“What sold Northwest to me was the

way that the players and the student

body believed. They were all in! They

bled green. That spoke volumes to

me. The other schools that I visited

sometimes had more stuff, but not a

one of them had more substance.”

Tony “Tiger” Miles WR 1996-2000

“They [Northwest coaches] pushed me to become the first person ever in my family to earn a college degree, which in turn set an example for five younger brothers and sisters that eventually graduated college.”

Andy Creger LB 1999-2003

“Being a Bearcat has changed my

life in many ways. It all started with

one man giving me the greatest

opportunity of my life: To play college

football for the best team and best

coaches in division II.”

Jared Erspamer LB 2004-2007

“Understand that being average is not

acceptable. Only through hard work and

sacrifice do we develop a champion’s

mentality. As Bearcats we strive towards

measurable self improvements each day.

This I learned from my Bearcat mentors

(coaches, professors, teammates, and

alumni).” Dr. Al R. Cade Jr. 1978-1981

“To me, being a Bearcat is being a part of something bigger than yourself, there are tons of people who would love to do what you are doing. Enjoy being with your teammates, enjoy being with your coaches. Nobody loves practice, but without it you can’t win championships.”

Brian Sutton FS 1994-1998

“At the end of the day, being a Bearcat has mostly meant acting like a champion in everything I do, even if no one is watching. The character and integrity developed among my teammates and I led us to win National Championships in 1998 and 1999.”

Ryan T. George WR 1996-2000

“Hard work, commitment, success, teammates, lifetime relationships, memories… That’s what it means to be a Bearcat!”

Jason Melnick WR 1993-1996

“When I was diagnosed with testicular cancer at the end of the 2009 season, the coaching staff, players, trainers and fans here could not have been more supportive of me and my family. I found out that people will bend over backwards for you here.”

Joel Osborn QB 2005-2008 GA 2009-2010

“A Bearcat will dedicate himself to team before himself. This is the difference between Northwest and other programs that may even have more talent. Being a selfless-player is one of the best lessons I learned from being a Bearcat.” Nick Inzerello WR 1994-1997

“Simply stated, I did not only learn my work ethic in my everyday life by being a Bearcat, but I learned how to be a man.” Ben Harness LB 2002-2006

“Your time as a football player is very short but your time as a Bearcat is forever.” Kevin Singletary 1994-1997 First Recruiting Class of the

Championship Era

“Some of your best friends will be those you share the field with. Those of you courageous enough to dedicate yourselves, to persevere through challenges, will become a part of a great brotherhood. Once a Bearcat, always a Bearcat!”

Greg Teale QB 1992-1996

Mel Tjeerdsma Head Coach

The Tjeerdsma FileBirthdate: May 24, 1946Hometown: Springfield, S.D.High School: SpringfieldCollege: Southern State, South DakotaGraduate School: Northwest

UT Austin (1984-1993)1984 5-4-11985 7-31986 6-41987 2-5-31988 9-2

1989 6-41990 8-31991 6-41992 6-41993 4-6

Totals: 59-39-4 (.598)

Northwest (1994-present)1994 0-111995 6-51996 MIAA 11-21997 MIAA 12-11998 MIAA NCAA 15-01999 MIAA NCAA 14-12000 MIAA 11-12001 7-42002 MIAA 12-12003 MIAA 8-32004 11-22005 11-42006 MIAA 14-12007 MIAA 12-22008 MIAA 13-22009 MIAA NCAA 14-1

Totals: 171-41 (.807)Career Total: 230-80-4 (.739)

National Titles: 1998, 1999, 2009National Championship Berths: 7Playoff Berths: 12Conference Titles: 11AFCA National Coach of the Year: 4AFCA Regional Coach of the Year: 7MIAA Coach of the Year: 11

AT NoRTHweST

YeAR-BY-YeAR

Mel Tjeerdsma, a four-time national coach of the year honoree, is entering his 17th season at Northwest Missouri State and his 27th as a collegiate head coach. The winningest general in program history, Tjeerdsma has guided the Bearcats to 11 MIAA championships, three NCAA national championships and seven title game appearances in the last 12 seasons.

Northwest was 0-11 in Tjeerdsma’s first season in 1994. The team is 171-30 since as he enters the 2010 season.

Four years after his inaugural season with the team, the Bearcats became the first NCAA Division II squad to finish a season 15-0. Northwest won back-to-back national championships in 1998 and 1999. It was the University’s first national titles in any sport. Tjeerdsma was named AFCA Coach of the Year following both of his championship seasons.

Northwest has competed in the national championship game for an unprecedented five straight seasons and walked away with its third national title last season following a 30-23 win over Grand Valley State. It completed a 14-1 campaign for Tjeerdsma and his Bearcats. Tjeerdsma received national coach of the year honors from three organizations, including the AFCA, Liberty Mutual and FieldTurf.

Among his peers in Division II, Tjeerdsma is third on the active wins list (230) and holds the seventh-best win percentage (.739). His 230 wins are the fourth-most in Division II history.

Tjeerdsma has more post-season victories than any other coach in Division II history. He has led Northwest to the playoffs 12 times in the last 14 seasons and sports a 29-9 post-season record. He is undefeated (7-0) in the semifinal round of the playoffs, 11-1 in opening games and 17-3 at home. Northwest made two first-round exits in its only appearances prior to Tjeerdsma’s arrival.

