Midland University’s 1994 football team embodied what being a team was all about - both on and off the field.

That squad is being recognized with induction into the Warrior Athletic Hall of Fame. They will be honored during the Warrior Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet Friday, Sept. 26 at 5 p.m. at the Wikert Event Center.

The 1994 squad posted an 8-2 record and finished the regular season with a No. 10 ranking in the NAIA poll. Midland carried a six-game winning streak into the postseason before its season ended with a 34-14 loss to eventual national runner-up Pacific Lutheran. 

“The competitive nature of that team pushed itself to be the best they could be,” Coach Steve Schneider ‘80 said of his team. “We had great depth, so there wasn’t much drop off between the first and second-stringers. They also demonstrated strong leadership, which in turn helped with the development of a winning culture. Off the field, the guys spent a lot of time together, which helped to create a bond that successful teams possess.”

Midland had gone 6-4 the previous year with several close losses, leading Schneider to believe they were capable of taking the next step in 1994. “We had the majority of our team returning, and we were three or four plays away from having an eight-win season in 1993,” he said. “From a coaches viewpoint, we felt really good about the ‘94 season, with the experience we had returning, and a strong class of seniors that were good leaders.

“A successful season starts in January with the off-season strength and conditioning and our guys got after it in the weight room. That team was well prepared for the season, and the results reflect that.”

Under the direction of offensive coordinator Doug Lanik ‘80, the Warriors piled up 264 yards rushing per game, the eighth best mark in the nation, and averaged 32 points per contest. Defensive coordinator Craig Schneider’s, ‘83,  defense gave up less than 20 points per game, leading to a balanced attack on both sides of the ball.

“Our coordinators worked well together in developing game plans and structuring our practices to simulate gameday situations as best as possible,” Steve Schneider said. “Our position coaches also had great rapport with their players and were strong teachers of the game.”

Midland had 23 players earn All-NIAC honors that season, including seven on the first team.