Post by The Cats on Dec 9, 2022 9:39:44 GMT -5
Austin Peay's Gerald Harrison wants Govs in FBS football by 2025
Austin Peay football is in the beginning stages of making the transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision, athletics director Gerald Harrison announced Friday.
Harrison outlined an ambitious plan during Friday's winter Board of Trustees meeting that mirrors the recent steps taken by Jacksonville State and Kennesaw to shift away from the FCS and jump to the highest level of the sport.
"We're trying to follow the university's strategic plan of being bold," Harrison said. "If you're not going to be bold, then why do it? I don't want to run from Clarksville. This is our home. We want everyone here to take pride in it.
Harrison outlined a desire to upgrade Fortera Stadium. The Govs installed new field turf last summer to accommodate its move to the ASUN, but Harrison envisions a renovated visitor's side complete with a new pressbox. To maintain FBS status, a school must average 15,000 in paid or actual attendance a game at least once every two seasons, according to the NCAA. Fortera Stadium currently can hold just over 10,000.
While the school doesn't have a potential cost for the renovations yet, the increase in football scholarships could cost up to $2 million, Harrison said.
www.theleafchronicle.com/story/sports/college/apsu/2022/12/02/austin-peay-football-fbs-gerald-harrison-athletics-director/69696103007/
Austin Peay football is in the beginning stages of making the transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision, athletics director Gerald Harrison announced Friday.
Harrison outlined an ambitious plan during Friday's winter Board of Trustees meeting that mirrors the recent steps taken by Jacksonville State and Kennesaw to shift away from the FCS and jump to the highest level of the sport.
"We're trying to follow the university's strategic plan of being bold," Harrison said. "If you're not going to be bold, then why do it? I don't want to run from Clarksville. This is our home. We want everyone here to take pride in it.
Harrison outlined a desire to upgrade Fortera Stadium. The Govs installed new field turf last summer to accommodate its move to the ASUN, but Harrison envisions a renovated visitor's side complete with a new pressbox. To maintain FBS status, a school must average 15,000 in paid or actual attendance a game at least once every two seasons, according to the NCAA. Fortera Stadium currently can hold just over 10,000.
While the school doesn't have a potential cost for the renovations yet, the increase in football scholarships could cost up to $2 million, Harrison said.
www.theleafchronicle.com/story/sports/college/apsu/2022/12/02/austin-peay-football-fbs-gerald-harrison-athletics-director/69696103007/
