Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) will celebrate the 30-year reunion of the 1996 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Championship Football Team during Homecoming Weekend, October 30-31, 2026, in Weatherford.
The 1996 Bulldogs captured the NAIA National Championship in SWOSU’s final season competing at the NAIA level. SWOSU bested longtime rival Northwestern Oklahoma State in the national semifinal before defeating Montana Tech, 33-31, in the national championship game. The Bulldogs finished the historic season with a 9-3 overall record and a 4-1 mark in conference play.
The national championship provided a fitting conclusion to SWOSU’s long association with the NAIA. The following year, SWOSU transitioned to NCAA Division II and joined the Lone Star Conference, making the 1996 national championship season a significant chapter in the history of Bulldog Athletics.
Hosted by the SWOSU Athletic Association, the 30-year reunion will welcome members of the championship team back to the Hilltop for a weekend of activities celebrating their accomplishments and lasting impact on SWOSU Athletics.
The reunion weekend will begin Friday, October 30, with the SWOSU Homecoming Welcome Back Party from 6-8 p.m. at Lucille’s Roadhouse in Weatherford.
Activities will continue Saturday, October 31, with the SWOSU Homecoming Brunch & Tailgate from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Timothy T. Day Business Enterprise Center (Day BEC). At 2 p.m., the celebration will continue with a football watch party in the Bulldog Suite at the Wellness Center as SWOSU takes on Arkansas-Monticello.
Members of the 1996 NAIA National Championship Football Team will also receive special recognition at Milam Stadium as part of SWOSU’s Homecoming festivities.
The weekend will conclude with the 1996 NAIA National Championship Football Team After Party at 6 p.m. at Lucille’s Roadhouse in Weatherford. The gathering will be hosted by SWOSU alumnus Rouben Tourian, '96 & '13.
The 30-year reunion will provide former players, coaches, supporters, and members of the SWOSU community an opportunity to reconnect, celebrate the historic championship season, and recognize the enduring legacy of the 1996 team in Bulldog Athletics history.
For more information about the 1996 NAIA National Championship Football Team 30-Year Reunion, please contact Aaron Jeffreys at Aaron.Jeffreys@swosu.edu or 580-774-3122 or visit www.swosufoundation.com/1996reunion/
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