Football not likely
Fall is the time for football, but unlike other colleges in Georgia, GCSU lacks a football team to carry on the tradition of Saturday stadium game days. Myths and misunderstanding have surrounded the reasons for the lack pigskin games on campus. Simply adding a team is much more complicated than it appears.
One of the things that needs to be addressed when talking about a new team addition to the Department of Athletics is the cost to the school. Stadiums, uniforms and equipment all have large price tags. The cost would include more than just the football program, too.
“Additional financial responsibilities would need to be met in multiple areas, including the addition of female sports in compliance with Title IX, as well as the need for more ancillary positions in the area of sports medicine, strength and conditioning, academic oversight, NCAA compliance, equipment operation, sports information, and grounds keeping just to name a few,” Athletic Director Wendell Staton said.
All of this money that will be needed would come from student fees according to Staton. The costs that are associated with getting a football program off the ground is not the only issue that GCSU faces.
“Conference and region alignment is also a major component as this impacts scheduling,” Staton said.
Staton knows what it takes to start a football program at a college as he helped in forming one at his former school, University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
“The time frame from serious concept to first kickoff is about five to seven years, and this assumes that all other items are in place as well in advance of beginning the final process to start football,” Staton said.
Some students do not believe that a football team would work for GCSU.
“I think it would be supported, but not to the extent of other college football programs. I don’t think I would make it to any of the games. I think we should keep it like it is and stay undefeated,” senior exercise science major Chris Anderson said.
Other students feel they would support a Bobcat football team, but there are certain factors involved as to whether people would actually go to all of the home games.
“I think it would depend on how good they were, or who we were playing,” said Brittany Pickard, a senior community health major.
No students will see any collegiate football games played in blue and green during their time on campus.
“From today’s vantage point, with all of the related components needed, it does not seem likely in the immediate future,” Staton added.
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