As part of the ongoing celebration of the 50th season of Griffon Football, five all-decade teams were selected to celebrate that respective chapter in Griffon football history.
There were 151 former Griffons selected for the various all-decade teams. The teams were selected by a committee comprised of Missouri Western football alumni and former Griffon Athletics support personnel.
Thousands have worn the Griffon uniform through the first five decades of this proud football program. For this milestone 50th season, it was appropriate to take a look at the past and honor the contributions of the many players who helped build the program into what it is today. The naming of an All-Decade team for each of the five decades is just one way those contributions will be honored throughout the 2019 season.
Honoring each All-Decade team will continue throughout the season with in-depth information on each team and Griffon Football history through each decade in the home game programs.
Letter from the 50th Anniversary Committee/Selection Process
All-decade teams were selected by a committee comprised of Missouri Western Football alumni and former Griffon Athletics support personnel.
The committee’s starting point was to identify five sub-committees, comprised of former players, coaches and support personnel familiar with the one decade they reviewed. There were people representing both offensive and defensive perspectives and the teams as a whole through each individual decade.
The committees met and discussed the overall goals of their work. The overriding principle of all decisions was that selections were to be merit based. All former players received consideration to be named to the All-Decade teams.
Postseason honors were the most fair and objective way to differentiate players and served as the first step in narrowing the hundreds of players in each decade to a more manageable number. Some players distinguished themselves at this step.
For other situations, the difference between players was more subtle. In those cases, comparing the number of seasons that awards were earned tipped the scales. In other situations where former players had the same number of postseason awards, the one with higher level recognition earned the position on the All-Decade team. Every player named to the All-Decade teams earned their position through on-field performance. Once the five committees finished their work, there were two independent layers of review.
Finally, there is a small number of former players named to the All-Decade teams with Special Mention status. These individuals were players at a position where the credentials of another player edged them out, but whose career was so impressive they deserved Special Mention.
Every player who moved through the program, whether a four-year starter and All-American or a one-year player who saw their career cut short by injury put their own brick in the wall that is Griffon Football. The 50th Season Committee appreciates the blood, sweat and sacrifice of every player who has worn the Black and Gold through the decades.
