This image is the cover for the book Norwich Free Academy v. New London Football Rivalry

Norwich Free Academy v. New London Football Rivalry

Since 1875, southeastern Connecticut has played host to the oldest high school football rivalry in the nation: the Norwich Free Academy Wildcats versus the New London Whalers. This complex and competitive rivalry has inspired mayhem and merriment, from biased officials, cheating faculty and vandalism among students to disco-dancing coaches and marching band rallies. Learn how a fight during the 1951 meeting stopped the game for two years, how the Bulkeley Tigers (who became New London High School in 1951) finished their regular season in 1941 without a loss or tie and how the 1997 game ended a fourteen-game losing streak for the Norwich Free Academy. Join sportswriter Brian Girasoli as he recounts a spirit that transcends the ages and chronicles the evolution of this 135-year-old-rivalry.

Brian Girasoli

Brian Girasoli was the assistant sports editor at the Norwich Bulletin from 2002 to 2007 and currently holds that post again, since 2010. He is a graduate of the University of Connecticut (BA, English), Quinnipiac University (MS, Journalism) and, come the end of 2012, Sacred Heart University (teacher certification, secondary English). He is also a past president of the Connecticut Sports Writers' Alliance. The Norwich Free Academy v. New London rivalry holds a special place for him as a graduate of Norwich Free Academy (class of 1994).

The History Press