NAIA football national championship
Football championship game
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The NAIA football national championship is decided by a postseason playoff system featuring the best National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) college football teams in the United States. Under sponsorship of the NAIA, the championship game has been played annually since 1956.[1]
In operation1956–present
Preceded bySmall college polls &
NAIA Division II Championship
NAIA Division II Championship
Number of playoff teams20
Championship trophyTom Osborne Trophy
| NAIA football national championship | |
|---|---|
| In operation | 1956–present |
| Preceded by | Small college polls & NAIA Division II Championship |
| Number of playoff teams | 20 |
| Championship trophy | Tom Osborne Trophy |
| Television partner(s) | ESPN3 |
| Most playoff championships | Texas A&M–Kingsville (7) |
| Current champion | Grand View (3) |
| Website | NAIA Football |
History
The NAIA has contested a national championship game since 1956. In 1970, NAIA football was divided into two divisions based on enrollment, Division I and Division II, with a championship game played in each division. In 1997, NAIA football was again consolidated back into one division.
NAIA schools are allowed to offer 24 full varsity football scholarships which can be divided up as they wish. Junior varsity scholarship players do not count towards the total.
Texas A&I (now known as Texas A&M–Kingsville) is still the most prolific program with seven NAIA championships, despite having been in NCAA Division II since 1980. Carroll College of Montana is the most successful team still playing in the NAIA, with six national titles.
Grand View is the current champion, having defeated Keiser in the 2025 title game, 22–16.
Game name
Over the years, the NAIA championship games were played under a variety of names:
- Aluminum Bowl (1956)
- Holiday Bowl (1957–1960)[a]
- Camellia Bowl (1961–1963)[b]
- Champion Bowl (1964–1976 and 1980–1996, Division I games only)
- Apple Bowl (1977, Division I game only)
- Palm Bowl (1978–1979, Division I games only)
Results
- Not to be confused with the NCAA Division I bowl of the same name.
- Not to be confused with the later Camellia Bowl (now Salute to Veterans Bowl) contested in Montgomery, Alabama.
- Game ended in a tie with both teams as co-champions.
- Game played in spring 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Champions
- NAIA Division II titles are not included in this list.
SXU
Southern Oregon
Lindsey Wilson
NWC
Keiser
Grand View
SFU
Marian
Georgetown
Morningside
Carroll
National championships among active programs: 
6, 
3, 
2, 
1
6, 
3, 
2, 
1Active programs
| Team | Titles | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Carroll (MT) | 6 | 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2010 |
| Grand View | 3 | 2013, 2024, 2025 |
| Morningside | 3 | 2018, 2019, 2021 |
| Saint Francis (IN) | 2 | 2016, 2017 |
| Marian (IN) | 2 | 2012, 2015 |
| Georgetown (KY) | 2 | 2000, 2001 |
| Saint Xavier | 1 | 2011 |
| Southern Oregon | 1 | 2014 |
| Lindsey Wilson | 1 | 2020 |
| Northwestern (IA) | 1 | 2022 |
| Keiser | 1 | 2023 |
Former programs
| Team | Titles | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Texas A&I | 7 | 1959, 1969, 1970, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979 |
| Carson–Newman | 5 | 1983, 1984,[a] 1986, 1988, 1989 |
| Central Arkansas | 3 | 1984,[a] 1985,[a] 1991 |
| Central State (OH) | 3 | 1990, 1992, 1995 |
| Sioux Falls | 3 | 2006, 2008, 2009 |
| Pittsburg State | 2 | 1957, 1961 |
| Saint John's (MN) | 2 | 1963, 1965 |
| Abilene Christian | 2 | 1973, 1977 |
| Elon | 2 | 1980, 1981 |
| Central Oklahoma | 2 | 1962, 1982 |
| Northeastern State (OK) | 2 | 1958, 1994 |
| Montana State | 1 | 1956[a] |
| Saint Joseph's (IN) | 1 | 1956[a] |
| Lenoir–Rhyne | 1 | 1960 |
| Concordia Moorhead | 1 | 1964[a] |
| Sam Houston State | 1 | 1964[a] |
| Waynesburg | 1 | 1966 |
| Fairmont State | 1 | 1967 |
| Troy | 1 | 1968 |
| West Alabama | 1 | 1971 |
| East Texas A&M | 1 | 1972 |
| Angelo State | 1 | 1978 |
| Hillsdale | 1 | 1985[a] |
| Cameron | 1 | 1987 |
| East Central | 1 | 1993 |
| Southwestern Oklahoma State | 1 | 1996 |
| Findlay | 1 | 1997 |
| Azusa Pacific | 1 | 1998 |
| Northwestern Oklahoma State | 1 | 1999 |
- Shared title
List of appearances by team
Current NAIA members
Qualified teams
- Teams in bold participated in the 2025 playoffs.
