Lenoir-Rhyne University Athletics

In the history of LR Football, only one team won a National Championship. With that sort of history, the 1960 team was an easy choice as the first-ever Team of Distinction accolade. Legendary Head Coach Clarence Stasavich led the 1960 Bears to a 11-0-1 unbeaten record in his 15^th season at the helm. LR took down Humboldt St. by a final score of 15-14 in the National Championship game and advanced to that contest in controversial fashion. In the semifinal, LR and Northern Michigan tied 20-20. According to NAIA regulations, the criteria for breaking a tie is total yardage. Nearly 6,500 people huddled around the press box right after regulation to await the announcement. After numerous re-totals, a winner was declared: Lenoir-Rhyne. The Bears out-gained Northern Michigan by 25 yards: 294 to 269. In the National Championship, the Bears trailed 14-12 late in the fourth quarter when freshman Marion Kirby kicked what would be the game-winning field goal. Three players from that team earned All-American accolades and Stasavich would be named National Coach of the Year.