The 2009 Bearcats became the 14th team in program history to go unbeaten in MIAA play. Nine teams under Tjeerdsma have finished 9-0 in league play since 1997.

Following the 2007 season, running back Xavier Omon became the fourth player under Tjeerdsma to be drafted into the NFL. Omon was a sixth-round selection by the Buffalo Bills. Omon joins Chris Greisen (1999), Seth Wand (2003) and Dave Tollefson (2006) as Northwest players drafted after playing for Tjeerdsma. Fifteen Bearcats have either been drafted or have signed NFL contracts during Tjeerdsma’s tenure.

Tjeerdsma has been named MIAA Coach of the Year 11 times (1995-2000, 2002, 2006-2009). He’s been named AFCA Regional Coach of the Year seven times (1996-2000, 2006, 2008).

In his 16 years at Northwest, Tjeerdsma’s squads have produced 41 All-Americans. Included in the tally are 29 first-team All-Americans and 13 players who earned All-America honors in two or more seasons.

Under Tjeerdsma, Northwest has produced 111 All-MIAA student-athletes, including 74 players who earned first-team honors. Seventy-two players have earned all-region honors with 46 being listed on the first team. j

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Northwest offensive coordinator Adam Dorrel has helped lead the Bearcats to an unprecedented five straight NCAA Division II championship appearances and the program’s third national title which came in 2009. In his six seasons as a full-time coach at his alma mater, Northwest is 75-12 (.862).

Dorrel’s 2009 offensive unit was arguably one of the best in the 90-plus year history of Northwest football. The Bearcats averaged more than 42 points and 474 yards per game and ranked in the top 10 nationally in four major offensive categories.

Individually, the 2009 squad featured the nation’s leading receiver in Jake Soy, the nation’s fourth-leading passer in Blake Bolles and Division II’s fourth-leading rusher in LaRon Council. Soy was named national receiver of the year after hauling in 27 touchdowns – only the second player in Division II history to reach that number. Bolles set the MIAA’s single-

season record for passing yards and passing touchdowns. Council was named the league’s most valuable offensive player.

Impressive team and individual accolades have become the norm rather than the exception under Dorrel. Thirteen offensive stars have been named All-Americans in the last six seasons and the last three MIAA offensive MVPs have been Bearcats.

Dorrel himself is a former Northwest All-American. He was a three-year captain for the Bearcats during his collegiate career as an offensive lineman in Maryville from 1994-1997. j

Defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Scott Bostwick, the 2007 AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year, joins head coach Mel Tjeerdsma in entering his 17th season at Northwest. Since the duo’s arrival in 1994, the Bearcats have won 11 MIAA championships, three NCAA championships and made seven title game appearances in the last 12 seasons.

Year-in and year-out, Bostwick produces one of the top defenses in the nation. The Bearcats have led the MIAA in scoring

defense in each of the last four seasons and in total defense in each of the last two. Northwest ranked 10th nationally in run defense, 11th in sacks and 18th in scoring defense in 2009.

The Bearcats have finished in the top 10 nationally in stopping the run three times in the last four years. Only five individuals have posted 100 yards rushing against Northwest in the last 63 games heading into the 2010 season.

Bostwick mentored four first-team All-MIAA selections in 2004, the highest number in one season under his tenure. He matched that total in both 2007 and 2009. Bostwick has coached 50 defenders who have combined to earn 77 All-MIAA honors. j

Scott BostwickDefensive Coordinator

Adam DorrelOffensive Coordinator• Seasons: 7

• College: Northwest Missouri State University

• Recruiting Area: western Missouri, Kansas City

• Seasons: 17

• College: Nebraska wesleyan University

• Recruiting Area: western Iowa, Nebraska

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Charlie Flohr has been the quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator at Northwest since 2006. He also serves as the recruiting coordinator for the Bearcats. In four seasons with Flohr on the coaching staff, Northwest is 36-0 with four MIAA titles in conference play and 53-6 overall with a national title and three second-place finishes.

Richard Wright has served as Northwest’s defensive line coach and coordinator of special teams since 2004. The Bearcats have featured at least one All-American defensive lineman in every season since.

Northwest tied for the most pass sacks in the nation in 2009 after

Will Wagner has helped lead Northwest Missouri State to nine MIAA championships, seven national championship game appearances and three national titles since arriving in Maryville prior to the 1998 season. The Bearcats are 99-8 (.925) in conference play heading into the 2010 campaign with Wagner on board.

Charlie FlohrPassing Game / Recruiting

Will WagnerAssistant Head Coach

Richard WrightDefensive Line / Special Teams

• Seasons: 5

• College: Dakota State University

• Recruiting Area: Central and eastern Missouri

• Seasons: 13

• College: Hardin-Simmons

• Recruiting Area: eastern Kansas, Southern Missouri, east Texas

• Seasons: 7

• College: Dana College

• Recruiting Area: Central and eastern Iowa, Chicago

Flohr was the leader of the nation’s top quarterback and wide receiver combination in 2009. Jake Soy was named national receiver of the year after hauling in 27 touchdowns and leading Division II with 1,559 yards receiving. Blake Bolles was an All-American quarterback who set conference records with 42 touchdown passes and 4,145 yards passing.

