History
1849: A school for teachers
Central began in 1849 as New Britain Normal School, a teacher-training institution.
Checked 2026-11-01 · Sources: History | About Central
THE COLLEGE GAME · 2026
Central Connecticut Football
Northeast · Program & school history
Browse all programs2026102 roster entriesSnapshot: 2026-10-02
College player coverage. Explore dated rosters and player details for 266 FBS and FCS programs. Every saved roster entry has a dated summary. Selected profiles include additional official-source background. Coverage varies by school; coaching backgrounds, program history and FAQs are still being expanded. Please check source dates and confirm changes with the schools. Division II, Division III and NAIA directories are not yet included.
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History
1933: Four-year degrees and a new name
The institution began granting four-year degrees in 1933 and became Teachers College of Connecticut.
Checked 2026-11-01 · Sources: History | About Central
History
1959: Central Connecticut State College
The expanding institution received legislative recognition as Central Connecticut State College in 1959.
Checked 2026-11-01 · Sources: History | About Central
History
1983: University name and charter
The present Central Connecticut State University name and educational charter were conferred in 1983.
Checked 2026-11-01 · Sources: History | About Central
History
1853: Ebenezer Bassett graduates
Ebenezer D. Bassett became the founding institution's first African American graduate in 1853.
Checked 2026-11-01 · Sources: Ebenezer D. Bassett | Central
History
1869: Bassett enters American diplomacy
The university identifies alumnus Ebenezer Bassett's 1869 appointment to Haiti as the first African American diplomatic appointment.
Checked 2026-11-01 · Sources: Ebenezer D. Bassett | Ebenezer D. Bassett
History
1950s: The first Arute Field
Jack Arute Sr. built the original on-campus football field using his company's funds and manpower, according to athletics.
Checked 2026-11-01 · Sources: Central Connecticut State University Athletics
History
Late 1960s: The field moves
Athletics places Arute Field's move to its present area in the late 1960s.
Checked 2026-11-01 · Sources: Central Connecticut State University Athletics
History
2000: The current Arute Field is dedicated
The third Arute Field was dedicated on November 11, 2000, before a game against Stony Brook.
Checked 2026-11-01 · Sources: Central Connecticut State University Athletics
History
2014: A new turf surface
Athletics records a July 2014 turf replacement, including the CCSU logo at midfield.
Checked 2026-11-01 · Sources: Central Connecticut State University Athletics
History
2011: A new Blue Devil mascot
The athletics brand launch on August 10, 2011 included a new Blue Devil mascot uniform.
Checked 2026-11-01 · Sources: CCSU Welcomes Kizer the Blue Devil to the Family - Central Connecticut State University Athletics
History
2011: Kizer receives a name
A naming contest followed the mascot launch. The chosen name, Kizer, honored Harrison Kaiser.
Checked 2026-11-01 · Sources: CCSU Welcomes Kizer the Blue Devil to the Family - Central Connecticut State University Athletics
History
2010: A mission centered on learning
The university's mission page dates Board of Trustees approval of its teaching, scholarship and outreach mission to July 21, 2010.
Checked 2026-11-01 · Sources: Mission & Values | About Central
History
2020: A regional university vision
The university dates Board of Regents approval of its modern public regional university vision to April 16, 2020.
Checked 2026-11-01 · Sources: Mission & Values | About Central
These sourced summaries are prepared with AI assistance and checked against the linked material. They are not independently audited or presented as human-reviewed. Please verify details with the original sources; checked dates are not promises of live updates.