ACCBoards

Trustees Vote to Add Football to 49ers Athletic Program

UNCC to have sport by 2013:

Quote:THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
CHARLOTTE
UNC Charlotte has taken the first step toward starting a football program — if it can raise the money needed.
The school's board of trustees voted unanimously Thursday to move forward with starting a program. UNCC hopes to field its first team by 2013 and play in the NCAA's Football Championship Subdivision, formerly Division I-AA.
First, the school must raise nearly $45 million to pay for coaches and scholarships, and to build a 12,000-seat on-campus stadium.
With more than 22,000 students, UNCC is one of the largest schools in the nation without a football team.

Quote:UNC Charlotte has taken the first step toward starting a football program — if it can raise the money needed...


...First, the school must raise nearly $45 million to pay for coaches and scholarships, and to build a 12,000-seat on-campus stadium.

Good luck with that...

Georgia State seems to be having success with fundraising & even has hired a recognizable face for head coach (Bill Curry): Georgia State buys land for football practice facility

I'd wondered how successful they'd be, what with UGA & Georgia Tech so prominent in the state, and Georgia Southern having a large following in South Georgia. But I imagine UNCC's battle will be competing against more than 3 major university programs in one state. Should be interesting to see this initiative play out...

I'd imagine the first few years would be tough, there's plenty of other schools in Atlanta that have had football programs, Morehouse, Clark Atlanta. Kennesaw State is also considering football. If they don't expect to make any money from it, they'll do just fine.

What I can't see is how these schools can add the sport without adding women's sports and still be ok with Title IX.