With exorbitant costs surrounding operation of a collegiate football program, there has to be sound reasoning behind why universities across the nation without football have decided to enter the gridiron picture. From 2011 through the start of the 2015 season, there were 25 colleges and universities hitching the athletic wagon to a horse named football – with five more set to begin programs in 2016. So, why do more schools want to initiate a new football program?
A study conducted by the University of Nebraska-Kearney a few years ago reveals a very relevant reason for a college to offer football as part of its athletic structure. The survey concludes every male football player brought onto campus, two other males (non-football players) will enroll into the same school. This can be an important factor for some smaller schools which face gender imbalances in enrollment.
The University of West Florida, NCAA Division II, will begin play in 2016 as a member of the Gulf South Conference and lists many reasons for becoming a football start-up – among them are attracting more students within the Pensacola region and throughout the state of Florida, providing a more vibrant campus experience and increasing UWF’s national profile. “This part of Florida is rich in football tradition at the high school level,” said Sean Sullivan, the Assistant Director of Athletic Communications. “We are sparking interest from the alumni base as well as the community.”
Even though UWF currently has no on-campus stadium, the university believes it has a perfect situation to enter the college football picture. “We will be playing our home games at the home of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, the Class AA minor league affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds,” said Sullivan. “It’s a great venue and its location in downtown Pensacola which will be within an easy commute for students and members of the community. Plus, it offers great amenities for the fans.”
Odessa, Texas (yes, the area made popular by the ‘Friday Night Lights’ book and movie) is the home of the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, another university which will initiate college football in 2016. “Football is a big part of Texas culture,” said athletic director Steve Aicinena. “I have been here since 1988 as a professor with full tenure before we even started talking football. Even as a volleyball coach, I get questions from recruits in my sport asking we have a football team. Kids from Texas want football.” While administrators realize football can be a big draw for students to attend, it does not mean it was an easy task. “Over the years there have been eight proposals, and it first started in 1995.” Aicinena is glad to see all the hard work result in something positive. “In a year’s time we raised $9.7 million and received approval from the Board of Regents to start a football program.”
Aicinena said the process is just a part of the university’s growth. “I have a strong philosophy and firm belief in a balance between athletics and academics with education at the front.” The athletic director noted the influx of activities are leading to the start-up of a marching band as well as gender equity balance by adding men’s and women’s golf and track and field teams.
The current 2015 football season is the first for Lyon College, a member of the NAIA, located in Batesville, Arkansas. “We have already seen an increase in male enrollment,” said athletic director Kevin Jenkins. “At our first intrasquad football game we had 1,800 in attendance. At our first regular season game, 2,800 came to watch us play.” Jenkins also said the roster numbers for the NAIA school have topped expectations. “We thought getting 50 players in uniform, when it was a year of practice only, would be good. We had 73 and the roster has increased to 96 before the start of our first season.”
Leadership is the common thought when it comes to judging initial success for a program in its first stages. “At UWF we are fortunate in not rushing into it and taking the time to find the right fit when hiring a coach,” said Sullivan. “Hiring Pete Shinnick has been great. He and his staff have brought in 110 student-athletes. Not just anyone can be part of the team.” Sullivan said Shinnick put his players in the forefront immediately. “The coach had his players walking up to professors on campus, shaking hands and letting them know they are part of the football team.”
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