The upcoming Fenway Bowl in Boston has a special local twist this year. Army defensive lineman and Worcester native Grayson Baker gets the rare chance to play at historic Fenway Park against the UConn Huskies.
Baker’s got deep New England roots and a powerful family story of service. He’s got personal ties to players on the opposing sideline, too, so his journey to this bowl game hits home for football fans from Hartford to New Haven and across Connecticut.
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New England Roots and a Dream Game at Fenway Park
Baker grew up just an hour west of Boston, watching the Red Sox and dreaming of the big stage at Fenway Park. Now, instead of stepping into the batter’s box, he’ll be lining up in the trenches when Army meets UConn in the Fenway Bowl.
For fans from Hartford, New London, and Bridgeport making the trip north, this isn’t just another bowl game. Fenway Park, better known for October baseball, will swap its base paths for yard lines as college football takes over one of America’s most iconic stadiums.
A Homecoming in Front of Family and Friends
Baker calls the opportunity “special” for one simple reason: his people will be there. Family and friends from Worcester and around Massachusetts will pack into Fenway to watch him take the field.
It’s a rare home-area appearance for a player who’s spent his college career at West Point. That New England connection will hit close to home for Connecticut fans too, especially those in Waterbury, Danbury, and Stamford who grew up splitting their loyalty between the Red Sox and college football.
From Basketball Kid to Defensive Line Anchor
Baker didn’t start out as a football prodigy. Early on, basketball took center stage in his life, and football was just another sport on the schedule.
That changed around eighth grade, when he decided to put his focus into the gridiron. He quickly discovered that what set football apart for him wasn’t the spotlight—it was the relationships.
Baker talks about the sport’s camaraderie as the reason he fell in love with the game. That bond with teammates would later influence one of the biggest decisions of his life.
Wachusett High and a Familiar Face on the Opposing Sideline
At Wachusett Regional High School, Baker played with quarterback Tucker McDonald. McDonald, now on the Connecticut side, was Baker’s high school signal-caller.
Baker credits him with helping draw college recruiters to their games. Facing off against a former teammate on a bowl stage adds another layer of drama for fans from towns like New Haven and Norwalk, where high school football connections often stretch into college careers.
A Calling to Serve: Why Baker Chose West Point
For Baker, college football was never just about sports. His father served for years as a Massachusetts state trooper, and that example of public service left a lasting impact.
Motivated by a desire to follow a similar path, Baker narrowed his college choices to the service academies. Ultimately, he chose West Point, embracing both the rigorous academics and the commitment to something larger than himself.
It’s a decision that resonates deeply in Connecticut communities with strong military ties, including families in Groton and New London, home to major naval facilities.
Position Change and Growth on the Field
When Baker arrived at Army, he did so as a tight end, lining up on the offensive side of the ball. Over time, coaches saw a different role for him, and he transitioned to the defensive line—one of the most physically demanding spots on the field.
He’s appeared in the last four games of his college career as a defensive lineman, making steady contributions while adapting to a new position. That kind of position switch isn’t uncommon at the college level, but it definitely says something about his versatility and commitment.
Life at West Point: Demanding but Rewarding
Baker doesn’t sugarcoat what it means to attend West Point. The academic load is intense, the military obligations are real, and the expectations are sky-high.
Yet he describes the experience as deeply rewarding, largely because of what he calls the team’s brotherhood. That brotherhood, he says, is what carries players through the long days and tough schedules—something that resonates with high school athletes from across Connecticut who dream not just of playing at the next level, but of finding a true team family.
Fenway Bowl: How to Watch Army vs. UConn
The Fenway Bowl between Army and UConn kicks off on Saturday, December 27, at 2:15 p.m. ET in Boston.
If you’re watching from home in Manchester or West Hartford, there are plenty of ways to catch the game:
If the earlier bowl game on ESPN runs long, you might see the Army–UConn broadcast hop over to ESPN2 or ESPNews for a bit.
Either way, you can still catch every play on the ESPN app. No need to stress about missing anything important.
For Baker, this game feels like a wild mix of old memories and new moments—hometown vibes, Fenway’s charm, and even a high school buddy lining up on the other side. Connecticut fans get to watch the Huskies face a service academy in a bowl setting you just don’t see every day.
Here is the source article for this story: On what channel is Army football vs. Connecticut? Time, TV for Black Knights vs. Huskies
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