The Buzz And The Blitz: 5 Shocking Facts About St. Ambrose Fighting Bees Football In The 2024 Season

The St. Ambrose Fighting Bees Football program made a major statement in the 2024 season, not just with their performance on the field but with their full-fledged debut in a new, highly competitive conference. As of December 17, 2025, the team has successfully laid the groundwork for future campaigns, demonstrating resilience and a commitment to academic excellence, even as they navigated the challenging waters of a new league.

The 2024 campaign, under the leadership of Head Coach Vince Fillipp, was a pivotal year, marking the Fighting Bees' first full season as a member of the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC). Moving from the familiar territory of the Mid-States Football Association (MSFA), the team faced a gauntlet of new rivals and tough competition, setting the stage for one of the most talked-about transitions in NAIA football. The team’s overall record for the 2024 season stood at 3-8, with a 1-5 mark in conference play, but the true story lies in the individual brilliance and the unique history that fuels this Davenport, Iowa-based squad.

The Hive's Leadership and Key Player Entities (2024 Season)

The Fighting Bees program is built on a foundation of experienced coaching and a core group of talented student-athletes who excelled despite the demanding schedule. The 2024 season saw several players achieve high honors, demonstrating that the talent level at St. Ambrose University (SAU) is ready to compete with the best in the NAIA.

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Coaching Staff:

• Head Coach: Vince Fillipp (Entering his 4th season in 2025, led the team through the HAAC transition).
• Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks: DeQuinn Watford
• Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs: Matt McKay

2024 All-Conference and Academic Leaders:

In their inaugural season in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC), the Fighting Bees had six players named to the All-Conference team, a significant achievement for a transitioning program. Furthermore, the program’s commitment to the student-athlete model was highlighted by the seven players named to the 2024 Academic All-District football team, recognized by the College Sports Communicators (CSC).

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• Caleb Ballard: First Team All-Heart selection.
• Kameron Bohnsack: First Team All-Heart selection.
• Harvey Doleman: First Team All-Heart selection.
• Total All-Conference Selections: Six players.
• Total Academic All-District Players: Seven players.

These key individuals, including Coach Fillipp and the All-Conference trio of Ballard, Bohnsack, and Doleman, are the driving forces behind the Fighting Bees' competitive spirit and their commitment to both athletic and academic excellence.

Fact 1: The Heart of America Athletic Conference Debut

The biggest story surrounding St. Ambrose Football in 2024 was their official shift to the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC). This move represented a new era for the program, placing them in one of the most challenging and respected NAIA football conferences. Previously, the team was a long-time member of the Mid-States Football Association (MSFA).

The HAAC is home to perennial NAIA powerhouses, including Grand View University, which consistently ranks in the top 25 nationally. This new competitive environment meant the Fighting Bees had to elevate every aspect of their game, from recruiting to in-game strategy. Their 3-8 overall record, which included a 1-5 conference mark, must be viewed through the lens of this major transition. The single conference win was a crucial step, proving the team can compete and secure victories against established HAAC opponents, setting a positive tone for the future of the program in the Heart North Division.

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The statistics from the 2024-25 season reflect the growing pains of this transition. The team averaged 343.6 total yards per game, with a balanced attack split between 133.6 rushing yards and 210.0 passing yards per game. However, a key area for improvement is defense, as the team allowed an average of 416.3 yards per game.

Fact 2: The Incredible Origin of the "Fighting Bees" Mascot

The nickname "Fighting Bees" is one of the most unique and historically rich mascots in all of college sports, and its origin is rooted in the life of the university’s namesake, Saint Ambrose of Milan (337–397 AD). This story adds immense topical authority and a unique angle to the program’s identity.

The connection is not random; it stems from a famous legend about the patron saint's infancy. According to the tale, as an infant, St. Ambrose was sleeping in his cradle when a swarm of bees suddenly descended upon his face. The bees, rather than stinging the child, gently deposited a drop of honey on his lips before flying away.

This miraculous event was interpreted as a sign of his future eloquence and "honeyed" speech, which would eventually lead him to become one of the most influential theologians and statesmen of his time. The bee, therefore, symbolizes hard work, community, and persuasive communication—qualities the St. Ambrose football team, often referred to as the "Ambrosians," strives to embody on the field at Brady Street Stadium in Davenport.

Fact 3: A Legacy of Academic Excellence

While the focus is often on the scoreboard, the St. Ambrose Fighting Bees program consistently emphasizes the "student" in student-athlete. The 2024 season provided fresh evidence of this commitment with the recognition of seven players on the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District team.

This achievement is particularly noteworthy in the demanding environment of NAIA football, where players balance rigorous training schedules with challenging coursework. The academic success of the team highlights a culture established by the coaching staff that prioritizes intellectual development alongside athletic performance. This commitment is a hallmark of the university, which boasts over 1,000 total student-athletes across 32 varsity sports, united by the Ambrose Blue and White colors.

Fact 4: The Home Field Advantage at Brady Street Stadium

The Fighting Bees play their home games at the historic Brady Street Stadium in Davenport, Iowa. This venue is more than just a field; it’s a community landmark that provides a distinct atmosphere for NAIA football. The energy of the "Bee Hive" is a key component of the team’s identity, giving them a true home-field advantage against conference rivals.

The stadium is the epicenter for St. Ambrose football culture and a place where the team looks to build on its HAAC momentum. As the team continues to develop under Coach Fillipp, protecting their home turf will be paramount to improving their conference standing and making a push toward the NAIA Football Championship Series in the coming years.

Fact 5: The Path Forward for the Fighting Bees

The 2024 season, despite the challenging 3-8 overall record, was a foundational year. The team proved it could produce First Team All-Conference talent like Caleb Ballard, Kameron Bohnsack, and Harvey Doleman, and maintain high academic standards. The future success of the Fighting Bees will hinge on a few key factors:

• Recruiting in the HAAC: Continuing to recruit high-caliber talent that can immediately compete with the top teams in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.
• Defensive Improvement: Addressing the defensive statistics from 2024 to become a more balanced team capable of shutting down high-powered NAIA offenses.
• Vince Fillipp’s Leadership: Leveraging the experience gained from the inaugural HAAC season to better prepare the team for the conference schedule in the 2025 season and beyond.

The St. Ambrose Fighting Bees are not just a football team; they are a program with a deep, unique history and a clear commitment to the student-athlete ideal. The transition to the HAAC is complete, and the stage is set for the "Ambrosians" to take flight and truly embody the fighting spirit of their namesake.