Colorado Mesa University Athletics

Coached by RMAC and Mesa State Hall of Famer; Bob Cortese's 1982 football team was the first Mesa State football team to advance in NAIA Post-season competition. The 1982 team went 11-1-1 and was National Runner-up in the 1982 NAIA title game. The team was the first in Mesa history to win an RMAC Championship, to qualify for the NAIA Playoffs, win a playoff game and the first in Mesa and RMAC history to play for a National Championship.

In 1982 16 All-RMAC honorees, including All-American defensive lineman and RMAC Player of the Year Dean Haugum, helped lead the Mavericks to an RMAC title and two NAIA playoff victories to advance to the National Championship title game. Junior Tight End Keith Howard and linebacker Jeff Tootle were second team and fullback Russ Hodgson and offensive tackle Jeff Peak earned honorable mention selection.

The Mavericks led the league in rushing offense compiling over 226 yards per-game on the ground. The defense was first in rushing defense and total defense.

Mesa State hosted two playoff games at Lincoln Park for the right to travel to Oklahoma City to play Central Oklahoma for the national championship. The Mavericks defeated Moorhead State of Minnesota 43-20 on December 4 behind the aerial attack of quarterback Bill Monson and receivers Keith Howard and Sean Vasey.

The semifinal game was a standing-room-only matchup with Hillsdale (Michigan) at Stocker Stadium in which the Mavericks prevailed 18-9. Mesa State was awarded their second consecutive home playoff game due to high attendance figures. Mesa had drawn over 5,500 fans in the quarterfinal victory.

Mesa fell to Central Oklahoma 14-11 in the national title game played in Oklahoma City. The team set numerous All-Time Team Records including most consecutive games without a defeat (13), most consecutive conference games without a defeat (14), longest RMAC winning streak (10) and most conference championships by a coach (6 - Bob Cortese). 

Cortese was named District 7 Coach of the Year in 1982 and is one of the winningest coaches in the history of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.