CCSU Announces Decision on Spring Football Season

Central Connecticut State University announced today that it will not participate in the Spring 2021 Northeast Conference football season. The decision was made after consultation with the University's administration and football coaching staff.

"We believe it is in the best interest of our University and football program to forego football competition this spring," interim Director of Athletics Tom Pincince said today. "This decision was not an easy one, and we realize our student-athletes, coaches, and fans may be disappointed. To ensure the health and safety of our student-athletes and to best prepare for Fall 2021, our team will partake in their traditional spring practice, with the goal of entering the Fall 2021 season prepared to compete for another NEC title."

The Blue Devils last competed in football in Fall 2019, finishing with a school-record 11 wins and advancing to the NCAA FCS Playoffs for the second time in school history. The Fall 2020 season was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. CCSU is 17-2 in league play in the last three seasons, including a pair of unbeaten league seasons and two NEC titles. The Blue Devils are 25-11 overall during that span.

"We are making this decision in the best interest of our student-athletes, the University and our football program as a whole," head coach Ryan McCarthy emphasized. "Now we can focus solely on returning to spring practice and preparing for the Fall 2021 season and meeting our goal of winning another NEC title in the fall.  We're excited to get started and looking forward to getting to work."

The Blue Devils will continue to abide by all health and safety protocols during the spring practice season, including Covid-19 testing and screening within all its athletics' programs.