Jaguar Football?

By Diana Lucio

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Published: Sun, October 28, 2007 - 10:09 pm

The Southeast is known as college football country. But here in Mobile, the University of South Alabama has been trying to gain that athletic recognition for years.

The University of South Alabama holds one of the largest student populations here in Mobile. The school is known for its strong academic program and for their basketball and baseball teams. But when it comes to college football the school comes up short. "If you're in the south you're known by your football team and I know a lot of people say like you go to south Alabama where's that?," Said, Jessica Furby, Student. "I think there's a strong appeal at University of South Alabama's always been there so that would help us in that market in terms of recruiting a lot of students who would like to come to school here," Said Gordon Moulton, President, University of South Alabama.

By bringing a football program to USA officials say it can help the school gain the recognition it desires. Although the idea has been tossed around for years, with a student organized petition this time, it seems more promising.
School officials and student leaders say they need at least 2,000 signatures from students showing a support towards an increase in tuition. And if that happens USA can gain a football program in the near future.
"There's a lot of strong student interest and we just need to measure how deep that goes and whether or not the students are willing to support it both financially as well as by attending the games," Said Moulton.
Officials say a football program could cost students an extra 100 to 150 dollars a year.That idea doesn't sit well with Freshman Cassandra Emery.
"I'd like to have a football team, but I just wouldn't want to pay a hundred to a one-hundred and fifty dollars for it," Said Emery.
But other students beg to differ."It's not just my tuition that's going to increase it's everybody's it's spread out and it's increasing every year as it is anyway," Paul Vogel, Student."But with Auburn and Alabama out there people might not want to switch over to South Alabama," Said Emery. "I've been a die hard Alabama fan all my life, but I'd change my colors, you know I would come back and watch the games," Said Vogel. "It's just like the spirit of college, you know Friday nights you want a football team, you know to watch at home so," Said Furby.

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