--- title: "Airing It Out and Making History: The Marauder Career of Quarterback Paul Cronin" description: Paul Cronin transformed UMary football with record-setting performances, leading them to their first NAIA national semifinal and inspiring future success. image: https://page.marauderfootballalumni.com/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(23).png --- [Skip to content](https://page.marauderfootballalumni.com/marauder-football-alumni-association-blog/airing-it-out-and-making-history-the-marauder-career-of-quarterback-paul-cronin#main-content) ![2x10 Marauder Football Alumni Association (2)](https://page.marauderfootballalumni.com/hubfs/2x10%20Marauder%20Football%20Alumni%20Association%20(2).png "2x10 Marauder Football Alumni Association (2)") [Website](https://marauderfootballalumni.com/)[Membership Levels](https://page.marauderfootballalumni.com/-levels) --- [Business Opportunities](https://page.marauderfootballalumni.com/marketing-branding-experience)[Events](https://marauderfootballalumni.com/group-events) ![](https://page.marauderfootballalumni.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(23).png?width=2000&height=1000&name=Untitled%20design%20(23).png) Marauder Alumni Hall of Fame # Airing It Out and Making History: The Marauder Career of Quarterback Paul Cronin ![Marauder Football Alumni Association](https://page.marauderfootballalumni.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(51)%20copy-1.png?width=48&height=48&name=Untitled%20design%20(51)%20copy-1.png) Marauder Football Alumni Association February 8, 2026 Before spread offenses were common and high-scoring attacks became the norm, the University of Mary had **Paul Cronin**—a quarterback with the arm talent and poise to score from anywhere on the field. In just **two seasons** in blue and orange, the **Santa Rosa, California** native rewrote the Marauder passing record book and helped lead UMary to its **first-ever NAIA national semifinal appearance**. His story is part recruiting legend, part statistical explosion, and part blueprint for what Marauder Football could become. ## From California to the Prairie After starring at **Piner High School** in Santa Rosa, Cronin spent two seasons at **Mendocino Junior College**, where his talent drew the attention of programs across the country. Mary head coach **Tom Shea** knew the Marauders needed a difference-maker at quarterback to take the next step. The recruiting pitch that sealed the deal has become part of program lore: > Shea convinced Paul that “it doesn’t snow in Bismarck – at least until October.” Whether it was the promise of fall weather, the chance to lead a growing program, or both, Paul chose Mary and arrived for the **1994 season**. The impact was immediate. ## 1994: Six Touchdowns and an Early Statement Cronin wasted no time introducing himself to North Dakota college football. In one of the defining games of that first season, he: - **Threw six touchdown passes** in a single game, setting a **school record** - Led UMary to a **49–22 win over Jamestown College** - Helped the Marauders claim the unofficial title of **“private school champions of North Dakota”** In that game alone, the Marauders threw **seven touchdown passes** as a team—another mark that landed in the record book—and Paul attempted **50 passes**, directing an offense that could suddenly strike from anywhere. For the **1994 season**, Cronin: - Threw for **2,037 yards** - Tossed **23 touchdowns** - Helped Mary finish **6–3 overall** and **3–2 in the NDCAC** The stage was set for an even bigger run. ## 1995: A Record-Breaking Season and a Final Four Run If 1994 was the warning shot, **1995** was the full arrival. As a senior, Cronin turned in one of the greatest offensive seasons in UMary history: - **2,933 passing yards** – a **single-season school record** - **32 touchdown passes** – another **single-season record** - **All-North Dakota College Athletic Conference honors** for the **second straight year** More important than the numbers, he **guided Mary to its deepest postseason run ever**. The 1995 Marauders: - Opened the season with **eight straight wins** - Finished the regular season **9–1 overall** and **5–1 in the NDCAC** - Entered the **NAIA playoffs** as a legitimate national contender In the playoffs, Mary: 1. **Defeated Dickinson State 14–8 on the road**, avenging their only regular-season loss 2. **Beat the University of Sioux Falls 42–17 at home**, showcasing the full power of Cronin’s offense 3. Advanced to the **NAIA national semifinals**, where they fell to a Central Washington team led by future long-time NFL quarterback **Jon Kitna**, 48–7 The Marauders finished **11–2**, with a **national final four appearance**—a