The Legacy of Whitworth University Football

Whitworth University's football program boasts a rich history, deeply intertwined with the institution's growth and commitment to athletic excellence. From its early days in Spokane to its consistent success in the Northwest Conference, Whitworth football has left an indelible mark on the university and the surrounding community.

Early Years and the Pine Bowl

Since Whitworth's relocation to Spokane in 1914, the football field has been situated in its present location, now known as the Pine Bowl. The Pine Bowl, nestled in the southwest corner of the Whitworth campus, serves as the home for the track and field and football teams, and, since 2019, Whitworth's women's lacrosse team. Majestic pine trees surround the Pine Bowl, reflecting the beauty of the inland Northwest. The Pine Bowl provides visitors with scenic views and a family-friendly atmosphere. Records are incomplete, but the Pirates achieved an undefeated season in 1916. It is believed to be the oldest continuously used football field in Spokane.

Evolution and Achievements

Over the years, Whitworth football teams have competed at the NAIA level and Division III of the NCAA. Whitworth has secured multiple conference championships and produced numerous All-Americans, as well as a select few players who have advanced to the professional level.

The Pine Bowl: A Modern Facility

Major renovations over the last fifty years have continued to improve the field, with the most recent one coming in 2017 when the traditional grass surface was replaced with FieldTurf. A second renovation is planned for the future with an updated press box and viewing area, as well as new restrooms.

A Commitment to Athletics

The new renovations serve as an example of the dedication the university has given to athletics and their student-athletes. Whitworth has been the most successful athletic department in all of the Northwest Conference since the turn of the century. Whitworth has won the past eleven Northwest Conference McIlroy-Lewis All-Sports Trophies, further proving the university's dedication to athletics.

Read also: Whitworth Career Guide

Northwest Conference Dominance

To go along with the All-Sports trophy, Whitworth's Track and Field team has won the past six NWC championships, with head coach Toby Schwarz winning the past six Coach of the Year awards.

2026 NCAA Division III Standings

The following are the 2026 NCAA Division III Standings for various conferences:

American Rivers Conference

Wartburg College: 8-0 (Conference), 10-1 (Overall)
Coe College: 7-1 (Conference), 9-3 (Overall)
Central College: 6-2 (Conference), 8-2 (Overall)
Simpson College (IA): 5-3 (Conference), 6-4 (Overall)
Dubuque: 4-4 (Conference), 4-6 (Overall)
Loras College: 3-5 (Conference), 3-7 (Overall)
Buena Vista: 2-6 (Conference), 3-7 (Overall)
Nebraska Wesleyan: 1-7 (Conference), 1-9 (Overall)
Luther: 0-8 (Conference), 0-10 (Overall)

American Southwest Conference

Hardin-Simmons: 5-1 (Conference), 9-1 (Overall)
Mary Hardin-Baylor: 5-1 (Conference), 7-3 (Overall)
Howard Payne: 2-4 (Conference), 4-6 (Overall)
East Texas Baptist: 0-6 (Conference), 4-6 (Overall)

CCIW

North Central College: 9-0 (Conference), 14-1 (Overall)
Wheaton: 8-1 (Conference), 11-3 (Overall)
Washington University-St. Louis: 7-2 (Conference), 8-3 (Overall)
Augustana (IL): 6-3 (Conference), 7-3 (Overall)
Carroll (WI): 4-5 (Conference), 4-6 (Overall)
Illinois Wesleyan: 4-5 (Conference), 4-6 (Overall)
Carthage: 3-6 (Conference), 4-6 (Overall)
Millikin: 2-7 (Conference), 3-7 (Overall)
North Park: 2-7 (Conference), 3-7 (Overall)
Elmhurst: 0-9 (Conference), 1-9 (Overall)

Centennial Conference

Franklin & Marshall: 7-0 (Conference), 9-2 (Overall)
Johns Hopkins University: 6-1 (Conference), 12-2 (Overall)
Muhlenberg: 5-2 (Conference), 9-3 (Overall)
Ursinus: 3-4 (Conference), 7-4 (Overall)
Carnegie Mellon: 3-4 (Conference), 6-5 (Overall)
Dickinson (PA): 3-4 (Conference), 5-6 (Overall)
Gettysburg: 1-6 (Conference), 1-9 (Overall)
McDaniel College: 0-7 (Conference), 1-9 (Overall)

