Recent Springfield College graduate Craig Connell has been named one of seven finalists for the 2026 New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Male Student-Athlete of the Year award. The conference office is scheduled to announce the final recipient on July 30, 2026.
Connell, a physical therapy major, maintained a 3.749 GPA throughout his tenure at Springfield. On the field, he was a key contributor to the college’s football program, which led all NCAA Division III programs in rushing offense this season, averaging 342.5 yards per game. His performance helped the team rank second across all NCAA divisions, trailing only Harding University.
Beyond his athletic contributions, Connell earned D3football.com All-America honors and was a three-time NEWMAC Academic All-Conference selection. He also served as a member of the Student-Athlete Leadership Team (SALT) for three years. The winner of the NEWMAC award will advance as the conference’s official nominee for the Division III Commissioners Association Student-Athlete of the Year award.