The Stats
Coach Kragthorpe recorded a 21–14 record in three seasons, from 1980 to 1982. The best results were definitely in his second year, a 12–1 season in 1981 when the Bengals won the Big Sky Conference title and the NCAA Division 1-AA Football Championship.
When he took over the team in 1980, the Bengals had just come off a 0-11 season and, in his first year of coaching, they had a 6-5 record. Beating Nevada that year really made him aware of how good this team could be. Coach Kragthorpe said, "Marvin Lewis went out and blocked a punt that helped us get the ball back and take the go ahead score." That season they they also beat in-state rival University of Idaho which was a big boost for the program. In the last game of the season, they lost to Boise State who would go on to win the championship.
In a statement, the Coach said, "That first year showed how many great players Idaho State had on the team. One thing that always stood out about this team at Idaho State was how much they cared about each other. They always wanted to be around each other. To this day many players still get together regularly and I love that. The players truly bought into this system and that is what made my experience at Idaho State the most rewarding."
Sports Information Director, Glenn Alford remembered that, "Coach Kragthorpe instilled confidence in the way that he conducted himself. He wasn’t a yeller. His players wanted to perform at their best because they didn’t want to let the Coach down." In Glenn's opinion, "One of his greatest assets was his ability to coach the offensive line. Idaho State had the best offensive line in the conference. He took good players and made them great."
35 Year Football Reunion Weekend
Plan to join us for the 35 Year Reunion Weekend, June 23-25, 2016, in Pocatello and help us honor our Coach and friend.
Thursday, June 23
7:00 p.m. - Thursday Night Get Together at the Sandpiper
Friday, June 24
10:30 a.m. - Golfing at Highland
4:00 p.m. - Happy Hour - location TBD
7:00 p.m. - F.A.T. party at Phil Meador Toyota
Saturday, June 25
8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. - F.A.T. Golf Tournament
6:30 p.m. - Dinner honoring Coach Krag at ISU Alumni House
Questions? Contact Tyson Munns at (208) 479-9310 or munntyso@isu.edu.
Give Today and Honor a Legend!
When you think of Bengal Athletics in the 80’s, you can't help but remember the leadership of Coach Dave Kragthorpe. On December 19, 1981, Coach Kragthorpe led the Bengals to a 34-23 victory over Eastern Kentucky, in Wichita Falls, Texas, and secured the NCAA Division 1-AA Football Championship.
“Winning the National Championship was the greatest experience of my life.” Coach Krag said. ISU will never forget the excitement that he brought to campus and the community.
Those who played for him will tell you that he was a motivating coach and that they wanted to perform at their best because they didn’t want to let Coach Krag down. “Coach taught everyone on the team about football, but even more about life,” said Dave Vandegriff, “Outside of my dad, Coach Kragthorpe is who I look up to. To this day, when Coach is in the room, I am all ears”.
On June 25, 2016, Idaho State University will honor Coach Dave Kragthorpe and present him with the Kragthorpe Scholarship Endowment. Money raised during this campaign will provide an annual scholarship to a Bengal football player who has demonstrated a commitment to the profession of coaching, education, and service in the community. By establishing an endowment, it will ensure that this scholarship will continue in perpetuity and that Coach Krag's legacy will never be forgotten.
What is an endowment?
An endowment fund is a permanent, self-sustaining source of funding. Endowment assets are invested. Each year, a portion of the value of the fund is paid out to support the fund’s purpose, and any earnings in excess of this distribution are used to build the fund’s market value. In this way, an endowment fund can grow and provide support for its designated purpose in perpetuity. When you establish an endowment fund, you create a permanent legacy of support for Idaho State University.