Courtesy of New Haven Athletics
Add another Division One football program to the New England College Football landscape. The University of New Haven announced today that they moving up to Division I and joining the Northeast Conference (NEC) effective July 1st.
The announcement was made today by NEC Commissioner Noreen Morris and University of New Haven President Jens Frederiksen, Ph.D.
“We are thrilled to welcome the University of New Haven to the Northeast Conference family,” said NEC Commissioner Noreen Morris. “Making the move to Division I is a bold step, and we’re honored that New Haven chose to take that step with us. From the start, it was clear that they share our values – putting academics, competitive excellence and the student-athlete experience at the forefront. I want to thank President Jens Frederiksen and Athletic Director Devin Crosby for their thoughtful leadership throughout this process. I’m also grateful to the NEC Council of Presidents for their support and shared vision as we continue to shape the future of the conference. We’re excited to partner with the Chargers as they make their mark in Division I and help elevate the NEC.”
New Haven has a long, storied history at the Division II level. The Chargers have won 290 games in 46 years of football. New Haven has won nine conference titles and has made the playoffs ten times.
The program also has a prestigious coaching history. Run and Shoot guru Chris Palmer led the program from 1986 to 1987. He was replaced by another offensive coach in Mark Whipple who coached the program from 1988 to 1993. Whipple compiled a record of 48-17. He was replaced by the late Tony Sparano who went 48-14-1 in his tenure. It was the beginning of head coaching that led him to become to the head coach of the Miami Dolphins eventually. Sparano was followed by another familiar name, Darren Rizzi who coached the Chargers from 1999 to 2001 before leaving for Northeastern. Rizzi has enjoyed a long career as an NFL assistant, most recently as the interim head coach of the New Orleans Saints.
Current New Haven Coach Chris Pincince has been in charge of the program since 2014 and complied a record of 76-33. The Chargers have three conference titles and have made the playoffs four times.
Frederiksen expressed his gratitude for New Haven having the opportunity to move up to Division I and to play in the NEC in all sports.
“We are thrilled about this opportunity for the University of New Haven,” said Frederiksen. “Athletics has been and continues to be a vital driver of enrollment and brand recognition for the University. This move to the Northeast Conference and Division I positions the University for an exciting future – one consistent with the overall strategic focus on academic, professional and global return on investment.”
Director of Athletics Devin Crosby shared his excitement about the university’s transition to Division I and its new partnership with the NEC.
“This is about positioning ourselves at the highest level,” said Crosby. “The University of New Haven’s momentum under President Frederiksen’s leadership aligns naturally with our transition to NCAA Division I and the Northeast Conference. The Blue & Gold deserve this.”
New Haven has ranked among the best football programs in Division II and is one of only five football programs – and the only private school – to earn an NCAA playoff bid in each of the past four seasons. Since 2009, the Chargers have captured six conference football titles and play on a distinctive blue-and-gold field at DellaCamera Stadium.
The Chargers will start playing a full NEC schedule in 2026.