The DePauw Futbol Club achieved a stunning 3-1 win against Wabash College on Sept. 29. The Monon Boot — yes, you read that right — is ours for the semester!
If you haven’t heard about the DePauw Futbol Club yet, it’s time to catch up. Founded in March 2024, the club had to wait a while for approval from the DePauw Student Government, but ever since, they’ve been making waves on campus.
The club’s founder, Ninaad Dutta ‘26, is no stranger to football. A passionate player from India, he started playing football at the mere age of six, and went on to play at both national and international levels. His journey took him to international tournaments in Paris and Dubai, and he spent three semesters as a part of DePauw’s Men’s Soccer team.
Dutta always dreamed of starting a club to share his love for the sport, but it wasn’t until he connected with a few like-minded individuals that he finally made it happen. Together, they kicked things off with campus events, and their first semester was a huge success.
The highlight was their 6v6 tournament, which saw 12 teams and over 120 participants, including fraternities like Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi, and even other cultural teams who came together for the event. The tournament ran for five weeks and drew a lot of attention. And the fun didn’t stop there—watch parties for the Champions League brought people together too, with about 30 students enjoying pizza, drinks, and some thrilling matches.
Over the summer, the club put in serious work. Ninaad and the executive team reached out to colleges all over Indiana to find club teams willing to play. They kicked off their season with a bang, winning their first match against Kosiers FC, the Korean Indiana University (IU) team, by an astounding 11-2. The next match was with Wabash on their Fischer field. Wabash started strong, scoring the first goal, but DePauw made a brilliant comeback, with the team netting three goals and securing the win. The post-game camaraderie between the teams made it all the more memorable.
Inspired by the Monon Bell, they named the competition the “Monon Boot.” Thanks to DSG’s generous support, they now have a Golden Boot trophy to keep. Both clubs are eager to turn this into a lasting tradition.
The teams also plan to organize a private tournament with club teams from across Indiana, fostering a fun and competitive environment for everyone involved.
DePauw’s toughest match so far came against IU Indianapolis (IUI), a massive school with over 20,000 students. Although DePauw lost 2-1, Ninaad reflected on the experience: “It was a really good experience, and we learned a lot.” Looking ahead, the team has three more potential matches lined up against schools like Butler University, IUI, and IU. They’re hoping to cap off the season at Denison, where they’ve been invited to a tournament with four to five other private colleges.
And that’s not all! The DePauw Futbol Club has big plans on campus — more tournaments, watch parties, and even the potential creation of a women’s team. They’re also considering joining the Midwest Alliance Soccer Conference league, which includes about 12 club teams from across Indiana. Dutta and the team are determined to make it happen, and with the support of the DePauw community, they’re aiming for big things.
So save your cheers not just for the Bell, but for the Boot, too! The DePauw Futbol Club is ready to make history.