5 Markets That NEED FCS Football

[GOKATS]

The Big Sky tried to bring FCS to the greater Los Angeles area with Cal-State Northridge, but the Matadors could not get anyone there. They soon dropped football, left the conference and joined the Big West as a basketball school.

The problem with Cal-State Northridge was it's a commuter school. I flew down one year when they hosted the Bobcats and I don't think they even had dorms. Their football facility was inferior to almost any Class AA highschool facility in Montana- a set of bleachers on each side (one side had what was literally a plywood shack attached to the top which was the press box) and a small bleacher at one end zone (but they did have a small beer garden on that end ). There were probably as many Montana St. fans as Northridge fans at the game- commuter schools just don't draw a crowd. I think the campus also suffered some major quake damage which probably didn't help the whole situation. It's too bad because both Montana schools have recruited CA over the years and that opened some doors, but the last couple years Montana St. has worked the Texas circuit much more due to connections one of the assistant coaches has there.

[Mike Johnson]

A lot of interesting discussion.

I doubt Wyoming will have another 4 year college anytime soon and then I doubt it would jump straight to Division I-FCS.

Orange County should have a I-FCS program. Fullerton State is in Orange Country and is UC-Irvine. But, it is hard for a state university in California to have a football program, with the state law on top of the NCAA rules, so I would think it unlikely.

In Minnesota, Minnesota State-Mankato and St. Cloud State could move from Division II to I-FCS like many of their former conference mates in the old NCC.

I don't think Las Vegas will have I-FCS any time soon. Nevada State College in Henderson was started several years ago and has a growth plan that maybe in around 2020 they will add athletics, but I doubt it would be at the I-FCS level.

I wonder when Arizona State West (which is listed as an independent institution inside the Arizona State system) will add athletics. It seems to be a growing area in the northwest part of the Phoenix metro area and fans would probably support athletics there.

Vermont, Albany, and an institution in southern New Jersey probably should add I-FCS, but I don't know.

I can't see Alaska doing so because of the travel expenses. Basketball yes, but football would be too expensive at the Division II level and I don't see Alaska-Fairbanks or Alaska-Anchorage wanting to move up.

New Mexico can barely support the programs the state has. I can't see any of the three Division II programs moving up.

[Col Hogan]

A lot of interesting discussion.

I doubt Wyoming will have another 4 year college anytime soon and then I doubt it would jump straight to Division I-FCS.

Orange County should have a I-FCS program. Fullerton State is in Orange Country and is UC-Irvine. But, it is hard for a state university in California to have a football program, with the state law on top of the NCAA rules, so I would think it unlikely.

In Minnesota, Minnesota State-Mankato and St. Cloud State could move from Division II to I-FCS like many of their former conference mates in the old NCC.

I don't think Las Vegas will have I-FCS any time soon. Nevada State College in Henderson was started several years ago and has a growth plan that maybe in around 2020 they will add athletics, but I doubt it would be at the I-FCS level.

I wonder when Arizona State West (which is listed as an independent institution inside the Arizona State system) will add athletics. It seems to be a growing area in the northwest part of the Phoenix metro area and fans would probably support athletics there.

Vermont, Albany, and an institution in southern New Jersey probably should add I-FCS, but I don't know.

I can't see Alaska doing so because of the travel expenses. Basketball yes, but football would be too expensive at the Division II level and I don't see Alaska-Fairbanks or Alaska-Anchorage wanting to move up.

New Mexico can barely support the programs the state has. I can't see any of the three Division II programs moving up.

Albany already has a good, improving FCS program.....

[TwinTownBisonFan]

A lot of interesting discussion.

I doubt Wyoming will have another 4 year college anytime soon and then I doubt it would jump straight to Division I-FCS.

Orange County should have a I-FCS program. Fullerton State is in Orange Country and is UC-Irvine. But, it is hard for a state university in California to have a football program, with the state law on top of the NCAA rules, so I would think it unlikely.

In Minnesota, Minnesota State-Mankato and St. Cloud State could move from Division II to I-FCS like many of their former conference mates in the old NCC.

