HARTFORD, Conn. - The term "unfinished business" is used frequently in sports, especially football, where one loss is the difference between a conference championship or going home empty-handed.  This is the term that fifth-year captain Brian Casagrande used when talking about the importance of this season.  After suffering a loss last fall to the eventual NESCAC champion Williams College, Casagrande and the Bantams have their sights set on a NESCAC title of their own.  

"We are undefeated, but there are still four games left and everyone [in the NESCAC] is competitive this year," Casagrande said when talking about the road ahead.  "We control our destiny at this rate though, but we have a tough challenge with Williams this weekend.  We have taken a day-by-day approach to the season, focusing on one opponent at a time."

Casagrande is from Madison, Connecticut and attended Daniel Hand High School, where he was an All-State player and led his team to a State championship. Casagrande decided to stay local and play for the Bantams following high school, but the choice was more than just proximity to home.  

"I chose Trinity because I love the coaches here, they are very upfront with you when getting recruited," he said, adding, "I had other offers from different places, but the coaching staff and players were very welcoming to me, and the winning tradition that Trinity has ultimately led me to commit here."  He also added that the term "the 40-year plan", a phrase used frequently by Head Coach Jeff Devanney, was meaningful to him, saying that the strong alumni network and focus on helping players get job opportunities after graduation was enticing.  Casagrande is currently an assistant broker for an insurance company and will continue with them after the season concludes.

A leader of the team off the field, Casagrande is also a star on the defensive side of the ball.  As a three-year starter at linebacker, Casagrande has been named to the All-NESCAC First Team twice and has led the team in tackles twice in that span.  He, along with seniors Aidan Kennedy and Noah Glantz, have formed one of the best defenses in the conference.  For Casagrande, it starts in the film room, where he spends hours each week studying his opponents and preparing for the game each Saturday.  Their team-first approach on the field is also a vital part of their success.  He explained that being a close-knit group allows for solid communication on the field, leading to the success that they are having on the defensive side of the ball. The buy-in from everyone this season was the last piece of the puzzle, proven by the captains.  Casagrande, Kennedy, and wide receiver DeVante Reid all returned this season to have one last shot at winning a title for their own.  

"Winning the NESCAC my freshman year was awesome because I got to see the groundwork for how to win, but we didn't play much so didn't feel like it was ours," Casagrande said. "We came back to get one ourselves which will feel so much sweeter."