Chicago Circle Chikas football

The Chicago Circle Chikas football team represented the University of Illinois at Congress Circle (UICC) (now known as the University of Illinois Chicago[A 1]) from the 1965 through 1973 season. Between 1950 through 1964, UICC was known as University of Illinois Chicago Undergraduate Division located at Navy Pier, and competed as a junior college.[2] Known as the Chicago Illini during their years competing at Navy Pier, with the move to their new campus, the athletic teams were inspired by the Chickasaw and renamed Chikas.[3][A 2] UICC played its home games at multiple stadiums throughout their history with the most recent being Soldier Field. The Chikas program was dropped by the University at the conclusion of their 1973 season.[5]

Chicago Circle Chikas football
First season1965
Last season1973
StadiumSoldier Field
LocationChicago, Illinois, US
NCAA divisionDivision III
ConferenceIndependent
All-time record16–55–1 (.229)
Bowl record0–0 (–)

Strnad era (1965–1968)

George Strnad served as head coach of the Chikas from 1964 to 1968, and played as a member of the first team at Navy Pier in 1950. During his tenure as head coach after becoming a four-year school, the Chikas compiled an overall record of 13 wins, 18 losses, and one tie (.422 winning percentage).

1965
1965 Chicago Circle Chikas football
ConferenceGateway Conference
Record1–7 (1–3 Gateway)
Head coach
  • George Strnad (2nd season)
1965 Gateway Conference football standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L TW L T
Northwestern (WI) $ 4 –0 –06 –1 –0
Milton 3 –1 –04 –3 –0
Lakeland 2 –2 –05 –3 –0
Illinois–Chicago 1 –3 –01 –7 –0
Eureka 0 –4 –01 –7 –0
  • $ – Conference champion

The 1965 Chicago Circle Chikas football team was an American football team that represented the University of Illinois at Congress Circle (UICC) (now known as the University of Illinois Chicago) as a member of the Gateway Conference during the 1965 NAIA football season. In their second season under head coach George Strnad, UICC compiled a 1–7 record.

After losing three consecutive games to open the season, the Chikas defeated Eureka College for their only win of the season. Their 47–6 loss against Northwestern College late in the season clinched the 1965 Gateway Conference championship for the Trojans.

DateOpponentSiteResultSource
September 25at Lakeland (WI)Sheboygan, WIL 6–25[6]
October 2Milton
L 7–31[7]
October 9at Indiana Central*Indianapolis, INL 6–22[8]
October 23at EurekaEureka, ILW 7–0[9]
October 30Milwaukee*
  • Gately Stadium
  • Chicago, IL
L 7–48[10]
November 6Illinois College*
  • Gately Stadium
  • Chicago, IL
L 12–52
November 13Northwestern (WI)
  • Gately Stadium
  • Chicago, IL
L 6–47[11]
November 20at Concordia (IL)*River Forest, ILL 14–20
  • *Non-conference game

1966
1966 Chicago Circle Chikas football
ConferenceGateway Conference
Record3–4 (– Gateway)
Head coach
  • George Strnad (3rd season)
1966 Gateway Conference football standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L TW L T
Milton $ 3 –0 –05 –4 –0
Northwestern (WI) 2 –1 –03 –5 –0
Lakeland 1 –2 –03 –6 –0
Eureka 0 –3 –00 –7 –0
  • $ – Conference champion

The 1966 Chicago Circle Chikas football team was an American football team that represented the University of Illinois at Congress Circle (UICC) (now known as the University of Illinois Chicago) as a member of the Gateway Conference[12] during the 1966 NAIA football season. In their third season under head coach George Strnad, UICC compiled a 3–4 record.

The 1966 season featured the first Chikas game played at Soldier Field where they defeated Lakeland College 20–17 on homecoming.

DateOpponentSiteResultSource
September 24Northland (WI)*
L 12–13
October 7Indiana Central*
  • Gately Stadium
  • Chicago, IL
W 21–2[13]
October 15Wayne State*
  • Gately Stadium
  • Chicago, IL
W 39–36[14]
October 22at Milwaukee*Milwaukee, WIL 49–7
October 29Lakeland (WI)dagger
W 20–17[15]
November 5at Illinois College*Jacksonville, ILL 7–14[16]
November 12at Concordia (IL)*River Forest, ILL 26–34[17]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming

1967
1967 Chicago Circle Chikas football
ConferenceIndependent
Record5–3–1
Head coach
  • George Strnad (4th season)

The 1967 Chicago Circle Chikas football team was an American football team that represented the University of Illinois at Congress Circle (UICC) (now known as the University of Illinois Chicago) as an independent during the 1967 NAIA football season. In their fourth season under head coach George Strnad, UICC compiled a 5–3–1 record.

For the 1967 season, the Chikas played their four home games at four different facilities: Winnemac Park, Gately Stadium, Soldier Field, and Hanson Park.[18] As UICC did not have an on-campus facility, playing in four stadiums across Chicago was viewed as a means to grow the profile of the fledgling program[18] Their 5–3–1 record for the season marked the first and only winning season for the Chikas as a four-year school.

