| 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 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 team played its home games at Lenoir Rhyne College Field in Hickory, North Carolina.