1971 Lamar Cardinals football team
The 1971 Lamar Cardinals football team represented Lamar University in the 1971 NCAA College Division football season as a member of the Southland Conference. The Cardinals played their home games at Cardinal Stadium now named Provost Umphrey Stadium in Beaumont, Texas. The competed at the NCAA College Division level in 1971. The 1971 season marked the first year the Cardinals competed as the Lamar University Cardinals following the school's name change from Lamar State College of Technology to Lamar University on August 23, 1971. The Cardinals finished the season with a 5–6 overall record  and a 4–1 conference record. The 4–1 conference record was good enough for the Cardinals to tie for the conference championship. The team ended the season in a three-way tie for first place in conference play. The Cardinals shared the conference title with new member, Louisiana Tech, and departing member, Trinity.