Northwest ranked second nationally in scoring (42 ppg), third in pass efficiency (172.21), sixth in total offense (474.27 ypg) and eighth in passing (298.93 ypg) in 2009. Northwest has ranked 10th, 32nd, 17th and now third nationally in pass efficiency under Flohr. j

Eleven defensive backs have combined to earn 15 All-MIAA honors during Wagner’s tenure including safety Myles Burnsides, who was named National Defensive Player of the Year in 2008 after leading the team with six interceptions and placing third with 71 tackles. Burnsides graduated following the 2009 season as a two-time All-American and a three-time all-conference honoree.

Northwest has finished six of the last seven seasons with at least 10 defensive players recording interceptions. In 2009, 11 Bearcats picked off 25 passes – the second-highest tally in the nation. The

19 Bearcats combined for 48 sacks. The Bearcats have finished in the top 10 nationally in quarterback sacks in three of the last four seasons.

Northwest’s advantage on special teams has become ever more noticeable under Wright. The Bearcats have blocked 43 kicks in Wright’s six seasons. Northwest blocked eight in 2009, including three in the postseason.

The Bearcats ranked third in the nation in net punting and 11th in yards allowed per punt return in 2007. In 2009, freshmen Tyler Shaw and Jordan Simmons helped the Bearcats lead the nation in kick return yards for part of the season. The unit finished 17th overall including two touchdowns, one each by Shaw and Simmons, and an average of more than 23 yards per return. j

Bearcats have averaged more than 18 interceptions per season since 2004. j

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Meet the BearcatsNUMeRICAL RoSTeR

No. Name Pos. Ht. wt. Yr. Hometown/Previous School1 JakeSoy WR 6-3 215 Jr. Durant,Iowa/DurantHS2 JoshBaker TE 6-3 250 Sr. Chesapeake,Va./Delaware3 RyanJones CB 5-11 195 Sr. Liberty,Mo./LibertyHS4 TylerShaw WR 6-0 180 So. St.Louis,Mo./LuthernNorthHS5 JordanSimmons RB 5-9 190 So. KansasCity,Mo./Lee’sSummitNorthHS6 TravisManning CB 6-0 190RS-Fr. Belleville,Ill./WestHS7 JustinWelch CB 5-11 185 Sr. Belton,Mo./BeltonHS8 AldwinFoster-Rettig S 6-1 205 Sr. BalchSprings,Texas/WestMesquiteHS9 GraylonSanders DB 6-0 190TR-Jr. Concord,Calif./DiabloValleyCollege10 JustinEiken WR 6-0 185RS-Fr. JeffersonCity,Mo./BlairOaksHS11 BlakeBolles QB 6-4 210 Sr. Lincoln,Neb./LincolnSouthwestHS12 JohnHinchey WR 6-2 220 So. Kearney,Mo./KearneyHS14 BlakeChristopher QB 6-2 225 Jr. Kearney,Mo./KearneyHS15 TrevorAdams QB 6-1 200RS-Fr. Odessa,Texas/PermianHS16 TylerSeals QB 6-2 210RS-Fr. Bellevue,Neb./WestHS17 GordiMetezier DB 6-2 200TR-So. Margette,Fla./TexasSouthern18 MichaelStadler P 6-2 225 Sr. Harrisonville,Mo./HarrisonvilleHS19 DariusHicks DB 5-9 170RS-Fr. KansasCity,Mo./CentralHS20 DerrickHightower S 6-0 190 Jr. Belton,Mo./BeltonHS21 NateDeJong S 6-2 210 So. RockRapids,Iowa/CentralLyonHS22 RickyHicks RB 5-10 205 So. KansasCity,Mo./CentralHS23 ClarkeSnodgrass S 6-0 200 So. Chesterfield,Mo./ParkwayCentralHS24 CalebDecius CB 6-2 185 Jr. WestPalmBeach,Fla./UpperIowa26 MarcieleSurrell S 5-9 180 Sr. Terrell,Texas/SWOklahomaState27 CharlieLowe CB 5-9 180 So. Maryville,Mo./MaryvilleHS28 KelvinAustin RB 5-6 170 Sr. St.Louis,Mo./MesabiRangeCTC29 ChristianBarksdale CB 6-0 190 So. Omaha,Neb./WestsideHS30 MarcusMartin S 6-1 210 Sr. Holden,Mo./HoldenHS31 BillyCreason RB 5-10 200 So. GrainValley,Mo./GrainValleyHS32 QuincyWilliams RB 5-10 190RS-Fr. Lee’sSummit,Mo./NorthHS33 BenLangston LB 5-11 200 Jr. OverlandPark,Kan./BlueValleyNWHS34 ClintMoore CB 5-10 195 Sr. Princeton,Mo./PrincetonHS35 CoryCronk LB 6-2 225 So. Maryville,Mo./MaryvilleHS36 D.J.Gnader LB 6-2 230RS-Fr. CouncilBluffs,Iowa/LewisCentralHS37 BillBaudler LB 6-2 235 Sr. Fontanelle,Iowa/NodawayValleyHS38 K.Adema-Schulte RB 5-9 185RS-Fr. Omaha,Neb./MillardWestHS39 JeffHoweth S 5-11 205RS-Fr. Dallas,Texas/HighlandParkHS40 JoeScott CB 5-9 185TR-Jr. Lompok,Calif./AllanHancockCollege41 LandanZaputil LB 5-11 235 So. Denver,Iowa/CedarFallsHS42 TylerOglesby LB 5-10 190 So. Maryville,Mo./MaryvilleHS43 VincentDefeo TE 6-2 230 So. Greenwood,Mo./DrakeUniv.44 KylerHiatt TE 6-1 230RS-Fr. GrantCity,Mo./WorthCountyHS45 JohnSchreck S 6-2 195RS-Fr. Maryville,Mo./MaryvilleHS46 KyleKleeman DE 6-0 245 So. Lemont,Ill./JolietCatholicHS47 CodyMatthewson LB 6-2 230RS-Fr. Madrid,Iowa/MadridHS48 DylanRosier LB 6-0 225 Jr. MoundCity,Mo./MoundCityHS49 ToddAdolf P/K 6-1 185 So. Omaha,Neb./MillardNorthHS50 ChadKilgore LB 6-1 230 Jr. Orrick,Mo./ExcelsiorSpringsHS51 MattMassey LB 6-1 230 So. Kearney,Mo./KearneyHS52 WillieHorn LB 6-1 225 Sr. Lee’sSummit,Mo./BlueSpringsSouthHS53 RobertStough OL 5-11 275 So. Liberty,Mo./LibertyHS54 AaronTerry DL 5-10 280 Jr. Omaha,Neb./NorthHS55 ColeDafft OL 6-3 280RS-Fr. Prosper,Texas/ProsperHS56 AdamVondrak LB 6-2 245 Sr. SiouxCity,Iowa/BishopHeelanHS57 BryantHummel LB 6-2 240RS-Fr. Clarinda,Iowa/ClarindaHS58 BryceJohnston DL 6-2 270RS-Fr. Clarence,Mo./SouthShelbyHS59 RyanMeyer DT 6-2 270 So. Omaha,Neb./MillardWestHS60 JakeScarbo OL 6-2 275RS-Fr. BlueSprings,Mo./SouthHS61 AdamMcElderry OL 6-3 305 Jr. WestDesMoines,Iowa/ValleyHS62 ZachSherry DL 6-0 220RS-Fr. Maryville,Mo./MaryvilleHS63 PhilipCarter OL 6-4 270RS-Fr. Marine,Ill./TriadHS64 AlexOlive OL 6-4 285 So. Springfield,Mo./GlendaleHS65 CodyCarlson OL 6-3 270RS-Fr. Eudora,Kan./EudoraHS68 CollinDeBuysere LB 6-4 230 So. Geneseo,Ill./GeneseoHS70 BrettGrozinger OL 6-4 285 Sr. Chillicothe,Mo./ChillicotheHS71 JohnPetroff OL 6-3 290 So. Chesterfield,Mo./ParkwayCentralHS72 RyanLessman OL 6-2 290 Sr. SiouxCity,Iowa/EastHS73 JasonWiseman OL 6-4 270 Sr. GardenCity,Mo./HarrisonvilleHS74 C.J.Keeney OL 6-6 280RS-Fr. Smithville,Mo./SmithvilleHS

