Wisconsin–River Falls Falcons football

Wisconsin–River Falls Falcons football
First season1895; 129 years ago (1895)
Athletic directorCrystal Lanning
Head coachMatt Walker
13th season, 52–79 (.397)
StadiumRamer Field
LocationRiver Falls, Wisconsin
NCAA divisionDivision III
ConferenceWisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
All-time record526–419–48 (.554)
Bowl record2–0 (1.000)
Playoff appearances3 (1 NAIA Div. II, 2 NCAA Div. III)
Playoff record1–3 (.250)
Conference titles18
ColorsRed and White
   
Websiteuwrfsports.com

The Wisconsin–River Falls Falcons football program is the intercollegiate American football team for the University of Wisconsin–River Falls located in River Falls, Wisconsin. The team competes at the NCAA Division III level and is a member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC). The school first fielded a football team in 1895. The Falcons wear red, white, and black. Ramer Field, where the Falcon's play their home games, was the host of the Kansas City Chiefs' training camp from 1992 to 2008.

History

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Mike Farley (1970–1988)

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The Falcons were most successful under coach Mike Farley (1970–1988), as he led the Falcons to a 117–71–3 record, with eight conference championships. In 1979 Farley coached the falcons to the NAIA National playoffs, the first time a Falcon football team had ever competed at the national level. Farley was named the WIAC Coach of the Year after the 1986 season. In 1979 and 1986 he was named the American Football Coaches Association Region 6 Coach of the Year, and the NAIA District 14 Coach of the Year in 1975, 1979 and 1985. He coached 91 players to All-WIAC honors, with three Falcons earning WIAC Player of the Year. Farley was inducted into the UWRF Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989, the Wisconsin Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1994, and the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Hall of Fame on August 4, 2012.[1]

John O'Grady (1989–2010)

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John O'Grady is the longest tenured UWRF coach with 22 seasons. He was a linebacker for the Falcons from 1972 to 1975.[2] He previously coached at Kent State University, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Miami University. O'Grady won the conference championship in 1998 and advanced to the NCAA Playoffs twice (1995 and 1996). He had a career record of 105–112–3. O'Grady was named the 1995 WIAC Coach of the Year and was inducted into the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) Hall of Fame on April 5,in 2008.[2]

In 2009 the Falcons finished the season at 3–7 (1–6 in WIAC). In 2010, the Falcons finished the season at 1–9 (1–6 in WIAC).

Matt Walker (2011–present)

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Matt Walker was previously the head football coach at DePauw University (2006–09) where he compiled a 22–8 overall record. His teams finished 13–7 in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference and placed second in the final conference standings in 2007 and 2008. From 2000 to 05 Walker was an assistant coach with DePauw and coached running backs and wide receivers. In 2010, he was an assistant coach at Butler University. Walker was a two-sport athlete (baseball and football) at DePauw (1999). In 2011, the Falcons finished the season at 1–9 (1–6 in WIAC). In 2012, they finished the season 2–8 (2–4 in WIAC) and finished in sixth place.

Head coaching history

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Coach Years Record Conference record Conference Titles Playoff appearances
Warren P. Knowles 1899 5–2–1 N/A N/A N/A
Emmett Lowery 1936–1941 23–15–5 13–11–4 1 N/A
Mike Farley 1970–1988 117–71–3 8 0
John O'Grady 1989–2010 105–112–3 1 2
Matt Walker 2011–present 53–79 33–58 0 0
Total 1895–present 18 2

Championships

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Conference championships

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The Falcons won the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) championship 18 times.[3][4]

Year Coach Overall record WIAC record
1915 Bert Swenson 6–1–1 5–0
1916 6–1–1 5–0
1924 Otto Eggebrecht 7–0 4–0
1925 5–1–1 4–0
1926 Ted Cox 6–0 4–0
1933† Osborne Cowles 4–1–1 2–1–1
1938† Emmett Lowery 6–1 4–0
1947† George Schlaugenhauf 7–1 4–0
1958 Fran Polsfoot 7–2 6–1
1975† Mike Farley 8–2 7–1
1976† 7–3 6–2
1979 9–2 7–1
1980† 8–2 6–2
1984† 8–2 7–1
1985 8–1–1 6–1–1
1986† 8–2 7–1
1987† 7–3 6–2
1998† John O'Grady 7–3 5–2

† Co-champions

Postseason games

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NCAA Division III playoffs

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The Falcons have qualified for the NCAA Division III playoffs two times, and have a 1–2 record.

Year Round Opponent Result Record
1995 Regionals Central (IA) W 10–7 9–3
Quarterfinals Wisconsin–La Crosse L 14–28
1996 Regionals Wisconsin–La Crosse L 0–44 9–2

NAIA Division I playoffs

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The Falcons participated in the NAIA Division I playoffs once, in 1979.

Year Round Opponent Result Record
1979 Quarterfinals Angelo State (TX) L 7–31 9–2

Bowl games

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The Falcons have participated in the Culver's Isthmus Bowl on two occasions, Winning both games.

Year Bowl Coach Opponent Result Record
2021 Isthmus Bowl Matt Walker Washington University W 48–27 9–2
2022 Isthmus Bowl Matt Walker Washington University W 31–24 7–4

Facilities

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From 1991 to 2007 UWRF was host to the Kansas City Chiefs organization. In 2006 the Chiefs won the UWRF outstanding service award for their ties to the community and dedication and respect to the university.

References

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  1. ^ "Send Congratulations to Coach Mike Farley". UWRFsports.com. Retrieved December 24, 2012.
  2. ^ a b "John O'Grady - Head Coach". UWRF.edu. Retrieved December 24, 2012.
  3. ^ "Football Team Champs (PDF) - Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference" (PDF). wiacsports.com. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
  4. ^ "All-Time WIAC Finishes". University of Wisconsin River Falls Athletics. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
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