| Year: | 1961 |
| Team: | Lenoir Rhyne Bears |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Carolinas Conference |
| Short Conf: | Carolinas |
| Aprank: | 9 (AP small college) |
| Record: | 8–1–1 |
| Conf Record: | 6–1 |
| Head Coach: | Clarence Stasavich |
| Hc Year: | 16th |
| Stadium: | Lenoir Rhyne College Field |
| Champion: | Carolinas Conference champion |
The 1961 Lenoir Rhyne Bears football team was an American football team that represented Lenoir Rhyne College (now known as Lenoir–Rhyne University) as a member of the Carolinas Conference during the 1961 college football season. In their 16th season under head coach Clarence Stasavich, the team compiled an 8–1–1 record (6–1 in conference games) and won the Carolinas Conference championship. The Bears were ranked No. 9 in the final Associated Press small college poll. The 1960 team won the NAIA national championship.
Junior fullback Richard Kemp led the conference with 1,050 yards of total offense and 78 points scored and was selected as the conferences's most valuable player.
The team played its home games at Lenoir Rhyne College Field in Hickory, North Carolina.
Fullback Richard Kemp led the Carolinas Conference in total offense (1,050 yards), rushing (785 yards), and scoring (78 points). He also completed 18 of 21 passes for 265 yards.[3] [4]
Junior fullback Richard Kemp was selected in voting by sportscasters, sports writers and conference coaches as the most valuable player of the Carolinas Conference. He received 33 of 53 first-place votes.[5]
Kemp and end Ronnie Frye were unanimous choices on the 1961 All-Carolinas Conference football team. Tackle Eddie Haupt, center Bill Isaacs, and guards Jim Edmiston and Ron Hardman were also named to the first team. Tackle Al Fusonie and backs Marcus Midgett and Odell White received honorable mention.[6]
Three Lenoir Rhyne players were chosen for the 1961 NAIA All-District 26 football team: end Ronnie Frye; tackle Eddie Haupt; and fullback Richard Kemp.[7]