A History of North Park Vikings Football
The North Park Vikings football program represents North Park University in college football at the NCAA Division III level. As members of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW), the Vikings have a storied history, from their humble beginnings in the late 19th century to their recent successes. The "1-0" and "RightWay" principles have been embraced by newcomers, passed down by veteran leadership on the Blue & Gold.
Early Years and Formation
North Park University, originally known as North Park Junior College, first established its football team in 1899. Their inaugural game took place on October 21st against North Division High School (now Lincoln Park High School).
Conference Membership
The Vikings have been a part of the CCIW since 1962, when it was known as the College Conference of Illinois.
Home Field Advantage
The Vikings play their home games at the Holmgren Athletic Complex in North Park, Chicago.
Coaching Staff
The team's head coach is Kyle Rooker, a College of Wooster graduate and linebacker from 1997-2000.
Read also: North Carolina Basketball Greats
Recent Highlights and Achievements
North Park Football won 10 games from 2016 through 2022.
Record-Breaking Performances
Matt Eck started at quarterback in each of the last four seasons and established new career and single season records for North Park in 2024. He is now responsible for the most Viking touchdowns with 77 over the course of his career, breaking TD Conway's previous record of 63. His 71 passing touchdowns, including a single season record of 26 this year, are also new program bests.
All-Conference Recognition
The all-conference wide receiver duo of Jereme Ombogo and Wesley McCloud both had a pair of receiving touchdowns and more than 100 receiving yards each in the Vikings' season opener on Sept. 7 against Ripon, becoming the first pair of receivers in the CCIW to do that since the 2016 season. Ombogo's 13 receiving TDs this season are good for second-all time and his 80-yard catch from Eck in a win over Illinois Wesleyan is the fifth-longest passing play for NPU Football. Additionally, kicker Michael Messersmith III holds program records for most extra points made (87) and points (114) over the course of his four-year career and Joshua De Luca became the first North Park offensive lineman named to the All-CCIW team since George Tafua, Jr. For the Vikings' defense, linebacker Jaydin Miller leaves behind a legacy as the only North Park player to earn D3football.com National Team of the Week honors twice in a season. Multi-positional talent Juan Nieves became just the second player in North Park history to earn All-CCIW accolades in each of his four seasons, alongside Viking Hall of Fame Gary Cassady. North Park Football had three defensive players on the 2024 All-CCIW list (Ben Butler, Egan Bender, and Jaydin Miller) as the Vikings eight picks established a new high.
A 4-1 start to the season put the Vikings in a position to think about playing beyond the regular season.
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Read also: Academic Pathways at UNC
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