Football to kickoff in August 2007

By Scott Ammons
Senior Staff Writer

The kick is up, and-it’s GOOD! Braves football scored its first touchdown in more than 50 years on April 21.

While on retreat in the mountains of North Carolina, the UNC Board of Governors (BOG) approved UNCP’s request for a $140 athletic fee increase. This money will be used to fund the football team, and students will begin paying this new fee in the fall of 2005.

According to a football feasibility study conducted by the university, “91 percent of the 1,100 UNCP students surveyed voted “yes” in favor of establishing a football team.” The survey also revealed that students were willing to pay $70 a semester to support a football team. The feasibility study was the university’s first step toward re-establishing football at UNCP.

Chancellor Allen C. Meadors said, “I am delighted for the university, its students and the surrounding community.” Meadors went onto say, “I have never been more proud of the students and faculty of this university, and the unity they have shown.”

The Braves are scheduled to kick off their inaugural season on Aug. 30, 2007, according to Athletic Director Dan Kenney. Kenney went onto say, “We can now move forward over the next two years in building our football team.”

Kenney earnestly believes that having football at UNCP will fill a void that exists on the UNCP campus.

In an era when the cost of public education in North Carolina is spiraling, and tuition and fees are at an all time high across the UNC school system, the BOG has shown concern for parents and students who face mounting education costs.

Earlier this year the BOG voted not to raise tuition for the upcoming school year. Their decision drew applause from students and parents all across the state, if not from all state university officials.

When UNCP asked the BOG to approve a football team and raise athletic fees $140 to support a football team, the Board insisted that their finance sub-committee attend a mini-conference at UNCP to examine the school’s proposal before they rendered a vote.

On April 15 the finance subcommittee of the BOG met in the Chavis University Center to discuss football and athletic fees with administrators, faculty and student representatives.

Speaking for the committee Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors J. Craig Souza told the audience, “Our role is not to decide whether or not UNCP plays football, that is not what we’re here for. The goal of this committee is to make sure these fees can be justified.”

One by one committee members presented questions to administrators, faculty and students. Every question asked was answered thoroughly and in most cases backed up with data.

Newly elected Student Government President Marko Gospojevic told the committee that he believes a football team at UNCP would help increase the university’s retention rate. Current SGA President Venessa Jones told the committee that students were excited and supportive of football at UNCP.

A committee member asked, “How much money is needed to start the program?” Meadors answered, “It will cost a little over one million dollars to get the program started.”

While most committee members seemed to be satisfied with the answers they were receiving, committee member Hannah D. Gage admitted to the group that she had reservations about UNCP football, because of the cost. “Where are our priorities?” Gage asked.

University Provost Dr. Roger Brown said he believes the majority of the committee went away more than satisfied. Brown was confident that the university presented their case well and relieved any doubt about the spirit and will of the people at UNCP. “I’m proud of the faculty and students. They were forceful in rallying to the university.” Brown went onto say, “We asked the people here what they wanted and they got it.”