Elmhurst Football (and Campus Spirit) Suffers Another Brutal Season

David Monteilh (82) stands alone during a game against Rockford on Sept. 13. (Lorrie Decker/Elmhurst University Athletics)

Bluejay football just ended their season, enduring a painful 1–9 campaign after a 29-22 loss to Millikin.

Statistically, it was a brutal year. Elmhurst University averaged just 8.9 points per game while giving up 40.1 points on average. The offense struggled to keep pace, gaining roughly 237.7 yards per game compared to 421 yards for their opponents.

Meanwhile, the defense was repeatedly overmatched, showing up to play, but unable to contain strong conference foes such as North Central College, who shut out the Bluejays 58–0 in one contest.

It isn’t just about losing: the Bluejays are playing historically poor seasons with regularity. According to their own record book, multiple seasons in recent history have ended at 1–9 or worse. That pattern can wear down a team, but its effects radiate outward, affecting more than just the players on the field.

“I think everyone is ready to put this season in the rear view mirror,” said EU defensive lineman Ethan Stewart. “It was a rough season, but I’m not gonna dwell on the past.”

At a small D3 school like EU, football often plays a symbolic role far greater than wins and losses. Unlike big state schools with high-profile programs, Division III athletics are integral to campus identity: gamedays are gathering points, rallying cries for students, alumni, and faculty. When the team struggles, the ripple effects can really stick out.

Student engagement and school pride suffers. When the season’s outlook is bleak week after week, students may stop attending games. Without the excitement of competitive wins, tailgates shrink, cheers grow quieter, and what should be a unifying weekend celebration can feel hollow.

A losing streak diminishes the payoff for loyalty, why show up if the team rarely gives a reason to celebrate?

Sports teams don’t only compete, they represent shared values, effort, and resilience. A losing team can foster a sense of discouragement, dampening pride in the institution as a whole.

Alumni often reconnect with their alma mater during big game weekends, but at EU, this seemingly only happens on Homecoming. A consistently losing team makes this a lot less appealing.

Without a spark on the field, fewer former students may make the trip back or contribute to athletic fundraising initiatives. Over time, a persistent downturn can threaten the very financial lifeline that keeps smaller programs afloat.

This affects recruitment too. Student-athletes want to join programs where they can compete, grow, and contribute to something meaningful. A long stretch of losing seasons makes it harder for EU to attract talent, both on the field and off. Fewer talented recruits can perpetuate the cycle of poor performance, making turnaround ever more challenging without targeted intervention.

All that said, a 1–9 season should not overshadow the deeper resiliency and character of a Division III program. Often, it’s not just about wins, but perseverance, learning, and building for the future.

However, without a change in direction, these pressures could erode what makes EU special in the first place: community, pride, and identity.