Gustavus Adolphus College

Dennis Raarup made his most significant contributions to the Gustavus athletic department on the sidelines as the head football coach from 1971 until 1987. After coaching at several different high schools in Wisconsin following his graduation from Gustavus, Raarup returned to his alma mater as assistant football, head wrestling and head baseball coach in 1968.

After three seasons as an assistant to Jocko Nelson, Raarup was named the head football coach in 1972. He wasted no time making his impact felt as his 1971 and 1972 squads claimed cofrerence titles with identical 6-1 records. During his 17-year tenure, Raarup's squads won three conference titles, fmished second four times and third twice and his 1987 team finished with a perfect 10-0-0 regular season record. Raarup was named MIAC Coach of the Year in 1971, 19 2, 1977 and 1987, NAIA District 14 Coach of the Year In 1972, and the American Football Coaches Association's Area 6 Coach of the Year in 1987. He is the winningest coach in Gustavus football history with a record of 99-68-1. Raarup also coached the baseball team to the conference title in 1971.

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