Honestly, if you had asked a casual Division III observer about Christopher Newport University football a decade ago, they’d probably tell you about a program that was "fine." They were good, sure. They won some games in the USA South. But since moving to the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) in 2015, the Captains felt like they were perpetually stuck in the shadow of the Jersey giants.
That’s over.
The 2025 season didn't just break the mold; it shattered the glass ceiling of what people thought this program could do. Under Head Coach Paul Crowley—a guy who literally bled silver and blue as an All-Conference center for CNU back in the day—the Captains just wrapped up a 10-1 season that saw them climb as high as No. 6 in the D3football.com national rankings. That is the highest ever. Not just "lately." Ever.
The Crowley Era: Not Your Dad's Captains
Paul Crowley took over in late 2021, and let's be real, he had a mountain to climb. The transition to the NJAC had been rough. The conference is a gauntlet. You've got Salisbury, Montclair State, and Rowan—teams that play a brand of football that's basically a 60-minute fistfight.
Crowley, who spent time coaching at William & Mary (a Division I FCS program) before coming home, brought a certain professional edge that was missing. You can see it in the way the offensive line plays. It’s technical. It’s mean. And it makes sense, considering Crowley was a First Team All-USA South center himself.
Last year, the Captains went 7-3. People thought that was the ceiling. Then 2025 happened. They went a perfect 7-0 in the NJAC. They didn't just win the conference; they owned it. The offense averaged a staggering 45.1 points per game. That isn't just "good for D3"; that’s "video game numbers" territory.
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The Connor Barry Factor
You can't talk about Christopher Newport University football right now without mentioning Connor Barry. The kid is a local legend in the making. He was a semifinalist for the Gagliardi Trophy this year—the D3 version of the Heisman.
Barry threw for 2,866 yards and 35 touchdowns. Those aren't just stats; they are school records. He’s got this weirdly calm presence in the pocket. Even when Salisbury brought the house on him in November, he just stepped up and delivered. He finished with a 67% completion rate.
But it wasn't just a one-man show.
- Colin Hart: A senior receiver who became the first player in program history to be First Team All-Conference four years in a row. Let that sink in. Since he stepped on campus, he's been the best at what he does.
- Gunner White: The junior running back is closing in on the all-time touchdown record. He’s currently at 35 career scores, just three shy of Tunde Ogun’s record of 38. He’s a bowling ball with track speed.
- Jordin Lennon: A Yorktown local who just put up the fifth-best rushing performance in school history with 234 yards in a single game.
Why the Defense is Actually the Story
Everyone loves the points, but the defense is why they went 10-0 in the regular season. In 2023, they led the NJAC by allowing only 15.9 points per game. In 2025, they were even more disruptive.
Noah Martin is the name you need to know. He led the team in tackles for the second straight year. He’s a heat-seeking missile from the linebacker spot. Then you have Connor Estrella, who set a new single-season record with 9 sacks in just 10 games.
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It’s a "bend but don't break" style that actually breaks the other team first. They forced fumbles, they picked off five passes in the season finale against TCNJ in 2024, and they've carried that "ball hawk" mentality into the 2025 playoffs.
TowneBank Stadium: The Best Secret in Newport News
If you haven't been to a game at TowneBank Stadium, you're missing out on one of the best atmospheres in Virginia sports. It’s not just about the game; it’s the "Shoe Lane Lights" and the "Alumni Alley" tailgates.
The stadium seats about 4,200 officially, but they often cram way more in for homecoming. In 2025, they averaged 3,500 fans per game, which puts them in the top 20 nationally for D3 attendance. It’s loud. It’s intimate. And because it's a grass surface—one of the best in the South—it feels like old-school football.
Prices are actually reasonable too.
- General Admission: $10 (though it jumps to $20 for Homecoming).
- Chairback Seats: $30.
- Student entry: Basically built into their experience, and parents can sit with them in the GA sections.
It’s the kind of place where you see the President of the University, Kelly McGee, cheering in the stands alongside former NFL players like Chris Ellis (who now coaches the defensive line).
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Beyond the Field: The "Student" in Student-Athlete
CNU prides itself on being "pre-professional," and the football team actually lives up to that. This past August, it was announced that 19 football players made the NJAC All-Academic Team. That’s the most since they joined the conference.
Over 60% of all CNU athletes have a GPA of 3.2 or higher. It’s a culture thing. Crowley doesn't just want guys who can hit; he wants guys who can graduate. It’s one of the reasons they’ve been able to recruit so well in the "757" area (Hampton Roads). Local kids realize they can get a top-tier education and play for a national title contender without leaving home.
What Most People Get Wrong
There's a misconception that D3 football is "lite" football. Go watch a Captains game. Watch Andrew Belford, the junior offensive lineman from Chesapeake, move a 300-pound defensive tackle five yards off the ball. These guys are elite athletes.
The biggest difference is the heart. No one is here on a full-ride athletic scholarship. They are here because they love the game. That’s it. And when you have a team of 100+ guys who are there strictly for the love of the sport, you get the kind of magic we saw this year.
What’s Next?
The 2025 season ended with a tough loss in the NCAA Second Round to Susquehanna (42-28). It stung. But the foundation is terrifying for the rest of the NJAC. Most of the core—including Barry, White, and Estrella—have eligibility left or have established a "next man up" pipeline.
If you’re looking to support or get involved, here is how you actually do it:
- Attend a Spring Game: It’s the best way to see the new recruits before the madness of the fall begins.
- Join the Champions Club: If you’re an alum or a local business owner, this is where the money for locker room renovations and travel comes from. Even a $25 gift gets you in.
- Follow the Broadcasts: If you can't make it to Newport News, Xtra 99.1FM (WXGM) carries the games, and they stream video on CNUsports.com.
- Homecoming 2026: Mark your calendar early. Tickets for chairback seats sell out weeks in advance.
The Captains aren't just a "nice" story anymore. They are a powerhouse. And as long as Crowley is at the helm, the road to the NJAC title runs through Newport News.