1961 Central Intercollegiate Conference football season

The 1961 Central Intercollegiate Conference football season was the season of college football played by the six member schools of the Central Intercollegiate Conference (CIC) as part of the 1961 college football season.

The 1961 Pittsburg State Gorillas football team compiled a perfect 11–0 record, including a victory over Linfield in the Camellia Bowl to secure the NAIA national championship.

Pittsburg State
The 1961 Pittsburg State Gorillas football team represented Pittsburg State University of Pittsburg, Kansas. In their 13th season under head coach Carnie Smith, the team compiled an 11–0 record and shut out seven of eleven opponents. The team won the NAIA football national championship, the AP and UPI small college national championship, and the Central Intercollegiate Conference (CIC) championship.

Omaha
The 1961 Omaha Indians football team was an American football team that represented the University of Omaha (now known as University of Nebraska Omaha of Omaha, Nebraska during the 1961 college football season. In their second season under head coach Al Caniglia, the team compiled an 6–3 record (4–1 against CIC opponents) and finished in second place in the CIC.

Fort Hays State
The 1961 Fort Hays State Tigers football team was an American football team that represented Fort Hays State University of Hays, Kansas during the 1961 college football season. In their sixth season under head coach Wayne J. McConnell, the team compiled a 4–4–1 record (3–2 against CIC opponents) and finished in third place in the CIC.

St. Benedict's
The 1961 St. Benedict's Ravens football team represented St. Benedict's College (later renamed Benedictine College) of Atchison, Kansas, during the 1961 college football season. In their ninth season under head coach Ivan Schottel, the team compiled a 2–7 record (2–3 against CIC opponents) and finished in fourth place in the CIC.

Emporia State
The 1961 Emporia State Hornets football team represented Emporia State University of Emporia, Kansas, during the 1946 college football season. In their seventh season under head coach Keith Caywood, the team compiled a 1–8 record (1–4 against CIC opponents) and finished in fifth place in the CIC.

Washburn
The 1961 Washburn Ichabods football team represented Washburn University of Topeka, Kansas, during the 1961 college football season. In their third season under head coach Ralph Brown, the team compiled an 3–6 record (0–5 against CIC opponents) and finished in last place in the CIC.