With the Pioneers heading to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) starting next season, the Sacred Heart University (SHU) football team is left without a conference.
On October 23, SHU announced that they would be leaving the Northeast Conference (NEC) and senior defensive lineman Tyreke Brown expected the team to go independent next season.
“With word from the NEC that they didn’t want us as an associated member, it was basically what we would have to lean towards. I also think going independent will help our program have time to grow into that caliber team and compete at a higher level,” said Brown.
With this independent status, the team’s schedule features several of the teams they played against in the NEC, including St. Francis University (SFU) and Stonehill College.
Although the Pioneers finished in seventh place in the NEC this past season after going just 2-9, they have had more success in previous years. They were the NEC champions in 2020 and 2021, as well as 2018, 2014, and 2013.
“I think the biggest challenge for a lot of the guys this year is just trying to play for a purpose. I think some people will not want to give their all just because we can’t play for a conference championship. We need everyone to buy in in order to get back to what we were just a few years ago,” said senior wide receiver Payton Rhoades.
Source: Sacred Heart Athletics
Competing as independent makes it difficult to schedule games each season, in addition to other challenges.
“Joining a conference could provide more stability, better scheduling, and postseason prospects,” said senior linebacker Myles Talley.
Brown has thoughts on where the team may fit into other conferences.
“I think the Big South or the CAA [Coastal Athletic Association] would be a good fit. I personally think we have what it takes to compete at the level of the CAA,” said Brown.
The CAA features some southern schools, as far as Elon University and Campbell University in North Carolina. However, the conference also includes many schools from New England, including the University of Maine and the University of Rhode Island.
Although the team plans to join a new conference, it is not guaranteed that they will have the opportunity in the next couple of years.
“I would absolutely like to join a conference. If so, it might happen when the ideal conference alignment and timing coincide with the team’s goals and ambitions,” said Talley.
For now, the team will see how the offseason plays out.
“I think Coach Nofri and the staff we have are men of adversity and they always find a way, and that’s something they’ve embedded in us players as well,” said Brown. “I do believe if we have the success we’re used to, then we won’t have a problem finding a new conference to be a part of.”
