Football - University of New Haven

A Message from the President
As I sat in the stands September 26 at our first Homecoming game in many years, I thought about football as a metaphor for
renewal. I scanned the stands and saw thousands of people shouting in unison for the Chargers, a team that just five and
a half years ago had ceased to exist. Sporting events have the ability to unite a campus in a way that few other activities can.
Football’s rebirth at the University of New Haven required the efforts of many supporters. Director of Athletics Deborah Chin
and I worked for years to have UNH accepted into the Northeast-10 Conference. UNH alumnus and Board of Governors
member Ralph F. DellaCamera, Jr. ’75 B.S., stepped forward to fund a major renovation of our existing field. The field is named
in honor of Ralph’s father, Ralph F. DellaCamera, who graced us with his presence that Homecoming day. Head Football Coach
Pete Rossomando — a veteran who learned the craft of coaching under former UNH coach Tony Sparano ’84 B.S., now head
coach of the Miami Dolphins — left the University at Albany to lead the rebuilding of our team. With their support, and with
yours, we have made huge strides at the University of New Haven. Those changes required planning, strategy and a strong belief
in our mission, the very same attributes a football team needs to complete a pass for a touchdown in the waning moments of
a game. Our efforts remind me of a quote from the legendary coach Vince Lombardi, who said,“Winning isn’t everything,
but making the effort to win is.”
The University has reached many goals in recent years. With your help, we will continue to aspire to greatness. If you didn’t hear
me shouting “thank you!” in the stands that day, please hear me now. Thank you, most sincerely, for supporting our efforts, on
the field and beyond.
Steven H. Kaplan
President
“With your help,
we will continue to
aspire to greatness.”