75 RodWilliams OL 6-5 300 So. Grandview,Mo./GrandviewHS76 CodyJohnson OL 6-2 290 Jr. Jasper,Mo./WebbCityHS77 DaneWardenburg OL 6-7 295 Sr. Creston,Iowa/CrestonHS79 ZachVie OL 6-9 300TR-So. Fremont,Neb./FullertonCollege80 BrianGeraghty K 6-1 195RS-Fr. Lee’sSummit,Mo./BlueSpringsSouthHS81 ClintUtter WR 6-3 200RS-Fr. Bloomfield,Iowa/OttumwaHS82 DannyPestock TE 6-6 245 Jr. Lenexa,Kan./FortScottC.C.83 JamesCairney WR 5-10 185 Fr. Harlan,Iowa/HarlanHS84 DavidMosley WR 6-2 185TR-Jr. Detroit,Mich./WayneState(Mich.)85 KyleKilgore TE 6-5 240 Jr. Orrick,Mo./ExcelsiorSpringsHS86 JoelGantz TE 6-5 245RS-Fr. Perry,Kan./Perry-LecomptonHS87 RobertoDavis DE 6-3 260 Sr. CoperasCove,Texas/ReedleyC.C.88 TaylorPierce WR 6-1 200 Jr. Wentzville,Mo./WentzvilleHoltHS89 WilliamSmalls DT 6-4 280TR-Jr. Highlands,Calif./IdahoStateUniv.90 WillieDyson DL 6-2 260TR-Jr. St.Louis,Mo./Minnesota91 ZachWilliams DE 6-3 275RS-Fr. KansasCity,Mo./CenterHS92 JakeBaumgartner DE 6-3 260RS-Fr. Granger,Iowa/JohnstonHS93 DannyCarlson DT 6-2 275RS-Fr. Troy,Ill./TriadHS94 KyleSunderman DE 6-4 275 Sr. Papillion,Neb./PapillionLaVistaHS95 MatthewMeinert DE 6-3 240 So. Easton,Kan./PleasantRidgeHS96 GaryEwart DE 6-1 250 So. Bedford,Iowa/BedfordHS97 RickyBailey DE 6-3 235RS-Fr. Wentzville,Mo./HoltHS98 ShayneShade DT 6-2 315 Sr. DesMoines,Iowa/RooseveltHS99 JoshLorenson DT 6-3 280 Jr. CedarRapids,Iowa/XavierHS

