The Albion Britons football program, 2020âÂÂpresent represented Albion College from 2020 to the present in NCAA Division II college football as a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA). The program won six MIAA championship during the decade: 1960, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1966, and 1969. The team was led by head coaches Morley Fraser (1954âÂÂ1968) and Tom J. Taylor (1969âÂÂ1972).
The 1960 Albion Britons football team was an American football team that represented Albion College of Albion, Michigan, as a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) during the 1960 college football season. In their seventh season under head coach Morley Fraser, the Britons compiled a 7âÂÂ1 record (5âÂÂ0 in MIAA games) and won the MIAA championship.
The 1961 Albion Britons football team was an American football team that represented Albion College of Albion, Michigan, as a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) during the 1961 college football season. In their eighth season under head coach Morley Fraser, the Britons compiled a perfect 8âÂÂ0 record (5âÂÂ0 against MIAA members), won the MIAA championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 186 to 56. It was Albion's first perfect season since 1928.
The team was inducted into Albion's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991. Nine coaches or players from the team have also been inducted as individuals: Morley Fraser; Darwin Christiansen; Frank Gould; Ray Hag; Ken Neal; Robert Porritt; Fritz Shurmur; Joe Shurmur; and Dale Springer.
The team's individual statistical leaders included fullback J.B. Elzy with 752 rushing yards, quarterback Frank Gould with 604 passing yards and 818 yards of total offense, and end Gary Methner with 49 pass receptions for 604 yards.
Junior Joe Shurmur was named to the 1961 MIAA all-conference team on both offense (guard) and defense (linebacker); he was also voted as the team's most valuable player. Albion took nine of the 22 spots on the 1961 all-conference team. In addition to Shurmur, Albion's other honorees were quarterback Frank Gould; running backs J.B. Elzy and Ray Hoag; end Gary Menther; defensive tackle Terry Menther; defensive guard Milt Moore; and defensive halfback Bob Porritt.
The team played its home games at Alumni Field in Albion, Michigan.
The following 37 players received block "A" varsity letters for their participation on the 1961 Albion football team:
Varsity letters were also presented to team managers Fred Clawson, John Gorton, and Richard Yeager.
The 1962 Albion Britons football team represented Albion College of Albion, Michigan. In their ninth year under head coach Morley Fraser, the Britons compiled a 6âÂÂ2 record (3âÂÂ2 against MIAA opponents), finished in a tie for second place in the MIAA, and outscored opponents by a total of 172 to 83.
The Britons had a 15-game winning streak dating back to the 1960 season. It was the longest winning streak in Albion school history, eclipsing a 14-game streak during the 1939 and 1940 seasons. The streak was broken on October 20 in a loss to Kalamazoo.
Key players included halfbacks Mike Hornus and Russ Wallis and quarterback Frank Gould.
The 1963 Albion Britons football team was an American football team that represented Albion College of Albion, Michigan, as a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) during the 1963 NCAA College Division football season. In their tenth season under head coach Morley Fraser, the Britons compiled a 5âÂÂ4 record (3âÂÂ2 in MIAA games), tied for third place in the MIAA, and outscored oppponents by a total of 133 to 97.
The team's statistical leader included Dave Neilson (949 passing yards) and J. B. Elzy (773 rushing yards).
The 1964 Albion Britons football team was an American football team that represented Albion College as a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) during the 1964 NCAA College Division football season. In their 11th season under head coach Morley Fraser, the Britons compiled a perfect 8âÂÂ0 record (5âÂÂ0 against MIAA members), won the MIAA championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 226 to 41. It was the third unbeaten season in the history of Albion's football program, with prior unbeaten seasons in 1928 and 1961.
The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Dave Neilson who completed 37 of 84 passes for 736 yards and 14 touchdowns; left halfback Russ Wallis with 165 carries for 779 rushing yards and 58 points scored; and end John Ellinger with 20 receptions for 465 yards and seven touchdowns.
Albion claimed 10 of 23 spots on the 1964 MIAA all-league football team. The Albion honorees were: quarterback Dave Neilson (MIAA passing leader); running back Russ Wallis (MIAA rushing leader); end John Ellinger (MIAA receiving leader); center John Madill; offensive tackle Ron Springer; defensive end Barry Siler; defensive linemen Terry Methner and Mike Shafer; linebacker John Mullin; and defensive back Chick Scarletta.
The team played its home games at Alumni Field in Albion, Michigan.
The 1965 Albion Britons football team was an American football team that represented Albion College as a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) during the 1965 NCAA College Division football season. In their 12th season under head coach Morley Fraser, the Britons compiled a 7âÂÂ2 record (5âÂÂ0 in MIAA games) and won the MIAA championship.
The 1966 Albion Britons football team was an American football team that represented Albion College as a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) during the 1966 NCAA College Division football season. In their 13th season under head coach Morley Fraser, the Britons compiled a 7âÂÂ2 record (4âÂÂ1 in MIAA games) and won the MIAA championship.
The 1967 Albion Britons football team was an American football team that represented Albion College as a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) during the 1967 NCAA College Division football season. In their 14th season under head coach Morley Fraser, the Britons compiled a 2âÂÂ5âÂÂ1 record (2âÂÂ2 in MIAA games) and finished in third place in the MIAA.
The 1968 Albion Britons football team was an American football team that represented Albion College as a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) during the 1968 NCAA College Division football season. In their 15th and final season under head coach Morley Fraser, the Britons compiled a 6âÂÂ3 record (4âÂÂ1 in MIAA games) and finished in second place in the MIAA.
The 1969 Albion Britons football team was an American football team that represented Albion College as a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) during the 1969 NCAA College Division football season. In their first season under head coach Tom J. Taylor, the Britons compiled a perfect 8âÂÂ0 record (5âÂÂ0 against MIAA members), won the MIAA championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 177 to 68. It was the fourth unbeaten season in the history of Albion's football program, with prior unbeaten seasons in 1928, 1961, and 1964.
Seven Albion players were included on the 1969 MIAA all-league team: backs Jim Bell and Craig Cossey; center Warren Thompson; guard Al Kastl; defensive lineman Pete Dolan; linebacker Tim Rod; and defensive back Jim McMillan. Quarterback Chris Rundle received honorable mention.
The team played its home games at Winter-Lau Field in Albion, Michigan.