NCAA Division III Football Championship


The NCAA Division III Football Championship began in 1973.
The Division III playoffs begin with 32 teams selected to participate in the playoffs. The Division III championship game, known as the Stagg Bowl, will be held at Woodforest Bank Stadium in Shenandoah, Texas in 2018 and 2019. The game had previously been played at Salem Football Stadium in Salem, Virginia, at Hawkins Stadium in Bradenton, Florida, Garrett-Harrison Stadium in Phenix City, Alabama, and at Galbreath Field at the College Football Hall of Fame, when the Hall was located in Kings Island, Ohio.
North Central defeated Wisconsin-Whitewater to win the 2019 season championship.

West and East Regional Championships (1969–1972)

In 1969, the NCAA started two regional championship games for small college teams: the East Regional's Knute Rockne Bowl and the West's Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl. When the NCAA developed a national Division III championship game in 1973, the Stagg Bowl name and the host city of Phenix City, Alabama was chosen.

West Regional championship (Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl)

East Regional championship (Knute Rockne Bowl)

National championship games

§ - note that on October, 10, 2019 the NCAA vacated the 2016 championship due to violations self-reported by UMHB. The action is currently under appeal. If the appeal is unsuccessful there will be no champion declared for the 2016 season.

Most national championships

TeamTitlesWinning Years
Mount Union131993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2015, 2017
Wisconsin–Whitewater62007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014
Augustana 41983, 1984, 1985, 1986
Ithaca31979, 1988, 1991
Mary Hardin-Baylor2§2016§, 2018
Saint John's 21976, 2003
Wisconsin–La Crosse21992, 1995
Dayton21980, 1989
Widener21977, 1981
Wittenberg21973, 1975
North Central 12019
Linfield12004
Pacific Lutheran11999
Albion11994
Allegheny11990
Wagner11987
West Georgia11982
Baldwin-Wallace11978
Central 11974

§ - note that on October, 10, 2019 the NCAA vacated the 2016 championship due to violations self-reported by UMHB. The action is currently under appeal. If the appeal is unsuccessful there will be no champion declared for the 2016 season.

Championship game appearances

TeamAppearancesYears
Mount Union211993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018
Wisconsin–Whitewater102005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2019
Ithaca71974, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1985, 1988, 1991
Augustana 51982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986
Dayton51980, 1981, 1987, 1989, 1991
Rowan51993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999
Mary Hardin-Baylor42004, 2016, 2017, 2018
Wittenberg41973, 1975, 1978, 1979
Central 31974, 1984, 1988
Saint John's 31976, 2001, 2003
Lycoming21990, 1997
St. Thomas 22012, 2015
Washington & Jefferson21992, 1994
Widener21977, 1981
Wisconsin–La Crosse21992, 1995
Union 21983, 1989
Albion11994
Allegheny11990
Baldwin-Wallace11978
Bridgewater 12001
Juniata11973
Linfield12004
North Central 12019
Pacific Lutheran11999
Salisbury State11986
Trinity 12002
Towson State11976
Wabash11977
Wagner11987
West Georgia11982
Wisconsin–Oshkosh12016

Stagg Bowl Most Outstanding Player Award

As voted by the media at the game since 2000.
YearPlayerTeamClassPosition
2000Chuck MooreMount UnionSeniorRB
2001Chuck MooreMount Union5th year SeniorRB
2002Dan PughMount UnionSeniorRB
2003Blake ElliotSaint John'sSeniorWR
2004Riley JenkinsLinfieldSeniorRB
2005Nate KmicMount UnionFreshmanRB
2006Greg MicheliMount UnionSophomoreQB
2007Justin BeaverUW-WhitewaterSeniorRB
2008Greg MicheliMount UnionSeniorQB
2009Levell CoppageUW-WhitewaterSophomoreRB
2010Levell CoppageUW-WhitewaterJuniorRB
2011Loussaint MinettUW-WhitewaterSophomoreDE
2012Kevin BurkeMount UnionSophomoreQB
2013Matt BehrendtUW-WhitewaterJuniorQB
2014Matt BehrendtUW-WhitewaterSeniorQB
2015Taurice ScottMount UnionSeniorQB
2016Blake JacksonMary Hardin-BaylorSeniorQB
2017Nick BrishMount UnionSophomoreDB
2018T.J. JoseyMary Hardin–BaylorSeniorWR
2019Ethan GreenfieldNorth CentralSophomoreRB