium | Phenix City, Alabama | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1986 | Dec. 13 | Augustana (IL) | 31–3 | 2,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1987 | Dec. 12 | Wagner | 19–3 | 4,000 | Walt Hameline | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1988 | Dec. 10 | Ithaca | 39–24 | 4,000 | Jim Butterfield | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1989 | Dec. 9 | Dayton | 17–7 | 3,500 | Mike Kelly | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1990 | Dec. 8 | Allegheny | 21–14 (OT) | 4,800 | Hawkins Stadium | Bradenton, Florida | Ken O'Keefe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1991 | Dec. 14 | Ithaca | Dayton | 34–20 | 5,469 | Jim Butterfield | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1992 | Dec. 12 | Wisconsin–La Crosse | 16–12 | 5,329 | Roger Harring | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1993 | Dec. 11 | Mount Union | 34–24 | 7,304 | Salem Football Stadium | Salem, Virginia | Larry Kehres | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1994 | Dec. 10 | Albion | 38–15 | 7,168 | Pete Schmidt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1995 | Dec. 9 | Wisconsin–La Crosse | 36–7 | 4,905 | Roger Harring | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1996 | Dec. 14 | Mount Union | 56–24 | 5,048 | Larry Kehres | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1997 | Dec. 13 | Mount Union | 61–12 | 5,777 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1998 | Dec. 12 | Mount Union | 44–24 | 5,145 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1999 | Dec. 18 | Pacific Lutheran | 42–13 | 4,101 | Frosty Westering | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000 | Dec. 16 | Mount Union | 10–7 | 4,643 | Larry Kehres | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2001 | Dec. 15 | Mount Union | 30–27 | 7,992 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2002 | Dec. 21 | Mount Union | 48–7 | 4,389 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2003 | Dec. 20 | Saint John's (MN) | Mount Union | 24–6 | 5,073 | John Gagliardi | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004 | Dec. 18 | Linfield | 28–21 | 3,240 | Jay Locey | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005 | Dec. 17 | Mount Union | 35–28 | 4,619 | Larry Kehres | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006 | Dec. 16 | Mount Union | 35–16 | 6,051 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007 | Dec. 15 | Wisconsin–Whitewater | Mount Union | 31–21 | 5,099 | Lance Leipold | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008 | Dec. 20 | Mount Union | 31–26 | 5,344 | Larry Kehres | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009 | Dec. 19 | Wisconsin–Whitewater | 38–28 | 3,468 | Lance Leipold | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2010 | Dec. 18 | Wisconsin–Whitewater | 31–21 | 4,598 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011 | Dec. 16 | Wisconsin–Whitewater | 13–10 | 3,784 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | Dec. 14 | Mount Union | 28–10 | 6,027 | Larry Kehres | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | Dec. 20 | Wisconsin–Whitewater | 52–14 | 5,371 | Lance Leipold | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | Dec. 19 | Wisconsin–Whitewater | 43–34 | 5,465 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | Dec. 18 | Mount Union | 49–35 | 5,343 | Vince Kehres | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | Dec. 16 | Mary Hardin–Baylor | 10–7 | 3,476 | Pete Fredenburg | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | Dec. 15 | Mount Union | 12–0 | 4,971 | Vince Kehres | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | Dec. 14 | Mary Hardin–Baylor | Mount Union | 24–16 | 6,816 | Woodforest Bank Stadium | Shenandoah, Texas | Pete Fredenburg | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | Dec. 20 | North Central (IL) | 41–14 | 1,362 | Jeff Thorne | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | Dec. 17 | Mary Hardin–Baylor | 57–24 | 1,830 | Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium | Canton, Ohio | Pete Fredenburg | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | Dec. 16 | North Central (IL) | Mount Union | 28–21 | 3,231 | Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium | Annapolis, Maryland | Brad Spencer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | Dec. 15 | Cortland | North Central (IL) | 38–37 | 3,381 | Salem Football Stadium | Salem, Virginia | Curt Fitzpatrick | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | Jan. 5 | North Central (IL) | 41–25 | 1,938 | Shell Energy Stadium | Houston, Texas | Brad Spencer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | Jan. 4 | Wisconsin–River Falls | 24–14 | 2,403 | Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium | Canton, Ohio | Matt Walker | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | Salem Football Stadium | Salem, Virginia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2027 | Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium | Canton, Ohio |