- Updated after the 2025 playoffs.
| Team | Appearances | First | Last | Wins | Losses | Ties | Total | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Christian Firestorm | 2 | 2020 | 2022 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 |
| Avila Eagles | 1 | 2022 | 2022 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Baker Wildcats | 21 | 1980 | 2024 | 19 | 21 | 0 | 40 | .475 |
| Benedictine Ravens | 17 | 1985 | 2025 | 12 | 17 | 0 | 29 | .414 |
| Bethany Swedes | 10 | 1978 | 1999 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 13 | .231 |
| Bethel (KS) Threshers | 3 | 1984 | 2020 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | .000 |
| Bethel (TN) Wildcats | 7 | 2006 | 2023 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 11 | .364 |
| Campbellsville Tigers | 5 | 1997 | 2025 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 6 | .167 |
| Carroll Fighting Saints | 25 | 1978 | 2025 | 43 | 19 | 0 | 62 | .694 |
| Central Methodist Eagles | 1 | 2021 | 2021 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| College of Idaho Coyotes | 3 | 2019 | 2025 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 8 | .625 |
| Concordia (NE) Bulldogs | 1 | 2002 | 2002 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .500 |
| Cumberland Bulldogs | 1 | 1993 | 1993 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Cumberlands Patriots | 9 | 1988 | 2019 | 6 | 9 | 0 | 15 | .400 |
| Dakota Wesleyan Tigers | 1 | 1992 | 1992 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Dickinson State Blue Hawks | 25 | 1981 | 2024 | 9 | 25 | 0 | 34 | .265 |
| Doane Tigers | 6 | 1972 | 2016 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 9 | .333 |
| Dordt Defenders | 3 | 2020 | 2025 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 | .250 |
| Eastern Oregon Mountaineers (Oregon College) | 3 | 1975 | 2016 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 | .400 |
| Evangel Valor | 6 | 1988 | 2025 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 16 | .438 |
| Faulkner Eagles | 2 | 2013 | 2014 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 |
| Friends Falcons | 6 | 1992 | 2025 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 8 | .250 |
| Georgetown Tigers | 24 | 1987 | 2024 | 28 | 21 | 0 | 49 | .571 |
| Graceland Yellowjackets | 1 | 2005 | 2005 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Grand View Vikings | 14 | 2011 | 2025 | 23 | 11 | 0 | 34 | .676 |
| Hastings Broncos | 8 | 1991 | 2009 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 11 | .273 |
| Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats | 5 | 2021 | 2025 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 9 | .444 |
| Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes | 7 | 2001 | 2024 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 10 | .400 |
| Keiser Seahawks | 7 | 2019 | 2025 | 16 | 6 | 0 | 22 | .727 |
| Langston Lions | 8 | 1973 | 2018 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 10 | .200 |
| Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders | 9 | 2014 | 2025 | 13 | 8 | 0 | 21 | .619 |
| Louisiana Christian Wildcats | 1 | 2023 | 2023 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Marian Knights | 13 | 2010 | 2025 | 21 | 11 | 0 | 32 | .656 |
| McPherson Bulldogs | 2 | 2009 | 2010 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 |
| MidAmerica Nazarene Pioneers | 12 | 2000 | 2024 | 6 | 12 | 0 | 18 | .333 |
| Midland Warriors | 3 | 1979 | 1994 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | .000 |
| Missouri Valley Vikings | 13 | 1974 | 2016 | 11 | 13 | 0 | 24 | .458 |
| Montana State–Northern Lights | 1 | 2006 | 2006 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Montana Tech Orediggers | 12 | 1971 | 2025 | 6 | 12 | 0 | 18 | .333 |
| Montana Western Bulldogs | 6 | 1994 | 2024 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 8 | .250 |
| Morningside Mustangs | 22 | 2004 | 2025 | 36 | 19 | 0 | 55 | .655 |
| Northwestern Red Raiders | 26 | 1972 | 2024 | 34 | 23 | 0 | 57 | .596 |
| Oklahoma Panhandle State Aggies (Panhandle State) | 1 | 1981 | 1981 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Olivet Nazarene Tigers | 3 | 1998 | 2020 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | .500 |
| Ottawa (AZ) Spirit | 3 | 2019 | 2024 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | .000 |
| Ottawa (KS) Braves | 10 | 1997 | 2023 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 11 | .091 |
