Vanguard

Issue date: 10/22/07 Section: News

On Oct. 19, students officially kicked off a student-led petition movement in an effort to bring NCAA Football to the University of South Alabama. Students gathered in the Humanities courtyard from 9 a.m. until noon., requesting students passing by to sign.

A group of student leaders have been meeting with President Gordon Moulton about getting a football program at the University of South Alabama. Jennifer Edwards, SGA president, Mikey Hendrich, founder of Students Who Stand and Jason Shepard, The Vanguard Editor-in-Chief, drafted the petition. These student leaders introduced the idea of a petition and received full approval from the administration.

"We're impressed by President Moulton's commitment and excitement about it," Martin Statkewicz, SGA vice president, said.

"We're really excited about the number of signatures we've gotten in such a short amount of time," Jon Garcia, a USA student, said. "Most students we've talked to seem really fired up about it."

"We have received very few negative responses. Out of all the students we have asked to sign, maybe 10 have refused," added Garcia.

"I am concerned about the cost of bringing NCAA Football to USA. The students are already paying enough in tuition and fees. I come to school to learn, not to be taxed for a sports program," one student who refused to sign said. The student asked to remain anonymous.

Early estimates show that the cost of bringing an NCAA Football team to USA may be between $5 million to $8 million a year. Students will be expected to bear part of the burden the cost in the form of increased athletic fees, which are expected to increase between $100 to $150, if an NCAA Football program is approved.

The petition will be one of the many deciding factors about implementing an NCAA Football team at USA. The goal of the students is to come up with 2,000 signatures. Proof of student support is one of the necessary components of bringing an NCAA Football program to USA. In the first two days of the petition drive, the students have already collected more than 700 signatures.

Initially, there was a debate among administrators and student leaders on whether or not to use a referendum to gauge student support. Because of the historically low turn out during student elections, it was decided that an alternative measurement would be needed. Student leaders suggested a petition drive, and the bar was set at 2,000 signatures. The students leading the grass-roots movement for football are convinced that the petition is the best choice and that they will be able to collect the number of signatures needed.

"I'm confident that we'll get 2,000 signatures. My goal is more like 4,000," Derek Stillman, a member of OUTLAWS, said.

"We've been meeting with President Moulton, and he really wants to make sure that the students support NCAA Football. We told him were positive we could bring him 2,000 signatures," Edwards said.

Many factors will come into play in implementing football on campus, including faculty opinion, USA board of trustees, community at large and students. The student leaders are confident that they will provide a fair point of view of the student voice and are sure the majority will want NCAA Football.

"We've had a lot of people come to us and ask how they can help. It reassures us that this is supported by the students. It's encouraging," Statkewicz said.

The number of signatures will be presented at the Nov.10 USA Jags home game.

"I can't wait until the Jags home game, when we announce that we've beaten our goal and show all the doubters that this is supported and that students will stand for NCAA Football," Hendrich said.

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