Listened to State of Xavier Athletics interview of Greg Christopher by Paul Fritschner. Admittedly, I was curious as to whether there would be a mention of football. After much basketball talk, Paul asked about football. Christopher said it was still a thought and reiterated that FCS football makes sense. Again, the medical school takes priority but the lack of an in-campus stadium is still deemed an obstacle.
How much of an obstacle is debatable as $20 million for a stadium seems steep for what would be adequate for Xavier?s purposes. In any event, earlier this evening I sent Mr. Christopher an e-mail with links to both the Roanoke College experience as well as Mt. Union?s huge roster. I could envision X doing what Roanoke did. Field a club team and let it morph into a PFL team. Attract the males and increase the depleted enrollment. Gauge the interest, develop the program without an initial capital expenditure for a stadium. Xavier?s club team played at numerous local high school stadiums and Dayton?s current FCS team plays at a local high stadium.
This seems very doable. Develop the program and see how it goes. Addresses the need for males and increased enrollment without spending money up front.