Carroll College Athletics

A 205 pound linebacker from Villa Park, Illinois, Cicero lettered all four years at Carroll despite missing the first half of his freshman year with a dislocated elbow. A “tremendously dedicated tackling machine,” he went on to become a 3-time first team All-Conference selection, garnering a trio of Frontier Player of the Week awards and an All-American citation. In 1969, Cicero made two crucial fumble recoveries in the 17-14 win over Rocky Mountain. As a junior, in the loss to Western Montana, he was in on 15 tackles before leaving with injury in the third quarter, and Noel matched that total again vs. Montana Tech.

During a 6-6 tie with Rocky in 1971, he amassed 23 total tackles (6 solo, 17 assists), and later that year, he compiled 11 solo tackles and 16 total in the 10-7 loss to nationally ranked Tech. Noel’s efforts spearheaded a defensive unit that limited the Orediggers to their lowest point total against league opposition in three years. Serving as the defense’s co-captain, he finished the season No. 2 on the Saints with 650 defensive points. Cicero’s post season awards included his third All-Frontier citation, and a berth on the NAIA All-American honorable mention unit.