I don't think Las Vegas will have I-FCS any time soon. Nevada State College in Henderson was started several years ago and has a growth plan that maybe in around 2020 they will add athletics, but I doubt it would be at the I-FCS level.

I wonder when Arizona State West (which is listed as an independent institution inside the Arizona State system) will add athletics. It seems to be a growing area in the northwest part of the Phoenix metro area and fans would probably support athletics there.

Vermont, Albany, and an institution in southern New Jersey probably should add I-FCS, but I don't know.

I can't see Alaska doing so because of the travel expenses. Basketball yes, but football would be too expensive at the Division II level and I don't see Alaska-Fairbanks or Alaska-Anchorage wanting to move up.

New Mexico can barely support the programs the state has. I can't see any of the three Division II programs moving up.

won't happen. an unspoken agreement in Minnesota is that the U of M Twin Cities is the ONLY D-I program now and forever. Schools are allowed hockey, but nothing else. St. Cloud and Mankato both appealed to move up earlier in the decade, but UMTC blocked the conversation early on. MNSCU (of which both SCSU and MSU-M are members) is a second class citizen to the U... and it always will be.

SCSU actually joined North Dakota in mocking NDSU for the decision to move up... St. Cloud wolfed down on crow, and UND committed the sincerest form of flattery, imitation.

[dbackjon]

Arizona State West is a branch campus of ASU. No plans, ever, for athletics.

[UAalum72]

Albany already has a good, improving FCS program.....

I'm glad somebody noticed, however Gokat's description of Northridge's stadium "a set of bleachers on each side (one side had what was literally a plywood shack attached to the top which was the press box) and a small bleacher at one end zone " is eerily similar to Albany's field.

[ilovebaker]

I've heard rumors, that Grand Canyon University outside of Phoenix, is planning on making the jump, once and if, they get a football program. I know that they are attempting, again, to go DI in basketball. Also, there is a rumor in Utah that UVU is planning on adding football sometime in the near future. Dixie State in St. George, Utah is also contemplating a move to FCS. I'm virtually positivie that UVU would compete in the Great West, and if Grand Canyon can make the move they will virtually be assured a spot in the Great West also.
In all honesty, I'm shocked that there isn't another FCS team in western Texas.

[dbackjon]

I've heard rumors, that Grand Canyon University outside of Phoenix, is planning on making the jump, once and if, they get a football program. I know that they are attempting, again, to go DI in basketball. Also, there is a rumor in Utah that UVU is planning on adding football sometime in the near future. Dixie State in St. George, Utah is also contemplating a move to FCS. I'm virtually positivie that UVU would compete in the Great West, and if Grand Canyon can make the move they will virtually be assured a spot in the Great West also.
In all honesty, I'm shocked that there isn't another FCS team in western Texas.

Grand Canyon has talked about both, but has no plans currently to jump to DI or add football. Ten years from now, who knows.

And GCU is IN Phoenix.

[ilovebaker]

I've heard rumors, that Grand Canyon University outside of Phoenix, is planning on making the jump, once and if, they get a football program. I know that they are attempting, again, to go DI in basketball. Also, there is a rumor in Utah that UVU is planning on adding football sometime in the near future. Dixie State in St. George, Utah is also contemplating a move to FCS. I'm virtually positivie that UVU would compete in the Great West, and if Grand Canyon can make the move they will virtually be assured a spot in the Great West also.
In all honesty, I'm shocked that there isn't another FCS team in western Texas.

Grand Canyon has talked about both, but has no plans currently to jump to DI or add football. Ten years from now, who knows.

And GCU is IN Phoenix.

Oh okay...if there was someone who knew about Grand Canyon it was you. Thanks for setting me straight on those rumors.

[dbackjon]

Grand Canyon has talked about both, but has no plans currently to jump to DI or add football. Ten years from now, who knows.

And GCU is IN Phoenix.

Oh okay...if there was someone who knew about Grand Canyon it was you. Thanks for setting me straight on those rumors.

