| Currentseason: | 2024 Sacred Heart Pioneers football team |
| Teamname: | Sacred Heart Pioneers football |
| Firstyear: | 1991; |
| Athleticdirector: | Judy Ann Riccio |
| Headcoach: | Mark Nofri |
| Headcoachyear: | 13th |
| Hcwins: | 74 |
| Hclosses: | 68 |
| Stadium: | Campus Field |
| Stadcapacity: | 3,334 |
| Stadsurface: | Sprinturf |
| Ncaadivision: | I FCS |
| Conference: | NCAA Division I FCS independent schools |
| Atwins: | 166 |
| Atlosses: | 190 |
| Bowlwins: | 1 |
| Bowllosses: | 0 |
| Playoffapps: | Div. I FCS 4 |
| Playoffs: | Div. I FCS 0–4 |
| Conftitles: | 6 |
| Allamericans: | 3 |
| Websitename: | sacredheartpioneers.com |
| Websiteurl: | https://sacredheartpioneers.com/sports/football |
The Sacred Heart Pioneers football program is the intercollegiate American football team for the Sacred Heart University located in Fairfield, Connecticut. The team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level and is one of two NCAA Division I FCS independent schools. The school's first football team was fielded in 1991.[1] The 2001 Sacred Heart Pioneers football team compiled a perfect 11–0 record and won the school's first conference championship. The team plays its home games at the 3,334-seat Campus Field.
Beginning in 2024, the team will compete as an NCAA Division I FCS independent. Their departure from the Northeast Conference will coincide with the move of the Sacred Heart Pioneers athletic program to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, which has not supported football competition since 2007. They will join the Merrimack Warriors football program, also joining the MAAC as a full member, as the only two schools competing in the 2024 NCAA Division I FCS football season independent of conference affiliation.
| Year | Coach | Conference | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11–0 | |||
| 10–3 † | |||
| Mark Nofri | 9–3 † | ||
| Mark Nofri | 7–4 † | ||
| Mark Nofri | 3–1 | ||
| Mark Nofri | 6–1 | ||
| Conference Championships | 6 | ||
Sacred Heart has made four appearances in the NCAA Division I Football Championship playoffs. The Pioneers combined record is 0–4.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Round | Fordham | L 27–37 | |
| First Round | Fordham | L 22–44 | |
| First Round | Delaware | L 10–19 | |
| First Round | Holy Cross | L 10–13 | |
Future non-conference opponents announced as of January 20, 2023.[2]
| at Lafayette | at Norfolk State | |
| Montana | ||
| Lafayette | ||
| Merrimack |