Conference of New England

Endicott College: 7-0 (Conference), 9-2 (Overall)
Curry College: 6-1 (Conference), 8-3 (Overall)
University of New England: 5-2 (Conference), 8-2 (Overall)
Western New England: 4-3 (Conference), 6-4 (Overall)
Husson: 3-4 (Conference), 4-6 (Overall)
Nichols College: 2-5 (Conference), 2-8 (Overall)
New England College: 1-6 (Conference), 1-9 (Overall)
Maine Maritime: 0-7 (Conference), 0-10 (Overall)

Empire 8

Cortland: 7-0 (Conference), 8-3 (Overall)
Utica: 6-1 (Conference), 8-3 (Overall)
St. John Fisher University: 5-2 (Conference), 7-4 (Overall)
Brockport: 4-3 (Conference), 7-4 (Overall)
Alfred State College: 3-4 (Conference), 5-5 (Overall)
Alfred: 2-5 (Conference), 4-6 (Overall)
Hartwick: 1-6 (Conference), 4-6 (Overall)
SUNY Morrisville: 0-7 (Conference), 0-10 (Overall)

Heartland Conference

Hanover: 6-0 (Conference), 9-2 (Overall)
Mount St. Joseph: 5-1 (Conference), 6-5 (Overall)
Franklin: 3-3 (Conference), 5-5 (Overall)
Bluffton: 3-3 (Conference), 5-5 (Overall)
Rose-Hulman: 3-3 (Conference), 3-7 (Overall)
Anderson (IN): 1-5 (Conference), 2-8 (Overall)
Manchester: 0-6 (Conference), 0-10 (Overall)

Independent DIII

Keystone: 0-0 (Conference), 1-1 (Overall)

Landmark Conference

Susquehanna: 6-0 (Conference), 11-3 (Overall)
Lycoming: 5-1 (Conference), 5-6 (Overall)
Wilkes University: 4-2 (Conference), 7-4 (Overall)
Western Connecticut State: 2-4 (Conference), 5-5 (Overall)
Catholic: 2-4 (Conference), 3-7 (Overall)
Moravian: 2-4 (Conference), 2-8 (Overall)
Juniata: 0-6 (Conference), 2-8 (Overall)

Liberty League

Union (NY): 7-0 (Conference), 8-3 (Overall)
Ithaca: 6-1 (Conference), 8-2 (Overall)
Rensselaer: 5-2 (Conference), 8-3 (Overall)
Hobart College: 4-3 (Conference), 6-5 (Overall)
St. Lawrence: 3-4 (Conference), 4-6 (Overall)
University of Rochester (NY): 2-5 (Conference), 5-5 (Overall)
Buffalo State: 1-6 (Conference), 1-9 (Overall)
Hilbert College: 0-7 (Conference), 0-10 (Overall)

Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference

Plymouth State: 7-2 (Conference), 8-2 (Overall)
Anna Maria College: 7-2 (Conference), 7-3 (Overall)
Framingham State: 7-2 (Conference), 7-4 (Overall)
UMASS Dartmouth: 6-3 (Conference), 6-4 (Overall)
Mass Maritime: 5-4 (Conference), 5-5 (Overall)
Bridgewater State: 5-4 (Conference), 5-5 (Overall)
Westfield State: 3-6 (Conference), 3-7 (Overall)
Worcester State College: 3-6 (Conference), 3-7 (Overall)
Fitchburg State: 2-7 (Conference), 3-7 (Overall)
Dean College: 0-9 (Conference), 0-10 (Overall)

Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA)

Alma College: 7-0 (Conference), 8-2 (Overall)
Hope: 6-1 (Conference), 9-1 (Overall)
Adrian: 5-2 (Conference), 8-2 (Overall)
Calvin University: 4-3 (Conference), 7-3 (Overall)
Trine University: 3-4 (Conference), 5-5 (Overall)
Kalamazoo: 1-6 (Conference), 4-6 (Overall)
Albion: 1-6 (Conference), 3-7 (Overall)
Olivet College: 1-6 (Conference), 1-9 (Overall)

Middle Atlantic Conference

Eastern University: 8-1 (Conference), 10-2 (Overall)
Delaware Valley: 7-2 (Conference), 8-3 (Overall)
Misericordia: 7-2 (Conference), 7-4 (Overall)
Lebanon Valley: 6-3 (Conference), 6-5 (Overall)
King's College (PA): 5-4 (Conference), 5-5 (Overall)
Stevenson: 5-4 (Conference), 6-4 (Overall)
Albright: 3-6 (Conference), 4-6 (Overall)
Widener: 3-6 (Conference), 4-6 (Overall)
FDU-Florham: 1-8 (Conference), 1-9 (Overall)
Alvernia: 0-9 (Conference), 0-10 (Overall)