| Peru State Bobcats | 3 | 1989 | 1991 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 8 | .750 |
| Pikeville Bears | 2 | 2005 | 2024 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | .333 |
| Point Skyhawks | 1 | 2015 | 2015 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Reinhardt Eagles | 10 | 2015 | 2025 | 6 | 9 | 0 | 15 | .400 |
| Rocky Mountain Battlin' Bears | 4 | 1998 | 2018 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 5 | .200 |
| St. Ambrose Fighting Bees | 13 | 1984 | 2013 | 4 | 12 | 0 | 16 | .250 |
| St. Francis (IL) Fighting Saints | 2 | 1987 | 2011 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | .333 |
| Saint Francis (IN) Cougars | 21 | 1999 | 2025 | 34 | 19 | 0 | 53 | .642 |
| St. Thomas Bobcats | 3 | 2023 | 2025 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 | .250 |
| Saint Xavier Cougars | 16 | 2002 | 2023 | 19 | 15 | 0 | 34 | .559 |
| Southeastern Fire | 3 | 2016 | 2025 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 | .250 |
| Southern Oregon Raiders | 7 | 1987 | 2017 | 13 | 6 | 0 | 19 | .684 |
| Southwestern Moundbuilders | 8 | 1984 | 2024 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 10 | .300 |
| Sterling Warriors | 3 | 2013 | 2017 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | .000 |
| Tabor Bluejays | 5 | 2003 | 2015 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 8 | .375 |
| Taylor Trojans | 2 | 1998 | 1999 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | .333 |
| Texas Wesleyan Rams | 2 | 2024 | 2025 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 |
| Union Commonwealth Bulldogs | 1 | 2008 | 2008 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Valley City State Vikings | 9 | 1976 | 2014 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 10 | .100 |
| William Penn Statesmen | 10 | 1975 | 2025 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 | .250 |
Not yet qualified
- Appalachian Athletic Conference (3) – Bluefield, Kentucky Christian, Rio Grande
- Frontier Conference (3) – Dakota State, Mayville State, Simpson
- Great Plains Athletic Conference (3) – Briar Cliff, Mount Marty, Waldorf
- Heart of America Athletic Conference (5) – Clarke, Culver–Stockton, Missouri Baptist, Mount Mercy, William Woods
- Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (1) – Saint Mary
- Mid-States Football Association (5) – Defiance, Judson, Lawrence Tech, Madonna, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods
- Sooner Athletic Conference (4) – Arkansas Baptist, Nelson, Texas College, Wayland Baptist
- Sun Conference (5) – Ave Maria, Florida Memorial, Thomas, Warner, Webber International
Former NAIA members
NCAA Division I FBS
| Team | Appearances | First | Last | Wins | Losses | Ties | Total | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Houston Bearkats | 1 | 1964 | 1964 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .750 |
| Troy Trojans (Troy State) | 1 | 1968 | 1968 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1.000 |
NCAA Division I FCS
| Team | Appearances | First | Last | Wins | Losses | Ties | Total | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene Christian Wildcats | 2 | 1973 | 1977 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1.000 |
| Arkansas–Pine Bluff Golden Lions | 2 | 1994 | 1995 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | .500 |
| Central Arkansas Bears | 13 | 1976 | 1992 | 12 | 10 | 2 | 24 | .542 |
| East Texas A&M Lions (East Texas State) | 2 | 1972 | 1980 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | .750 |
| Eastern Washington Eagles (Eastern Washington State) | 2 | 1967 | 1967 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .500 |
| Elon Phoenix | 6 | 1973 | 1981 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 13 | .692 |
| Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs | 2 | 1987 | 1992 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 | .600 |
| Lindenwood Lions | 6 | 1998 | 2010 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 11 | .455 |
| Montana State Bobcats | 1 | 1956 | 1956 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .500 |
| Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (Arizona State–Flagstaff) | 1 | 1958 | 1958 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .500 |
| Prairie View A&M Panthers | 1 | 1963 | 1963 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .500 |
| Presbyterian Blue Hose | 2 | 1979 | 1987 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | .500 |