;Notes
National championships by team
Active programs
| Team | Titles | Years | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Union Purple Raiders }} | [](mount-union-purple-raiders-football) | 13 | 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2015, 2017 |
| Wisconsin–Whitewater Warhawks}} | **** | 6 | 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014 |
| Augustana (Illinois) Vikings}} | **** | 4 | 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 |
| Ithaca Bombers}} | **** | 3 | 1979, 1988, 1991 |
| North Central Cardinals}} | [](north-central-cardinals-football) | 3 | 2019, 2022, 2024 |
| Mary Hardin–Baylor Crusaders}} | **** | 2 | 2016, 2018, 2021 |
| Saint John's Johnnies}} | [](saint-john-s-johnnies-football) | 2 | 1976, 2003 |
| Wisconsin–La Crosse Eagles}} | [](wisconsin-la-crosse-eagles-football) | 2 | 1992, 1995 |
| Widener Pride}} | [](widener-pride-football) | 2 | 1977, 1981 |
| Wittenberg Tigers}} | [](wittenberg-tigers-football) | 2 | 1973, 1975 |
| Wisconsin–River Falls Falcons}} | [](wisconsin-river-falls-falcons-football) | 1 | 2025 |
| Cortland Red Dragons}} | [](cortland-red-dragons-football) | 1 | 2023 |
| Linfield Wildcats}} | [](linfield-wildcats-football) | 1 | 2004 |
| Pacific Lutheran Lutes}} | **** | 1 | 1999 |
| Albion Britons}} | **** | 1 | 1994 |
| Allegheny Gators}} | **** | 1 | 1990 |
| Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets}} | **** | 1 | 1978 |
| Central Dutch}} | [](central-dutch-football) | 1 | 1974 |
Former programs
| Team | Titles | Years | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dayton Flyers}} | [](dayton-flyers-football) | 2 | 1980, 1989 |
| Wagner Seahawks}} | ** | 1 | 1987 |
| West Georgia Wolves}} | [](west-georgia-wolves-football) | 1 | 1982 |
;Notes
Championship game appearances
Main article: List of NCAA Division III football championship appearances by team
;Key
- Programs that no longer compete in Division III are indicated in italics
- As of the 2025 season, all of the programs that no longer compete in D-III compete in Division I FCS. West Georgia is the most recent of these to move to FCS, with the 2024 season being its first at that level.
| NCAA Division III | border=1 | color=#ffffff}}" | Team | NCAA Division III | border=1 | color=#ffffff}}" | App. | NCAA Division III | border=1 | color=#ffffff}}" | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Union | 23 | 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2024 | |||||||||
| Wisconsin–Whitewater | 10 | 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2019 | |||||||||
| Ithaca | 7 | 1974, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1985, 1988, 1991 | |||||||||
| North Central (IL) | 6 | 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | |||||||||
| Augustana (IL) | 5 | 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 | |||||||||
| Dayton | 5 | 1980, 1981, 1987, 1989, 1991 | |||||||||
| Rowan | 5 | 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999 | |||||||||
| Mary Hardin–Baylor | 4 | 2004, 2016§, 2017, 2018, 2021 | |||||||||
| Wittenberg | 4 | 1973, 1975, 1978, 1979 | |||||||||
| Saint John's (MN) | 3 | 1976, 2001, 2003 | |||||||||
| Central (IA) | 3 | 1974, 1984, 1988 | |||||||||
| Wisconsin–La Crosse | 2 | 1992, 1995 | |||||||||
| Widener | 2 | 1977, 1981 | |||||||||
| St. Thomas (MN) | 2 | 2012, 2015 | |||||||||
| Lycoming | 2 | 1990, 1997 | |||||||||
| Washington & Jefferson | 2 | 1992, 1994 | |||||||||
| Union (NY) | 2 | 1983, 1989 | |||||||||
| Wisconsin–River Falls | 1 | 2025 | |||||||||
| Cortland | 1 | 2023 | |||||||||
| Linfield | 1 | 2004 | |||||||||
| Pacific Lutheran | 1 | 1999 | |||||||||
| Albion | 1 | 1994 | |||||||||
| Allegheny | 1 | 1990 | |||||||||
| Wagner | 1 | 1987 | |||||||||
| West Georgia | 1 | 1982 | |||||||||
| Baldwin Wallace | 1 | 1978 | |||||||||
| Wisconsin–Oshkosh | 1 | 2016 | |||||||||
| Trinity (TX) | 1 | 2002 | |||||||||
| Bridgewater (VA) | 1 | 2001 | |||||||||
| Salisbury State | 1 | 1986 | |||||||||
| Wabash | 1 | 1977 | |||||||||
| Towson State | 1 | 1976 | |||||||||
| Juniata | 1 | 1973 |
Stagg Bowl Most Outstanding Player Award
As voted by the media at the game since 2000.