True FreshmenAkereAkpan DL 6-4 270 Fr. Benbrook,Texas/WesternHillsHSKevinArnold DE 6-4 220 Fr. IowaCity,Iowa/ReginaHSCodyBest K 6-0 160 Fr. BlueSprings,Mo./BlueSpringsHSSavontaeBrown DL 6-3 275 Fr. Lincoln,Neb./NorthStarHSBrianButtry TE/WR 6-3 190 Fr. Omaha,Neb./MillardWestHSJosephChinn S 5-11 190 Fr. MonroeCity,Mo./MonroeCityHSBryceEnyard CB 6-0 180 Fr. Huntsville,Mo./WestranHSJasonJozaites WR 6-3 190 Fr. Westmont,Ill./DownersGroveSouthHSMattLongacre DE 6-3 230 Fr. Omaha,Neb./MillardWestHSTimMartinez CB 5-11 185 Fr. Bettendorf,Iowa/PleasantValleyHSLarryNunn OL 6-3 277 Fr. Chesterfield,Mo./ParkwayWestHSEricReimer LB 6-2 225 Fr. MenomoneeFalls,Wis./SussexHamiltonHSJayronRobinson LB 6-1 225 Fr. KansasCity,Mo./StaleyHSEzraSchantz TE 6-3 220 Fr. Laurel,Neb./Laurel-ConcordHSAlexVisk TE 6-3 200 Fr. OverlandPark,Kan./BlueValleyWestHSBryceYoung WR 5-10 170 Fr. Chillicothe,Mo./ChillicotheHS

No. Name Pos. Ht. wt. Yr. Hometown/Previous School

Bearcats on National TVYEAR CARRIER OPPONENT SCORE1998 ESPN Carson Newman (NationalChampionship) 24-61999 ESPN Carson Newman (NationalChampionship) 58-52 (4 OT’s)2005 ESPNU North Alabama (NationalSemiFinal) 25-242005 ESPN Grand Valley (NationalChampionship) 17-212006 ESPNU Bloomsburg (NationalSemiFinal) 33-32006 ESPN2 Grand Valley (NationalChampionship) 14-172007 ESPN2 Grand Valley (NationalSemiFinal) 34-162007 ESPN2 Valdosta St. (NationalChampionship) 20-252008 ESPN2 North Alabama (NationalSemiFinal) 41-72008 ESPN2 Minnesota Duluth (NationalChampionship) 14-212009 CBS C Abilene Christian 14-192009 CBS C California PA (NationalSemiFinal) 56-312009 ESPN2 Grand Valley(NationalChampionship) 30-23

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Fall Classic at Arrowhead

Bearcats on National TV

One of the premiere and highly anticipated sporting events in all of Division II football is the Fall Classic at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. What started as a one-time event is now in its ninth season with this year’s contest slated for Nov. 13. The teams recently signed a three-year extension with the Chiefs that will keep the game in Kansas City through 2013.

The annual game between national powerhouses Northwest and Pittsburg State attracts more than 22,000 fans on average to the home of the Kansas City

Chiefs. The first game in 2002, dubbed “The Clash of the Champions,” brought in a series-record 26,695 fans.

The magnitude of the Northwest-Pittsburg State rivalry is something all college programs aspire to be a part of. In seven of the eight Fall Classics, both teams were ranked in the top 20 and four times both teams were ranked in the top 10. The 2004 Classic pitted the nation’s top two teams against one another in a regular season finale for the first time in Division II history.

Northwest has won the last four Fall Classic games and leads the Arrowhead series 7-2.

DATE ATTENDANCE SCOREOctober 27, 2002 26,695 29-7November 15, 2003 20,324 20-19November 6, 2004 25,542 17-21October 29, 2005 21,044 35-56November 4, 2006 22,561 41-14October 6, 2007 19,103 37-34 (OT)October 4, 2008 21,316 35-10September 12, 2009 20,813 30-10November 12, 2010 16,504 22-16

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It’s hard to find a more beautiful and more accommodating facility in Division II football than Northwest Missouri State’s Bearcat Stadium. Labeled “the crown jewel of the MIAA” by the Kansas City Star, Bearcat Stadium is the longest-running continuous site for football in all of NCAA Division II. Dating back to 1913, no other stadium has played host to its team’s games for so long.

First named Memorial Stadium in 1917, and then Rickenbrode Stadium from

1961-2004, Bearcat Stadium has seen significant improvements this decade. The east grandstand was completely rebuilt starting in 2000. In 2003, the new-and-improved stadium was unveiled, which included an increased seating capacity on the west side, chairback and railback seating, 10 luxury suites, a spacious and functional press area and a new scoreboard, complete with video board - one of few in a Division II football facility.