DateOpponentSiteResultSource
September 23at Indiana CentralIndianapolis, INW 7–6[19]
September 30Illinois State
L 14–16[20]
October 7at Wayne State
L 5–31[21]
October 14Illinois College
  • Gately Stadium
  • Chicago, IL
W 21–7
October 21Milwaukeedagger
W 20–6[22][23]
October 28at Lakeland (WI)Sheboygan, WIL 19–41[24]
November 4Eastern Illinois
  • Hanson Park
  • Chicago, IL
T 6–6[25]
November 11at Northland (WI)Ashland, WIW 27–7[26]
November 18at Concordia (IL)River Forest, ILW 26–13[27]
  • daggerHomecoming

1968
1968 Chicago Circle Chikas football
ConferenceIndependent
Record4–4
Head coach
  • George Strnad (5th season)
Home stadiumSoldier Field

The 1968 Chicago Circle Chikas football team was an American football team that represented the University of Illinois at Congress Circle (UICC) (now known as the University of Illinois Chicago) as an independent during the 1968 NAIA football season. In their final season under head coach George Strnad, UICC compiled a 4–4 record.

In their game against Wayne State, the Tartars linebacker Ron Solack sustained a double-puncture to his intestine that resulted in his death on October 25.[28]

DateOpponentSiteResultSource
September 21Indiana Central
W 35–14[29]
September 28at Illinois State
L 14–26[30]
October 4Wayne State
  • Soldier Field
  • Chicago, IL
W 13–0[31]
October 12at Southwest Missouri State
W 21–14[32]
October 19at Milwaukee
W 19–3[33]
November 2Eastern Illinois
  • Soldier Field
  • Chicago, IL
L 7–8[34]
November 9at St. ProcopiusLisle, ILL 34–35[35]
November 16at Concordia (IL)River Forest, ILL 13–20

Nemoto era (1969–1973)

Harold Nemoto was named as head coach of the Chikas in July 1969 to replace George Strnad.[36] Nemoto previously spent 12 years as an assistant coach at Circle/Navy Pier, and was considered the best lineman to ever play at the University as a student in the 1950s.[36] During his tenure as head coach, the Chikas compiled an overall record of 3 wins and 37 losses (.075 winning percentage).

1969
1969 Chicago Circle Chikas football
ConferenceIndependent
Record1–7
Head coach
  • Harold Nemoto (1st season)
Home stadiumSoldier Field

The 1969 Chicago Circle Chikas football team was an American football team that represented the University of Illinois at Congress Circle (UICC) (now known as the University of Illinois Chicago) as an independent during the 1969 NAIA football season. In their first season under head coach Harold Nemoto, UICC compiled a 1–7 record.

DateOpponentSiteResultSource
September 20Winona State
L 7–36[37]
September 27at Eastern Illinois
L 6–52[38]
October 4at Delta State
L 0–84[39]
October 10Missouri–Rolla
  • Soldier Field
  • Chicago, IL
L 6–14[40]
October 18Milwaukee
  • Soldier Field
  • Chicago, IL
L 13–15[41]
October 25at Missouri ValleyMarshall, MOL 24–28[42]
November 1at Wayne State
L 0–33[43]
November 8St. Procopius
  • Soldier Field
  • Chicago, IL
W 20–7

1970
1970 Chicago Circle Chikas football
ConferenceIndependent
Record0–8
Head coach
  • Harold Nemoto (2nd season)
Home stadiumSoldier Field

The 1970 Chicago Circle Chikas football team was an American football team that represented the University of Illinois at Congress Circle (UICC) (now known as the University of Illinois Chicago) as an independent during the 1970 NAIA Division II football season. In their third season under head coach Harold Nemoto, UICC compiled an 0–8 record.

DateOpponentSiteResultSource
September 26Eastern Illinois
L 6–20[44]
October 2Southwest Missouri State
  • Soldier Field
  • Chicago, IL
L 13–26[45]
October 10at Missouri–Rolla
L 0–53[46]
October 17at Milwaukee
L 6–51[47]
October 24at Ferris StateBig Rapids, MIL 0–47[48]
October 31Wayne State
  • Soldier Field
  • Chicago, IL
L 8–24[49]
November 7Luther (IA)
  • Soldier Field
  • Chicago, IL
L 13–55[50]
November 14at Winona State
L 0–54[51]

1971
1971 Chicago Circle Chikas football
ConferenceIndependent
Record2–6
Head coach
  • Harold Nemoto (3rd season)
Home stadiumSoldier Field

The 1971 Chicago Circle Chikas football team was an American football team that represented the University of Illinois at Congress Circle (UICC) (now known as the University of Illinois Chicago) as an independent during the 1971 NAIA Division II football season. In their third season under head coach Harold Nemoto, UICC compiled a 2–6 record.

