The 1897 Central Michigan Normalites football team represented Central Michigan Normal School, later renamed Central Michigan University, as an independent during the 1897 college football season. Under head coach Carl Pray, the Normalites compiled a 2–1 record, and were outscored 16 to 18 by their opponents. The most important benchmark during the 1898 season was the program's first game against a collegiate opponent, a 18–0 loss to Alma.^[1]

This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (September 2020)