Wesleyan (CT) Cardinals Football Tickets

Wesleyan University's football team, known as the Cardinals, has been a longstanding presence in the world of college football. Founded in 1881, the team has played in over 100 seasons and is a member of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC). While not officially recognized by the NCAA, NESCAC schools like Wesleyan compete at the Division III level.

The Cardinals have had their share of successes over the years. They have won five Little Three championships (a title awarded to the winner of a series between three liberal arts colleges - Wesleyan, Williams, and Amherst) as well as two outright NESCAC titles. The team has produced numerous All-Americans and NFL players, including linebacker Michael LaSala who played for the San Diego Chargers in the early 2000s.

Despite this success, Wesleyan - and most NESCAC schools - do not enjoy quite the same level of attention or resources as other college football programs. For example, NESCAC schools do not offer athletic scholarships nor do they participate in playoffs or bowl games. Additionally, many of these teams play on scaled-down fields or use borrowed facilities due to limited funding.

But perhaps what sets Wesleyan and other NESCAC schools apart from other college football programs is their emphasis on academics. As institutions of higher learning, these schools place a premium on academic achievement in addition to athletic success. This means student-athletes must balance rigorous coursework with their commitments to the football team.

This emphasis on academics has yielded impressive results; according to Forbes, several NESCAC schools (including Wesleyan) rank among the top colleges in the country. And while other football programs may attract recruits with the promise of NFL stardom, schools like Wesleyan attract students who value both academic and athletic excellence.

In recent years, the Cardinals have continued to field competitive teams under head coach Dan DiCenzo. In 2019, they finished with a record of 8-1 - their best season in over two decades. And while the team's facilities and resources may not match those of larger programs, they have nonetheless produced talented football players year after year.

Overall, Wesleyan's football program - like other NESCAC schools - provides a unique blend of academic and athletic excellence. While the school may not have the size or budget of a major college football program, it continues to produce successful teams and student-athletes who excel both on and off the field.