| St. Thomas (MN) Tommies | 1 | 1983 | 1983 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Tarleton Texans | 4 | 1978 | 1990 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 7 | .429 |
| Wofford Terriers | 1 | 1970 | 1970 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .500 |
NCAA Division II
| Team (former names) | Appearances | First | Last | Wins | Losses | Ties | Total | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams State Grizzlies | 2 | 1988 | 1989 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 6 | .667 |
| Angelo State Rams | 3 | 1978 | 1980 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 6 | .667 |
| Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys | 2 | 1971 | 1994 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | .333 |
| Arkansas–Monticello Boll Weevils | 2 | 1988 | 1993 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | .500 |
| Black Hills State Yellow Jackets | 2 | 2006 | 2007 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 |
| Carson–Newman Eagles | 11 | 1972 | 1992 | 20 | 5 | 1 | 26 | .788 |
| Catawba Indians | 1 | 1988 | 1988 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Central State Marauders | 9 | 1987 | 1995 | 14 | 6 | 0 | 20 | .700 |
| Central Oklahoma Bronchos (Central State) | 6 | 1962 | 1985 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 11 | .636 |
| Central Washington Wildcats | 9 | 1984 | 1998 | 11 | 7 | 1 | 19 | .605 |
| Chadron State Eagles | 2 | 1989 | 1990 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 |
| Colorado Mesa Mavericks (Mesa State) | 7 | 1982 | 1990 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 16 | .563 |
| Concord Mountain Lions | 8 | 1977 | 1992 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 8 | .000 |
| Concordia Golden Bears | 2 | 1964 | 1969 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | .625 |
| CSU Pueblo ThunderWolves (Southern Colorado) | 1 | 1982 | 1982 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| East Central Tigers | 2 | 1983 | 1994 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | .750 |
| Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds | 1 | 1983 | 1983 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Edinboro Fighting Scots (Edinboro State) | 1 | 1970 | 1970 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Emporia State Hornets | 5 | 1962 | 1989 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 7 | .286 |
| Fairmont State Falcons | 4 | 1965 | 1988 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 | .400 |
| Findlay Oilers | 13 | 1964 | 1997 | 21 | 9 | 1 | 31 | .694 |
| Fort Hays State Tigers | 1 | 1990 | 1990 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Glenville State Pioneers | 3 | 1973 | 1994 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | .500 |
| Grand Valley State Lakers | 1 | 1978 | 1978 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .500 |
| Harding Bison | 2 | 1989 | 1992 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 |
| Henderson State Reddies | 2 | 1974 | 1985 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | .500 |
| Hillsdale Chargers | 8 | 1957 | 1988 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 14 | .464 |
| Jamestown Jimmies | 5 | 1979 | 2007 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 6 | .167 |
| Lenoir–Rhyne Bears | 3 | 1959 | 1962 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 6 | .667 |
| Mars Hill Lions | 1 | 1980 | 1980 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Mary Marauders | 10 | 1993 | 2004 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 17 | .412 |
| McKendree Bearcats | 9 | 1997 | 2010 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 12 | .250 |
| Midwestern State Mustangs | 1 | 1991 | 1991 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .500 |
| Minnesota–Crookston Golden Eagles | 1 | 1997 | 1997 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Minnesota State–Moorhead Dragons (Moorhead State) | 8 | 1981 | 1994 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 10 | .200 |
| Minot State Beavers | 7 | 1970 | 2009 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 10 | .300 |
| Missouri Southern State Lions | 1 | 1972 | 1972 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1.000 |
| Nebraska–Kearney Lopers (Kearney State) | 4 | 1963 | 1980 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 5 | .200 |
| New Mexico Highlands Cowboys | 3 | 1966 | 1969 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | .000 |
