1961 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season

The 1961 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season was the season of college football played by the six member schools of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) as part of the 1961 college football season. Albion compiled a perfect 8–0 record and was the MIAA champion for 1961.

Albion
The 1961 Albion Britons football team epresented Albion College of Albion, Michigan. In their eighth season under head coach Morley Fraser, the Britons compiled a perfect 8–0 record (5–0 against MIAA members), won the MIAA championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 186 to 56. It was Albion's first perfect season since 1928.

The team was inducted into Albion's Ahletic Hall of Fame in 1991. Nine coaches or players from the team have also been inducted as individuals: Morley Fraser; Darwin Christiansen; Frank Gould; Ray Hag; Ken Neal; Robert Porritt; Fritz Shurmur; Joe Shurmur; and Dale Springer.

The team's individual statistical leaders included fullback J.B. Elzy with 752 rushing yards, quarterback Frank Gould with 604 passing yards and 818 yards of total offense, and end Gary Methner with 49 pass receptions for 604 yards.

Junior Joe Shurmur was named to the 1961 MIAA all-conference team on both offense (guard) and defense (linebacker); he was also voted as the team's most valuable player. Albion took nine of the 22 spots on the 1961 all-conference team. In addition to Shurmur, Albion's other honorees were quarterback Frank Gould; running backs J.B. Elzy and Ray Hoag; end Gary Menther; defensive tackle Terry Menther; defensive guard Milt Moore; and defensive halfback Bob Porritt.

The team played its home games at Alumni Field in Albion, Michigan.

Roster
The following 37 players received block "A" varsity letters for their participation on the 1961 Albion football team:
 * 1) Dom Adamson - junior, Grand Rapids, Michigan
 * 2) Dave Barrett - sophomore, Grand Rapids, Michigan
 * 3) Bruce Blakeman - junior, Paw Paw, Michigan
 * 4) Jesse Bommarito - sophomore, Albion, Michigan
 * 5) Jerry Chandler - freshman, Dearborn, Michigan
 * 6) Dar Christiansen - junior, Flushing, Michigan
 * 7) Monte Clute - senior, Rochester, Michigan
 * 8) Dick Dana - freshman, Williamston, Michigan
 * 9) Roger Dunn - sophomore, Flint, Michigan
 * 10) Keith Galloway - freshman, Grosse Ile, Michigan
 * 11) Frank Gould - junior, St. Charles, Michigan
 * 12) George Eisener - junior, Jonesville, Michigan
 * 13) J.B. Elzy - sophomore, Flint, Michigan
 * 14) Bob Gardner - freshman, Wayne, Michigan
 * 15) Ray Hoag - senior, Lowell, Michigan
 * 16) Mike Hornus - sophomore, Owosso, Michigan
 * 17) Les Knickerbacker - sophomore, Flint, Michigan
 * 18) Jim Livingston - freshman, Flint, Michigan
 * 19) Tom Lutz - junior, Wyandotte, Michigan
 * 20) Jim Madill - junior, Midland, Michigan
 * 21) Bruce Martens - junior, Vicksburg, Michigan
 * 22) Gary Methner - senior, Midland, Michigan
 * 23) Terry Methner - sophomore, Midland, Michigan
 * 24) Milton Moore - senior, Chicago
 * 25) Ken Neal - freshman, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
 * 26) Jim Osgood - sophomore, Mount Pleasant, Michigan
 * 27) Bob Porritt - sophomore, Clarkston, Michigan
 * 28) Steve Richards - sophomore, South Lake, Michigan
 * 29) Mike Shafer - freshman, Findlay, Ohio
 * 30) Bob Smith - senior, Grosse Ile, Michigan
 * 31) Jon Rise - senior, Pontiac, Michigan
 * 32) Tom Sagendorf - senior, Grand Rapids, Michigan
 * 33) Joe Shurmur - junior, Wyandotte, Michigan
 * 34) Dale Springer - senior, co-captain, Lansing, Michigan
 * 35) John Ulmanis - freshman, Midland, Michigan
 * 36) Russ Wallis - freshman, Durand, Michigan
 * 37) Phil Willis - junior, Grass Lake, Michigan

Varsity letters were also presented to team managers Fred Clawson, John Gorton, and Richard Yeager.

Olivet
The 1961 Olivet Comets football team represented Olivet College of Olivet, Michigan. In their third year under head coach Stuart Parsell, the Comets compiled an 8–1 record (4–1 against MIAA opponents), finished in second place in the MIAA, and outscored opponents by a total of 163 to 69.

Kalamazoo
The 1961 Kalamazoo Hornets football team represented Kalamazoo College of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Led by head coach Bob Nulf, the Hornets compiled a perfect 4–4 record (3–2 against MIAA opponents) and finished third in the conference.

Alma
The 1961 Alma Scots football team represented Alma College of Alma, Michigan. In their sixth year under head coach Art Smith, the Scots compiled a 2–6 record (2–3 against MIAA opponents) and finished in fourth place in the MIAA.

Adrian
The 1961 Adrian Bulldogs football team represented Adrian College of Adrian, Michigan. In their third and final year under head coach Les Leggett, the Bulldogs compiled a 2–6 record (1–4 against MIAA opponents) and finished in fifth place in the MIAA.

Hope
The 1961 Hope Flying Dutchmen football team represented Hope College of Hope, Michigan. In their seventh year under head coach Russ DeVette, the Dutchmen compiled a 0–7 record (0–5 against MIAA opponents) and finished in last place in the MIAA.