From the Campbell University website.....
Campbell University Football Questions and Answers
What led to the decision to bring football back to Campbell?
The idea of football has been a topic of discussion for a number of years. Campbell fielded some very successful football teams in the 1920’s, 30’s, 40’s and 1950. The Campbell Athletics Department recently completed a football feasibility study outlining the various costs and benefits of a football program. That study was presented to Dr. Wallace and the Executive Cabinet. Dr. Wallace, the Student Government Association and the Faculty Football Consultation Committee enthusiastically endorsed the plan to return football to Campbell, then it was approved by the Board of Trustees.
Why non-scholarship football?
Non-scholarship football provides the campus enhancements desired without the enormous financial costs associated with providing the necessary scholarships in order to be competitive at the NCAA Division I-AA scholarship level.
Why football at Campbell after an absence of over 50 years?
In Campbell’s effort to provide its students with a more complete collegiate experience, the addition of football will further enhance the strides being made in the area of student life. Football will also assist in bringing more alumni and friends back to campus including an enhanced Homecoming experience. Campbell can add football at a competitive level which will allow the program to become financially self-sustaining.
What will it cost to start football?
The annual operating budget of a football program will be developed in a manner consistent with other football programs in the Pioneer Football League and other NCAA Division I-AA non-scholarship programs. The annual operating budget is estimated to be less than half of the total revenues generated from the tuition paid by football players. The football start-up costs will include those costs associated with the needed facilities as well as the initial costs for equipment and supplies. The overall financial impact to Campbell should lead to the football program become self-sustaining within three to four years.
What facilities will be needed?
Campbell will begin the development of a facility plan that will add practice fields, locker room/office facility, and a football stadium before the start of the 2008-09 football season. These facilities will be completed over the next few years at an estimated cost of $1.5 to $2.0 million. This football facility and stadium will be built in the area across Gregory Circle from the Eakes Softball Facility.
How does this impact the Convocation Center project?
Nothing changes for the John W. Pope, Jr. Convocation Center. Campbell expects to break ground on the Convocation Center in the fall of 2006 and have activities in the Convocation Center during the 2008-09 academic year.
What characteristics will we be looking for in a new head coach?
The search for a head coach will begin immediately in hopes of having a new head coach in place as early as the start of classes in August or as late as December 2006 depending upon the results of the search. The new Head Football Coach and staff will need to possess the ability to recruit and coach student-athletes for an NCAA non-scholarship football program which is consistent with the mission and purpose of Campbell University.
When will a coaching staff be hired?
The Head Coach will be hired during the 2006-07 academic year to begin the planning and recruiting necessary to re-start Campbell football. Some support staff will be added during the 2006-07 academic year with the majority of assistant coaches and other support staff added during the 2007-08 academic year which will be an initial year of practice for the football team. The 2008-09 academic year will be the first year of competition for the football team.
What other staff will be hired other than football coaches?
With the addition of new facilities and 100+ additional student-athletes, Campbell Athletics will add staff (full-time and part-time) in the areas of compliance, academic support, athletic training, facility maintenance, sports information, marketing/promotions, and operations. Other campus staff may be added to assist in accommodating the addition of these students.
What is the time-frame for the addition of football?
Campbell will begin immediately in the search for a new head football coach. The Head Football coach will begin the planning and recruiting during the 2006-07 academic year with the assistance of a few support staff. During the 2007-08 academic year, the remaining coaching and support staff will be hired. The 2007-08 academic year will be used to complete the necessary facility work and for the football team to practice. The Campbell University Football Team will begin official competition during the 2008-09 academic year.
Who will be Campbell’s opponents?
The football plan includes the action of requesting membership into the Pioneer Football League which is a group of institutions that field NCAA I-AA non-scholarship football programs and includes Davidson College, Jacksonville University, Morehead State University, Butler University, University of Dayton, Drake University, Valparaiso University, and the University of San Diego. Other potential opponents might include NCAA Division I-AA non-scholarship and low scholarship programs as well as some NCAA Division II and III opponents such as Methodist, NC Wesleyan, Greensboro College, Guilford, Mars Hill, Wingate, Averett, Christopher Newport, Emory & Henry, Ferrum, Shenandoah, and Chowan.
Who will play for the team? (recruiting profiles)
Campbell football student-athletes will in many ways mirror the current student population at Campbell except with a strong desire to compete in the sport of football. We expect a large portion of these student-athletes to be from North Carolina High Schools.
How many football players are expected?
Most collegiate non-scholarship football programs range from 90 to 150 participants. Campbell expects to draw an average of 110 student-athletes each year who will participate in the sport of football.
What other student programs might be impacted by the addition of football?
A football program will create new and enhanced opportunities for a marching band, cheerleaders, athletic trainers, and other support opportunities.
When will players first arrive on campus?
Campbell expects some students enrolling at Campbell as early as the 2006-07 fall semester who will be interested in playing football; however, the first largest influx of students should begin during the 2007-08 fall semester with another large influx of students for the 2008-09 fall semester.
When will Campbell play its first game?
The Campbell University Fighting Camels will take the field for intercollegiate competition in the fall of 2008-09.
www.gocamels.com/football/football_home.htm