mark that ties the **1999 squad** for the best season in school history. ## A Place in the Record Book In just **two seasons**, Paul Cronin put up career numbers that most quarterbacks would be proud of over four years: - **4,970 passing yards** - **55 touchdown passes** Both totals rank **third all-time** in University of Mary history. Those numbers aren’t just stats—they represent a turning point. Cronin showed that Mary could not only win, but win with an explosive passing game that demanded respect from opponents across the NAIA. ## From Marauder QB to Championship Coach Cronin didn’t leave football behind after Mary. He carried his love of the game and his understanding of quarterback play into a successful coaching career. - He graduated from the University of Mary with a **Bachelor of Science in Physical and Health Education**. - Returned to his hometown as **head football coach at Cardinal Newman High School in Santa Rosa**. - Has **led Cardinal Newman to the state championship game twice**, proving his ability to build and lead successful programs. At home, Paul and his wife **Tracy**—a **Rugby, North Dakota** native—are raising the next generation: - **Haley** - **Madison** - **Jackson** Just as Mary became a second home for a California quarterback in the mid-90s, football continues to be a thread connecting family, community, and competition in Paul’s life. ## A Lasting Legacy for Marauder Football For Marauder players and alumni, Paul Cronin’s story is a reminder of how quickly one player can change a program’s trajectory: - From **JUCO transfer** to **record-setting quarterback** - From **Bismarck newcomer** to **leader of an 11–2 national semifinal team** - From **All-Conference QB at Mary** to **championship coach in California** When we look back at the seasons that defined Marauder Football’s climb to national relevance, 1994–95 sits near the top—and at the center of that story is a dynamic quarterback who could, quite literally, score from anywhere on the field. ## Share this post [mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fpage.marauderfootballalumni.com%2Fmarauder-football-alumni-association-blog%2Fairing-it-out-and-making-history-the-marauder-career-of-quarterback-paul-cronin](mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fpage.marauderfootballalumni.com%2Fmarauder-football-alumni-association-blog%2Fairing-it-out-and-making-history-the-marauder-career-of-quarterback-paul-cronin) ## Keep reading ### [![](https://page.marauderfootballalumni.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-09-15%20at%2011.45.39%20AM-1.png?width=3916&height=1882&name=Screenshot%202026-09-15%20at%2011.45.39%20AM-1.png) Staff Team Marauder Alumni Closing the Gap: Why the UMary Marauders are on the Brink of Turning the Tide Against USF](https://page.marauderfootballalumni.com/marauder-football-alumni-association-blog/closing-the-gap-why-the-umary-marauders-are-on-the-brink-of-turning-the-tide-against-usf) ### [![](https://page.marauderfootballalumni.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-09-08%20at%209.00.33%20AM.png?width=1254&height=688&name=Screenshot%202026-09-08%20at%209.00.33%20AM.png) Staff Current Marauders Team Week 2 - Marauders Hit the Road to Face Concordia-St. Paul](https://page.marauderfootballalumni.com/marauder-football-alumni-association-blog/week-2-marauders-hit-the-road-to-face-concordia-st.-paul) [![Marauder Football Alumni Association](https://page.marauderfootballalumni.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(51)%20copy.png?width=200&height=200&name=Untitled%20design%20(51)%20copy.png "Marauder Football Alumni Association")](https://marauderfootballalumni.com/) ###### \*Not an Official Organization of the University of Mary. --- Privacy Policy · Legal · © 2026. All rights reserved. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Marauder Football Alumni Association", "url" : "https://page.marauderfootballalumni.com/marauder-football-alumni-association-blog/author/marauder-football-alumni-association" }, "dateModified" : "2026-04-25T13:37:56.075Z", "datePublished" : "2026-02-08T18:10:35.000Z", "headline" : "Airing It Out and Making History: The Marauder Career of Quarterback Paul Cronin", "image" : [ "https://page.marauderfootballalumni.com/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(23).png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://page.marauderfootballalumni.com/marauder-football-alumni-association-blog/airing-it-out-and-making-history-the-marauder-career-of-quarterback-paul-cronin", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://page.marauderfootballalumni.com/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(51)%20copy.png" } } } ```