1961 Evergreen Conference football season

January 2025 1961 Evergreen Conference football season Football 6 Central Washington Champion Football 1960 1962 The 1961 Evergreen Conference football season was the season of college football played by the six member schools of the Evergreen Conference (EC) as part of the 1961 college football season. The 1961 Central Washington Wildcats football team, led by head coach Adrian L. Beamer, compiled a 7–2 record (6–1 in conference games) and won the Evergreen Conference championship. Junior Phil Fitterer won all-conference honors at both quarterback and safety. The 1961 Whitworth Pirates football team, led by head coach Sam Adams, compiled a 9-1 record (7-1 in conference games) but were ineligible for the championship, having been placed on probation because the track team had allowed an ineligible student to compete in preseason track meets. Whitworth end John Murio led all small college players in scoring (129 points scored) and receiving yards (811). Quarterback Dennis Spurlock led the country (both major and small colleges) with 1,760 yards of total offense and also ranked second nationally with 1,708 passing yards. Western Washington and Central Washington dominated the 1961 Evergreen all-conference team, taking with ten and eight spots, respectively. Conference overview Conf. rankTeamHead coachConf. recordOverall recordPoints scoredPoints against1Central WashingtonAdrian L. Beamer7-26-12231062WhitworthSam Adams9-16-1392593Western WashingtonJim Lounsberry5-44-3931264Puget SoundJohn P. Heinrick5-3-13-3-11151275Pacific LutheranJim Gabrielson2-5-11-5-1732446Eastern WashingtonEd Chissus0-90-720227 Official Collegiate Record Book National Collegiate Athletic Association 1962 65 Teams Central Washington 1961 Central Washington Wildcats football Evergreen Conference Evergreen 7–2 6–1 Adrian L. Beamer 1st Evergreen champion The 1961 Central Washington Wildcats football team represented Central Washington College of Education (now known as Central Washington University) of Ellensburg, Washington. In their first year under head coach Adrian L. Beamer, the team compiled a 7–2 record (6–1 against EC opponents) and won the conference championship. Central Washington players took seven places on the 1961 Evergreen all-conference team: Phil Fitterer (quarterback on offense, safety on defense); Harvey Rath (halfback on offense); Dick Kinart (guard on offense, tackle on defense); Bill Betcher (center on offense, linebacker on defense) y y 1961 small college AP/UPI September 23 Whitman<ncg> Ellensburg, WA W 19-0 Central Blanks Whitman Eleven By 19-0 Score The Bellingham Herald September 24, 1961 14 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bellingham-herald-central-blanks-whi/151227464/ Newspapers.com September 30 Whitworth Ellensburg, WA W 33-14 Pirates Fall to Central in Upset The Spokesman-Review October 1, 1961 Sports 2 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-pirates-fall-to-cen/151166407/ Newspapers.com October 7 Eastern Washington Ellensburg, WA W 35-0 Central Romps Over Eastern The Spokesman-Review October 8, 1961 Sports 1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-central-romps-over/151166993/ Newspapers.com October 14 at Pacific Lutheran Tacoma, WA W 25-7 Redden Paces Central Win Tri-City Herald October 15, 1961 9 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-redden-paces-central-win/151240029/ Newspapers.com October 21 at Western Washington Bellingham, WA W 19-13 Central Moves To First Place Tri-City Herald October 22, 1961 13 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-central-moves-to-first-p/151240089/ Newspapers.com October 28 Puget Sound Ellensburg, WA W 33-21 Central Rally Claims Victory Over Loggers The Bellingham Herald October 29, 1961 8 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bellingham-herald-cental-puget/151239961/ Newspapers.com November 