DateOpponentSiteResultSource
September 24Grand Valley State
W 27–7[52]
October 2at Eastern Illinois
L 21–43[53]
October 9at CarthageKensoha, WIL 7–47[54]
October 16Milwaukee
  • Soldier Field
  • Chicago, IL
L 0–41[55]
October 23Ferris State
  • Soldier Field
  • Chicago, IL
L 21–24[56]
October 30at Wayne State
L 0–37[57]
November 6at Luther (IA)Decorah, IAL 0–55[58]
November 13Winona State
  • Soldier Field
  • Chicago, IL
W 19–11[59]

1972
1972 Chicago Circle Chikas football
ConferenceIndependent
Record0–8
Head coach
  • Harold Nemoto (4th season)
Home stadiumSoldier Field

The 1972 Chicago Circle Chikas football team was an American football team that represented the University of Illinois at Congress Circle (UICC) (now known as the University of Illinois Chicago) as an independent during the 1972 NAIA Division II football season. In their fourth season under head coach Harold Nemoto, UICC compiled an 0–8 record.

DateOpponentSiteResultSource
September 23at Winona State
L 0–13[60]
September 30Eastern Illinois
L 13–28[61]
October 7Mankato State
  • Soldier Field
  • Chicago, IL
L 0–60[62]
October 14at Milwaukee
L 0–28
October 21at Ferris StateBig Rapids, MIL 0–63[63]
October 28Wayne State
  • Soldier Field
  • Chicago, IL
L 0–34[64]
November 4at Wisconsin–Platteville
L 6–31[65]
November 11Hope
  • Soldier Field
  • Chicago, IL
L 14–32[66]

1973
1973 Chicago Circle Chikas football
ConferenceIndependent
Record0–8
Head coach
  • Harold Nemoto (5th season)
Home stadiumSoldier Field

The 1973 Chicago Circle Chikas football team was an American football team that represented the University of Illinois at Congress Circle (UICC) (now known as the University of Illinois Chicago) as an independent during the 1973 NCAA Division III football season. In their final season under head coach Harold Nemoto, UICC compiled an 0–8 record.

In early November the University stated the Chikas football program was to be dropped by the university at the conclusion of the season.[67]

DateOpponentSiteResultSource
September 21Grand Valley State
L 8–40[68]
September 29at Eastern Illinois
L 8–40[69]
October 6at Mankato State
L 7–55[70]
October 13Milwaukee
  • Soldier Field
  • Chicago, IL
L 0–32[71]
October 19Ferris State
  • Soldier Field
  • Chicago, IL
L 0–58[72]
October 27at Wayne State
L 14–46[73]
November 3Wisconsin–Platteville
  • Soldier Field
  • Chicago, IL
L 6–53[74]
November 10at Hope
L 16–48[75]

Notes
  1. From 1965–1982, UIC was known as University of Illinois at Chicago Circle. In September 1982, UICC merged with the University of Illinois at the Medical Center, and the consolidated university was renamed the University of Illinois at Chicago.[1]
  2. After its consolidation with the University of Illinois at the Medical Center in 1982, students from both UICC and the Medical Center voted to change the athletic nickname to Flames.[4]

References
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  2. "Intercollegiate Football at the University of Illinois at Chicago An Online Exhibit PART II: Navy Pier and Circle Campus, 1950–1973". University of Illinois at Chicago University Library. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  3. "Chicago Circle: No 'big time'". Chicago Tribune. November 5, 1965. Retrieved January 29, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "UIC Flames". Chicago Tribune. June 23, 1982. Retrieved January 29, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Added and Discontinued Programs". 2020 NCAA Football Records (PDF). NCAA. p. 4.
  6. "Lakeland wins". Wisconsin State Journal. September 26, 1965. Retrieved January 29, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Milton 31–7 victor over Illinois–Chicago". Wisconsin State Journal. October 3, 1965. Retrieved January 29, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Smith paces Greyhounds over Chicago Illini". The Indianapolis Star. October 10, 1965. Retrieved January 29, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Eureka College loses, 7–0, before homecoming crowd". The Pantagraph. October 24, 1965. Retrieved January 29, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "UWM wins 48–7". Green Bay Press-Gazette. October 31, 1965. Retrieved January 29, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Northwestern Gateway champ". Wisconsin State Journal. November 14, 1965. Retrieved January 29, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. Sandy, Thomas, ed. (1967). "Athletics". The Circle. Chicago, IL: University of Illinois at Congress Circle.
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  33. "Illinois–Chicago beats UW–M 19–3". The Journal Times. October 20, 1968. Retrieved January 28, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. "Cassady saves 8–7 triumph for EIU". Decatur Sunday Herald and Review. November 3, 1968. Retrieved January 28, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
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  50. "Luther boosts bowl chances 55–13". The Cedar Rapids Gazette. November 8, 1970. Retrieved January 28, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
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  52. "Circle captures opener". Chicago Tribune. September 26, 1971. Retrieved January 28, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
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  54. "Carthage rips Chicago Circle". The Journal Times. October 10, 1971. Retrieved January 28, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
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  75. "Hope winds up season with a 48–16 laugher". Detroit Free Press. November 11, 1973. Retrieved January 28, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
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