“Go, Cardinals” were the unspoken words at 5:15AM Fri., Dec. 17, when the North Central College marching band, cheer and dance teams performed in advance of two buses departing for the NCAA Division III Football Championship in Canton, Ohio. The Cardinals aim to boost their number of titles to “41 National Championships.”
In the event North Central College’s winning football season has escaped your attention, last Sat., Dec. 11, the Cardinals met up with the University of Mount Union Purple Raiders in the semi-final NCAA Division III football playoff game at Mount Union Stadium at the University in Alliance, Ohio. North Central College was victorious, 26-13.
This week the undefeated team—and 2019 NCAA Division III Football Champion—takes on another undefeated team, Mary Hardin-Baylor, to vie for the NCAA Division III Football Championship. Mary Hardin-Baylor is a private Christian university located in Belton, Texas. The Division III title game will be played in Canton, Ohio.
Tuesday evening North Central’s football Cardinals headed back to Ohio to Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton for the Stagg Bowl XLVIII to take on the Crusaders.
At 5:15AM Fri., Dec. 17, North Central College held a pep rally for the media in the Gregory Arena at Merner Fieldhouse. The North Central College band is led by Sean Kelley.
Afterward their performance and interviews, the band, pep team, fans and chaperones, many decked out in spirit wear provided by North Central College alumni, boarded two buses, prepared to depart for Canton at 6:45AM.
Arrival time is 4PM at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The game begins at 6PM. The buses will return to Naperville late this evening.
The North Central College football program is led by coach Jeff Thorne. The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, 2018 NCAA Division III National Champs, is coached by Pete Fredenburg.
Please note: Photos from early Dec. 17, 2021, are in no particular order. Click any photo to enlarge. The final photo is a Century Walk sculpture titled “College, Community and Country,” a tribute to football player and World War II veteran William Shatzer II.
‘Watch Games’ set in downtown Naperville
Fans and friends are encouraged to gather for watch parties at a table near a big-screen TV at a local sports bar, including downtown locations such as Empire Burgers & Brew, Hizemans, Features and Quigley’s Irish Pub (Please note no game audio will be available at Quigley’s due to previously booked band.).
The championship game will be broadcast live on ESPNU at 6PM Fri., Dec, 17.
The North Central College Cardinals football team is expected to return to Naperville late Sat., Dec. 18. Cheers for a wonderful season!
This post will be updated.
Update 7:31PM Dec. 17, 2021 / Halftime: Crusaders 19 to Cardinals 17
Update 9:20PM Dec. 17, 2021 / Final Score: Crusaders 57 to Cardinals 24
Though our hearts were cheering for a different outcome, congratulations to UMHB and all the good sportsmanship observed watching the game until the end on ESPNU. What a great season for NCAA Division III Football! Thank you, North Central College Cardinals and Coach Thorne.