4 Whitworth L 19-21 5,000 Central Rally Short, Late as Whitworth Wins 21-19 The Spokesman-Review Danny May November 5, 1961 Sports 1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-central-rally-short/151167391/ Newspapers.com November 11 at Eastern Washington Cheney, WA W 26-6 Central Washington Downs Eastern, Takes Title Home The Spokesman-Review Danny May November 12, 1961 Sports 1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-central-washington/151167289/ Newspapers.com November 18 at No. 17 Humboldt State<ncg> Redwood Bowl Arcata, CA L 14-34 5,000 'Jacks Whack Wildcats, Host Whitworth Thursday Eureka Humboldt Standard Eureka, California Don Terbush November 20, 1961 16 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/18924624/jacks_whack_wildcats_host_whitworth/ Newspapers.com April 4, 2018 Official Collegiate Football Record Book 1962 National Collegiate Athletic Association 158 Whitworth 1961 Whitworth Pirates football Evergreen Conference Evergreen 9–1 6–1 Sam Adams 4th The 1961 Whitworth Pirates football team represented Whitworth College (now known as Whitworth University) of Spokane, Washington. In their fourth year under head coach Sam Adams, the team compiled a 9–1 record (6–1 against EC opponents), shut out seven of ten opponents, and outscored all opponents by a total of 281 to 59. Two Whitworth players ranked first nationally among small college players in various statistical categories: End John Murio led all small college players in scoring with 129 points (15 touchdowns, 33 extra points, 2 field goals); he was the first end to win the national scoring championship.Whitworth Back Cops Point Title The Olympian December 11, 1961 8 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-olympian-murio/151208409/ Newspapers.comOfficial Collegiate Football Record Book 1962 National Collegiate Athletic Association 82 Murio also led small college players with 811 receiving yards and 13 receiving touchdowns.Official Collegiate Football Record Book 1962 National Collegiate Athletic Association 89 Quarterback Dennis Spurlock led the country (both major and small colleges) with 1,760 yards of total offense. He also ranked second nationally with 1,708 passing yards.Official Collegiate Football Record Book 1962 National Collegiate Athletic Association 88–89 Murio was a second-team selection and Spurlock a third-team pick on the 1961 Little All-America college football team.Two Whitworth Aces Earn AP Grid Honors: Murio, Spurlock 2nd, 3rd Picks Spokane Chronicle December 6, 1961 19 https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-chronicle-two-whitworth-aces-ear/151240517/ Newspapers.com The Pirates were ineligible for the conference championship, because the team had been placed on probation by the Evergreen Conference. Coach Sam Adams, who was also the school's track coach, had allowed an ineligible student to participate in three preseason track meets. The conference therefore ruled that, if Adams remained the coach, Whitworth's track and football teams would be ineligible to compete for the conference championship during the 1961-62 academic year.Whit Officials Pondering Probation by Conference Spokane Chronicle May 27, 1961 8 https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-chronicle-whit-officials-ponderi/151199044/ Newspapers.com y y September 23 Oregon Tech Spokane, WA W 47-0 Owls Run Into Pirate Buzz Saw, Lose 47-0 Herald and News September 24, 1961 1D https://www.newspapers.com/article/herald-and-news-owls-run-into-pirate-buz/151097696/ Newspapers.com September 30 at Central Washington Ellensburg, WA L 14-33 Pirates Fall to Central in Upset The Spokesman-Review October 1, 1961 Sports 2 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-pirates-fall-to-cen/151166407/ Newspapers.com October 7 Pacific Lutheran Memorial Stadium Spokane, WA W 67-0 2,000 Whits Trample Lutes 67-0 The Spokesman-Review