Oct. 9, 2009

Complete Football Feasibility Report in PDF Format

Cleveland State Students, Faculty, Staff & Supporters;

I am pleased to announce that the Cleveland State University Athletics Department has completed its football feasibility study.

The six-month process involved a comprehensive review of the major issues impacted by football, among them Title IX, general student enrollment, and operating budgets. The report concludes that NCAA non-scholarship Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) football (formerly called Division 1 AA), would have a positive impact on CSU's community and it's institutional vision.

Specifically, the report outlines the positive effect football could have on school enrollment, student engagement, and external support. Based on financial models used at similar institutions the report concludes that feasible options exist to support operating expenses for the addition of football.

The Athletic Department was originally charged by former President Schwartz in the Fall of 2008 to study the impact of football at CSU, and to determine its alignment with the University's vision for an engaged campus and a strong undergraduate student population. A committee comprised of University and community leaders was formed to study the issue. The committee and staff met several times between November 2008 and May 2009 and participated in information reviews and interviews with representatives from other FCS schools.

The Athletic Department would like to thank members of the committee as well as our consulting firm, American Management Strategy Group, for their hard work and diligence throughout the process. We are encouraged by the report's conclusions and will continue to work with students, faculty, staff, and CSU supporters to determine ultimate feasibility and interest in football at CSU.

Sincerely;

Lee Reed
CSU Director of Athletics