The 1974 Millikin University Football team remains one of the most celebrated teams in the program’s history. Under the leadership of Head Coach Skip Mathieson, the Big Blue captured the CCIW Co-Championship, finishing the regular season with an impressive 8-1 record, and completing the year with an 8-2 record overall. The team’s performance garnered national recognition, earning them the No. 9 ranking in the final NAIA Division II standings prior to the postseason.
The 1974 team was defined by both talent and leadership. Five members of the coaching staff — Merle Chapman ’59, Skip Mathieson, Guy Neibuhr, Carl Poelker ’68 and Lin Stoner ’73 — have been individually inducted into the Millikin University Athletic Hall of Fame, a testament to their enduring impact on Big Blue Football. On the field, six standout players — Stuart Arnold’77, D.J. Brown ’76, Gary Cook ’77, Louis James ’76, Doug Neibuhr ’75 and James Stringer ’75— have also been inducted into the Hall of Fame, highlighting the remarkable skill and dedication that drove the team’s success.
The seniors on the 1974 Football team graduated in 1975 and are celebrating their 50th class reunion at this year’s Homecoming festivities. This is a milestone not just for those who wore the blue, but for the entire Millikin community, commemorating decades of pride, teamwork and excellence. The legacy of the 1974 Big Blue Football team continues to inspire players, coaches and fans alike, and is a shining chapter in the history of Millikin Football.
