A Final Look At The Year That Was For The Blue Devils

As the calendar officially turns to the next academic year for the Central Connecticut State University Department of Athletics, it is only appropriate to take one last look back at the accomplishments of the 2024-25 campaign.

The Blue Devils tied an NEC record with seven championships. The men's cross country and track & field program won all three of its championships, while the women captured the cross-country crown. Football and swimming and diving won league-leading championships, with football winning its sixth trophy and swimming and diving winning its ninth. The baseball team won its ninth overall NEC title, and its fifth in the last eight championships.

Individual success was also in high demand during the past season. CCSU student-athletes earned five NEC Player of the Year honors and five NEC Outstanding Performer accolades in league championships. For the first time in women's basketball history the player of the year is a Blue Devil, with Belle Lanpher earning the honor. Jordan Jones took home the men's basketball player of the year award, giving CCSU the two awards in the same season for the first time in program history. The CCSU football team took home Player of the Year honors on both sides of the ball with Elijah Howard (offense), and Kimal Clark (defense) being honored. Aidan Redahan rounded out the Player of the Year honors with the baseball award.

Brooke Morabito, who qualified for the NCAA Cross Country Championship, was named the NEC Cross Country Most Outstanding Performer in the fall. Jake Ireland also earned the honor for the Blue Devils men. Greyson Golda was the Most Outstanding Field Performer (Throws) at both the indoor and outdoor NEC Championship, with Samuel Whittaker (indoor) and James Sullivan (outdoor) earning Most Outstanding Track Performer (Distance) honors as well. Kaitlin Carroll earned Most Outstanding Diver in helping the swimming and diving team to a third consecutive NEC crown.

CCSU student-athletes excelled in the classroom as well, combining for a 3.19 GPA as a department in 2024-25. The volleyball team posted a 3.64 GPA to top all teams, while men's soccer led men's sports with a 3.47 team GPA. Central had six student-athletes earn NEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors, saw 36 named to the CSC Academic All-District Teams and 296 named to the University's Dean's List.

Finally, seven programs took home coaching accolades from their NEC counterparts. Eric Blake and his coaching staff earned three Coaching Staff of the Year accolades, with both cross-country honors and the men's indoor honor. Bill Ball and the swimming and diving staff were also recognized, while Kim Caruso was named NEC Diving Coach of the Year. Patrick Sellers was presented with his second consecutive men's basketball NEC Coach of the Year honor, while Adam Lechtenberg took home his first football Coach of the Year award. Charlie Hickey, who won his 800^th career game in the NEC Tournament, was named the league's top skipper for the sixth time.