Having two Division I schools located in a relatively under-the-radar college town is an anomaly in the world of college sports … so tensions definitely run deep. Students from Sacred Heart and Fairfield cross paths with each other constantly, whether it is at a local bar, a party or somewhere along Post Road; it happens to be an unavoidable interaction. Sacred Heart’s Pitt Center is less than five miles away from Leo D. Mahoney arena which makes for a convenient ride but also creates an atmosphere of animosity that could be unleashed in the upcoming matchup. Here is what some Fairfield students had to say when asked about Fairfield’s rivalry with Sacred Heart.
Mitchell Folina ‘28 said “I’ve never seen SHU as a rival because I have never seen them as anything at all.”
Fabio Yepez ‘28 stated “We don’t even have frats and our parties are better.”
Luke Dipre ‘28 proclaimed that “Fairfield is better at everything than SHU. There’s not a single thing SHU is better at” He then continued, “What the [expletive] is a pioneer, we live in Connecticut, Roll Stags.”
A native of the town of Fairfield, Luke Zwynnenburg ‘28 said “I’ve never heard about them…” even though he grew up very close to Sacred Heart’s campus.
First-year Ella Giannotti “To be honest I feel like I don’t respect anyone I know that goes [to Sacred Heart]”.
“The only reason people go to SHU is because they got denied from here,” states first-year Brian Didier.
So far the rivalry in men’s basketball has been more than lopsided as the Stags are 10-0 against the Pioneers with matchups dating back to 2007. The duel is going through its first year with both teams in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference which will be particularly special since it is likely that the teams will face-off twice a year from here on out.
The first matchup between the schools’ men’s teams is on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 7 p.m. in the Leo D. Mahoney Arena. Unfortunately for the Stags, Sacred Heart has a better record in the MAAC and overall this season. However, fans should still expect a fierce battle as the teams sit a couple of spots away from each other in the conference standings.
The following matchup will take place on March 2 at 2 p.m, at Sacred Heart’s Pitt Center. Regardless of what students say, it is vital to remember that the most important part of this game is having fun and maintaining sportsmanship … or is it?
The game will predictably be the most widely attended this season so students should rush to get their tickets when they are available on Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. Head Coach Chris Casey advocated to make Mahoney Arena “the hardest place to play in the conference” before his team commenced the 2024-25 season. And if there is one game to realize this goal, it is surely this Saturday.
