Now, 50 years later, nearly all the team will gather to commemorate it this weekend at NMU.

“We were surprised we got to the playoffs then we just kept winning one game at a time until we got to the championships,” said Kurt Albrecht, a running back for the Wildcats in 1975. “It was surreal.”

Going from 0-10 in ’74 to bouncing back and winning the national championship the next year has cemented this moment as one of the most notable in Wildcat history, but the whole experience was impactful to some of the players.

“Flying out there was a big deal,” said Albrecht. “The whole experience was kind of surreal, everything that happened and I was just a 21-year-old kid.”

Northern Michigan University quarterback Steve Mariucci of Iron Mountain hands off to running back Randy Awrey, also of Iron Mountain, for the game-winning touchdown run against Western Kentucky in the NCAA Division II football championship game in 1975. (Photo courtesy of Northern Michigan University)

Albrecht remembers between practices and meetings, going out exploring in sightseeing in Sacramento California where the game took place. Then the team played and won 16-14 against Western Kentucky. This still remains the only time NMU made it to the NCAA championships, and the only time they won. Albrecht played no small part, he was a running back and then when other players couldn’t perform he had to switch to be a linebacker, a role he hadn’t been trained in; yet he still managed to perform and place a few key tackles in the NCAA championship.

“We were good, but there have been a lot of good teams since,” said Albrecht. “There was a lot more to it than just the game. We just happened to be part of it.”

Albrecht feels a kinship with the current players at NMU, though a lot has changed in the 50 years since he played for Northern. He still has a connection and can see the drive the current players have.

“I am a big fan of Shane (Richardson) and have even been to a few practices, I see their potential,” Albrecht said. “They just got to get their breakthrough.”

The Wildcats will face nationally ranked Grand Valley State University in the Superior Dome this weekend. The opening kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Eastern time Saturday.

Along with celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1975 championship, the Wildcats will retire the jersey of NMU legend Steve Mariucci at halftime.

Antonio Anderson can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550, or aanderson@miningjournal.net.