YW! Got it straight from the AD's mouth...they would like to do both, eventually, but don't have the finances to do so.

[SDHornet]

5.Orange County, Ca ---Aside from the 100$-3,000$ ticket prices @ the Coliseum & Rose Bowl. Southern California has NO live football. Especially OC & South County.... This is real starving market with tons of cash.

It would be great if Fullerton and Long Beach were able to get some football programs up and running but it will never happen. Both of those schools have over 37,000 students and there still wouldn’t be enough support to help pay the bills. The sad thing is Sac State only has about 27,000 students and they have a football team. Hell, the Sac State students didn’t even want to pay an extra $20/semester to help the athletics department at the university, why would these other campuses have a different attitude? The fact is all Cal State Universities are commuter schools, and that will never change.

Also, there will never be any competition for UCLA and USC with respect to college football in SoCal. San Diego already has two teams, FBS (who play at a lower than FCS level) San Diego State, and FCS USD. USD wins and still cant draw crowds. SDSU just sucks and is lucky to draw more than 10k people at a game.

The fact is there are better things to do in SoCal than sit in bleachers and watch a football team, especially a football team that can’t win. Now having said that, if a team can get hot and win some games, the people will show up, but there will be very few die hard fans that will go to the games win or lose.

[AshevilleApp]

Hey lard ass, we don't need your trash up here so you are welcome to stay the **** out.

You have got to be the biggest **** retard to have joined this board in the last year. Go **** your sister and shut the **** up.

Oh did you get your little feelings hurt?? If the truth hurts!
Sorry... I wouldn't be doing that to my sister... I'm not from WYOMING!! Oh wait women in wyoming, my mistake...that would most likely be your brother, BROKE BACK WYOMING (I'm sure your wouldn't mind sheep either).

Weak.

[BDKJMU]

I like the list BF. Well done.

I'll add Vermont to the list. Only New England state with no Division I football.

Vermont would be a perfect fit for the CAA.

Heck, now only state without Div I football besides Alaska.

[S F State Gaters]

The Big Sky tried to bring FCS to the greater Los Angeles area with Cal-State Northridge, but the Matadors could not get anyone there. They soon dropped football, left the conference and joined the Big West as a basketball school.

The problem with Cal-State Northridge was it's a commuter school. I flew down one year when they hosted the Bobcats and I don't think they even had dorms. Their football facility was inferior to almost any Class AA highschool facility in Montana- a set of bleachers on each side (one side had what was literally a plywood shack attached to the top which was the press box) and a small bleacher at one end zone (but they did have a small beer garden on that end ). There were probably as many Montana St. fans as Northridge fans at the game- commuter schools just don't draw a crowd. I think the campus also suffered some major quake damage which probably didn't help the whole situation. It's too bad because both Montana schools have recruited CA over the years and that opened some doors, but the last couple years Montana St. has worked the Texas circuit much more due to connections one of the assistant coaches has there.

It's not just CSUN that's like that, is part of the problem; nearly every CSU is like that except for basically Chico, and San Jose (kindof), fresno and san diego (who already have teams -chico). But i personally think that having a football team is part of that equation, it helps build a campus community. or at least, it can

There is one school in UCSB that is begging for a football team. I mean, just the way the campus is, the way DP is on a friday night, you go there and you ask yourself, how can this place not have a football team? But for the most part, the commuter school issue isn't particular to any one CSU, it's pretty systemic throughout (i didn't know SFSU was a commuter school before i went there from bakersfield...)

[andy7171]

Nice list... but Wyoming... Before you can build Universities you've got to have people willing to live there.

Hey lard ass, we don't need your trash up here so you are welcome to stay the fuck out.

You have got to be the biggest fucking retard to have joined this board in the last year. Go fuck your sister and shut the fuck up.

[Silenoz]

Vermont

[FWJack]

Lubbock my be a long drive from many population centers in west Texas, but A LOT of people through out that entire region are still Tech fans. Still, this probably wouldn't be a huge deterent, because schools in west Texas are generally supported well by the towns. I'm just not sure how the transition would really work. Those schools are part of the Lone Star conference which is pretty competitive in D2 and if one tried to move up, they all might want to.

