Welcome to Road to the Chipper! The Authority on NAIA Football.

The Tom Osborne Trophy

The Tom Osborne Trophy

Here it is, THE ROAD TO THE CHIPPER!

First things first, thanks for checking out the web site. You are here because in some way you really enjoy NAIA football. It is still a work in progress but by the time the NAIA football season rolls around I hope to have all of the bells and whistles to this site up and going.

Backing up a little bit, I’m Jason Dannelly. For lack of a better way of putting it I’ve been a guru of sorts for NAIA football since 2002. That’s when I started what was then known as NAIAFOOTBALL.NET which eventually became the Victory Sports Network then the College Fanz Sports Network then BACK to the Victory Sports Network. (Did you catch all that?) Continue reading

Dodge Signs as Undrafted Free Agent With Atlanta Falcons

ASHLAND, Oregon – Austin Dodge’s phone started ringing Saturday (May 2) just a couple minutes after the seventh and final round of the NFL Draft was complete. Continue reading

Former Morningside (Iowa) Running Back Brandon Wegher Will Sign With Panthers

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Former Morningside (Iowa) running back Brandon Wegher signed a free agent contract with the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL) on Monday.

Wegher played at Morningside during the 2013 and 2014 seasons, where he helped lead the Mustangs to the national semifinals of the NAIA Football Championship Series both years.

Wegher rushed for 3,815 yards and 48 touchdowns on 535 attempts for an average of 7.1 yards per carry during his two-year career with the Mustangs to become the all-time leading rusher in Morningside history. He scored a school-record 52 touchdowns during his career and also set new Morningside career records with 48 rushing touchdowns and an average of 7.1 yards per carry. Continue reading

Head Coach Dr. Danny Cronic Steps Down at Reinhardt University

Reinhardt_GAWALESKA, Ga. – Reinhardt University head football coach Dr. Danny Cronic has decided to step down from his position after nearly four years as coach of the program. Assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Drew Cronic will take over as the new head coach of the program.

Dr. Cronic cited health concerns as one of the primary reasons why he is stepping down at this time. “I had an infusion of immunoglobulin earlier this week,” Dr. Cronic said. “It seems like every time I would get a sinus infection, it would turn into bronchitis. I just have gotten weary from fighting it and it’s really tough for me to have the presence I need to have as a head coach when I’m sick.” Continue reading

Cincinnati Christian University adding Football

201858_Cincinnati_Christian_UniversityCincinnati Christian University is pleased to announce the addition of a varsity football program to begin play in Fall 2016. The university also announces the appointment of David Fulcher, retired NFL All-Pro, as the program’s first head coach. With this addition, CCU becomes just the fourth intercollegiate football program in the Greater Cincinnati area. Continue reading

Ottawa University’s Joshua Stangby Signs Contract With the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons

OTTAWA, Kan.- Former Ottawa University receiver and kick returner, Joshua Stanby,  has signed a contract with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons. He has signed a 3 year, $1,575,000 contract with the Atlanta Falcons, including an average annual salary of $525,000 (www.spotrac.com). Continue reading

Keshaun Malone tabbed as undrafted rookie free agent by the St. Louis Rams

MUSKOGEE, Okla. – The St. Louis Rams of the National Football League formally announced the signing of former Warrior Keshaun Malone to an undrafted rookie free agent contract. Continue reading

Haskell Suspends Football Due to Lack of Funding

HINU_KSBy Matt Tait of the Lawrence Journal World

Lawrence, Kan. – In a move that stirred up emotions across campus, Haskell Indian Nations University on Thursday announced that it has suspended its football program for the 2015 season, citing a lack of funding as the main reason. Continue reading

Remembering Brad Fossberg, The Rimington Banquet and The Fight Against Cystic Fibrosis.

Brad Fossberg

The view I had of Brad every morning for two years.

This Saturday the Rocco Theater will fill up with people who adore sports and are infatuated with college football for the annual Rimington Trophy Presentation.

People much like Brad Fossberg.

They’ll want to listen to Hall of Fame Coach Bobby Bowden speak. They’ll rise and applaud the official honoring of Reese Dismukes of Auburn as the nation’s top center with the Rimington Trophy. The event itself is something I absolutely love attending and I’m certainly not a “banquet” person. The underlying message, the reason for everyone getting together will be to spread awareness about cystic fibrosis and raise funds for finding a cure for the disease.

For the last few years I have helped to select the Rimington Award for the DI-FCS, DII, DIII and NAIA levels of college football. Basically I reach out to experts and scouts at each level of college football, review film and narrow down the candidates before selecting the winners of each division. I was honored to be asked and the selection process is something I take great pride in being a part of every year. Continue reading

Southern Oregon defeats Marian for NAIA Football National Title.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – (Box Score) No. 8 Southern Oregon earned its first-ever national championship by winning the 59th annual NAIA Football National Championship, 55-31, over No. 7 Marian (Ind.) Friday night at Municipal Stadium. The Raiders are the fourth-straight team to win the banner in their first appearance. Continue reading