# Wisconsin–Platteville Pioneers football

The Wisconsin–Platteville Pioneers football program is the intercollegiate American football team for the University of Wisconsin–Platteville located in Platteville, Wisconsin. The team competes at the NCAA Division III level and is a member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC).

## Championships
### Conference championships

The Pioneers have won the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) championship 15 times.
| Year | Coach | Overall record | WIAC record |
| 1938† | Lester Leitl | 4–1 | 3–1 |
| 1941† | Lester Leitl | 3–0–2 | 3–0–1 |
| 1942† | Lester Leitl | 3–1–1 | 3–0–1 |
| 1952† | Lester Leitl | 5–1 | 4–0 |
| 1953† | Lester Leitl | 6–0 | 4–0 |
| 1956† | Lester Leitl | 6–1 | 5–0 |
| 1957 | Lester Leitl | 5–1 | 5–0 |
| 1968† | Monte Charles | 8–1 | 7–1 |
| 1969† | Gil Krueger | 8–1 | 7–1 |
| 1970 | Gil Krueger | 10–1 | 8–0 |
| 1971† | Gil Krueger | 9–1 | 7–1 |
| 1974† | Bob Seamans | 8–2 | 7–1 |
| 1976† | Bob Seamans | 8–2 | 6–2 |
| 1980† | George Chryst | 7–3 | 6–2 |
| 2024 | Ryan Munz | 9–2 | 6–1 |
† Co-champions

## Postseason appearances
### NCAA Division III playoffs

The Pioneers have made three appearances in the NCAA Division III playoffs, with a combined record of 1–3.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
| 2013 | First Round Second Round | Concordia (WI) North Central (IL) | W, 54–20 L, 24–52 |
| 2016 | First Round | Saint John's (MN) | L, 31–32 |
| 2024 | Second Round | Wartburg | L, 14–19 |

### NAIA Division I playoffs

The Pioneers have made one appearance in the NAIA Division I playoffs, with a combined record of 0–1.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
| 1970 | Semifinals | Texas A&I | L, 0–16 |

### Bowl games

The Pioneers have a 1–0 bowl record after participating in the Culver's Isthmus Bowl in 2023.
| Year | Bowl | Coach | Opponent | Result | Record |
| 2023 | Isthmus Bowl | Ryan Munz | Augustana (IL) | W 36–10 | 7–4 |

## Ranked teams

Starting in 1999 the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) began publishing rankings for Division III football. The AFCA Division III poll records are not well kept online, so the table will read "Unknown" if rankings weren't able to be found for that particular season. In 2003, D3football.com started publishing its own rankings for Division III football. Since the inception of both polls, Wisconsin–Platteville has been ranked at least four times in the AFCA Coaches Poll and five times in the D3football.com poll to end the season. Additionally, while not being ranked in the Top 25 to end the season, the Pioneers have received votes (RV) at least three times in the AFCA Coaches Poll and three times in the D3football.com poll.
| Year | D3 | AFCA | Record |
| 2012 | 13 | 16 | 8–2 |
| 2013 | 9 | 8 | 10–2 |
| 2014 | RV | RV | 7–3 |
| 2015 | 14 | 15 | 8–2 |
| 2016 | 14 | Unknown | 8–3 |
| 2017 | RV | Unknown | 7–3 |
| 2019 | NR | RV | 7–3 |
| 2023 | RV | RV | 7–4 |
| 2024 | 16 | 17 | 9–2 |

## Facilities

From 1984 to 2001 the Chicago Bears of the National Football League used the Pioneers facilities for the team's annual preseason training camp. The Bears were looking at Platteville, as well as Wisconsin–Whitewater, but ultimately chose Platteville after a tour with legendary coach and athletic director George Chryst. The Bears cited strong facilities, as well as fewer distractions for the team due to the remoteness of Platteville. The decision seemed to have paid off, as the 1985 Bears went on to win Super Bowl XX. Five other NFL teams used campuses across Wisconsin and Minnesota for training camp, in what was known as the Cheese League.

## Notable players

* Dan Arnold
* Geep Chryst
* Mike Hintz
* Matt Janus
* Phil Micech
* Ryan Munz