1956 Lenoir Rhyne Bears football team

American college football season February 2026 July 2024 1956 Lenoir Rhyne Bears football North State Conference NSC 10–0 6–0 Clarence Stasavich 11th College Field NSC champion The 1956 Lenoir Rhyne Bears football team was an American football team that represented Lenoir Rhyne College (now known as Lenoir–Rhyne University) as a member of the North State Conference (NSC) during the 1956 NAIA football season. In their 11th season under head coach Clarence Stasavich, the team compiled a 10–0 record (6–0 against conference opponents), won the NSC championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 380 to 70. North State Title Rests With Lenoir Rhyne Again https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57838638/the-news-and-observer/ The News & Observer Raleigh, North Carolina Associated Press November 26, 1956 14 August 22, 2020 Newspapers.com 1956 remains the only perfect season in the history of the Lenoir–Rhyne Bears football program.Lenoir-Rhyne Football Record Book 1 https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sidearm.nextgen.sites/lenoirrhyne.sidearmsports.com/documents/2023/9/21/NewFBRecordBook22.pdf The Bears also had undefeated seasons in 1955 and 1960 in which their record was marred only by a single tie game. Fullback Harold Bullard led the team with 1,075 rushing yards and 96 points scored.Harold Bullard's Big Day Makes Big Goals Certain Greensboro Daily News Moses Crutchfield November 27, 1956 II-3 https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-record-harold-bullards-big-day/143163828/ Newspapers.comRecord Book, pp. 5-7. Quarterback Dean Cline led the team in passing with 344 passing yards.Record Book, p. 10. Guard Arden Ray was selected as a second-team player on the 1956 Little All-America college football team.Lenoir Rhyne's Arden Ray On Second Little All-A.A. Greensboro Daily News December 8, 1956 IV-3 https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-record-lenoir-rhynes-arden-ray/143162541/ Newspapers.com Eight Lenoir Rhyne players were selected as first-team players on one or more of the All-NSC football teams: halfback Walter Cornwell; fullback Harold Bullard; quarterback Dean Cline; end Hume Collins; guard Arden Ray; center Allan LaTorre; and tackles Bill Dameron and Leveo Sperotto. Cornwell and Ray were unanimous picks.Lenoir Rhyne's Champs Lead All North-State Greensboro Daily News November 25, 1956 Sports 10 https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-record-lenoir-rhynes-champs-le/143160900/ Newspapers.comChamp Lenoir Rhyne Places 7 on All-Star Team Journal and Sentinel November 25, 1956 5B https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-champ-lenoir-rhyne/143162023/ Newspapers.com The 1956 season was part of an eight-year run from 1955 to 1962 under Stasavich and his successor, Hanley Painter, during which Lenoir Rhyne compiled a 76–6–4 record and won eight consecutive NSC championships and an NAIA national title in 1960. The team played home games at College Field in Hickory, North Carolina. Schedule y y September 15 1956 Apprentice Builders Apprentice<ncg> College Field Hickory, NC W 67-0 Bob Miller Scores 4 TD's As LR Tips Navy Lads, 67-0 Hickory Daily Record Tom Einstein Jr. September 17, 1956 6 https://www.newspapers.com/article/hickory-daily-record-bob-miller-scores-4/143158989/ Newspapers.com September 22 at 1956 Wofford Terriers Wofford<ncg> Spartanburg, SC W 13-7 Lenoir-Rhyne Beats Wofford The Times and Democrat September 23, 1956 5 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-and-democrat-lenoir-rhyne-beat/143159970/ Newspapers.com September 29 at 1956 Newberry Indians Newberry<ncg> Newberry, SC W 35-25 3,000 Lenoir Rhyne Squad Rolls Over Newberry, 35-25 Hickory Daily Record October 1, 1956 8 https://www.newspapers.com/article/hickory-daily-record-lenoir-rhyne-squad/143156600/ Newspapers.com October 6 Appalachian State College Field Hickory, NC W 32-0 Harold Bullard Leads Bears to 32-0 Win Over Apps Hickory Daily Record Tom Einstein Jr. October 8, 1956 8 https://www.newspapers.com/article/hickory-daily-record-harold-bullard-lead/143155932/ Newspapers.comhttps://www.newspapers.com/clip/90370010/lenoir-rhyne-blisters-app-eleven-320/ The Charlotte Observer Lenoir Rhyne blisters App eleven, 32–0 October 7, 1956 December 10, 2021 Newspapers.com October 13 at 1956 Guilford Quakers Guilford Guilford, NC W 61-7 Lenoir Rhyne Blasts Hapless Quakers, 61-7 Journal and Sentinel Mary Garber October 14, 1956 5B https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-lenoir-rhyne-blast/143155160/ Newspapers.com October 20 1956 Western Carolina Catamounts Western Carolina College Field Hickory, NC W 35-0 4,000 Lenoir Rhyne Claims Top Rung In North States Race Hickory Daily Record Tom Einstein Jr. October 22, 1956 8 https://www.newspapers.com/article/hickory-daily-record-lenoir-rhyne-claims/143151422/ Newspapers.com October 27 1956 Emory and Henry Wasps Emory and Henry<ncg><hc> College Field Hickory, NC W 25-6 8,000 Cornwell, Bullard Pace LR To 25-6 Win Over Wasps Hickory Daily Record Tom Einstein Jr. October 29, 1956 8 https://www.newspapers.com/article/hickory-daily-record-cornwell-bullard-p/143150822/ Newspapers.com November 3 East Carolina College Field Hickory, NC W 57-12 4,100 Bullard Leads Bears To 57-12 Win Over ECC Squad: Big Fullback Scores 4 TD's in League Win Hickory Daily Record Tom Einstein Jr. November 5, 1956 10 https://www.newspapers.com/article/hickory-daily-record-bullard-leads-bears/143150382/ Newspapers.comhttps://www.newspapers.com/clip/72786818/lenoir-rhyne-wins-5712-against-ecc/ The News and Observer Lenoir Rhyne wins, 57–12, against ECC November 4, 1956 March 6, 2021 Newspapers.com November 10 at 1956 Elon Fightin' Christians Elon Memorial Stadium Burlington, NC W 27-13 5,000 Bullard Leads Lenoir Rhyne To 27 To 13 Win: Bear Back Gains 149 Yards, Scores Twice Burlington Daily Times-News Bill Hunter November 12, 1956 8 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-times-news-bullard-leads-lenoi/143149514/ Newspapers.com November 22 at 1956 Catawba Indians Catawba Shuford Field Salisbury, NC W 28-0 7,000 Bullard Leads Bears To 28-0 Victory Over Indians: Unbeaten Lenoir Rhyne Takes 2nd Straight NS Grid Crown Salisbury Evening Post Horace Billings November 23, 1956 6 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salisbury-post-bullard-leads-bears-t/143148988/ Newspapers.com 1956 Football Schedule https://lrbears.com/sports/football/schedule/1956 Lenoir-Rhyne University Athletics March 11, 2024 Lenoir–Rhyne Football Record Book https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sidearm.nextgen.sites/lenoirrhyne.sidearmsports.com/documents/2023/9/21/NewFBRecordBook22.pdf Lenoir-Rhyne University Athletics 17 March 11, 2024 References Lenoir Rhyne Category:Lenoir–Rhyne Bears football seasons Category:Carolinas Conference football champion seasons Category:College football undefeated seasons Lenoir-Rhyne Bears football