Georgia State announced earlier this spring that it would start a football team and women’s lacrosse team in 2010. At a time when many schools are eliminating sports and citing necessary budget cuts, Georgia State students voted to raise their fees $85 per semester to pay for the athletics expansion. The football team, expected to use the Georgia Dome for games and a planned facility for practice and training, is already popular on campus – Athletics Director Mary McElroy said students are wearing Panther Football gear already. McElroy, instrumental in the decision to expand athletics at Georgia State, answered a few questions about the decision and the future of Panthers athletics.

Q: Why is football important to Georgia State?

A: The addition of football is consistent with Georgia State University’s strategic goals. Our University leadership believes that an intercollegiate football program will not only enhance the overall college experience for the students of Georgia State, but it will also be a catalyst for continued growth while building identity and exposure. We have a student body of more than 27,000, many of whom are now living on campus, so we expect football Saturdays to become a vital part of the Georgia State culture. A football program will also help engage the more than 100,000 Georgia State alumni living in the Atlanta area and give them another reason to stay connected to their alma mater.

Q: What have you heard from students who supported the addition of a football team?

A: Since we began this process three years ago, the support has been overwhelming, from students, faculty, alumni and the Atlanta community. Students, in particular, are excited about the prospect of a Panthers football team. First of all, they demonstrated their support in a big way by unanimously approving an increase in student fees to help finance football and additional women’s sports. On April 17, they turned out in huge numbers to cheer on our official announcement. And since then, we’ve gotten numerous emails and inquiries from students who want to know how they can try out for football, even though our first game is more than two years away. You can already students wearing Georgia State football t-shirts around campus.

Q: Were you surprised students voted to pay the fee in exchange for the team?

A: No, I can’t say I was surprised. We did our homework, and every indication was that the students of Georgia State very much wanted a football program and were willing to support it. But I was very pleased, and perhaps a little surprised, that the vote was unanimous.

Q: How do you think the addition of football will change the campus?

A: The Georgia State campus is undergoing a tremendous transformation, and football will be a big part of our continued evolution by giving students another reason to live on campus and to stay on campus on the weekends. Last fall, we opened a brand new dormitory that houses 2,000 students and is absolutely beautiful. We have already broken ground on another new facility that will be designated for freshmen and fraternity/sorority housing. Although we will not be playing our games on the campus proper, the Georgia Dome is literally next door, so it will be easily accessible for our students, faculty and staff, as well as for our alumni around the city and state.

Q: Did the moratorium play any role in the decision-making process?

A: We studied it carefully and considered the implications, but in the in end, it did not play a role. We disagree very strongly that our addition of football should fall under the moratorium since we are already a Division I institution, but it is what is. It will affect our initial scheduling somewhat, but certainly it will not prevent us from moving forward at full speed. We look forward to being fully certified as an FCS member in 2011.

Q: You are also adding some women’s teams. Lacrosse is one, what are the others?

A: We’re very excited about the addition of women’s lacrosse. Although it has not been a traditional sport in the Southeast, it is a very fast-growing sport on the high school level in the Atlanta area. We’re pleased that we will be able to provide opportunities for these young women to play at the college level while staying close to home and getting a great Georgia State education.

We have not made any decisions on additional women’s sports, although we are studying a number of options. We also want to see how the addition of football will affect the University’s male enrollment numbers before we finalize our plans.

Q: What are the expectations/hopes for the team?

A: There is no question that building a football program from scratch is a tremendous challenge, and it is going to take time. We’re not looking for a quick fix, we’re looking to build a strong foundation that will support a quality program.

Director of Athletics Mary McElroy with Georgia State University President Carl Patton (center) and football consultant Dan Reeves as Georgia State officially announced the formation of its football program.Photo courtesy Georgia State University Relations

That said, we believe that Georgia State has a number of inherent advantages that will enable us to build a competitive team in a relatively short period of time.

First and foremost is Georgia State University itself, a large, urban research university with a broad-based curriculum, a diverse student population and a very strong academic reputation. The quality and popularity of high school football in the Atlanta area and the state of Georgia offers a tremendous recruiting base. Many of these student-athletes are leaving Atlanta to play for other FCS schools in the Southeast. Playing in the Georgia Dome also offers a unique recruiting advantage. Although we do not expect to begin playing in the Colonial Athletic Association until 2012, the prospect of playing in such a strong conference is another advantage.

Q: What advice would you have for other schools contemplating adding football?

A: Maybe you should ask me that question in 2010!

The most important advice I could give is to make sure that you do your research and determine that the support is there, beginning with the administration on campus but also the students, faculty, alumni and community. Once you know have that, just roll up your sleeves and go to work, because it does take a lot of work. But the reward will be worth it.