Midwest Conference

Monmouth (IL): 9-0 (Conference), 9-1 (Overall)
Illinois College: 7-2 (Conference), 8-3 (Overall)
Lake Forest: 7-2 (Conference), 7-3 (Overall)
Chicago: 7-2 (Conference), 7-3 (Overall)
Ripon: 5-4 (Conference), 5-5 (Overall)
Cornell College (IA): 4-5 (Conference), 4-6 (Overall)
Knox College: 2-6 (Conference), 2-7 (Overall)
Grinnell: 2-7 (Conference), 2-8 (Overall)
Beloit College: 1-8 (Conference), 1-9 (Overall)
Lawrence University: 0-8 (Conference), 0-9 (Overall)

Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC)

Bethel (MN): 9-0 (Conference), 12-1 (Overall)
Saint John's (MN): 8-1 (Conference), 10-2 (Overall)
Concordia-Moorhead: 6-3 (Conference), 7-3 (Overall)
Carleton College: 6-3 (Conference), 6-4 (Overall)
Gustavus Adolphus: 5-4 (Conference), 5-5 (Overall)
Augsburg: 4-5 (Conference), 4-6 (Overall)
St. Olaf: 3-6 (Conference), 4-6 (Overall)
St. Scholastica: 2-7 (Conference), 3-7 (Overall)
Macalester: 2-7 (Conference), 3-7 (Overall)
Hamline: 0-9 (Conference), 1-9 (Overall)

NESCAC

Wesleyan University (CT): 7-2 (Conference), 7-2 (Overall)
Trinity (CT): 7-2 (Conference), 7-2 (Overall)
Colby College: 6-3 (Conference), 6-3 (Overall)
Amherst: 5-4 (Conference), 5-4 (Overall)
Williams: 5-4 (Conference), 5-4 (Overall)
Middlebury: 5-4 (Conference), 5-4 (Overall)
Tufts: 4-5 (Conference), 4-5 (Overall)
Hamilton: 2-7 (Conference), 2-7 (Overall)
Bowdoin: 2-7 (Conference), 2-7 (Overall)
Bates College: 2-7 (Conference), 2-7 (Overall)

New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC)

Springfield: 7-0 (Conference), 9-2 (Overall)
Merchant Marine: 5-2 (Conference), 8-2 (Overall)
Coast Guard: 5-2 (Conference), 7-3 (Overall)
MIT: 4-3 (Conference), 6-3 (Overall)
Salve Regina: 3-4 (Conference), 6-4 (Overall)
SUNY Maritime: 3-4 (Conference), 5-6 (Overall)
WPI: 1-6 (Conference), 2-8 (Overall)
Norwich: 0-7 (Conference), 1-9 (Overall)

New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC)

Christopher Newport: 7-0 (Conference), 10-1 (Overall)
Salisbury University: 6-1 (Conference), 10-1 (Overall)
Rowan: 5-2 (Conference), 8-2-1 (Overall)
Montclair State: 4-3 (Conference), 5-5 (Overall)
The College of New Jersey: 3-4 (Conference), 6-4 (Overall)
Kean: 2-5 (Conference), 3-7 (Overall)
William Paterson: 1-6 (Conference), 2-8 (Overall)
Castleton: 0-7 (Conference), 2-8 (Overall)

North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC)

John Carroll: 8-0 (Conference), 12-2 (Overall)
DePauw: 7-1 (Conference), 10-2 (Overall)
Wabash College: 6-2 (Conference), 9-2 (Overall)
Denison: 5-3 (Conference), 6-4 (Overall)
Wooster: 4-4 (Conference), 5-5 (Overall)
Wittenberg: 3-5 (Conference), 4-6 (Overall)
Ohio Wesleyan: 2-6 (Conference), 3-7 (Overall)
Kenyon: 1-7 (Conference), 1-9 (Overall)
Oberlin: 0-8 (Conference), 0-10 (Overall)

Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC)

Concordia-Wisconsin: 8-0 (Conference), 9-2 (Overall)
Aurora: 6-2 (Conference), 8-3 (Overall)

Read also: Alumni of Whitworth

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