The Jacksonville State University Board of Trustees passed a resolution during Monday's quarterly meeting that allows the University to explore the possibility of moving the Gamecock football team to the Football Bowl Subdivision, provided there is an opportunity in the future.
All of Jacksonville State's athletic teams currently compete in NCAA Division I, with the Gamecock football team playing in the Football Championship Subdivision.
“The most important thing is to be in a position to take advantage of any opportunities that may arise in the future,” said Athletics Director Oval Jaynes. “It's not like we are planning on leaving the Ohio Valley Conference next month, and it shouldn't be taken that way.
“But, we do want to be in a position to explore and review any opportunities that may arise in the future,” added Jaynes.
Jacksonville State has been a NCAA Division I member since 1995 and a member of the Ohio Valley Conference since 2003, where the Gamecocks have won 44 OVC Championships since joining the league – which is the most by any school in the conference over that time span.
Here is a full copy of Resolution 538 that was passed during Monday's Board of Trustees Meeting:
WHEREAS, Jacksonville State University has a very proud and rich tradition of Intercollegiate Athletics that dates back over 100 years; and
WHEREAS, Jacksonville State University has been very successful on the fields of competition as a member of National Collegiate Athletic Association, both at the Football Championship Subdivision and the Division II levels; and
WHEREAS, Jacksonville State University joined the Ohio Valley Conference in 2003-04 and has solidified itself as the preeminent athletic program in the Conference by winning 44 OVC Championships over the last seven years; and
WHEREAS, our athletic teams, fans, students, alumni and everyone affiliated with this University has expressed an interest to explore the possibility of moving our football program to the Football Bowl Subdivision, provided there is an opportunity in the future; and
WHEREAS, all other Jacksonville State University teams already compete at the highest NCAA level, only football competes at a lower subdivision level;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that it is the intent of the Jacksonville State University Board of Trustees to explore all opportunities to move the Gamecock Football Program to the Football Bowl Subdivision level.
