GCSU has never fielded a varsity football team since its founding in 1889, a fact that continues to spark curiosity and debate among students.
GCSU was ranked fifth among public colleges and universities in the South by the U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Colleges list. The four schools ranked ahead have a football program.
“The idea of a football team sounds really cool, but in practicality, it’s difficult to begin with the thought”, said Rachel Pope, wellness educator at GCSU. “When entertaining the idea of it, you have to think like Cathy Cox. Do we have the net profit to support it and, would it be sustainable, where would they play, etc.”
Questions raised by Pope are questions to be asked when thinking about the process of adding a new athletic program to a school.
“I think having a football team would bring more school spirit overall,” said Harry Harris, a senior business major. “I know a lot of people that go to Athens for UGA games in the fall.”
GCSU’s annual financial report for 2025 included revenue and expenses. 1.7% GCSU’s operating expenses were scholarships and fellowships for students.
GCSU is a Division 2 college. Its revenue and expenses differ from bigger schools. Division 1 schools must spend more on scholarships to bring in student-athletes. GCSU’s financial situation is not capable of granting scholarships for student-athletes, making one factor of supporting a football team more difficult.
“Not having a football team is definitely a disadvantage for trying to attract students to come here,” said Cal Breitbart, a senior management information systems major. “Some of my friends chose to go to Georgia Southern strictly for a football team.”
While some applicants may not choose to attend GCSU because there is no football team, it’s important to note that in the 2025 academic year, the school had a record 7,304 students enrolled.
Students across campus were vocal about taking off to nearby schools to support their football teams.
Research supports those perceptions. The Washington Post reported that football success at top Southeastern Conference schools often translated into increased student interest, with each win associated with a 16% increase in applications.
In 2011, an Auburn University Dean of Enrollment contacted officials at LSU and Florida, both recent national champions, who said their institutions experienced similar enrollment boosts following title runs. Oregon, despite losing to Auburn in the 2011 national championship game, also reported a 10% rise in applications attributed to national exposure from participating in the game.
“Having a football team would be fun,” said Owen Higgins, a junior business major. “I think it would build a better culture for students.”
Students emphasize the social and cultural role that football plays in the fall. Whether it be tailgating, getting together with friends and family, or watching downtown, students attach this cultural role with football season.
Football may not be a sport at GCSU, but the GCSU men’s baseball games pick up a majority of the student body at their games.
“I have had fun at baseball games”, said Zach Steinberg, senior business major. “I would say the baseball games are mostly Georgia College students who kind of replace not having a football team with the baseball team.”