Where Are They Now?

Felice Duffy

Women's Soccer, 1979-81

After years of hard work on and off the field, former UConn women’s soccer midfielder Felice Duffy has developed into the determined and prepared person she is today.

The former Husky is now the criminal prosecutor in the United States Attorney’s office in Bridgeport, Conn., where Duffy helps prosecute cases involving drug trafficking and narcotics-related offenses. Currently, she is working with a program to educate about guns and gangs.

“It’s extremely interesting,” said Duffy.

Before entering UConn, Duffy was a resident of Storrs and went to E.O. Smith High School.  As a volleyball player in high school, Duffy never imagined she would play soccer in college after graduating in 1977.

Her father worked on the UConn campus.  One day she went to see him, but she got lost and happened to run into a men’s soccer game.

“After I saw that, I knew I had to get a women’s team going,” Duffy said.

So at 17 years old, Duffy picked up soccer during the summer, and began her Title IX fight to begin a women’s soccer team at the University of Connecticut.  At the time, there were only three women’s teams across the country.

After a two year battle, she got herself a soccer program in 1978, which began the next year.

In 1981, Duffy became the first All-American for the women’s soccer team.  Along with this achievement, she was a two-time team MVP and a 1982 member of the U.S. National Team. 

During the first three years of existence, the women’s soccer team record was 41-13-3.  With Duffy’s help, she ended her career total with 27 goals and 15 assists.  As of today, Duffy is still 19th in women’s soccer history with 69 career points.

In 1984, Duffy began coaching Yale soccer.  Within time, she coached the team from last place to first.  During this time, Duffy was pursuing her PhD in psychology, and finished her dissertation in 1991.  After 10 years, Duffy left Yale to pursue law school at Quinnipiac in 1996.

“Everyone always told me that I would make a good lawyer,” she said.

Since graduating in 1999, Duffy has worked at some of the most prestigious law firms in the country.

“I am happy with what I am doing today,” Duffy said.  “It is always interesting.”

Duffy attributes her hard work and preparation throughout the years to her success today.

“There is no substitute for hard work,” the former Husky stated.  “Work ethic can never be compromised.”

Unfortunately, after many injuries Duffy does not play today, but does support her women’s team greatly.  She is currently residing in New Haven.

--Naomi Smith

-- Photo by Mia Malafronte