Chicago State moved closer to adding a Division I Football Championship Subdivision football team Thursday. The school announced that its board of trustees has approved a proposal to begin a public fundraising campaign to expand its sports teams. Here’s what you need to know.
- In January, Chicago State put together a football exploratory committee to look at the impact and provide a recommendation to the school president, following a feasibility study completed in 2021. That recommendation to the president was made in May.
- The initial goal of this fundraising campaign is $4 million.
- Along with football hopes, the school announced the launch of a women’s triathlon program to begin next year and has looked at adding women’s swimming.
What is the purpose of adding football?
Chicago State is a small, predominantly black institution on the south side of the city with an enrollment of around 3,000 students, many of whom commute. Adding football and more women’s sports could increase enrollment by adding 210 student-athletes and expanding the school’s reach, which furthers the university’s goal of growing its student body, athletic director Dr. Monique Carroll told The Athletic.
The hope is that a football program would help entice student-athletes, helping the school reach…
