By Jeremy McDonald

jmcdonald73@gmail.com

MCMINNVILLE, Ore.– Tradition.  Prestige.  Winning with class.

Six National Titles and 12 Northwest Conference championships later, the number three team in NCAA Division-III Football Linfield College can add 60 consecutive winning seasons to their prestigious  program following their 49-7 victory over Willamette University this past Saturday.

Wildcat Head Coach Joseph Smith said that the accomplishment adds to the culture of Linfield Football and the alumni of the program reminds current players what is expected of them.

“We are very proud of the culture that is Linfield Football,” said Smith via e-mail Wednesday.  “We really believe that it is the values of our program that have allowed us to enjoy such a sustained level of excellence.

“All of our players feel the tradition and expectations of all the former ‘Cats who have played here.   Our old guys treat the younger players the way they were treated and teach them what is expected here and how we go about doing things the Linfield way.  It is those very cycles of behavior that have allowed this to continue for so long.”

During this incredible streak that dates back to 1956, the Wildcats have gone 475-109-10.  The second longest streak behind Linfield, was 42 years straight; done by Central Iowa (1961-2002), Harvard (1881-1923) and Notre Dame (1889-1932).

“We are very proud of the streak,” said Smith.  “But for us it is simply an outcome of the focus our program has of using football to build life success skills for our players.”

When asked if the ‘Cats streak will ever be matched, there was a sense of laughter in Smith’s answer.

“(I) don’t know,” he started.  “It will take some time though!”

Smith is positive, behind a recipe that got them to 60 straight, he doesn’t see why “The Streak” shouldn’t continue to 61, 62 and maybe, 75.

“If we continue as a program to focus on the success formation of our student athletes,” explains Smith. “And our program continues to attract talented young men that want a strong education and love football, are of high character, and are talented, the streak will continue.”

Stats from Linfield’s athletic page.

Jeremy McDonald is a professional sports journalist in the Salem/Portland area and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalist in Oregon with B.S. degrees from Southern Oregon University in Journalism (2011) and Health/PE (2013).  Got a story idea? Email him at jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com or on Twitter at @J_McDonald81!