[Wapiti]

I suggest northern Idaho.
Specifically Coeur d'Alene (sp).
Which would either be Lewis & Clark college or North Idaho College. Neither has a football program.

[BlackFalkin]

I suggest northern Idaho.
Specifically Coeur d'Alene (sp).
Which would either be Lewis & Clark college or North Idaho College. Neither has a football program.

Coeur d'Alene ? Might as well come see FCS POWERHOUSE EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY.

[GoRacer1]

South Florida needs FCS. The only FCS is in the northern part of the state. With all the talent in the Southern Fl area Nova Southeastern or Florida Gulf Coast would be good fits. Palm Beach atlantic would do well starting a d2/d3 program.

[BearIt]

The Seattle region- 10 million people in the I-5 coridoor and all they have are the Huskies, Seahawks and Mariners. With those teams and the crappy weather they need something to cheer for. Maybe Seattle U.

Anchorage would be sweet. That would be a dedicated fanbase.

For one, Cali needs to bring back some of their Football programs. We also need to have some of the FBS posers come to FCS where they belong (Idaho, Utah State, New Mexico State, SJSU, SDSU...)

The west is in dire need of more FCS schools. It's going to be interesting to see what happens to western FCS after 2012.

[S F State Gaters]

The Seattle region- 10 million people in the I-5 coridoor and all they have are the Huskies, Seahawks and Mariners. With those teams and the crappy weather they need something to cheer for. Maybe Seattle U.

Anchorage would be sweet. That would be a dedicated fanbase.

For one, Cali needs to bring back some of their Football programs. We also need to have some of the FBS posers come to FCS where they belong (Idaho, Utah State, New Mexico State, SJSU, SDSU...)

The west is in dire need of more FCS schools. It's going to be interesting to see what happens to western FCS after 2012.

There is a serious stigma associated with FCS in general among fans of FBS schools, and i'm fans of both but i honestly don't really get why there is this sense that FCS automatically sucks and it's every FCS's goal every game to win as much as they can, not for the purpose of wining as much as they can, but winning so that they can make the jump to FBS which is so much better.

The worst part of it is it's the same folks who complain about how unfair the AQ/Non-AQ divide is (it's stupid unfair, of course, i'm not saying it isn't what i AM saying is that its problematic to hype one rather artificial divide while attacking another)

That said, the idea of 'moving down' can't sit well with anybody, no matter how much of a fan you are of FCS or how eager you are to play in a system where you decide the winner on the field and don't have a couple of undefeated teams not get a chance to play for a title every season.

Are there any recent examples of teams moving down, like, voluntarily? I can only think of examples from very long ago, or having it forced upon them by a ncaa-wide rebranding, or cases where a team canceled a major college program for a time only to start playing again but at a much lower level. Of course there's lots of teams that moved up, and lots of teams that just straight up said, 'that's it, we're going to concentrate on {insert not-football crap sport here}'

but can anybody think of any examples of teams in the past 10-20 years willingly moving down from FBS to FCS, or from FCS to D-II?

[89Hen]

Good list. Only one issue. Gotta build the universities in Wyoming first

That was my first thought. Not only does the state have about HALF the number of people of my county, AFAIK, the U of Wyoming is the only four year school in the state. I'd put Wyoming as #47 on the list of states that need football (in front of Alaska, Hawaii and Vermont).

[89Hen]

The Seattle region- 10 million people in the I-5 coridoor and all they have are the Huskies, Seahawks and Mariners. With those teams and the crappy weather they need something to cheer for. Maybe Seattle U.

Good call there. My nephew just graduated from SU and I had no idea it was such a decent sized school (about 8k undergrad).

[LastMinuteman]

Ignoring the fact that their universities are currently only allowed to apply for Division II membership, I'd say any city in Canada. New England/New York, the Dakotas and Big Sky country might all benefit. Plus they'd be really easy to beat, because they always punt on 3rd down.