Up and coming program...

Photo: ksuowls.com

I'm so proud to talk a little about my Alma Mater. The 2012 Atlanta Falcons season is in the rearview mirror, but I still want to talk about football. An announcement was made yesterday that Kennesaw State University, about 20 miles north of downtown Atlanta, has been approved by the Board of Regents to begin a football program slated to gear up in 2015. The official announcement will be made today at a 4pm press conference. Logos, helmets, and design of uniforms might be revealed at the presser. Kennesaw State is a member of NCAA Division I (Football Conference Subdivision, formally Div 1-AA) Atlantic Sun Conference. But the football conference is still to be announced because the A-Sun does not sponsor football.

When I was in college at the university (1998-2000), this is something that I had envisioned while working in the Sports Information Department for my internship. Now it isn't because of me that the program has been initiated, but it sure is great to see. With KSU being the third largest university in the state of Georgia, this process has been a long time in the making, and it's finally here.

The university already has a stadium. The Owls football program will share the stadium with the women's soccer and lacrosse teams. A sponsorship with Fifth Third Bank, an Ohio-based company, has been established, and KSU Stadium will be renamed to Fifth Third Bank Stadium.

The Athletic program is rich in sports history with these notable accomplishments: (http://www.kennesaw.edu/history)

1986-  Jon Hough wins NAIA golf championship, the first national title for KSU in any sport.

1994-  The Men's baseball team wins NAIA national championship.

1995-  Women's softball team wins NCAA Division II national championship.

1996-  Men's baseball team wins NCAA Division II national championship.
           Women's softball team wins second NCAA Division II national championship. 

2000-   KSU Owls baseball team named "Team of the Decade" by Baseball America magazine.

2003-   Women’s soccer team wins NCAA Div. II national championship in its second season of existence.

2004-    Men’s basketball team wins NCAA Div. II national championship.

2005-     KSU Cheerleading team wins second consecutive NCAA Div II national championship.

2009-     KSU completes its five-year transition from Division II to become a full-fledged participant in                      
              Division I of the NCAA.

Stay turned for more KSU football updates. Don't forget to follow me on twitter @makirkley.

Mark A. Kirkley: twitter @makirkley
Devoted husband and father of Team Kirkley. God and family are #1 in my life.
Academic Librarian/Cobb Game Day Magazine Contributor/Sports Writer/Sports Blogger. "Your thoughts are better organized when they are written."