Central Washington Wildcats football

Central Washington Wildcats football
2025 Central Washington Wildcats football team
First season1901 (1901)
Athletic directorDr. Dennis Francois
Head coachChris Fisk
6th season, 38–20 (.655)
LocationEllensburg, Washington
StadiumTomlinson Stadium
(capacity: 4,000)
ConferenceLone Star Conference
ColorsCrimson and black[1]
   
All-time record489–338–26 (.589)
NAIA national championships
NAIA Division II: 1995
Conference championships
32
Consensus All-Americans31
Websitewildcatsports.com/football

The Central Washington Wildcats program represents Central Washington University in college football at the NCAA Division II level. The Wildcats are normally members of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, but when that conference dropped football after the 2021 season, they joined the Lone Star Conference as football-only members.[2] Formerly an NAIA program, Central Washington moved up to NCAA Division II in 1999.[3]

Conference affiliations

Championships

National championships

The Wildcats have one claimed national championship.

Year Association Division Head coach Record Opponent Result
1995 NAIA (1) Division II (1) Jeff Zenisek 10–3–1 (4–1 CFA) Findlay T, 21–21

Playoff appearances

NCAA Division II

The Wildcats have made nine appearances in the NCAA Division II playoffs, with a combined record of 5–9.

Year Round Opponent Result
2002 First Round UC Davis L, 6–24
2007 First Round
Second Round
Regional Final 		Ashland
Nebraska–Omaha
Grand Valley State 		W, 40–24
W, 20–17
L, 21–41
2008 First Round West Texas A&M L, 42–49
2009 Second Round
Regional Final 		Tarleton State
NW Missouri State 		W, 27–6
L, 20–21
2017 Second Round Texas A&M–Commerce L, 31–34 2OT
2021 First Round NW Missouri State L, 21–50
2023 First Round
Second Round
Regional Finals 		Western Colorado
Bemidji State
Colorado Mines 		W, 16–13 OT
W, 21–17
L, 14–38
2024 First Round Western Colorado L, 21–28
2025 First Round Western Colorado L, 20–27

NAIA

The Wildcats made nine appearances in the NAIA playoffs, with a combined record of 10–8–1.

Year Round Opponent Result
1984 Quarterfinals
Semifinals 		East Central
Central Arkansas 		W, 22–20
L, 6–44
1987 First Round Southern Oregon L, 14–21
1988 First Round Carroll (MT) L, 7–28
1989 First Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals 		Lewis & Clark
Dickinson State
Westminster (PA) 		W, 51–0
W, 49–7
L, 10–21
1990 First Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals 		Greenville
Pacific Lutheran
Westminster (PA) 		W, 43–13
W, 24–6
L, 17–24
1991 First Round Pacific Lutheran L, 0–27
1993 First Round
Quarterfinals 		Linfield
Pacific Lutheran 		W, 28–26
L, 17–35
1995 First Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
National Championship 		Western Washington
Hardin–Simmons
Mary (ND)
Findlay 		W, 28–21
W, 40–20
W, 48–7
T, 21–21
1998 First Round
Quarterfinals 		Rocky Mountain
Azusa Pacific 		W, 41–38 OT
L, 28–35

Stadium

The Central Washington Wildcats have played their home games at Tomlinson Stadium since its construction in 1959 (Field named to Steve Hertling Field in 2024). The current permanent capacity of the stadium is 4,000.[4]

Rivalries

Western Washington

Main article: Central Washington–Western Washington football rivalry

Notable players

See also: List of Central Washington Wildcats in the NFL draft

References

  1. ^ CWU Brand Identity Standards Quick Guide (PDF). October 20, 2013. Retrieved June 12, 2016.
  2. ^ "Three football teams to join LSC as affiliate members". Lone Star Conference. November 18, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  3. ^ Colton, C. (September 10, 1993). "'Cats play wild, wild schedule". Ellensburg Daily Record. p. C3.
  4. ^ "Facilities". Central Washington University Athletics. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
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