2. The Daily Grind Photo Credit: Ben Chapman Photo Credit: Ben Chapman
3. No Rest for The Weary Photo Credit: Ben Chapman
4. A decorated recruit? 6-foot-3, 255 pounds All-State football player Member of the Connecticut All-Star football team Two-time Stonington High School defensive MVP Recruited to play at Boston College and Vanderbilt University Photo Credit: stoningtonctfootball.vnsports.com
5. Nothing To Show For It No scholarship No playing time No freebees Still happy? Photo Credit: UConnHuskies.com
15. “Necessary Depth” Walk-ons used mostly on the scout team Help to prepare starters for competition each week Keep the starters fresh Emulate the other team’s offense and defense Study film, learn plays/playing styles
16. A lot to know “I know almost the entire offensive playbook of every team in the Big East.” – Chapman
17. Trinity College Head coach Jeffrey Devanney Roster limit = no walk-ons Northeast Suburban Athletic Conference (NSAC) No scholarships No depth Photo Credit: athletics.trincoll.edu
18. “We risk injuring guys that we need out there on the field during games. We’re definitely cautious with some players, especially at positions where we don’t have quality depth.” - Devanney
19. Southern Connecticut State University Head Coach Rick Cavanaugh Not the same roster limitations as Trinity Uses walk-ons for scout team but gives them a fair chance to start More players trying to walk on at a Division 2 school Photo Credit: southernctowls.com
20. “They have just as good a chance as anyone else to earn a spot on the field. We have less scholarship guys than a school like UConn, so it’s easier to allow ourselves to see what [a walk-on] can do.” - Cavanaugh
21. Why bother? At a Division I school with little to no chance that you’ll play When you pay for school but still do the same work as your teammates When you have to pay to eat in the team dining hall When you aren’t taken to road games When no one but your closest friends even knows that you’re on the team
22. “It’s an experience that tens of thousands of high school football players would love to have.” - Chapman
23. This is why Chapman, left, is celebrating UConn’s victory in the International Bowl in Toronto, Canada in 2009 UConn won 38-20 over the University of Buffalo Photo Credit: Ben Chapman
24. “I just love the game. To me, just being on the sideline, working with players that talented, experiencing Big East football games, being a member of a Division I football team that wins bowl games – it’s awesome.” - Chapman