In The News

Ewald leaves Hearts to build Post football

By Mark Jaffee Republican-American
It was natural for Peter Ewald to be intrigued about a move back to the college ranks, where he had served as a football coach at four different schools.

Leaving the high school level, where he has been head coach for three seasons at Sacred Heart, was difficult.

Still, the fact that he wouldn’t have to relocate from Waterbury and move his family for a fifth time in 15 years made the decision to pursue the head football coaching job at Post University easier.

Ewald was officially named to lead the Eagles’ fledging program, which will compete in the Collegiate Sprint Football League next fall, on Tuesday. The CSFL doesn’t offer athletic scholarships, and the weight limit for players is 172 pounds.

“It’s a very exciting opportunity to be a part of something new,” said Ewald, 44. “I don’t care if it is in business or in athletics. To be on the ground level of something that hopefully will be spectacular is just a great opportunity.”

Ewald resigned from his teaching post and football position at Sacred Heart last week and is taking on his new role full-time.

Though the Eagles are currently scheduled to play only two games in 2010 — vs. the University of Pennsylvania on Sept. 24 at Franklin Field in Philadelphia and vs. Mansfield University on Oct. 30 at Municipal Stadium — there is a chance others could be added.

The league also features teams from Army, Navy, Cornell and Princeton.

“It’s a work in progress,” said Ewald.

The immediate pursuit is adding two part-time assistant coaches for recruiting purposes. Ewald is hoping to find at least 30 players for the first season.

“It will be a challenge,” said Ewald. “I am looking for players who are driven and passionate about playing football and will be accountable to their teammates and be a part of a (start-up) program and get a great education.”

Finding players who fall within the 172-pound limit should be doable. No athletic scholarships are given, although financial aid can be awarded based on need.

“Seventy percent of high school football players fall under that weight class,” noted Ewald. “There are a lot of kids who don’t think they will have an opportunity to play college football. But I don’t think I will need to do a lot of convincing.”

“Seventy percent of high school football players fall under that weight class,” noted Ewald. “There are a lot of kids who don’t think they will have an opportunity to play college football. But I don’t think I will need to do a lot of convincing.”

That is why Ewald plans on visiting five or six schools a day.

“I am going to draw a map and circle places three to four hours a day,” noted Ewald.

“I will have direct contact with high school coaches throughout Connecticut and rely on film and word of mouyth.”

Ewald’s previous jobs included working in the admissions office at the University of Bridgeport. Ewald played collegiately at Syracuse University from 1983-86.