| NCAA Division III | border=1 | color=#ffffff}}" | Year | NCAA Division III | border=1 | color=#ffffff}}" | Player | NCAA Division III | border=1 | color=#ffffff}}" | Team | NCAA Division III | border=1 | color=#ffffff}}" | Class | NCAA Division III | border=1 | color=#ffffff}}" | Pos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Chuck Moore | Mount Union | Senior | RB | |||||||||||||||
| 2001 | 5th year Senior | RB | |||||||||||||||||
| 2002 | Dan Pugh | Senior | RB | ||||||||||||||||
| 2003 | Blake Elliot | Saint John's (MN) | Senior | WR | |||||||||||||||
| 2004 | Riley Jenkins | Linfield | Senior | RB | |||||||||||||||
| 2005 | Nate Kmic | Mount Union | Freshman | RB | |||||||||||||||
| 2006 | Greg Micheli | Sophomore | QB | ||||||||||||||||
| 2007 | Justin Beaver | Wisconsin–Whitewater | Senior | RB | |||||||||||||||
| 2008 | Greg Micheli | Mount Union | Senior | QB | |||||||||||||||
| 2009 | Levell Coppage | Wisconsin–Whitewater | Sophomore | RB | |||||||||||||||
| 2010 | Junior | RB | |||||||||||||||||
| 2011 | Loussaint Minett | Sophomore | DE | ||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | Kevin Burke | Mount Union | Sophomore | QB | |||||||||||||||
| 2013 | Matt Behrendt | Wisconsin–Whitewater | Junior | QB | |||||||||||||||
| 2014 | Senior | QB | |||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | Taurice Scott | Mount Union | Senior | QB | |||||||||||||||
| 2016 | Blake Jackson | Mary Hardin-Baylor | Senior | QB | |||||||||||||||
| 2017 | Nick Brish | Mount Union | Sophomore | DB | |||||||||||||||
| 2018 | T.J. Josey | Mary Hardin–Baylor | Senior | WR | |||||||||||||||
| 2019 | Ethan Greenfield | North Central | Sophomore | RB | |||||||||||||||
| 2021 | Micah Hackett | Mary Hardin–Baylor | Senior | LB | |||||||||||||||
| 2022 | Ethan Greenfield | North Central | Senior | RB | |||||||||||||||
| 2023 | Zac Boyes | Cortland | Junior | QB | |||||||||||||||
| 2024 | Luke Lehnen | North Central | Senior | QB | |||||||||||||||
| 2025 | Kaleb Blaha | Wisconsin–River Falls | Senior | QB |
References
Sources
- NCAA Division III national football championship history from NCAA.org
- NCAA Division III Football Championships Records Book from NCAA.org
- Division III football playoff history from d3football.com
References
- "NCAA Division III Football Committee selects championship field".
- (October 22, 1969). "Bowl Games Ok'd". Chicago Tribune.
- "UMHB to appeal vacating 2016 title".
- (June 26, 2020). "NCAA denies UMHB sanctions appeal". KCEN-TV.
This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.
Ask Mako anything about NCAA Division III football championship — 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