Winners of three Lambert Awards and three NCAA playoff bids, the 1983, 1984, and 1986 football teams were inducted into the Towson University Hall of fame in 2006.
The Lambert Awards were instituted in 1936 when brothers Henry L. and Victor A. Lambert decided to recognize the outstanding performance each season by Eastern college football teams. In 1984, Towson became the first repeat winner of the Division II Lambert Award since the University of Delaware 10 years before.
In 1983The 1983 Tigers were led by
Phil Albert who coached the team to a 10-2 season which ranked the squad fourth in Division II. In an impressive season opening win, the Tigers rolled over New York Tech, posting the most lop-sided score in the nation with a 60-0 victory.
Jeff Beathard had an impressive debut by scoring three second-half touchdowns, while quarterback
Bret Rogers threw for 153 yards and three touchdowns. The Tiger defense was dominant, limiting the Bears to 46 total yards. New York Tech earned only one first down during the game.
The Tigers' turnover ratio was the key to their success. In 11 games, the Towson defense forced 55 turnovers, recovering 28 fumbles and intercepting 27 passes. After their 10-3 season finale victory over James Madison, the 1983 Tigers also marked the third time in their 15-year history to win as many as 10 games in a season.
In 1984The 1984 Tigers entered the season knowing it would be difficult to duplicate the 1983 season, but they went out and won their first seven games in a row, earning a national ranking in Division II and a second straight NCAA playoff berth. The Tigers also secured their second straight Lambert/Meadowlands Award as the top Division II team in the East and won their second ECAC Division II “Team of the Year” award in a row. Although the final record (9-4) was not as good as the ’83 mark (10-2), the Tigers took one step closer to the NCAA Division II championship by earning a berth in the semifinals with an impressive quarterfinal win at Norfolk State (31-21).
In 1986The 1986 Tigers reached the NCAA quarterfinals and picked up their third Lambert/Meadowlands Award and third ECAC "Team of the Year" distinction. It was the Tigers' third ECAC honor and NCAA playoff bid in the previous four years. That season was Towson's final as a Division II school, and the Tigers closed out in style. Their sixth win of the year was Coach Albert's 100th career victory, and Towson also recorded a pair of victories over DII top 20 teams (New Haven, 47-7; Indiana (Pa.), 23-15). The Tigers fell to Central State in the NCAA quarters.
