Since 2006, Kennesaw State University has been pushing to start a football program and now it looks as if their day is finally here. Like many other schools, KSU believes a strong athletics department led by football can increase the school’s exposure, prestige and credibility. Three key aspects to recruiting new talented students and increasing charitable gifts and donations.
The University System of Georgia does not allow public funds to sponsor student athletics, so all costs will be passed straight to the students. a $100 dollar increase of student fees per semester was unanimously passed in 2010 to begin funding the football program and a new women’s sports program to be announced later. More than 77% of the student body was in favor of the $7+ million in fees.
The Owls are currently running a football club, which started in fall of 2012, but so far have struggled to find a consistent coaching staff. As a member of the National Club Football Association they went 1-5 for their inaugural season.
After the Georgia Board of Reagents votes later this week, the club is expected to transition into a full collegiate football program in the Football Championship Subdivision (1-AA), by 2014.
It’s a wonder that Kennesaw State University and Georgia State University have taken so long to develop their football programs. This is the South, the South love football and these are by no means small schools. KSU has more than 24,000 students enrolled and GSU, which started their program just two years ago, has more than 22,000 not including 7,600 graduate students. As a comparison, little old Wake Forest has less than 5,000 undergraduates and has run a successful football program since 1888.