| Northeastern State RiverHawks | 9 | 1958 | 1995 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 16 | .563 |
| Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers (Northwestern State) | 12 | 1987 | 2010 | 12 | 10 | 0 | 22 | .545 |
| Northern Michigan Wildcats | 2 | 1960 | 1967 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 |
| Northern State Wolves | 5 | 1961 | 1988 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | .000 |
| Ohio Dominican Panthers | 1 | 2007 | 2007 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .500 |
| Ouachita Baptist Tigers | 2 | 1975 | 1982 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 |
| Pittsburg State Gorillas | 7 | 1957 | 1988 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 14 | .643 |
| Saginaw Valley State Cardinals | 3 | 1979 | 1984 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 | .400 |
| Shepherd Rams | 4 | 1983 | 1992 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 5 | .250 |
| Shorter Hawks | 1 | 2008 | 2008 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Sioux Falls Cougars | 16 | 1988 | 2010 | 36 | 12 | 0 | 48 | .750 |
| Southeastern Oklahoma State Savage Storm (Southeastern State) | 1 | 1988 | 1988 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .500 |
| Southern Connecticut State Owls | 1 | 1959 | 1959 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm | 1 | 2011 | 2011 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs (Southwest State) | 2 | 1987 | 1990 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 |
| Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs (Southwestern State) | 3 | 1977 | 1996 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 | .600 |
| Sul Ross Lobos | 2 | 1965 | 1982 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 |
| Texas A&M–Kingsville Javelinas (Texas A&I) | 8 | 1959 | 1979 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 17 | .941 |
| Tiffin Dragons | 2 | 1993 | 1994 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | .333 |
| UVA Wise Cavaliers (Clinch Valley) | 2 | 1995 | 1996 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 |
| Walsh Cavaliers | 1 | 2006 | 2006 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Washburn Ichabods | 2 | 1986 | 1988 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 |
| West Alabama Tigers (Livingston) | 2 | 1971 | 1972 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | .667 |
| West Liberty Hilltoppers (West Liberty State) | 2 | 1970 | 1971 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 |
| Western New Mexico Mustangs | 2 | 1990 | 1993 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 |
| Western Oregon Wolves | 2 | 1985 | 1997 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 |
| Western Colorado Mountaineers (Western State) | 4 | 1976 | 1991 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 6 | .333 |
| William Jewell Cardinals | 6 | 1973 | 1990 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 12 | .500 |
| Winona State Warriors | 1 | 1993 | 1993 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
NCAA Division III
| Team | Appearances | First | Last | Wins | Losses | Ties | Total | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson Ravens | 2 | 1970 | 1981 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | .333 |
| Austin Kangaroos | 4 | 1979 | 1990 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 | .417 |
| Azusa Pacific Cougars | 8 | 1998 | 2011 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 16 | .563 |
| Bluffton Beavers | 2 | 1987 | 1988 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | .333 |
| Cal Lutheran Kingsmen | 5 | 1971 | 1982 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 8 | .500 |
| Carthage Firebirds | 2 | 1971 | 1973 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 |
| Central Dutch | 1 | 1966 | 1966 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Concordia–Moorhead Cobbers | 2 | 1978 | 1981 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 6 | .917 |
| Concordia–Wisconsin Falcons | 1 | 1990 | 1990 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Eureka Red Devils | 2 | 1991 | 1994 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 |
| Franklin Grizzlies | 1 | 1972 | 1972 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Geneva Golden Tornadoes | 5 | 1987 | 2005 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 7 | .429 |
