The 1963 Valley City State Vikings football team represented Valley City State CollegeâÂÂnow known as Valley City State UniversityâÂÂas a member of the North Dakota College Athletic Conference (NDCAC) during the 1963 NAIA football season. Under second-year head coach Dick Koppenhaver, the Vikings compiled an overall record of 6âÂÂ1âÂÂ1 overall with a mark of 5âÂÂ0âÂÂ1 in conference play, capturing the NDCAC championship.
Valley City State opened the season with NDCAC victories over and before battling to a scoreless tie. A non-conference win over the followed, and the Vikings then shut out , , and in consecutive dominant defensive performances.
The 1963 squad is remembered as one of the best defensive teams in Valley City State history, recording five shutouts. The Vikings' only defeat came in the season finale against . The team was inducted into the Viking Hall of Fame in 2008.
Team members recognized at the Hall of Fame induction include: J. Welder, R. Smedshammer, R. Prien, L. Christman, E. Nistrom, R. Stedl, B. Donarski, A. Kreeder, P. Podoll, L. Beatte, G. Bjerke, Bob Bruhschwein, F. Young, L. Lissala, L. Smith, C. Estes, R. Eynes, M. Glad, Don Lemnus, Larry Grooters, W. Welch, J. Johnson, C. Christianson, C. Amey, F. Henry, T. Koch, B. Harg, Al Goeff, D. Dewald, H. Schwans, M. Duberous, H. King, R. Schultz, C. Schroeder, and Coach Don Lemnus.