The 1971 Kansas Wesleyan Football team rolled through the conference portion of the schedule with an 8-0 record and finished the season 8-1 overall, the lone loss coming to Colorado College. The team would win the last of four conference championships won by legendary coach Gene Bissell, who remains KWU's all-time wins leader in football with 116. The Coyotes outscored their opponents 188-92 during the season including a shutout win over Bethel and a hard fought 6-3 victory over the Bethany Swedes on Homecoming in a 'Mud Bowl' game that season to secure no less than a share of the KCAC title. Five players were named All-KCAC that season led by NAIA Hall of Famer Charles Jessamy, along with defensive back Jimmy Brown, linebacker Bob Loersch, offensive lineman Frank Limanni and defensive lineman John Sergi. Coach Gene Bissell was named the NAIA District 10 Coach of the Year and Jessamy, Sergi, Limanni and Loersch were all named All-District 10. Jessamy continued onto be named Honorable Mention NAIA All-American and a Third Team Little All-American by the Associated Press and led the NAIA in rushing in 1971 with a 185 yard per game average.
Team Members include: Steve Schrader, Dave Gans, Rusty Hinde, Tony Draft, Laroy Slaughter, John Hartshorn, Richard Gerner, Bill Graves, Steve Jessamy, David Finocchario, Ken Kreisberg, Dan Corutky, Charles Sargent, Harry Disbrow, Jerry Garofalo, Bill Paprota, Paul Hulsey, Mike Lindsay, Chuck Janelli, Jim LoVullo, Jack Sheahon, James Brown, Ed Brewer, Joel Barkalow, Loren Roth, John Sergi, Charles Jessamy, Bill Young, Mike McCrory, Dale Garrison, Frank Limanni, Joe DeLuise, Mark Delorenzo, Ken Apisa, Greg Stratton, Bob Loersch, Charlie Grillo, Ron Smith, Ralph Ascione, Tom Shoebridge, Henry Ford, Calvin Ward, Mike Claves, David Monares, Tom Proulx. Coaches Gene Bissell, Dennis Beck, Anton Seals, Bob Reynolds, Dee Kozlow. Trainer Greg Mathena. Manager Greg Hubbard.