October 8, 1961 5 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-whits-trample-lutes/151196665/ Newspapers.com October 14 at Puget Sound Tacoma, WA W 29-7 3,500 Whitworth Races by UPS 29-7 The News Tribune Ed Honeywell October 15, 1961 B12 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-whitworth-races-by-ups/151196967/ Newspapers.com October 21 at Eastern Washington Cheney, WA W 52-0 2,500 Pirates Clip Eastern, 52-0, With Pass Offense, Defense The Spokesman-Review Danny May October 22, 1961 Sports 1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-pirates-clip-easter/151197309/ Newspapers.com October 28 Western Washington<hc> Spokane, WA W 53-0 5,000 Whitworth Splatters Viks in 53-0 Homecoming Romp The Spokesman-Review Danny May October 29, 1961 Sports 1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-whitworth-splatters/151197628/ Newspapers.com November 4 Central Washington W 21-19 5,000 Central Rally Short, Late as Whitworth Wins 21-19 The Spokesman-Review Danny May November 5, 1961 Sports 1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-central-rally-short/151167391/ Newspapers.com November 11 at Pacific Lutheran Lincoln Bowl Tacoma, WA W 45-0 Whitworth Wallops PLU 45-0 The News Tribune Gary Lindgren November 12, 1961 B12 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-whitworth-wallops-plu-4/151197945/ Newspapers.com November 18 1961 Western Montana Bulldogs Western Montana Spokane, WA W 54-0 Spurlock Sets Pass Mark While Whits Win 54 to 0 The Spokesman-Review Danny May November 19, 1961 Sports 1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-spurlock-sets-pass/151198221/ Newspapers.com November 23 Humboldt State Redwood Bowl Arcata, CA W 10-0 3,500 Humboldt State Blanked In 'Mud Bowl' Contest Eureka Humboldt Standard Eureka, California Don Terbush November 24, 1961 15 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/18924834/humboldt_state_blanked_in_mud_bowl/ Newspapers.com April 4, 2018 Official Collegiate Football Record Book 1962 National Collegiate Athletic Association 142 Western Washington 1961 Western Washington Vikings football Evergreen Conference Evergreen 5–4 4–3 Jim Lounsberry 2nd Battersby Field The 1961 Western Washington Vikings football team represented Western Washington State College (now known as Western Washington University) of Bellingham, Washington. In their second year under head coach Jim Lounsberry, the team compiled a 5–4 record (4–3 against EC opponents), was outscored by a total of 126 to 93, and finished in third place in the Evergreen conference. Western Washington took 10 spots on the 1961 All-Evergreen Conference football team: Ron Ladines (fullback on offense and linebacker on defense); Harvey Rath (halfback on offense); Gary Moore (end on offense and defense); Harry Leons (tackle on offense); Matt Kjelstad (guard on defense); Gary Fumano (linebacker); Ken Fry (linebacker); and Doug Ringebach (safety on defense). y y September 23 1961 British Columbia Thunderbirds British Columbia<ncg> Battersby Field Bellingham, WA (Shrine Bowl) W 13-6 Vikings Defeat UBC 13-6 in Home Grid Opener The Bellingham Herald Wallie Lindsley September 24, 1961 1, 14 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bellingham-herald-vikings-defeat-ubc/151202029/ Newspapers.com September 30 Pacific Lutheran Battersby Field Bellingham, WA W 13-7 Viks Notch Win In Conference Opener, 13-7 The Bellingham Herald Wallie Lindsley October 1, 1961 1, 8 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bellingham-herald-viks-notch-win-in/151202459/ Newspapers.com October 7 at Puget Sound Tacoma, WA W 13-0 Vikings Triumph Over UPS 13-0 The Bellingham Herald October 8, 1961 8 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bellingham-herald-vikings-triumph-ov/151240286/ Newspapers.com October 14 Eastern Washington Cheney, WA W 7-0 Ken Fry's 50-Yard Ramble Leads Viks Past Eastern The Spokesman-Review