The Coastal Athletic Association welcomes a new football program this fall and one that could instantly compete for a conference title.

Sacred Heart Football or SHU, joins the league after a 8-4 record in 2025. The Pioneers announced they were entering the CAA more than a year ago and officially joined the league on July 1, 2026. They played an independent schedule in 2025 and finished the season by playing the then out-going CAA program, Villanova. 

An FCS East Coast playoff regular, and a program that won the FCS National Championship in 2001, here are a few things every CAA football fan needs to know about Sacred Heart Football. 

Where Is Sacred Heart University?

The program hails from Fairfield, Conn. They become the only school in the conference hailing from Connecticut in football and they play at Campus Field. 

Who Is SHU Football’s Biggest Rival? Well, it’s Who They Play In The Constitution State Rivalry Game

Central Connecticut State is the traditional rivalry game for Sacred Heart University. They’ve played the Blue Devils 25 times and are 12-13 all-time, that includes a 42-35 overtime loss in New Britain, Conn. last year. 

The schools won’t play the Constitution State Rivalry  this year. 

What Is The SHU Football History vs. CAA Teams?

The Pioneers most frequent CAA opponent is Monmouth Football, who they open the season against on Sept. 5. They have played the Hawks 15 times and are 5-10 against them. The programs haven’t played since 2013, and that was won by SHU, 24-21. 

They have a long history with UAlbany, Bryant and Stony Brook. 

What’s SHU Football Suppose To Do In 2026?

What a way to spark some new rivalries! CAA coaches picked SHU to finish 10 after the Pioneers went 8-4 a year ago. But they will have a talented running back in the fold in Mitch Summers who was selected to the CAA Preseason team. 

SHU Football Schedule 2026

Here’s the schedule:

• Sep. 5, 2:00 p.m. ET: Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ
• Sep. 12, 3:30 p.m. ET: University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
• Sep. 19, 6:00 p.m. ET: Elon University, Elon, NC
• Sep. 26, 12:00 p.m. ET: University of New Hampshire, Fairfield, CT (Campus Field)
• Oct. 3, 3:30 p.m. ET: University of Maine, Orono, ME
• Oct. 10, 12:00 p.m. ET: Stonehill College, Fairfield, CT (Campus Field)
• Oct. 17, 12:00 p.m. ET: Hampton University, Fairfield, CT (Campus Field)
• Oct. 31, 12:00 p.m. ET: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
• Nov. 7, 12:00 p.m. ET: Towson University, Fairfield, CT (Campus Field)
• Nov. 14, 12:00 p.m. ET: Bryant University, Fairfield, CT (Campus Field)
• Nov. 21, TBD: Merrimack College, North Andover, MA