Loras College Athletics

They call them special teams. They usually go completely unnoticed or are incredibly scrutinized for a mistake. But when you’ve got a difference maker on special teams, he simply can’t go unnoticed.  Chris Gardner was a special player.

Gardner was the Iowa Conference’s best kicker over the final three seasons of his career. He made headlines early in his career during his 1988 sophomore season when he made a team record 13 field goals, including five in a game against Wartburg. That season, he finished honorable mention All-American and was an Academic All-American. He still holds every field goal kicking record in the Loras record book; field goals made in a game, season, and career, as well as longest field goal (49 yards). He made a field goal of at least 43 yards in each of his four seasons.

While he doesn’t hold any of the point-after records, he was an impressive 72-for-77 in those situations over his career.

For two decades, Gardner held the NCAA record for most punts in a career. He was sent out 254 times and logged over 9,000 yards in the punting game, averaging 35.6 yards per kick. His long was 62 yards.

He followed his 1988 season with two more All-IIAC efforts. He led the team in scoring in each of his first two seasons and was second to standout running back Jim Romagna in his final two seasons. He was responsible for 189 total points in his career, or 4.6 per game.

Gardner now resides in Palm Coast, Florida with his wife Sheila and their two children.