| Greenville Panthers | 1 | 1990 | 1990 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Gustavus Adolphus Golden Gusties | 1 | 1958 | 1958 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Hanover Panthers | 6 | 1974 | 1989 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 7 | .143 |
| Hardin–Simmons Cowboys | 5 | 1992 | 1996 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 10 | .500 |
| Howard Payne Yellow Jackets | 2 | 1992 | 1995 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 |
| Lewis & Clark Pioneers | 2 | 1989 | 1991 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 |
| Linfield Wildcats | 15 | 1961 | 1994 | 16 | 12 | 0 | 28 | .571 |
| McMurry War Hawks | 1 | 1980 | 1980 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Nebraska Wesleyan Prairie Wolves | 4 | 1988 | 2000 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 | .400 |
| Pacific Lutheran Lutes | 15 | 1979 | 1996 | 22 | 12 | 1 | 35 | .643 |
| Redlands Bulldogs | 1 | 1976 | 1976 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .500 |
| Saint John's Johnnies | 3 | 1963 | 1982 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 5 | .800 |
| Texas Lutheran Bulldogs | 3 | 1974 | 1976 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 5 | .800 |
| Trine Thunder (Tri-State) | 2 | 1998 | 2001 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | .500 |
| Waynesburg Yellow Jackets | 1 | 1966 | 1966 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1.000 |
| Westminster Titans | 17 | 1970 | 1997 | 31 | 11 | 0 | 42 | .738 |
| Whittier Poets | 1 | 1961 | 1961 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Whitworth Pirates | 1 | 1960 | 1960 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Willamette Bearcats | 3 | 1968 | 1997 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 7 | .571 |
| Wilmington Quakers | 3 | 1980 | 1983 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 | .400 |
| Wisconsin–La Crosse Eagles (Wisconsin State–La Crosse) | 7 | 1973 | 1990 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 16 | .625 |
| Wisconsin–Platteville Pioneers (Wisconsin State–Platteville) | 1 | 1970 | 1970 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Wisconsin–River Falls Falcons (Wisconsin State–River Falls) | 1 | 1979 | 1979 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Wisconsin–Stevens Point Pointers (Wisconsin State–Stevens Point) | 3 | 1977 | 1989 | 0 | -5 | 0 | 5 | – |
| Wisconsin–Whitewater Warhawks (Wisconsin State–Whitewater) | 1 | 1966 | 1966 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .500 |
Discontinued programs
| Team | Appearances | First | Last | Wins | Losses | Ties | Total | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron Aggies | 4 | 1974 | 1987 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 9 | .778 |
| Concordia (MI) Cardinals | 5 | 2017 | 2021 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 8 | .375 |
| Dana Vikings | 1 | 1987 | 1987 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Humboldt State Lumberjacks | 1 | 1960 | 1960 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .500 |
| Huron Screaming Eagles | 4 | 1986 | 2000 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 7 | .429 |
| Iowa Wesleyan Tigers | 1 | 1991 | 1991 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Lambuth Eagles | 8 | 1994 | 2009 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 15 | .467 |
| Malone Pioneers | 2 | 1995 | 1998 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | .333 |
| Oregon Tech Battling Owls | 1 | 1988 | 1988 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | .667 |
| Robert Morris Eagles | 1 | 2016 | 2016 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Saint Joseph's Pumas | 1 | 1956 | 1956 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .500 |
| St. Mary of the Plains Cavaliers | 3 | 1989 | 1991 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | .000 |
| Salem International Tigers (Salem) | 3 | 1975 | 1985 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 | .250 |
| Trinity Trolls | 1 | 1994 | 1994 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Trinity International Trojans | 1 | 2004 | 2004 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| West Virginia Tech Golden Bears | 1 | 1989 | 1989 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Westmar Eagles | 1 | 1987 | 1987 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Western Washington Vikings | 4 | 1992 | 1996 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 8 | .500 |
See also
- NAIA Division II football national championship (contested from 1970 to 1996)