FHSU FOOTBALL FAMILY
TIGER FAMILY
Here at Fort Hays State University we are all about Faith, Family, Education, and Football. Most programs talk about family, but here at FHSU we live it. It doesn’t matter where you come from, or what your background is like, once you join this family you gain 100+ brothers. Brothers who will have your back through thick and thin, brothers you will grind with, cry with, and go to battle with not just for the next 4 or 5 years, but for the rest of your life. The success that we have had in the classroom and on the football field stem from this culture of family. As the old saying goes, “Blood is thicker than water,” and here at Fort Hays State University we all bleed BLACK and GOLD.
FHSU RECENT HISTORY
ALL CONFERENCE SELECTIONS
85 All MIAA Selections since 2017
For the third consecutive year FHSU has produced the MIAA Special Teams Player of the Year. Kicker, Brandon Brown won the award in 2017, and Dante Brown claimed the award in back to back seasons during the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
Three individuals received special awards as Jose Delgado earned Defensive Player of the Year, Dante Brown earned Special Teams Player of the Year, and Chris Brown earned Coach of the Year for a second-straight season.
Back-To-Back Coach Of The Year Honors For Head Coach Chris Brown
- Brown's Coaching Accolades at Fort Hays State
- - All Time Wins Leader At FHSU (81)
- - 2017 & 2018 MIAA Coach of the Year
- - 2017 Don Hansen Football Committee Super Region 3 Coach of the Year
- - Led FHSU to MIAA Championships in 2017 and 2018
- - 2 appearances in NCAA Division II Playoffs (2017, 2018)
- - 2 appearances in NCAA Division II bowl games (2015, 2016)
- - 143 All-MIAA Selections
- - 28 All-America Selections
- - 6 Academic All-America Selections
- - 4 Players Signed with NFL Teams
FHSU OFFENSE
FHSU DEFENSE
FHSU DEFENSE
- #2 In The Conference in Total Defense
- #2 In The Conference in Passing Defense
- 6 Straight Seasons Of Top 3 In The Conference In Every Major Statistical Category
Back-to-Back-to-Back Defensive Players Of The Year Starting With Sie Doe Jr. in 2016, Nathan Shepherd in 2017, and Jose Delgado was the 2018 MIAA Defensive Player of the Year.
NEXT LEVEL TIGERS
NATHAN SHEPHERD
FHSU's Shepherd Invited To Senior Bowl
- On Monday (Nov. 27th) FHSU Head Coach Chris Brown gave notice to Nathan Shepherd that he had been selected to go to the Reese's Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL. The game was played on Jan. 22, 2018 and aired on ESPN and NFL Network. This was a great shot for Shepherd to work his way onto an NFL roster, with scouts from all 32 NFL teams being in attendance.
Shepherd Turns Heads At NFL Scouting Combine
On Monday (Mar. 12), Fort Hays State University hosted a Pro Day at the Schmidt/Bickle Indoor Training Facility. Scouts from nearly 15 NFL teams were on hand to see NFL Draft hopeful Nathan Shepherd work on specific defensive drills. Shepherd did not perform any tests that are measurable since he already put up tremendous numbers in the NFL Combine just over a week ago. Rather, he performed specific defensive lineman drills for a few NFL defensive line coaches on hand among scouts. Shepherd worked out for about 15-20 minutes before talking with local media invited to the session.
FHSU's Shepherd Taken In The 3rd Round By The New York Jets
Third-round draft pick Nathan Shepherd, defensive lineman from Fort Hays State University, signed a four-year deal with the New York Jets on Friday (May 18). The contract was reported at $3.4 million. The Ajax, Ontario native entered his rookie season with the Jets in the fall of 2018. Shepherd, the 2017 MIAA Defensive Player of the Year and All-America First Team selection, was the first NCAA Division II player selected in the 2018 NFL Draft.
SHAQUILLE COOPER
Former Fort Hays State standout running back Shaquille Cooper signed a free agent contract with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League in March of 2018. After a solid showing in minicamp and preseason action, Cooper solidified a spot on the team. Cooper has continued to have a successful career in the CFL and currently plays for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Cooper earned All-America honors as a running back at Fort Hays State, rushing for 2,768 yards in his three-year career that included the 2012, 2015, and 2016 seasons. He tied the school record for career yards per carry, matching the 6.1 yards per attempt.
DANTE BROWN
Kicker Dante Brown was selected with 41st overall pick of the Canadian Football League Draft by the Edmonton Elks in 2020 and remains on Edmonton's roster in his first season with the team. Brown is a triple-threat who connected on 47 of 56 field goal attempts (including a 56-yarder – the second-longest in school history – to force overtime) while averaging 42.4 yards on 134 punts and 58.7 yards on 91 kickoffs during 35 games over three seasons at Fort Hays State. He was named the NCAA Division II first-team kicker and the Don Hansen Football Committee National Special Teams Player of the Year each of the last two seasons.
DOYIN JIBOWU
After spending time with the Chicago Bears, Doyin Jibowu was selected by the Dallas Renegades of the XFL on October 16, 2019. Jibowu was a two-time All-America selection by the Don Hansen Football Committee. He wrapped his impressive four-year career at FHSU with 276 tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, 9 interceptions, and 26 pass breakups. Jibowu was a three-time All-MIAA First Team selection at defensive back and received Academic All-America honors from CoSIDA in his time at FHSU. Jibowu helped FHSU to back-to-back MIAA Championships and NCAA Playoff appearances in 2017 and 2018 and a pair of bowl game appearances in 2015 and 2016.
FOOTBALL FACILITIES
HOME OF THE TIGERS
LEWIS FIELD STADIUM is the 6,362-seat home of the Fort Hays State University football team. The venue has been home to the Tigers for over 80 years, but has seen several renovations throughout its history.
Lewis Field was constructed in 1936 on what was formerly the Golden Belt Fairgrounds, named in honor of former president William Alexander Lewis.
The stadium saw several changes prior to the start of the 2013 season. A brand new artificial playing surface was installed. A new look for the field included the FHSU Tiger logo at the 50-yardline and black endzones with gold lettering. A new look for the field included the FHSU Tiger logo at the 50-yardline and black endzones with gold lettering.
In the summer of 2017, over 2,000 new black folding seats replaced old chair back seats and a majority of the bench seating previously on the west side of the stadium, while stairwells widened and handrails were installed.
Following the 2017 season, a new video/scoreboard was installed at the north end of the stadium. The board measures over 60 feet wide and 45 feet tall.
Dressing rooms, concession areas, athletic training facilities, restrooms and equipment storage rooms are located under the grandstands. A complete remodel of the Tiger locker room was completed prior to the 2006 season with carpet flooring and individual lockers for 90 players.
GAME DAY ATMOSPHERE
Schmidt-Bickle Indoor Training Facility
The Schmidt-Bickle Indoor Training Facility is home to the weight room, a 65-yard indoor practice field, and team meeting room. This facility was built in 2013 and has been continuously been updated to be one of the best training facilities at the NCAA Div. II level.