University of New Haven Homecoming Celebrates Charger Connections and Traditions

四色AV of New Haven community came together for Homecoming 2026 to celebrate Charger football, reconnect with alumni, and reflect on the experiences and opportunities that continue to shape the lives of students and graduates.

Homecoming at the University of New Haven is always an exciting time as it is much more than a football game. This is a time where students, alumni, staff, faculty and members of the University community come together to celebrate the school鈥檚 , as well as connect and reconnect with the people and experiences that have made the University of New Haven so special to them.

Before the Homecoming game against Brown University started, I had the opportunity to speak with several members of the University community, including University of New Haven Board of Governors Chair , , Lou Annino '99 MBA, Connor Koziatek 鈥�22, '25 MBA, and Tiana (Williams) Elliot, 鈥�11, 鈥�12 MBA. Even though each person had a different experience, the stories shared a similar message about taking advantage of the opportunities that the University has to offer, building connections, and continuing to grow.

Chair Ambrose stated that choosing the University of New Haven has had a significant impact on his life, which continued beyond graduation. He was able to attend college because he received a scholarship to run track, but, interestingly, he ended up with an academic scholarship instead of an athletic one as he became an engineering student.

Coming from Bridgeport, CT, he stated that even though he was not particularly ready to become an engineering student, the support that he received from the University helped change the direction of his life. He stated, 鈥溗纳獳V of New Haven made those investments that not only was I able to become an engineering student, but I ultimately got a master鈥檚 degree from MIT, and I became the chief engineer and vice president of engineering of .鈥�

鈥楴ever be afraid of challenges鈥�

When I asked Mr. Ambrose what he would tell his freshman-year self if he could walk across campus with them today, he emphasized the importance of believing in yourself, continuing to learn, and embracing the challenges faced.

鈥淜eep believing in yourself, keep finding ways to grow,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ever be afraid of challenges.鈥�

Moreover, his advice to current students was to take advantage of the opportunities available, including networking, internships, and real-world experiences. 鈥淭his is a very short time in your life. You may not realize it now, but this time is just a blink of an eye. Always continue to nurture and develop your relationship with the University throughout your life.鈥� Lastly, when asked how he鈥檇 described his Charger years as a movie title, he said, 鈥淒ream the Impossible.鈥�

President Frederiksen also reflected on his pride for being a Charger. When asked about what was happening in his life today because he鈥檚 here at the University of New Haven, he said, 鈥淲ell, my daughter told me when I got up this morning that I was wearing her favorite jacket, and I doubt I鈥檇 be wearing this without going to support the Chargers.鈥�

President Frederiksen also took a moment to reflect on his own college experience, and he also encouraged students to take advantage of the opportunities offered. He said, 鈥淚鈥檇 say take advantage of every opportunity.鈥� He explained that he wished he had pursued more internships and attended more events while he was in college, even when they did not seem directly related to him at the time.

鈥楾here鈥檚 activity all the time鈥�

For Annino, he stated that the University has always been a part of his life, both as a student and currently, as the University鈥檚 chief facilities officer. When asked of a memory from his time as a student, he mentioned, 鈥淲hen I was here in grad school, I went to school at night two nights a week, for two years. When I walked out, it was like there was no university at all. Now, I look around, and there鈥檚 activity all the time. It鈥檚 a much more exciting place to be.鈥�

In addition to this, when asked what he would tell himself as a grad student nearly 30 years ago, , Mr. Annino said, 鈥淟ook at how much the University of New Haven has to offer and how beautiful it is.鈥�

When I spoke with recent graduate Conor Koziatek 鈥�22 '25 MBA, he also highlighted the importance of gaining connections. His current job with the State of Connecticut was connected to his University experience, and the help of a professor allowed him to find additional opportunities. His advice to current students was: 鈥淪ay hi to everyone and make friends with everyone, because you don鈥檛 know what they鈥檙e going to do in the future.鈥� When asked what it was like returning to campus for Homecoming, he stated: 鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing, especially the way that the school changes year in and year out.鈥�

Tiana (Williams) Elliot, 鈥�11, 鈥�12 MBA described the University as her 鈥渇oundation鈥� both professionally and personally as she stated that 鈥渢hose doors wouldn鈥檛 open without the University of New Haven.鈥� After not returning to campus for ten years, she came back to celebrate her fifteen-year reunion. Her advice to her freshman year self was to not place limits on herself and to trust the path ahead.

鈥楴o matter where the journey takes you, never give up鈥�

While and University leaders took the time to reflect on what UNewHaven means to them, the football team had their opportunity to demonstrate the determination that comes with being a Charger.

For the Homecoming game, the Chargers went against Brown University and unfortunately entered halftime trailing by a score of 17-0. However, the second half of the game brought a shift as we fought back, first by cutting the score, making it 17-3, then scoring a touchdown, making the final score 17-10.

Although Brown ultimately secured the victory, the Chargers continued to push forward after a difficult first half. This comeback served as a reminder of the importance of perseverance and continuing to give your best effort, no matter how hard it is, even if the outcome is not what you hoped for.

The effort captured in the second half of the game shared a message that goes beyond football, which is: No matter where the journey takes you, never give up.

Kudos to the University of New Haven football team and to the entire Charger community that came together to celebrate Homecoming! 馃張馃挋馃挍