Central Connecticut–Hartford rivalry
The Central Connecticut–Hartford rivalry refers to the American collegiate athletics rivalry between the Central Connecticut Blue Devils sports teams of Central Connecticut State University and Hartford Hawks sports teams of the University of Hartford. The two campuses are located 10 miles apart. Unlike most in-state rivalries Hartford and Central Connecticut compete in difference conferences. Hartford competes in the America East Conference and Central Connecticut competes in the Northeast Conference. On May 6, 2021 the University of Hartford board of regents voted to transition the university’s athletic program from Division I to Division III, putting the future of the rivalry in doubt.[1]
Central Connecticut | Hartford | |
---|---|---|
Founded | 1849 | 1957 |
Type | Public | Private |
Conference | Northeast Conference | Commonwealth Coast Conference |
Students | 9,653 | 5,740 |
School colors | ||
Nickname | Blue Devils | Hawks |
Basketball
Sport | Basketball |
---|---|
First meeting | December 13, 1958 |
Latest meeting | February 8, 2023 Central Connecticut 82, Hartford 73 |
Statistics | |
Current win streak | Central Connecticut 2 (2021-present) |
The two schools starting playing each other as division II rivals in 1958. After the 2002 edition the series went on hiatus until 2010 when both schools competed against each other in the Connecticut 6 tournament held at Mohegan Sun Arena.[2] [3][4] During the break in the series Central Connecticut became a power in the Northeast Conference under head coach Howie Dickenman making the NCAA tournament in 2000, 2002, and 2007.
Traditionally the game is played at the beginning of every season.[5] In the 2017 matchup Central's head coach Donyell Marshall and assistant coach Anthony Anderson were both suspended for the game due to an altercation at practice, assistant coaches Mike Witcoskie and Anthony Ross handled the coaching duties for the Hartford game.[6]
Basketball series record
Central Connecticut victories | Hartford victories |
|
Baseball
Central Connecticut and Hartford first played each other in baseball in 1985. Central started to dominate the series in the early part of the millennium, with its teams making multiple trips to the NCAA tournament. In 2010 CCSU completed construction of Balf–Savin Field on campus, their first game in the new stadium was a 12-11 loss to Hartford.[14] Starting in 2018, Central Connecticut and Hartford played against each other at Dunkin' Donuts Park in downtown Hartford in March and in May. The two schools played again at Dunkin' Donuts Park in May 2019. In 2020 the series will be moved back to campus with Central Connecticut hosting a single game in March.
Baseball series record
Central Connecticut victories | Hartford victories |
|
References
- "University of Hartford Board of Regents votes to move from Division I to Division III in athletics". Hartford Courant. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
- "Connecticut 6 basketball tournament cancelled". CT Post. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
- "Central-Hartford Basketball Rivalry Is Blooming Once Again". Hartford Courant. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
- "Central not eager to see Hartford's streak stop". The Middletown Press. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
- "HAWKS, BLUE DEVILS SIGN FIVE-YEAR AGREEMENT". Hartford Athletics. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
- "Central Connecticut's Donyell Marshall, Assistant Remain 'On Leave'". Hartford Courant. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
- "Cent. Connecticut St. 64, Hartford 62". Associated Press. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
- "Central Connecticut State tops Hartford 73-59". Associated Press. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
- "CCSU gets first win, tops Hartford 56-47". Associated Press. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
- "Hartford survives against CCSU, 92-83 2OT". Associated Press. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
- "Central Handles Hartford 75-60 In Donyell Marshall's Debut". Hartford Courant. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
- "Hartford holds on, beats Central Connecticut St. 85-84 in OT". Associated Press. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
- "CCSU men's basketball record book" (PDF). CCSU athletics. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
- "Late Comeback Fuels 12-11 Victory in Baseball's Opener at CCSU". Hartford Athletics. Retrieved October 14, 2019.