Murray State University Athletics
Racer Football Reunion to Celebration 1986 and 1996 Championship Teams
6/26/2026 10:21:00 AM | Football, General
Former players invited to celebrate the program and these championships Friday, Oct. 16
Two of the most decorated teams in the history of Murray State football will be celebrated the night before homecoming when the 1986 and 1996 championship squads will be honored during the team's reunion the night before Homecoming on Friday, Oct. 16.
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All former players are invited back for the event to celebrate their time wearing the navy and gold and to celebrate the immense amount of progress being made at Roy Stewart Stadium and within the program as a whole.
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"We are incredibly excited to welcome our former football student-athletes, coaches and their families back to campus as we celebrate the proud tradition of Murray State Football," Director of Athletics Nico Yantko said. "This reunion is an opportunity to honor the generations of Racers who helped build our program while paying special tribute to the 1986 and 1996 Ohio Valley Conference Championship teams, whose accomplishments continue to inspire our student-athletes today. It will be a special weekend of reconnecting, celebrating our history and continuing to strengthen the bonds that make Racer Nation so unique."
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"Our program has been built by the players and coaches who came before us, and it is important that our current team understands the pride, toughness and championship standard they established," head coach Jody Wright said. "We are thrilled to welcome so many former Racers back home and to celebrate the 1986 and 1996 OVC Championship teams. It will be an honor to reconnect with our alumni and celebrate the tradition that continues to shape the future of Racer Football."
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1986 CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM
The 1986 team, led by sixth-year head coach Frank Beamer, compiled an overall record of 7–4–1 with a mark of 6–1 in conference play to earn of a share of the OVC title. Murray State advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA Championship playoffs, where the Racers lost to Eastern Illinois in the first round.
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1996 CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM
The 1996 squad, coached by Houston Nutt, finished with an impressive 11-1 overall record and a perfect 8-0 in the OVC. They secured the outright OVC Championship that season and reached the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs, defeating Western Illinois 34-6 in the first round before falling to Troy.
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If you are a former player and wish to attend the event, please CLICK HERE TO RSVP.
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Follow the Racers on X (@MSURacers), Instagram (@RacersAthletics) and Facebook to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Murray State Athletics.
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All former players are invited back for the event to celebrate their time wearing the navy and gold and to celebrate the immense amount of progress being made at Roy Stewart Stadium and within the program as a whole.
Â
"We are incredibly excited to welcome our former football student-athletes, coaches and their families back to campus as we celebrate the proud tradition of Murray State Football," Director of Athletics Nico Yantko said. "This reunion is an opportunity to honor the generations of Racers who helped build our program while paying special tribute to the 1986 and 1996 Ohio Valley Conference Championship teams, whose accomplishments continue to inspire our student-athletes today. It will be a special weekend of reconnecting, celebrating our history and continuing to strengthen the bonds that make Racer Nation so unique."
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"Our program has been built by the players and coaches who came before us, and it is important that our current team understands the pride, toughness and championship standard they established," head coach Jody Wright said. "We are thrilled to welcome so many former Racers back home and to celebrate the 1986 and 1996 OVC Championship teams. It will be an honor to reconnect with our alumni and celebrate the tradition that continues to shape the future of Racer Football."
Â
1986 CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM
The 1986 team, led by sixth-year head coach Frank Beamer, compiled an overall record of 7–4–1 with a mark of 6–1 in conference play to earn of a share of the OVC title. Murray State advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA Championship playoffs, where the Racers lost to Eastern Illinois in the first round.
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1996 CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM
The 1996 squad, coached by Houston Nutt, finished with an impressive 11-1 overall record and a perfect 8-0 in the OVC. They secured the outright OVC Championship that season and reached the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs, defeating Western Illinois 34-6 in the first round before falling to Troy.
Â
If you are a former player and wish to attend the event, please CLICK HERE TO RSVP.
Â
Follow the Racers on X (@MSURacers), Instagram (@RacersAthletics) and Facebook to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Murray State Athletics.
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