A Legacy on the Gridiron: The History of Nebraska Wesleyan University Football

Introduction

The Nebraska Wesleyan University Prairie Wolves football team has a rich and storied history, representing the university in college football at the NCAA Division III level. As members of the American Rivers Conference (ARC), formerly known as the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC), the Prairie Wolves have been a consistent presence in the conference since 2016. From their early days as the Coyotes to their current identity, the team has a long tradition.

Early Years and Nickname Evolution

In the early 1900s, Nebraska Wesleyan's athletic teams were known as the Coyotes. In 1933, the university changed its nickname to the Plainsmen. However, in 2000, the university adopted its current mascot, the Prairie Wolves.

Conference Championships and Notable Seasons

Nebraska Wesleyan claims 22 conference titles, with the most recent championship coming in 2000.

Coaching History

The Nebraska Wesleyan football program has been guided by a number of dedicated head coaches throughout its history. Some of the notable coaches include:

William G.
William A.
Ray B.
Clarence L.
John D.
John E.
Harold G.
Glenn A.
George M.
Dwight P.
Roy B.

Brian Keller is the current head football coach and will be entering his 29th season in 2024.

O. N. Magee Memorial Stadium

The 1967 NWU football team takes a team photo in front of O. N. Magee Memorial Stadium.

Raymond Westover and Harold Chaffee Era

1967 was the ninth and final season for head coach Raymond Westover. His assistant coach, Harold Chaffee, took over the head coaching position the following year. Chaffee coached 118 games for Nebraska Wesleyan between 1969 and 1981.

Conference Affiliations

The Prairie Wolves have been members of the American Rivers Conference (ARC) since 2016. Prior to that, they competed in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 1969-70 to 2015-16. Nebraska Wesleyan also held dual affiliation membership with the NAIA and the NCAA from 1982 to 2016, competing as an NCAA D-III Independent.

Nebraska Wesleyan University: An Overview

Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU) is a private Methodist-affiliated university in Lincoln, Nebraska, founded in 1887 by Nebraska Methodists. As of 2017, it had approximately 2,100 students, including 1,500 full-time students and 300 faculty and staff. The university's campus is located in Lincoln, Nebraska. Its first and oldest building, built in 1888, is commonly referred to as Old Main. As of 2025, the university has 1,500 students enrolled and includes 43 undergraduate fields of study.

Athletics at Nebraska Wesleyan

The Nebraska Wesleyan athletic teams are called the Prairie Wolves. The university competes in 21 intercollegiate varsity sports. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis, track & field, and wrestling. Women's sports include basketball, cheerleading, cross country, dance, golf, soccer, swimming, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball. The men's golf team won the 2006 NCAA Division III National Championship, its first in men's golf. The Prairie Wolves won by 10 strokes over the University of Redlands.

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