SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame has selected the 1998 and 1999 Northwest Missouri State University football teams for induction as members of the 2017 class. The announcement was made by President & Executive Director Jerald Andrews on Wednesday afternoon. The official induction ceremony will take place on Sunday, November 12 at the Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center, 18011 Bass Pro Drive in Independence. Festivities begin with a noon reception and 1 p.m. dinner, followed by the program. Tickets can be purchased by calling 417-889-3100.

The 1998 Bearcats went 15-0, capturing the NCAA title with a 24-6 victory over Carson Newman in Florence, Ala. Fifth year head coach Mel Tjeerdsma and his team captured their third-straight MIAA title and hosted three NCAA playoff games. Northwest avenged its only loss of the 1997 season, defeating Northern Colorado, 42-17, in Maryville in the NCAA quarterfinal round. Quarterback Chris Greisen earned his second-straight AFCA First Team All-America honor, throwing for a then program record 4,076 yards with 38 touchdown passes. Tjeerdsma was named the MIAA and AFCA Coach of the Year.

Northwest matched up again with Carson Newman in the 1999 title game, defeating Eagles, 58-52, in a four-overtime classic. The Bearcats went 14-1 on the year and 9-0 in MIAA play, capturing a fourth-straight conference title. Wide receiver Tony Miles was named a first team All-America performer by the AFCA and the Associated Press, catching 69 passes for 1,058 yards and eight touchdowns. For the fourth-straight year, Northwest matched up against Northern Colorado in the playoffs. The Bearcats won, 41-35, in Greeley, Colo., to earn the right to host the NCAA semifinal game the next week against Indiana (Pa.).

— Northwest Athletics —