Thiel College Athletics Celebrates 20-Year Anniversary of Iconic 2005 Football Team

Strategic Insights -

The Thiel College Department of Athletics will celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the legendary 2005 football team on Saturday, Oct. 11, during the Tomcats' game against Geneva. The event will honor the team, coaches, and fans who made the 2005 season unforgettable. The celebration will include a day full of events, recognition, and commemoration, with a special halftime ceremony honoring the 2005 team. Led by Head Coach Jack Leipheimer '74, the 2005 Tomcats produced a 10-0 regular season, won the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Championship, and earned a berth in the NCAA Division III Playoffs. The team finished ranked No. 15 by Don Hansen's Football Gazette's Top 40, No. 16 by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Coaches' Poll, and No. 17 by D3football.com's Top 25.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Thiel College Department of Athletics will celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the 2005 football team on Oct. 11 during the Tomcats' game against Geneva.
  • The 2005 Tomcats finished with a 10-0 regular season record, the most successful season in team history, and won the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Championship.
  • The team earned a berth in the NCAA Division III Playoffs and finished ranked No. 15 by Don Hansen's Football Gazette's Top 40, No. 16 by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Coaches' Poll, and No. 17 by D3football.com's Top 25.
  • The 2005 team set program records in wins (11), PAC wins (six), home victories (six), and consecutive wins to start a season (11).
  • The team will be honored with a special halftime ceremony during the game against Geneva.
  • Inducted into the Thiel Athletics Hall of Fame in 2021, the '05 team was captained by seniors Darrell Satterfield (quarterback) and Tom Wozniak (linebacker).
  • Additional details regarding the 20-year anniversary celebration will be released at a later date.
  • The celebration will include a day full of events, recognition, and commemoration.

Statistics:

  • The 2005 Tomcats won a school-record 11 games.
  • They set a program record with six consecutive wins to start the season.
  • The team won six home games, the most in school history at that time.
  • The Tomcats finished the season ranked No. 15 by Don Hansen's Football Gazette's Top 40.
  • They were ranked No. 16 by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Coaches' Poll.
  • The team finished No. 17 by D3football.com's Top 25.
  • The 2005 team set a school record with six PAC wins.
  • They also set a school record with six home victories.

Sources:

  • Thiel College Athletics (no date) - "Thiel College Athletics to Celebrate 20-Year Anniversary of Iconic 2005 Football Team" [Source: thiel.edu/news]
  • Don Hansen's Football Gazette (no date) - "Top 40" ranking (no. 15) [Source: donhansenfootball.com]
  • American Football Coaches Association (no date) - "Coaches' Poll" ranking (no. 16) [Source: afca.org]
  • D3football.com (no date) - "Top 25" ranking (no. 17) [Source: d3football.com]