The summer of 2007 saw the installation of FieldTurf and permanent lighting.

Contributors for the project requested the new playing surface be named after current head coach Mel Tjeerdsma, and on June 28, 2007, the Northwest Board of Regents unanimously approved the proposal.

From 2004 to the start of the 2010 season, the Bearcats are 38-2 at the facility which includes 17- and 13-game winning streaks. The facility has seen 10 NCAA playoff contests since its renaming in 2004 – all Northwest wins.

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Training Room Amenities

Newly renovated in 2005• 120 full lockers• Lockers include six storage areas• Two 37-inch LCD flat panel HDTVs• DVD/VHS player with surround sound• Overhead projector with pull-down screen• Stereo system•

Weight Room Amenities

Locker Room Amenities

6,000 sq. feet of space• 10,000 sq. feet of agility area• Full-time strength/conditioning coach• Indoor track• Dumbbells from 5-110 lbs.• 10 power racks• 5 Hammer Strength Jammer machines•

Remodeled in 2010 with new • flooring, carpeting and painting Six-person, Jacuzzi-style • whirlpool Nine split-leg, cabinet-style • treatment tables Two LeMond Fitness spin-style • stationary bicycles Custom cubby units for student-• athlete personal storage New offices for full-time staff • members

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1999Northwest (14-1) 58Carson-Newman (13-1) 52Four OvertimesNorthwest Missouri State’s 58-52, quadruple overtime win against Carson-Newman has been described as “the greatest college football game ever played.” Northwest scored 30 points in the fourth quarter and 15 points in the final three minutes to reach overtime, successfully completed a two-point conversion to force a fourth overtime, and

then recovered a Carson-Newman fumble to win its second national title in as many years.

Bearcat quarterback Travis Miles threw for 298 yards and five touchdowns including a 13-yard strike to J.R. Hill to give the Bearcats a 58-52 lead. Hill had 120 yards receiving and caught three touchdown passes during the game including a 34 yarder with 10 seconds left in regulation. Ryan George then made “the catch” in the back of the end zone for two points and a 44-44 tie.

1998Northwest (15-0) 24Carson-Newman (12-2) 6Northwest Missouri State quarterback Chris Greisen threw two touchdown passes and Derek Lane ran for one touchdown to lead the Bearcats to a 24-6 win against Carson-Newman and the program’s first national title. Greisen threw an NCAA record 13 touchdown passes during the playoffs. Northwest became the first Division II program to finish a season 15-0.

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Northwest Missouri State has won three national championships in the last 12 seasons and competed in the national championship game seven times since 1998. The Bearcats won back-to-back titles in 1998 and 1999 and added their third trophy in 2009. Northwest’s three titles are tied for the third-most in Division II history (since 1973).

2009Northwest (14-1) 30Grand Valley State (13-2) 23Northwest Missouri State used a 21-0 halftime lead to hold off Grand Valley State 30-23 and win the program’s third national championship. Bearcat quarterback Blake Bolles threw a 26-yard touchdown strike to Jake Soy on a 4th-and-4 play with 10 minutes remaining that gave Northwest a 30-20 advantage.

The Bearcats later recovered an onside kick and stopped a final Laker drive before hoisting the trophy.

LaRon Council ran for 172 yards and two first-half touchdowns for Northwest. Soy caught nine passes for 118 yards. Northwest scored touchdowns on its first three possessions en route to the win.

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Conference Championships

Playoff Appearances

Northwest Missouri State has advanced to the Division II playoffs 13 times in the last 15 seasons and 15 times overall. The Bearcats are 29-11 in the postseason with three national titles and seven championship-game appearances. In 2009, Northwest became the first Division II program to compete in five consecutive championship games.

The Bearcats have participated in the playoffs every season since 2004. Under head coach Mel Tjeerdsma, Northwest is 11-1 in opening games of the postseason, 17-3 at home and 7-0 in the semifinals. ESPN has broadcast nine Northwest playoff games in the last five seasons.

MOST APPEARANCES1. UC Davis 182. North Dakota State 173. Pittsburg State 164. North Alabama 165. NW Missouri State 15

MOST VICTORIES1. North Dakota State 302. NW Missouri State 293. North Alabama 274. Grand Valley State 275. Pittsburg State 20

Northwest Missouri State has won 12 MIAA championships in the last 15 years and 24 overall. Nine of the last 11 titles were earned with unblemished 9-0 records. In fact, twice since 1997 have the Bearcats won more than 40 conference games in a row. From 1996 to the start of the 2010 season, Northwest has posted a 116-9 record in MIAA play (.928).

