East Tennessee State University President Brian Noland announced Wednesday that the university would try to bring back its long-dormant football team.
Noland emphasized that there would be no football at the university next fall, just that the establishment of a football team had been recommended.
“As I’ve said on a number of occasions: We have no helmets, we have no shoulder pads, we have no tackling sleds, we have no field and we have no practice facility,” Noland said in a news conference announcing several new initiatives recommended by campus task forces. “So this is starting something rather than restoring something.”
Football was eliminated at ETSU following the end of the 2003 season. The program was losing $1 million a year at the time it was ended.
The new ETSU president said the football issue would be explored further on campus and in the community in a feasibility study.
“We need to talk to our students about the revenue sources," Noland said. "But being mindful that the presence of intercollegiate football directly impacts conference affiliation, and as I’ve said on a number of occasions, we will do anything and everything we can to expand and enhance the capacities of ETSU. And if that means we have to expedite something, we’re prepared to expedite something.”
This isn't the first time the campus has considered reviving the sport. A student referendum to establish fees in support of a football team failed in 2007.
So do you think ETSU can revive its intercollegiate football program after a decade without one? Vote in the weekly poll on our home page.
jaywitt writes:
December 6, 2012
2:51 PM
why bother? no real football players would come to etsu anyway. save your money.
Imker writes:
December 6, 2012
3:26 PM
Love football. I cannot deny that. Saturday, Sunday, that's what I'm watching or attending or listening to.
However, there are a lot more reasons to not have a football program than have one. Here's ETSU's chance to not contribute to all the massive orthopedic injuries that come with the bone-crunching violent sport of football. Here's ETSU's chance to not cause hundreds of concussions.
I'd rather see ETSU focus on a sport it could eventually field a championship team in: Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer. Or really build their theater department into the best in the state. Or... or... Be creative. Do something else.
glassslipper writes:
December 7, 2012
5:07 AM
Complete waste of money, need real men and talent.
Tau'ri writes:
December 7, 2012
2:20 PM
Way too much emphasis on sports in this country to the detriment of science, humanities and the arts. I say to heck with football, which many students do not support (as in they don't go to the games) and beef up the math, science, humanities and arts programs. We are falling behind in the world when it comes to math and science especially.
AppalJack writes:
December 7, 2012
11:24 PM
Let it remain in the grave it was voted into by the students a few years ago. It was an overwhelming 60%.
keith_270 writes:
December 8, 2012
8:15 AM
To add football two things must be done: 1) Look at a school like UNC Charlotte who is getting ready to start their football program. Model any plan after theirs. 2) PSL must be sold. This way you know you have the support and the ticket sells.
Tennesseepride writes:
December 8, 2012
1:25 PM
I'm excited about the possible return of football to the ETSU campus. The school would be wise to move football to an outdoor venue rather than using the unconvential setting that the dome offers. This should be a win/win for both ETSU and Johnson City. I hope that ETSU football becomes a reality and that they enjoy much success!!
easttnbucs writes:
December 8, 2012
5:41 PM
I'm also very excited. Can't wait for football to return! People against this decision probably grew up unathletic and not playing sports. They don't realize what a good athletic program can do for the community as a whole.
zblf10 writes:
December 9, 2012
12:14 AM
@easttnbucs, as someone who has played multiple sports in her life, and is a student at ETSU currently paying an ungodly amount for fees already, and taking into consideration the money pit the football program was proven to be in the past, I too think it would be irresponsible for President Noland to bring back ETSU football. The money they would have to spend for equipment, not to mention they would have to hire the coaches and trainers, and also they would have to bring some type of sport into play for women as well to keep things equal. Also there is the matter of the fact that the students have voted on this in the past, and they don't want it either. In a time when your average college student comes out of school 20-40 thousand dollars in debt, why would administrators even consider doing something that would add only more undue financial stress not only on their students but on the institution as well. I'm all for college athletics, but ETSU football has come and gone, and to bring it back would not bring in the type of hype and crowds they're hoping for.
And as far as your comment that people who are opposed to the idea "probably grew up unathletic and not playing sports", that is not only an ad hominum fallacy, but an insult to those of us who go to school for the purpose of getting an education, and not to play sports.
southampton08 writes:
December 9, 2012
7:51 AM
It doesnt suprise me johnson city got voted the most depressing city in America, WHat an honor. No athletes around, no sports. By the looks of it most people around here didnt play sports at any time in their lives and now its showing. Thanks johnson city.
SpankyBVa writes:
December 9, 2012
12:13 PM
Yes Johnson City, you can have a football team. However, these are the things that need to occur for you to have one and be successful.
1) Students-try staying IN Johnson City one weekend. Quit going home, I know you love your family and your girlfriend, but actually experience college and stay in town. Trust me no one at your old high school cares when you show up every weekend.
2) Parents- See #1 and send them back, teach them to do their own laundry. I will even slide and give you one weekend a month, any more than that somebody has separation issues.
3) ETSU-Don't schedule your games at the same time the Vols play. I'll even help you schedule. UT vs. Florida, Bama, Georgia, and when they play LSU, go on the road, it's an easy fix. If the Vols play at 7, you play at 1, and vice versa.
4) ETSU-That Dome....Don't use it. You shouldn't even be using it for basketball.
5) ETSU-Make it reasonable, don't price yourself out. Families can't afford $120 Saturdays, especially if the product is bad *See NASCAR*
5) Residents-Yes young adults are sometimes a pain, but like it or not they bring revenue to JC. It's ok to like the Bucs, I know you didn't go there, but you didn't go to UT either and you still have that Orange hat.
6) Southern Conference-Can we come back? Because we are tired of being a 16 seed in basketball, and none of the alumni want to go to a Soccer game vs. Belmont for homecoming.
etsudolfan writes:
December 9, 2012
12:22 PM
"AppalJack writes:
Let it remain in the grave it was voted into by the students a few years ago. It was an overwhelming 60%."
Actually, I was attending ETSU at that time and they only polled about 3,200 students out of a 12,000+ student body. Please explain to me how only polling a little over 25% of the student body is justification for not bringing it back?
Tennesseepride writes:
December 9, 2012
1:13 PM
The outcry against tuition and athletic fee increases seldom occurs outside of the discussion of bringing back football. I'm oppossed to schools charging an arm and a leg for an education but the truth is that ETSU is by far one of the cheapest universities in the country and will remain so even after an increase in athletic fees for football.
Many people such as myself will help off set the costs by purchasing season tickets. No, it won't be a net revenue generator but what program at ETSU is? If you have an issue with sports losing money then perhaps that you should be critical all sports at ETSU rather than just football.
etsudolfan writes:
December 9, 2012
4:29 PM
@Tennesseepride: haters will hate and trollers will troll!! I agree with you, it seems people are only against raising tuition when it involves bringing back football. Newsflash people, tuition will increase regardless of whether football is at ETSU or not..thats called inflation and supply and demand. The economy is down, so the demand for a college degree is going up...thus tuition with it. I am an alumnus of ETSU and I would gladly support Buc football. Go Bucs!