The 1983 Valley City State Vikings football team represented Valley City State University as a member of the North Dakota College Athletic Conference (NDCAC) during the 1983 college football season. Led by head coach Jim Dew, the Vikings finished 6âÂÂ3 overall and 5âÂÂ1 in conference play, earning a share of the NDCAC championship.
After opening the season with a narrow 10âÂÂ9 loss to Northern State, Valley City State rebounded with a tense 7âÂÂ3 victory over rival Jamestown to retain the Paint Bucket. The Vikings followed with a 7âÂÂ6 win over Dickinson State, completing a sweep of their two primary rivals.
The Vikings then reeled off three more NDCAC victories against Bismarck State College, Mayville State, and Minot State before falling to Minot in the final conference game. With a 5âÂÂ1 league record, Valley City State shared the NDCAC title. Additional wins came against North Dakota Science and WisconsinâÂÂStout, while a road loss to Southwest Minnesota concluded the season at 6âÂÂ3 overall.
Team MVP Jim Thies was named First Team All-Conference and a First Team All-American. Additional All-Conference selections included Jed Klein, Mike Smith, Jeff Volk, and Randy Peitz. Klein and Volk earned NAIA Honorable Mention All-American honors, and Mike Smith was recognized as a First Team Academic All-American.
Paul Kidel, Dan Gunderson, Mark Sell, Steve Beaton, Bill Ries, Steve Armstrong, Mike McCormick, Eric Michael, Phil Leno, Lance Brown, Mark Douglas, David Hovland, Dave Benson, Pat Michael, Eric Leno, Lance Brown, Doug Schumacher, Doug Roemich, Alan Enger, Jeff Volk, Greg Smith, Greg Gronland, Duane Roelofsen, Mark Jensen, Don Cichos, Mark Johnson, Dan Lennus, Randy Carlson, and others listed on the Hall of Fame roster.