MOST TITLES1. Truman 262. NW Missouri State 243. SE Missouri State 174. Pittsburg State 105. Central Missouri 8

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Bearcat All-AmericansAP Little All-Americans1939 Marion Rogers OL 1st1984 Steve Hansley WR 1st1985 Steve Hansley WR 1st1989 Jason Agee DB 1st1991 Erik Petersen DE 2nd1996 Matt Uhde DL 1st1997 Adam Dorrel OL 2nd1997 Twan Young DB 3rd1998 Aaron Becker DL 1st1998 Aaron Crowe LB 1st1998 Chris Greisen QB 1st1998 Steve Coppinger OL 2nd1998 Twan Young DB 2nd1998 Sherman Wilderness OL 3rd1999 Tony Miles WR 1st1999 David Purnell K 1st1999 Chad Thompson OL 2nd2000 Tony Miles WR 1st2000 Aaron Becker DL 1st2000 Andy Erpelding OL 1st2000 Brian Williams LB 2nd2001 Seth Wand OL 1st2001 Jamaica Rector WR 3rd2002 Seth Wand OL 1st2003 Jamaica Rector WR 2nd2004 Jamaica Rector WR 1st2005 Dave Tollefson DL 1st2006 Mike Peterson TE 2nd2007 Xavier Omon RB 1st2007 Mike Peterson TE 2nd2007 Reid Kirby OL 3rd2007 Jared Erspamer LB 3rd

2008 Jeremy Davis OL 1st2008 Myles Burnsides DB 1st2008 LaRon Council RB 3rd2009 Brett Grozinger OL 1st2009 Jake Soy WR 2nd2009 Miles Burnsides DB 2nd

AFCA All-Americans1996 Matt Uhde DL 1st1997 Chris Greisen QB 1st1998 Chris Greisen QB 1st1999 Tony Miles KR 1st2000 Tony Miles WR 1st2001 Seth Wand OL 1st2002 Seth Wand OL 1st2003 Jamaica Rector WR 1st2004 Jamaica Rector WR 1st2005 Dave Tollefson DL 1st2006 Mike Peterson TE 1st2007 Xavier Omon RB 1st2008 Jeremy Davis OL 1st2009 Myles Burnsides DB

Daktronics/CoSIDA All-Americans1995 Ezra Whorley DB 2nd1996 Matt Uhde DL 1st1997 Adam Dorrel OL 2nd1997 Twan Young DB 2nd1998 Steve Coppinger OL 1st1998 Aaron Crowe LB 1st1998 Chris Greisen QB 1st

1998 Twan Young DB 1st1998 Aaron Becker DL 2nd1998 Sherman Wilderness OL 2nd1999 Chad Thompson OL 1st1999 David Purnell K 1st2000 Aaron Becker DL 2nd2000 Brian Williams LB 1st2000 Steve Comer TE 2nd2000 Andy Erpelding OL 1st2000 Tony Miles WR 1st2001 Seth Wand OL 2nd2002 Seth Wand OL 2nd2004 Adam Long LB 1st2004 Jamaica Rector WR 1st2004 Brad Schneider OL 2nd2004 Steve Williams DL 2nd2005 Dave Tollefson DL 1st2006 Reid Kirby OL 1st2006 Mike Petersen TE 1st2006 Thomas Smith LB 2nd2007 Xavier Omon RB 1st2007 Reid Kirby OL 1st2007 Jared Erspamer LB 1st2008 Jeremy Davis OL 1st2008 LaRon Council RB 1st2008 Sean Paddock DL 1st2008 Myles Burnsides DB 1st2008 Kendall Wright RS 2nd2009 Jake Soy WR 1st2009 Brett Grozinger OL 1st2009 LaRon Council RB 2nd2009 Myles Burnside DB 2nd

MIAA Player of the Year1974 Randy Baehr DB1998 Chris Greisen QB2000 Tony Miles WR/KR2000 Brian Williams LB2004 Adam Long LB2005 Dave Tollefson DL

2007 Xavier Omon RB2008 Myles Burnsides DB DII Player of the Year2009 LaRon Council RB2010 Ryan Jones DB

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From tailgate parties to game time to tearing down the goalposts following a dramatic win, nothing beats the game day atmosphere at Northwest.

Catch free live entertainment at the Bearcat Zone in College Park next to the stadium prior to each home game. Hit the grills with Northwest fans, get your picture taken with Bobby Bearcat and join the marching band, cheerleaders and dance team in a pep rally prior to each game. The “March to the Stadium” caps the celebration prior to each kickoff.

During the game, listen for the Phi Sigma Kappa cannon shot after each Northwest score and keep count while Bobby Bearcat does pushups. Spend halftime with the Bearcat Marching Band, “The Musical Pride of Northwest.” Celebrate each Bearcat victory down on the field with coaches and players where you can get autographs, take pictures and play on the newly installed FieldTurf.

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Since 1931, the Northwest and Truman football teams have been playing for possession of a 30-inch piece of hickory that serves as the oldest traveling trophy in Division II football.

The history of the Hickory Stick dates back to 1930 when Northwest president Dr. Uel Lamkin sent Truman president Dr. Eugene Fair a piece of wood found on the very farm where Fair was born. The stick had been turned in the woodworking shop at Northwest and the lettering on the stick listed the scores of every football game between the two institutions from 1908 to 1930.

The football game in 1931 was inaugurated as a means of determining who would own the trophy for the following year. After each game, the winner paints the tip of the stick in its school color.

Northwest earned first possession of the Hickory Stick following a 7-0 win in 1931. The Bearcats have held the stick the last eight years and have won 14 of their last 15 games against the Bulldogs. Since 1931, Truman leads the all-time series 42-30-4 (76 games) and has held the trophy in 44 of 80 years (the two teams did not play from 1942 through 1945).

