Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl

Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl. It is the annual NCAA Division III national championship game for American football, first contested in 1972. Named in honor of legendary coach Amos Alonzo Stagg, the game determines the champion of Division III and is administered by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The contest is the culminating event of the Division III football playoffs.

History

The game was established in 1972 as part of the creation of Division III as a separate competitive classification from Division II and Division I. The inaugural game was played in Phoenix, Arizona, with the University of California, San Diego defeating Westminster College. For its first two decades, the event was often held on campuses, including at Augustana College and Ithaca College. In 1993, the NCAA moved the game to a neutral-site model, first to Bradenton, Florida, and then in 1995 to Salem, Virginia, where it found a long-term home. The Old Dominion Athletic Conference and the City of Salem served as primary hosts for over two decades, building a significant tradition around the event. In 2017, the championship relocated to Shenandoah, Texas, before returning to Salem, Virginia in 2018. A multi-year agreement later moved the game to Annapolis, Maryland, and Canton, Ohio.

Venues

The early editions of the championship were played at various campus sites, including Wittenberg University and Dayton, Ohio. The move to a consistent neutral site began at Hawkins Stadium in Bradenton, Florida. From 1995 through 2016, the game was held at Salem Stadium in Salem, Virginia, becoming synonymous with that venue. A one-year stint in 2017 took place at Woodforest Bank Stadium in Shenandoah, Texas. After a return to Salem Stadium, the game moved to Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland, home of the United States Naval Academy. The most recent agreements have seen the game played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, a venue adjacent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Results

The most successful program in the history of the championship is the University of Mount Union, which has won numerous titles under coaches like Larry Kehres and Vince Kehres. Their chief rival, the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, has also claimed multiple championships, creating a dominant rivalry in the 2000s and 2010s. Other multiple-time winners include Ithaca College, Augustana College, and Linfield College. Recent champions have included North Central College and the University of Mary Hardin–Baylor. The results are a showcase for programs from conferences like the Ohio Athletic Conference, Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, and American Southwest Conference.

Records and notable games

Mount Union holds records for most appearances and victories, having played in the game over twenty times. The 2003 game between Saint John's and Mount Union is remembered for a dramatic last-second play. The rivalry between Mount Union and Wisconsin–Whitewater produced several classic contests, including consecutive meetings from 2005 to 2011. Individual records for passing yards, rushing yards, and touchdowns are held by players from Wisconsin–La Crosse, Linfield, and Mount Union. The 2018 game, a high-scoring affair won by Mary Hardin–Baylor, set several offensive records.

Trophy

The winning team is awarded a trophy named for Amos Alonzo Stagg. The physical trophy is distinct from the NCAA's national championship trophy awarded in other divisions. The design has evolved over the years but typically features a football atop a base with engraved plaques listing past champions. The presentation of the trophy is made by NCAA officials, often including representatives from the National Collegiate Athletic Association headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana. Teams also receive championship rings commemorating their victory.