In a September
Gazette Minute Interview,
Maravene Loeschke, Mansfield University's president explained how the school became the first U.S. public university to field a Sprint football team after discontinuing its Division II football program, due to the “lack of size or resources to support it.” A Sprint football program, according to Loeschke, operates at 75 percent less cost than a Division II program.
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A.G. Gancarski
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Mansfield's season in the six team Collegiate Sprint Football League begins September 27 with a game against Cornell, and I caught up with Mansfield's football coach, Danny Davis. When asked about the differences between Sprint football and the more traditional college variety, Davis explained that “the only major differences involve the size of the players and the quickness of the game.” Davis adds, “Spread offenses are a bit more prevalent in Sprint."
I asked Davis if the A-11, a popular offensive formation which utilizes two quarterbacks and five pass-catchers, would work in Sprint football. Davis saw its possibilities, though with an obvious caveat. “Just like any offense or defense, they work as long as the coach believes in his system and the players execute well.”
In traditional NCAA and pro football, there is a premium on size. Linemen routinely top 300 pounds, and many quarterbacks and running backs themselves are well above 200 pounds. Sprint football—with a strict 173 pound weight limit—is obviously different. While some would maintain that “size matters,” Coach Davis was quick to extol the virtues of the Sprint game.
"The athletes who play this game are skilled and are extremely dedicated to their sport. Sprint football produces alumni who are loyal to their sport and many say the game is more exciting than traditional football.”
Davis notices real enthusiasm for the game on campus where “the majority of students here at Mansfield are happy to have football back on campus and are excited and interested in seeing how this game and team fare.” This year's Mansfield roster contains a lot of freshmen, and Davis is busy growing the program from the bottom up.
"The players we recruit will be dedicated to being the best students and football players they can be. Some who tried out in the spring were surprised how intense the practices were. Sprint football players play for keeps,” Davis maintains.
“The players sacrifice to keep the weight off. We have a 7-game season and no playoffs. The athletes play for the sheer love of playing, and not national championships or playoff appearances. We do not offer any athletic scholarships." Davis continues. “Our sport is an overall part of the educational process, no more or less important than any other aspect of college life in my opinion,” he added.
A.G. Gancarski writes from Jacksonville, Florida, and is a frequent Gazette contributor.