Press Release

April 25, 2007

Northwest Leads Division II in Football and Men's Basketball Playoff Appearances in Past 10 Seasons

MARYVILLE - Two national football titles and a pair of Elite Eight men's basketball appearances has contributed to Northwest Missouri State as the only NCAA Division II institution that has sent both sports to the most NCAA playoff appearances in the last 10 years. These two programs boast an appearance in eight of the past 10 seasons. The Bearcats advanced to the football playoffs in 1997-2000, 2002 and 2004-06, while the men's basketball team made playoff appearances in 1998, 2000-04 and 2006-07.

"These are two outstanding programs that have traditionally done well here because of fine coaches and fine student-athletes," said athletic director Dr. Bob Boerigter. "We're pleased that both teams have continued to the NCAA postseason tournament on a consistent basis. The fact that we've been able to do it in one sport is remarkable, but to be able to do that in two sports is even more remarkable."

Only one other Division II school has sent both football and basketball teams five times in the past 10 years. Catawba (N.C.) College has sent its men's basketball teams to the NCAA Division II postseason six times and its football squad five times. A complete list of football-playing schools that have qualified for the NCAA Division II postseason five times in either sport in the past 10 years is below.

Five or more men's basketball playoff appearances
Northwest Missouri State - 8 MBB, 8 FB
Nebraska-Kearney - 8 MBB, 2 FB
Henderson (Ark.) State - 7 MBB, 0 FB
Kentucky Wesleyan - 7 MBB, 0 FB
Virginia Union - 7 MBB, 0 FB
Catawba (N.C.) - 6 MBB, 5 FB
Delta (Miss.) State - 6 MBB, 3 FB
West Texas A&M - 6 MBB, 2 FB
Gannon (Pa.) - 6 MBB, 0 FB
Wingate (N.C.) - 6 MBB, 0 FB
Humboldt (Calif.) State - 5 MBB, 1 FB
St. Cloud (Minn.) State - 5 MBB, 1 FB
Washburn (Kan.) - 5 MBB, 1 FB
California (Pa.) - 5 MBB, 0 FB
Findlay (Ohio) - 5 MBB, 0 FB

Five or more football playoff appearances
Northwest Missouri State - 8 FB, 8 MBB
Pittsburg (Kan.) State - 7 FB, 4 MBB
Grand Valley (Mich.) State - 7 FB, 3 MBB
California-Davis - 6 FB, 3 MBB
Carson-Newman (Tenn.) - 6 FB, 1 MBB
Texas A&M-Kingsville - 6 FB, 1 MBB
Valdosta (Ga.) State - 6 FB, 1 MBB
Catawba (N.C.) - 5 FB, 6 MBB
Indiana (Pa.) - 5 FB, 3 MBB
Nebraska-Omaha - 5 FB, 3 MBB
Saginaw Valley (Mich.) State - 5 FB, 0 MBB