In 1977, the Evansville Purple Aces football team won the NCAA Division II championship, the only national championship in the program’s history. The team was coached by Dennis Raetz, who had taken over as head coach just three years earlier.

The Purple Aces finished the regular season with a record of 8-2, earning a spot in the Division II playoffs. In the playoffs, they defeated Northern Michigan, Central Missouri State, and Mississippi College to reach the championship game against Eastern Illinois.

The championship game was played on December 10, 1977, in the Mineral Water Bowl in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. The Purple Aces dominated the game from start to finish, winning by a score of 24-0. The team’s defense was particularly impressive, holding Eastern Illinois to just 102 total yards of offense and forcing six turnovers.

Following the championship win, several members of the team were recognized for their outstanding performances during the season. Linebacker Dave Kurth was named the NCAA Division II Defensive Player of the Year, while defensive end Paul Besing was named an All-American. In addition, Raetz was named the Division II Coach of the Year.