A History of Chadron State College Football
Chadron State College has a rich athletic history, with the football program experiencing both challenging times and periods of significant success. From its inception in 1911, the football team has provided some of the college's proudest moments, contributing significantly to the school's legacy.
Early Years and Development
Athletics at Chadron State were limited until the 1920s, but the school has fielded a football team since its inception in 1911.
The 1970s: A Promising Era
The 1978 football season stands out as a highlight, with the Eagles winning the Boot Hill Bowl in Dodge City, Kansas. This victory helped the team forge a 7-2-2 record and finish 16th in the NAIA Division II rankings. Anticipation was high for the season, building on the foundation laid by the 1977 team, which had an 8-2 record. However, there was a change in leadership as Coach Sparky Adams moved to Bemidji State in Minnesota.
A key feature of the 1978 team was its potent passing attack, led by quarterback Brad Fults. Fults completed 186 of 350 passes for 2,109 yards. His primary target was Bill Ryan, who made 65 catches for 868 yards and nine touchdowns. The longhorn trophy earned at the Boot Hill Bowl remains on display in Armstrong Gymnasium.
The 1990s: A Decade of Firsts
The 1996 season was a landmark year for Chadron State football. The team achieved several firsts: winning 10 games, securing the RMAC championship, and reaching the NCAA Division II playoffs.
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The Turn of the Century: Challenges and Triumphs
Chadron State experienced both ups and downs since the turn of the century. Economic downturns led to a decline in state support, causing numerous positions to go unfilled and tuition to double. Despite these financial challenges, the college invested about $24 million in capital improvements, including the renovation of Memorial Hall, the conversion of the old library into the Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center and Coffee Cattlemen’s Gallery, and the construction of the Maintenance Building.
Academically, the college added a bachelor’s degree in Applied Sciences and a master’s degree in Organizational Management. The college also earned high honors for “The Eagle,” the college’s student newspaper, the range management program, and the business club Students Involved in Free Enterprise.
Football Successes in the 2000s
The football program experienced a resurgence in the 2000s. The 2006 and 2007 teams each achieved an 11-0 record during the regular season and won a playoff game. In November 2007, the Eagles defeated Abilene Christian University 76-73 in a triple-overtime game in the second round of the NCAA D-II football playoffs, breaking the record for most points ever scored in an NCAA Division II playoff game. Chadron State had rallied from a 49-20 deficit at the end of the third quarter.
Star Players and National Recognition
Several Chadron State athletes have achieved national recognition. Danny Woodhead became college football’s all-time leading rusher and won two Harlon Hill Trophies. Will Farrell and Dustin Elliott won national bull riding championships, and Brett Hunter won two national wrestling titles, with Josh Majerus winning one.
Danny Woodhead
Danny Woodhead is a two-time winner of the Harlon Hill Trophy for best player in NCAA Division II football (2006 and 2007). Woodhead became the all-time leading rusher in NCAA football Oct. 6, 2007. CSC retired Woodhead's No. 3 jersey Dec. 15, 2007, the first time a jersey was retired in the college's history. Woodhead has played for the New York Jets, the New England Patriots, and the San Diego Chargers.
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Brett Hunter
Brett Hunter won the Division II National Championship in wrestling in the 2006-2007 season and again in the 2008-2009 season. Hunter was the first National Champion from CSC in 35 years, and the second in school history. He is the only CSC wrestler to win two titles.
Josh Majerus
Josh Majerus won the Division II National Championship in the 2007-2008 season.
Don Beebe
Don Beebe played in the National Football League with three teams, the Buffalo Bills, the Carolina Panthers, and the Green Bay Packers.
"They Found a Way to Play the Game"
“They Found a Way to Play the Game,” a book by longtime Chadron State College employee Con Marshall, chronicles the stories of 16 former CSC football players who played for the Eagles from 1912 through 1958. Fourteen of the 16 are inducted in Chadron State’s Athletic Hall of Fame and Marshall said he personally interviewed 15 of them. The exception was LaVerne McKelvey, who was frequently tabbed as one of Chadron State’s best football players during the 20th century by his peers and alumni. In addition to McKelvey, other entries include stories about Rex Coffee, Clifford Weller, Leo Stangle, Wes Evans, Dub Miller, Francis Montague, Loki Christensen, Bill Bruer, Bob Burden, Bob Brown, Verne Lewellen, Jim Ratelle, Jack Dinnel, J.C. Sollars, and Lonny Wickard.
Marshall initially wrote many of the stories in the 1990s but began compiling and updating them in the spring of 2020. When he originally worked on the stories, Marshall traveled to the homes of several former Eagles, often accompanied by his wife, Peggy. Marshall didn’t have to travel for every meeting. He recalls going to Coffee’s home and Miller’s bar in Chadron to interview them in the 1960s.
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According to Marshall, "Most of those featured in the book came from humble backgrounds, survived the Great Depression, and had successful careers. Ten of them were World War II veterans. Three more served in the military after graduating from CSC." “They Found a Way to Play the Game” is Marshall’s fifth book centered around Chadron State.
Individual Achievements and Records
Several Chadron State players hold impressive records. Some notable records include:
- Best Comp.: 100.0 (8-for-8), Joe McLain vs.
- Longest Punt Ret.: 86, Trelan Taylor vs. and 86, Mitch Barry vs.
- Most Punt Ret.: 149, Charlie Mitchell vs.
- Longest Kick Ret.: 99, J.D. Hill vs.
- Longest Int.: 100, Brian Wood vs. N.M.
- Longest Int. Conv.: 99, Corey Anderson vs. and 99, Kirk Swestka vs.
Other significant records include those held by:
- Kevin Coy, Jr
- John Riggs
- Trevor Moon
- Shawn Eisenreich
- Lee Baumann to Mike Dority
- Jonn McLain
- Duane Smith
- Don Beebe
- Max Gray
- Mitch Barry
- J.D. Hill
- Jay Masek
- Wilson Yee
- Lonnie Wickard
- Jim Hoagland
- Steve Nelson
- Gene Kelley
- Scott Doyle
- Will Morgan
- Corey Anderson
Chadron State College Today
Chadron State College continues to compete in NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports. The Chadron State Eagles are the athletic teams that represent Chadron State College, located in Chadron, Nebraska.
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