A Legacy Forged on the Field: A History of Cal Lutheran University Football
The Cal Lutheran Kingsmen football team has represented California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California, since its inception, competing in NCAA Division III college football. From humble beginnings in the early 1960s to a National Championship victory and a reputation as a "Cradle of Coaches," the Kingsmen have carved out a distinctive place in college football history.
The Genesis of a Team
The seeds of Cal Lutheran football were sown in 1962 when Luther Schwich envisioned the school's first football team. That year also marked the selection of the team's moniker, "Kingsmen," a compromise between "Condors" and "Shepherds." Schwich entrusted the task of building the program to a talented recruiter named Shoup, who had previously achieved success at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and North High School in Torrance.
Shoup's initial responsibilities were multifaceted: assembling a team, recruiting players, creating a schedule, and securing suitable facilities. In the early days, home games were played at Camarillo High School field. The team's first victory came soon after, a 20-12 triumph over Los Angeles-Pacific. In 1963, Kingsmen football found a permanent home at Mount Clef field, a campus field prepared for the Dallas Cowboys' summer camp after a brief period at Thousand Oaks High School.
The Rise to Prominence
The mid-1960s witnessed the emergence of a Kingsmen dynasty. A winning streak commenced in 1965, resulting in an impressive 8-1 record, which was called "Year of the Champions". This success continued into 1966 with an 8-2 record and the moniker "Year of the Victors," and again in 1967 with a 7-2 record and the title "Year of the Conquerors."
Individual accolades further highlighted the team's growing prestige. In 1968, punter Gary Loyd earned NAIA All-America honors, and the college made its debut in the national rankings, securing the 9th position. Robbie Robinson's seventeen field goals in 1969 ("Year of the Warriors") set an NAIA record, propelling the team to 7th place in the rankings.
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The Crowning Achievement: The 1971 National Championship
After an 8-1 season in 1970, the team entered what would be its greatest season to date in 1971, when they won the NAIA Division II National Championship, defeating Montana Tech and Westminster College in the playoffs. The victory was celebrated with a college celebration held in conjunction with the Dallas Cowboys, who had won Super Bowl VI in January 1972. Shoup was recognized for his leadership, earning NAIA Coach of the Year and Lutheran Coach of the Year honors.
The championship victory propelled several players into professional football careers. Brian Kelley was drafted by the New York Giants, and Sam Cvijanovich played in the Canadian Football League. Mike Sheppard, another key player in the championship game, went on to play for various NFL teams and later became the head coach at California State University Long Beach.
Sustained Success and Conference Championships
The Kingsmen continued to experience success in the years following their national championship, making three appearances in the NAIA playoffs in 1975, 1977, and 1982. In 1987, three players signed free-agent contracts with NFL teams, demonstrating the program's continued ability to produce talented players.
The team's reach extended internationally in 1995, with three players from Sweden joining the Kingsmen football program: tailback Fredrik Nanhed, wide receiver John Tynell, and defensive back Mattias Wikstrom. As a SCIAC member, the Kingsmen have consistently contended for conference titles, winning the championship in 1997, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012.
The "Cradle of Coaches"
Cal Lutheran football has earned the moniker "West Coast’s Cradle of Coaches," a testament to the significant number of its former players who have gone on to coaching careers. It is estimated that nearly one in four of coach Bob Shoup’s players would eventually coach at some level. Prominent names like Tom Herman, Rod Marinelli, Eric Rogers, Cory Undlin, Phil Frye, Pete Alamar, Scott Squires, and Dave Aranda highlight the program's impact on the coaching landscape.
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Notable Players
Beyond those already mentioned, several other Kingsmen have left their mark on the sport. Hank Bauer retired from the San Diego Chargers in 1982, and Jerry Palmquist played for the Denver Broncos. Gary Loyd was drafted by the New Orleans Saints, William “Robbie” Robinson by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Gary Hamm by the Toronto Argonauts, Charlie McShane by the Seattle Seahawks, and Russ Jensen by the Los Angeles Express.
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