Courtesy of Robbie Lynch ’24
Football, though not considered America’s Pastime (a title historically held by baseball), is the most watched sport in the country. It is also considered to be a massive part of college culture, as college football attracts nearly as much viewership and attendance as the NFL, as well as being a source of school pride. With that being said, Connecticut College is the only one of the 11 schools in the NESCAC to not have its own varsity football team. We reached out to the Dean of Admission and Financial Aid, Andy Strickler, who works closely with Athletics, for his take on the matter. “Football is an interesting element to the Conn experience, or I should say, the lack of football is,” said Dean Strickler. “While I am a huge football fan—go Eagles—I am a huge fan of not having football at Conn.”
One reason that Dean Strickler offers is that with Conn not on the table for the sport, the rest of the NESCAC has an even ten teams to put together competitions with. “The NESCAC loves the fact that we do not have football…us not having it means there are only ten schools playing, which makes things really easy on the conference to schedule.”
He also argues that the cost for facilities isn’t nearly as important as other priorities that the school has in mind. “We do not have a facility that would really be suitable for football and I think we have a ton of higher, more pressing, needs to address at the College, versus building some kind of football field.” The price tag associated with not only putting together the proper facilities, but also the maintenance of a college team itself could reach into the millions, so this is a fairly solid point. Considering the diverse demands from the student body for many changes from better dorms, better food, and more accessibility, the prioritization of resources becomes a valid and pragmatic consideration.
Dean Strickler brings a unique perspective to the discussion, drawing on his extensive experience with football programs at previous institutions. Despite his personal affinity for the sport, he appreciates the change of pace at Conn, highlighting the breathing room that it provides for other facets of its student experience. He notes, “I like the fact that the absence of football here gives a ton of oxygen to the other things that we do here. Whether that is other athletes, the arts, or other student activities, the lack of football creates the time and space to highlight our other elements of the student experience.”
With a rich lineup of athletes, artists, and engaged students, the college thrives on the diversity of what it has to offer. The arts, in particular, benefit from the absence of football, as the spotlight shines on theater productions, art exhibitions, and musical performances—without competing for attention with a football season.
Moreover, the absence of football does not diminish the Camel spirit at Conn; rather, it redirects that energy towards other athletic endeavors. Conn boasts successful athletics programs from soccer to lacrosse to track and field, each contributing to a culture of pride and competition. Students rally behind Conn’s teams, creating a spirited atmosphere that unites the community. This diversified approach to athletics allows Conn to celebrate achievements across its various programs, fostering a well-rounded and inclusive sense of community.
“I should summarize by saying that I am a huge football fan, but love that we do not have it at Conn for the particular elements it adds and highlights in our community,” said Dean Strickler.
