Members of the 1976 Northwood Football Championship Team reunited on campus to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their historic season. The reunion, held Sept. 27, 2025, in the Hach Student Life Center, drew 32 teammates and their families to campus to reminisce, reconnect, and reflect on a season that became a defining chapter in Northwood Athletics history.
A Season Defined by Perseverance
The 1976 Northmen began their season with back-to-back losses to Michigan Tech and pre-season favorite Wayne State. Yet, with determination and heart, the young team—made up mostly of freshmen and sophomores—rallied to finish 5-2-1, capturing the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Football Championship.
Their championship run included:
- Upsetting 10th-ranked Hillsdale College, 28–21
- Shutting out Ferris State and All-American running back Chuck Evans, 23–0
- Defeating Grand Valley State, 40–14, a team that went on to finish 8–2
- Claiming the NAIA District 23 Championship
The team finished ranked 15th nationally in small college polls. Head Coach Jack Finn earned Co-GLIAC Coach of the Year honors, and several players received All-Conference recognition — including Craig Fry, who was named Second Team NAIA All-American.
Champions On and Off the Field
The 1976 Northmen’s achievements extended far beyond the gridiron. Competing during America’s Bicentennial year at an institution founded on the ideals of freedom and free enterprise, these student-athletes embodied the perseverance, teamwork, and personal responsibility that define The Northwood Idea.
Operating with limited resources — just 15 full-ride scholarships spread across 75 players — the Northmen outworked and outperformed programs with larger budgets and rosters. Their success reflected both strong senior leadership from captains Craig Fry, Ted Goolsby, Nate Parker, Bobby Kemper, Rick Strasz, Bob Mailloux, and Doug Morse, and Coach Finn’s steady vision. The 1976 team’s title marked Northwood’s third GLIAC championship in four years, solidifying the university’s legacy as one of the conference’s founding forces.
A Reunion to Remember
Hosted by Northwood Athletic Director Jeff Curtis, the 50-year reunion brought together teammates who, in many cases, had not seen one another in decades. Conversations picked up as if no time had passed, and current Head Football Coach Dusty Beurer joined the celebration to connect generations of Northwood athletes.
Special recognition was given to Dr. Timothy G. Nash and Mark Zimmerman for leading the event planning, along with reunion committee members Chuck Counts, Cal Coburn, Howard Pingston, and Mark Warner for their dedication to bringing the team back together.
A Legacy That Endures
The 1976 Northmen’s story is one of belief, sacrifice, and unity — a reminder that extraordinary outcomes are possible when individuals commit to a shared goal. As they celebrated their championship season and honored seven teammates and coaches who have passed away, the group reflected on how their Northwood experience shaped their lives, careers, and families.
Nearly five decades later, the 1976 Northwood Institute Northmen remain a powerful example of resilience, brotherhood, and the enduring spirit of America’s Free Enterprise University.