Danny May October 15, 1961 13 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-ken-frys-50-yard-r/151204843/ Newspapers.com October 21 Central Washington Battersby Field Belingham, WA L 13-19 Vikings Bow To Central, 19-13 The Bellingham Herald Wallie Lindsley October 22, 1961 1, 9 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bellingham-herald-vikings-bow-to-cen/151205334/ Newspapers.com October 28 at Whitworth Spokane, WA L 0-53 5,000 Whitworth Splatters Viks in 53-0 Homecoming Romp The Spokesman-Review Danny May October 29, 1961 Sports 1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-whitworth-splatters/151197628/ Newspapers.com November 4 at Pacific Lutheran Tacoma, WA W 21-14 Vik Victory Keeps Up Title Hope The Bellingham Herald November 5, 1961 9 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bellingham-herald-vik-victory-keeps/151205642/ Newspapers.com November 11 Puget Sound<hc> Battersby Field Bellingham, WA L 6-14 4,000 Logger 'Shotgun' Spoils Western Homecoming, 14-6 The Bellingham Herald Wallie Lindsley November 12, 1961 1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bellingham-herald-logger-shotgun-s/151203787/ Newspapers.com November 18 at Portland State<ncg> Portland, OR L 7-13 PSC Upsets Viks, 13-7 Statesman November 19, 1961 11 https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesman-journal-psc-upsets-viks-13-7/151152689/ Newspapers.com Puget Sound 1961 Puget Sound Loggers football Evergreen Conference Evergreen 5–3–1 3–3–1 John P. Heinrick 14th The 1961 Puget Sound Loggers football team represented the University of Puget Sound of Tacoma, Washington. In their 14th year under head coach John P. Heinrick, the team compiled a 5–3–1 record (3–3–1 against EC opponents), was outscored by a total of 127 to 115, and finished in fourth place in the Evergreen conference. Puget Sound players took four spots on the 1961 All-Evergreen football team: Ralph Ferguson at tackle on offense and guard on defense; Gary Daso at halfback on offense; and Cal Christoph at end on defense.All-Evergreen Gridders Named: Four Spots Awarded To UPS Stars The News Tribune November 26, 1961 B4 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-all-evergreen-gridders/151252845/ Newspapers.com y y September 23 Willamette<ncg> Tacoma, WA W 20-19 Loggers Shade Bearcats in Opener 20-19 Statesman Gordon Rice September 24, 1961 12 Newspapers.com September 30 Eastern Washington W 7-0 October 7 Western Washington Tacoma, WA L 0-13 October 14 Whitworth Tacoma, WA L 7-29 3,500 Whitworth Races by UPS 29-7 The News Tribune Ed Honeywell October 15, 1961 B12 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-whitworth-races-by-ups/151196967/ Newspapers.com October 21 Pacific Lutheran T 13-13 October 28 at Central Washington Ellensburg, WA L 21-33 November 4 Eastern Washington W 12-7 November 11 Western Washington Battersby Field Bellingham, WA W 14-6 4,000 Logger 'Shotgun' Spoils Western Homecoming, 14-6 The Bellingham Herald Wallie Lindsley November 12, 1961 1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bellingham-herald-logger-shotgun-s/151203787/ Newspapers.com November 18 Pacific Lutheran Lincoln Bowl Tacoma, WA W 21-7 Official Collegiate Football Record Book 1962 National Collegiate Athletic Association 129 Pacific Lutheran 1961 Pacific Lutheran Lutes football Evergreen Conference Evergreen 2–5–1 1–5–1 Jim Gabrielson 4th Lincoln Bowl The 1961 Pacific Lutheran Lutes football team represented the Pacific Lutheran University of Parkland, Washington. In their fourth year under head coach Jim Gabrielson, the team compiled a 2–5–1 record (1–5–1 against EC opponents), was outscored by a total of 244 to 73, and finished in fifth place in the Evergreen conference. Pacific Lutheran took two spots on the 1961 All-Evergreen Conference football team: Dave Bottemiller at offensive end and Norm Juggert at offensive guard. y y