Statesboro, GA (Sports Network) - The wheels are being readied for motion to
take the Georgia Southern University football program to the Football Bowl
Subdivision.
The prospect has been long rumored for a program that has won a record six
Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) national titles.
GSU President Brooks Keel told the Statesboro Herald that the university is
pursuing an eight-year, $36.6 million campaign over five phases to raise funds
for such a move. Included is an increase of 18,000-seat Paulson Stadium by
6,300 seats and the construction of a 57,000-square-foot football operations
center.
"There's no question it's where we want to go," Keel said of the potential
move to the FBS.
A fundraising campaign has been in place since July 1 and has generated $5.1
million in cash and signed pledges, according to John Mulherin, president of
the GSU Athletic Foundation.
Georgia Southern is a member of the Southern Conference. Appalachian State,
another power in the SoCon, also is pursuing a move to the FBS.
The Sports Network