Parker Brown

Mark Twain is attributed with saying, “If you don’t like the weather in New England, just wait a few minutes.”  For Florida native Parker Brown, who headed north to study Meteorology and play football at Western Connecticut State University, the weather in Connecticut suits him just fine.

Brown, who has spent his entire life in Orange County, Florida, near Orlando, graduated from Windermere High School in 2023. He’s been in Connecticut pretty much since then, and said, “My first winter was experienced here, and I enjoyed it much more than the blistering heat at home.”

What would make a Floridian commit to the 1,100+ mile move to Connecticut to attend college? Brown said it was because WestConn was one of the few universities that had both Meteorology studies and a football program, and responded to his inquiry. “It was very late in the recruiting process and most schools were done looking for new players,” he said, “However, the coaches here responded to my message and scheduled a visit.”

He’s glad he came. “Both the players and coaches here are amazing, in both aspects of football and their character,” he said. “They set a great example of the individual I strive to be.”

Parker Brown

Brown, an offensive lineman for the Wolves Football team, earned a spot on the 2023 and 2024 MASCAC All-Academic Team — an impressive feat, considering the math- and science-heavy curriculum associated with Meteorology studies. The academics have not deterred him. “I think Meteorology is extremely interesting and unique, and the classes here are very personal, which is extremely helpful to me. Professor Eisenson has had a very big positive impact on me; he is my favorite teacher/professor I have had thus far as he cares greatly about his students’ education.”

The Wolves went 7-3 in 2023 and 9-2 in 2024, earning a berth in the 2023 NCAA Tournament Division III first round versus Johns Hopkins University. In 2024, the Wolves defeated Alfred University 45-14 in the ECAC’s Asa S. Bushnell Bowl. So, it’s not surprising that Brown’s favorite collegiate memory so far is “making the NCAA Playoffs for the first time in 20 years.”

Of course, there are some things Brown misses when he’s on campus. Among them, his family and his favorite Florida food, alligator meat. But everything else — including the weather — is working out just fine.

Western Connecticut State University changes lives by providing all students with a high-quality education that fosters their growth as individuals, scholars, professionals and leaders in a global society. Our vision: To be widely recognized as a premier public university with outstanding teachers and scholars who prepare students to contribute to the world in a meaningful way.