Go Long! New England College Adds Football to Its Athletics Playbook
Pilgrims to begin NCAA Division III men’s football play in the 2024–2025 academic year.
From a podium on the Don Melander Turf Field June 15, New England College (NEC) President Dr. Wayne F. Lesperance, Jr. announced to an enthusiastic crowd that NEC is adding football to its athletics offerings, beginning in the 2024–2025 academic year. Dr. Lesperance was joined by NEC Trustees Lex Scourby ʼ75, TJ Whitelaw ʼ75, and Tom Farmen ʼ74 and former NEC quarterback; Alumni Association President Lou Pakula ʼ85; and Dave DeCew, Director of Athletics.
“We are eager to bring football back to NEC after a long hiatus, as the sport is part of NEC’s storied past,” DeCew said. “Football will stand beside our current roster of outstanding athletic programs that raise our spirits and bring our community together. It becomes our 21st varsity athletic program.”
NEC will begin its search for a head coach immediately to ensure the program has a strong leader committed to competitive success.
“Football, like so many other sports, can change lives. And that’s the business of higher education. These student athletes will join 20 other teams at NEC committed to success in the classroom and on the field, pitch, court, mat, and rink,” explained President Lesperance. “I am thankful that our board shares in my commitment to our athletes as we welcome football back to New England College.”
This fall, NEC will enter its first year in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) for its primary league. Within GNAC, the College’s student-athletes participate in baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross-country, field hockey, men’s golf, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, and women’s volleyball. NEC also competes in the New England Hockey Conference for men’s and women’s ice hockey, the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association for women’s rugby, the New England Wrestling Association for men’s and women’s wrestling, and the United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association for men’s and women’s alpine skiing.
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