Winner Breakdown

BY POSITION:Lineman 2Kicker/Punter 2Linebacker 3Defensive Back 3

BY CLASS:Freshman 3Sophomore 4

Safety 3Receiver 7Quarterback 9Running Back 9

Junior 12Senior 19

Don Black was a running back for the Bearcat football team from 1951-1953 and helped lead Northwest to a Missouri Intercollegiate Athletics Association title in 1952. In 1972, the Don Black Award was presented for the first time to the most valuable player in the annual homecoming contest. Since 1972, 34 athletes have received the honor.

The Hickory Stick

The Don Black Award

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For more than a decade, Northwest’s student-athletes have had a higher cumulative grade-point average than the rest of the Northwest student body.

Much of that academic success is attributed to Northwest’s nationally-renowned Student-Athlete Success Program (SASP). The goal of the program is to provide an environment in which student-athletes can experience their fullest personal, social and academic growth.

The following is a list of resources available to student-athletes through the SASP:

Student-Athlete Success Program

AdvisingAll academic advising is provided through the individual college and academic departments.

Academic ProgressDuring each trimester, the SASP surveys the professors of each student-athlete three times. In this grade check, the instructors are asked to comment on: the level of work the student is maintaining, the student’s attendance and attentiveness, the need for tutorial help, and any general comments.

MentoringThe SASP provides individualized mentoring sessions for interested student-athletes. The goal is to help students avoid academic-related difficulties and to develop opportunities for improvement of skills, rather than merely avoiding academic crises. It also provides for more individual monitoring of the student’s academic progress.

Supplemental InstructionThe SI program offers extracurricular peer tutoring groups for traditionally tough classes. Study sessions are led by students who have completed and earned high grades in the courses covered by the study group. SI’s provide three regularly-scheduled study review sessions a week.

TutoringFree tutoring is available in the relaxed environment at the Talent Development Center. Students can find a tutor for almost all of the general education courses and every effort will be made to find a tutor for an upper-level (300/400) course if needed. Tutoring sessions incorporate university-level study skills strategies, targeted test-taking advice, and content review of general studies and foundation-level courses in many majors. Tutoring sessions are designed to meet every individual’s needs

Graduation RatesNorthwest Missouri State football players and Northwest student-athletes in general continue to boast higher graduation rates than the national average. Eighty-five percent of Northwest football players graduate within six years. The federal graduation rate is 53 percent. In addition, 87 percent of Northwest student-athletes graduate within six years. All 11 Northwest sports programs graduate student-athletes at a higher percentage than the national average.

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Academic ExcellenceNorthwest Missouri State University football players display their talents on the field and in the classroom. Northwest football boasts three Ken B. Jones Award winners, seven Academic All-Americans and in 2009 featured Myles Burnsides, the National Scholar-Athlete of the year. The Bearcats strive for perfection on the field, but our coaching staff’s top priority is to prepare men for life after football with a college degree.

Ken B Jones Award WinnersThe award is named for the MIAA’s first full-time commissioner, who retired in 1997 after 16 years of service to the conference, and passed away in May 2004 at age 74. Nominees are judged on their athletic and academic accomplishments, along with any campus/community service during each year as well as their career

2001-2002 Tucker Woolsey FB2005-2006 Josh Lamberson QB2009-2010 Myles Burnsides DB

Draddy Award FinalistOften referred to as the “Academic Heisman,” the Draddy Award is given to the nation’s top scholar-athlete and awards a $25,000 postgraduate scholarship.

2003 John Edmonds LB

Division II National Scholar Athlete of the Year2009-2010 Myles Burnsides DB

Academic All-Americans1981 Robert Gregory LB2004 Josh Lamberson QB2004 Troy Tysdahl LB2005 Josh Lamberson QB2008 Myles Burnsides DB2009 Sean Paddock DL2009 Myles Burnsides DB

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Members of the Northwest football team are leaders on the field and in the community. Whether it is helping senior citizens with home improvements, cleaning up local highways or reading stories to elementary students, Maryville counts on its Bearcats and they deliver.

Northwest has participated in a spring clean-up for Maryville community members annually since 1996. The team assisted Hy-Vee in moving products into its new store and can be found moving furniture for offices across campus. Many players donate their time to reading in classrooms to Horace Mann, St. Gregory’s and Eugene Field students. The Bearcats also read to students in Florence, Ala., during the week leading up to their national championship game.

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MIAASCHOOL CITy STATE JOINEDCentral Missouri Warrensburg MO 1912Emporia State Emporia KS 1991Fort Hays Hays KS 2006Missouri Southern Joplin MO 1989Missouri Western St. Joseph MO 1989Nebraska Omaha Omaha NE 2008Northwest Missouri Maryville MO 1912Pittsburg State Pittsburg KS 1989Truman State Kirksville MO 1912Washburn Topeka KS 1989Southwest Baptist Bolivar MO 1986Lincoln Jefferson City MO 2011Lindenwood St. Charles MO 2012Nebraska Kearney Kearney NE 2012Northeastern State Tahlequah OK 2012Central Oklahoma Edmond OK 2012

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