Staten Island, NY - The Wagner College football program celebrates 37 years since the Seahawks were crowned Division III National Champions after defeating Dayton, 19-3, in the Stagg Bowl on December 12, 1987.
The football program was led by then 36-year old head coach Walt Hameline in his seventh season at the helm.
The greatest day in the long and illustrious gridiron history of Wagner College occurred in Phenix City, Alabama, when the Seahawks captured the 1987 NCAA Division III National Championship with 19-3 victory over the University of Dayton in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl in Garrett-Harrison Stadium.
The Green & White defeated Rochester (NY) by a score of 38-14 in the first round, Fordham 21-0 in the quarterfinal round, and Emory & Henry by a final of 20-13 in the semifinal round before taking down the Flyers to earn the national title.
The only game the Seahawks lost all season was to Hofstra, by a score of 35-28.
Winners of seven straight games and 12 of 13 heading into the championship, Wagner earned the College's first and only national championship in any sport.
To watch a rerun of the game on NECFrontRow, click here
1987 (13-1-0)
NCAA DIVISION III
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Coach: Walt Hameline
9/5 William Paterson............... 14-0 W
9/12 at Montclair State............. 24-17 W
9/19 at St. John's......................... 30-14 W
9/26 Trenton State...................... 41-13 W
10/3 at SUNY-Buffalo................. 20-0 W
10/10 at Hofstra.......................... 28-35 L
10/24 at U.S.M.M.A..................... 16-14 W
10/31 vs. CW Post ..................... 46-29 W
11/7 at W. Conn. State............... 27-3 W
11/14 Pace....................................... 59-7 W
11/21 Rochester*......................... 38-14 W
11/28 Fordham*............................ 21-0 W
12/5 at Emory & Henry*........ 20-15 W
12/12 Dayton*................................ 19-3 W
* NCAA Playoffs
