Jake Christiansen

Jacobi Melius Alton Christiansen (February 2, 1900 – January 21, 1992) was an American football and basketball player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Valparaiso University from 1929 to 1940 and at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota from 1941 to 1968, compiling a career college football record of 175–92–15. Christiansen's 1964 Concordia team tied with Sam Houston State in the NAIA National title game. Christiansen is one of the few college football coaches to have coached in a stadium named after himself.

Jake Christiansen
Biographical details
Born(1900-02-02)February 2, 1900
Marinette, Wisconsin
DiedJanuary 21, 1992(1992-01-21) (aged 91)
Cass County, North Dakota
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1929–1940Valparaiso
1941–1968Concordia (MN)
Basketball
1929–1941Valparaiso
1941–1953Concordia (MN)
Baseball
1930–1931Valparaiso
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1929–1941Valparaiso
Head coaching record
Overall175–92–15 (football)
224–236–2 (basketball)
15–8 (baseball)
TournamentsFootball
1–0–1 (NAIA playoffs)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
Football
NAIA National (1964)
4 MIAC (1942, 1952, 1957, 1964).
Awards
NAIA Coach of the Year (1964)

Playing career

Christiansen was born in Marinette, Wisconsin and grew up in Northfield, Minnesota where his father F. Melius Christiansen was conductor of the St. Olaf College Choir. Christiansen had musical talent but was also a standout athlete in college. He graduated from St. Olaf in 1924 with a bachelor's degree in physical education. He later earned a master's degree in education and counseling from North Dakota State University.[1]

Coaching career

Valparaiso

Christiansen was the head football coach for the Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana for 12 seasons, from 1929 until 1940. His football coaching record at Valparaiso was 50–43–4.[2] His 1932 team completed the season undefeated.[3]

Christiansen was called "A remarkable one-man athletics department" at Valparasio. He served as football coach, basketball coach, and athletic director from 1929 through 1941. His basketball team of 1938 won the Indiana Intercollegiate title and went on to play in the National Tournament in Kansas City, Missouri. Valparaiso inducted him into their "Athletic Hall of Fame" in 1998.[3]

Concordia (MN)

Christiansen moved to Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota to coach basketball from 1941–42 season through 1952–53 season. He also coached football for the school from 1941 through 1968.[3]

In fall 1964, Christiansen was named MIAC Coach of the Year, NAIA Coach of the Year and inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame. That same year the construction of a new football stadium was announced. After its completion in 1966, it was dedicated as the Jake Christiansen Stadium. He was inducted into the Concordia Athletic Hall of Fame in 1986.[3]

Head coaching record

Football
Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs
Valparaiso Crusaders (Indiana Intercollegiate Conference) (1929–1940)
1929 Valparaiso 1–7
1930 Valparaiso 5–4
1931 Valparaiso 8–1
1932 Valparaiso 7–0
1933 Valparaiso 7–13–02nd
1934 Valparaiso 6–24–1T–3rd
1935 Valparaiso 4–4–12–27th
1936 Valparaiso 1–6–11–3–1T–11th
1937 Valparaiso 4–44–2T–5th
1938 Valparaiso 2–4–12–2–18th
1939 Valparaiso 2–61–3T–10th
1940 Valparaiso 3–4–12–3T–9th
Valparaiso: 50–43–4
Concordia Cobbers (Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) (1941–1968)
1941 Concordia 5–23–23rd
1942 Concordia 6–0–13–0–1T–1st
1943 Concordia 3–1NANA
1944 Concordia 1–2–1NANA
1945 Concordia 2–2–20–1T–6th
1946 Concordia 3–3–12–24th
1947 Concordia 3–41–47th
1948 Concordia 3–4–10–4–18th
1949 Concordia 3–62–35th
1950 Concordia 3–42–48th
1951 Concordia 4–42–47th
1952 Concordia 7–26–0T–1st
1953 Concordia 5–34–23rd
1954 Concordia 6–1–15–12nd
1955 Concordia 6–24–22nd
1956 Concordia 6–35–22nd
1957 Concordia 7–26–11st
1958 Concordia 7–26–12nd
1959 Concordia 7–26–12nd
1960 Concordia 7–25–22nd
1961 Concordia 4–53–45th
1962 Concordia 5–3–13–3–14th
1963 Concordia 7–26–12nd
1964 Concordia 10–0–17–01stT NAIA Championship
1965 Concordia 6–25–22nd
1966 Concordia 5–34–34th
1967 Concordia 7–1–15–1–1T–2nd
1968 Concordia 7–34–33rd
Concordia: 145–70–1099–53–4
Total:175–92–15
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References
  1. "Concordia Great: Jake Christiansen". Concordia College. October 14, 2013. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  2. DeLassus, David. "Valparaiso Coaching Records". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  3. "Athletic Hall of Fame (Jake Christiansen)". Valparaiso Crusaders. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
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