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Naperville hails North Central's national football championship

Posted January 31, 2020 12:00 am

Daily Herald report

Fans celebrate North Central College's national title-winning football team on Friday at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium in Naperville on Friday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com

It was a good day to be a Cardinal.

Naperville celebrated North Central College's first Division III national football championship with a procession and rally Friday.

The Cardinals captured the crown Dec. 20 with a 41-14 victory over the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater at the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl in Shenandoah, Texas.

While it was the school's first national title in football, the Cardinals have won a total of 40 national titles in sports that include women's basketball, men's cross country, men's indoor and outdoor track and field, and women's triathlon.

Indeed, North Central's first national championship — in men's swimming and diving — dates to 1958.

Fans line up Friday at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium in Naperville to celebrate North Central's national football championship. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com

Super fan Patty Jarrell celebrates as three trolleys roll through Naperville carrying North Central College's national championship football team on Friday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com

Co-captain Tyler Egan, left, celebrates with other players and fans as part of rally for North Central College's title-winning football team on Friday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com

North Central College player Axel Ponten of Sweden waves to the fans during Friday's parade in Naperville. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com

Hundreds of fans celebrate with the North Central College's national title-winning football team Friday at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com

North Central College's football team rolls into Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium in Naperville on Friday to celebrate its Division III national title. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com

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