Every year, Homecoming brings alumni back to their Charger stomping grounds, but this year was special.
A pep rally hosted the day prior by the Student Committee on Popular Entertainment (SCOPE), Graduate Student Council (GSC) and the Undergraduate Student Government Association (USGA) gathered hundreds of students as well as the football team to the Bixler/Gerber Quad. The rally lasted two hours from 5 to 7 p.m. and included a number of events and activities, with food, RSO dance team performances and opportunities to pick up merchandise for students to show off their pride.
Preparation for the game was lively, with hundreds of current students and alumni tailgating from their own vehicles or with their fraternities and sororities at the North Campus lot in the Alumni Tailgate Party. Alongside the alumni and students, university President Jens Frederiksen was present and showing off his Charger spirit.
Five alumni were inducted into the Hall of Fame, the first since 2022. These included former football players Phil Bogle (1999-2002), Scott Emmert (1989-1992) and David Loane (1987-1990). Former women’s lacrosse player Ashley Ferrandiz (2008-2012) and former softball player Christina Gelardi (2010-2013) were also inducted following the game. These names join 191 others who bring a tradition of excellence to the university’s athletics.
This was also the university’s first year hosting Homecoming as a division 1 program following its transition into the Northeast Conference (NEC) in July.
The game started off with a touchdown from Pace in their first play. The Chargers answered back as running back Zaon Laney scored two first-quarter touchdowns, and gave the Chargers the lead they needed to take control of the game.
The university’s cheer team, dance team and marching band kept the energy high during the game, with energetic choreography and musical performances during the halftime show.
The Chargers beat their old rival, Pace University, from the division 2 Northeast-10 conference (NE-10) 28-14
Students and alumni celebrated the win with many leaving the field to attend their own private or on-campus celebrations, like the Homecoming Hoedown. The celebration was hosted by the Center for Student Engagement, Leadership and Orientation (CSELO), Office of Graduate and International Student Life (OGISL) and ResLife. Students headed to the German Club for a night of line dancing, food, crafts and more, running until midnight.
The Chargers next game will be a home game on Oct. 11, where they will play against Western Connecticut State Wolves. More details on where to buy tickets and how to stream the game are available on NewHavenChargers.com