September 23 at Pacific (OR)<ncg> Forest Grove, OR W 12-9 September 30 at Western Washington Battersby Field Bellingham, WA L 7-13 October 7 Whitworth Memorial Stadium Spokane, WA L 0-67 2,000 October 14 Central Washington Tacoma, WA L 7-25 October 21 Puget Sound T 13-13 October 28 Eastern Washington W 13-0 November 4 Western Washington L 14-21 November 11 Whitworth Lincoln Bowl Tacoma, WA L 0-45 November 18 Puget Sound Lincoln Bowl Tacoma, WA L 7-21 Official Collegiate Football Record Book 1962 National Collegiate Athletic Association 127 Eastern Washington 1961 Eastern Washington Savages football Evergreen Conference Evergreen 0–9 0–7 Ed Chissus 2nd Woodward Field The 1961 Eastern Washington Savages football team represented Eastern Washington State College (now known as Eastern Washington University) of Cheney, Washington. In their second year under head coach Ed Chissus, the team compiled a 0–9 record (0–7 against EC opponents), was outscored by a total of 227 to 20, and finished in last place in the Evergreen conference. Eastern Washington took two spots on the 1961 All-Evergreen Conference football team: Paul Lerch at defensive end and Harley Allen at defensive tackle. y y September 23 at Humboldt State Redwood Bowl Arcata, CA L 0-53 5,500 Humboldt State Batters Eastern Washington, 53-0 Eureka Humboldt Standard Eureka, California Don Terbush September 25, 1961 17 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/18923885/humboldt_state_batters_eastern/ Newspapers.com April 4, 2018 September 30 Puget Sound Woodward Field Cheney, WA L 0-7 October 7 Central Washington Ellensburg, WA L 0-35 October 14 Western Washington Woodward Field Cheney, WA L 0-7 Ken Fry's 50-Yard Ramble Leads Viks Past Eastern The Spokesman-Review Danny May October 15, 1961 13 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-ken-frys-50-yard-r/151204843/ Newspapers.com October 21 Whitworth Woodward Field Cheney, WA L 0-52 2,500 October 28 Pacific Lutheran Woodward Field Cheney, WA L 0-13 November 4 at Puget Sound Tacoma, WA L 7-12 November 11 Central Washington Woodward, WA Cheney, WA L 6-26 November 18 College of Idaho<ncg> Woodward Field Cheney, WA L 7-22 2024 Eastern Washington Football Record Book https://goeags.com/documents/2024/8/27/2024_Football_Media_Guide.pdf Eastern Washington University Athletic Department 66 February 1, 2025 All-conference selections At the end of the season, the conference coaches voted on an all-conference team. Whitworth players were not considered because the school was on probation.Central Washington Leads All-Evergreen Grid Team The Spokesman-Review November 26, 1961 25 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-central-washington/151251047/ Newspapers.com The all-conference selections were as follows: Offense Quarterback - Phil Fitterer, Central Washington, junior Fullback - Ron Ladines, Western Washington, senior Halfback - Harvey Rath, Central Washington, junior; Ken Fry, Western Washington, junior; Gary Dasso, Puget Sound, junior Ends - Dave Bottemiller, Pacific Luthern, senior; Gary Moore, Western Washington, junior Tackles - Harry Leons, Western Washington, senior; Ralph Ferguson, Puget Sound, senior Guards - Norm Juggert, Pacific Lutheran, junior; Dick Kinart, Central Washington, junior Center - Bill Betcher, Central Washington, senior Defense Ends - Cal Christoph, Puget Sound, junior; Gary Moore, Western Washington, junior (tie); Paul Lerch, Eastern Washington, senior (tie) Tackles - Harley Allen, Eastern, senior; Dick Kinart, Central Washington, junior Guard - Ralph Ferguson, Puget Sound, senior; Matt Kjelstad, Western Washington, junior Linebackers - Gary Fumano, Western Washington, junior; Bill Betcher, Central Washington, senior; Ron Ladines, Western Washington, senior; Ken Fry, Western Washington, senior Safety - Phil Fitterer, Central Washington, junior (tie); Doug Ringebach, Western Washington (tie) References