It is a well-known fact that Connecticut College is the only NESCAC school that lacks an organized football team. Would the Camels actually benefit if one were established?
While the social life on campus would probably improve with the addition of a football team, the NESCAC league is so competitive that we already have many great games for students to attend.
Every Saturday, rain or shine, students, faculty and families crowd Tempel Green to cheer on the Camel soccer teams. Echoing from Harkness, the sounds of blaring horns resound across campus.
The much-anticipated field hockey, volleyball and soccer games on Fall Weekend gain considerable turnout from both current students and alumni returning to campus. If we were to have football, these teams would be overshadowed and lose the necessary recognition they deserve and currently receive.
The high energy of fan attendance does not end at the conclusion of the fall season, either. Conn has great sports teams in the winter and spring as well.
Men’s hockey has greatly improved over recent years, and their games are filled with adrenaline packed hitting, pushing, and general aggressiveness. The women’s team is also much accomplished after reaching the semi-finals in NESCAC playoff action last year. Dayton Arena is always packed on winter weekends with boisterous fans looking to taunt opposing teams and support their fellow Camels.
And just a short walk into the Fieldhouse brings the familiar ruckus of Connecticut College students as they egg on the men and women’s basketball teams.
The spring semester, while bringing the worst weather to the Conn campus, also marks the start of lacrosse season. Much like hockey, the men’s lacrosse games draw a mass of students to the hill of Silfen Field to watch opposing players get knocked to the turf.
The more finesse-oriented women’s lacrosse team also receives much support from their peers as they use their speed and impressive stick skills to eliminate their competition.
Conn students do not need to rely on football as a means of satisfying their desire for rough, aggressive and high-energy sports games. Each of our sports teams is composed of talented and motivated athletes who work hard to make games worthwhile.
While Conn athletes are devoted to their sport, they also have the ability to focus on other things. Many students are two sport athletes, with some even competing in all three seasons of NESCAC athletics. Since the sport of football is so demanding and requires year-round training, football players at large universities are barely able to focus on anything besides football.
The great thing about Conn is that students can participate in multiple activities without having to exert all their energy on one particular aspect. The goal of a liberal arts education is to develop the student as a whole through academics, athletics and extracurricular activities.
Conn has been without a football team since its creation in 1911. With the multitude of other athletics available to students, the addition of a football team would only serve to take support and recognition away from other sports at Conn.
