The 1964 Sam Houston State championship football team will be honored during the Bearkats' home game versus Abilene Christian University Saturday October 25 at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium.

The team is celebrating the 50th anniversary of a season that saw the Bearkats win the Lone Star Conference championship and go on to share the NAIA National Championship with Concordia College of Minnesota.

Under the leadership of head coach Paul “Red” Pierce, the 1964 Bearkats rolled to a record of nine victories, one loss and one tie.

Eleven Bearkats were honored as All-Lone Star Conference players. Two were named NAIA All-America and four others received NAIA All-America honorable mention.

Four players and three coaches from the 1964 team have been inducted into the Sam Houston athletic Hall of Honor. Players (and year inducted) are Teddy Minyard (1982), Joe Ed Lynn (1990), David Martin (1995) and Frank Fox (1997).

Coaches are Paul “Red” Pierce (1978), Bob Britt (1979) and Ronnie Choate (1981).

The 1964 Kats were unbeaten in regular season non-conference play and earned the right to hoist the Lone Star Conference championship trophy with a 5-1 league record.

Sam Houston's only loss was to conference runner-up Sul Ross. The Lobos finished a half game behind the Bearkats in the standings, however, after losing to Stephen F. Austin and a tie with Texas A&I.

In the semifinals of the NAIA national playoffs, Sam Houston defeated Findley of Ohio 31-21.

The victory advanced the Kats to the national championship game in Augusta, Georgia, where Sam Houston battled to a 7-7 tie with Concordia.

The 1964 team featured both an outstanding offense and defense. The Bearkats outscored their opponents 213 points to 100. Sam Houston averaged 327.5 yards per game total offense while surrendering only 166.1 total yards per contest.

The 1964 Sam Houston Bearkats football roster: