Earl Dean Field
The first game ever played on the Hillwood Lakes gridiron took place on October 15, 1932, when Coach Earl H. Dean's Trenton State Teachers College football team defeated Arnold College, 6-0. Years later, on September 29, 1973, some 4,000 students and alumni turned out for a game with Hofstra at which the field was dedicated to honor Coach Dean. More than half a century after the opening game against Arnold College, the final game was played on Earl Dean Field on November 12, 1983, with Trenton State winning over Ramapo College. When the current stadium was built it became the new home of many of The College's athletic teams, including football.

Losing Streak
In the fall of 1950 The College received a great deal of publicity because it won a football game against Montclair by a score of 7 to 6. Ordinarily this would have been just another victory, but it was played up by newspapers, the radio, and even Life Magazine because of the fact that The College had not won a football game in eleven years. The teams and the students had not enjoyed this losing streak, but had taken the punishment "in stride" and had supported the teams faithfully. When victory finally came it was also taken "in stride," and, except for throwing the coach into the swimming pool, no riotous celebrations occurred. By 1951 fortunes had changed, and the team won six games with no losses.

Athletic Hall of Fame
In keeping with its policy of recognizing excellence and achievement in all academic fields, The College inducted the first members of the Athletic Hall of Fame on Homecoming Day, October 31, 1981. The Hall of Fame was created specifically to acknowledge alumni who have brought great credit and glory to their alma mater.

Varsity Teams
1930
Men's athletics: football, basketball, baseball, and track.
1950
Men's athletics: football, basketball, baseball, track, tennis, and golf.
1970
Men's athletics: football, basketball, baseball, track, tennis, golf, soccer, cross country, wrestling, swimming, and gymnastics. Women's athletics: field hockey, lacrosse, fencing, bowling, swimming, basketball, and softball.