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 orange and blue, 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.
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.
Cronin wasted no time introducing himself to North Dakota college football.
In one of the defining games of that first season, he:
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:
The stage was set for an even bigger 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:
More important than the numbers, he guided Mary to its deepest postseason run ever.
The 1995 Marauders:
In the playoffs, Mary:
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.
In just two seasons, Paul Cronin put up career numbers that most quarterbacks would be proud of over four years:
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.
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.
At home, Paul and his wife Tracy—a Rugby, North Dakota native—are raising the next generation:
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.
For Marauder players and alumni, Paul Cronin’s story is a reminder of how quickly one player can change a program’s trajectory:
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.