NCAA Football Coming to Alvernia University

READING, Pa., Oct. 5, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Alvernia University's Board of Trustees has voted unanimously to introduce varsity football as a sport at its Reading, Pa., campus beginning in the fall of 2018. The team will compete at the NCAA Division III level, within the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC).

At a news conference announcing the decision, Alvernia President Thomas F. Flynn said he expects the addition of football to enhance the university's historically strong athletic culture and attract students to majors in key liberal arts and professional fields that will complement its large, high-profile healthcare sciences programs.

"During the past five years, we've made significant investments to hire and support additional faculty, expand academic programs and facilities, and residential life," Flynn said. "Our launch of football now is part of a logical evolution for the university at a time when we are well situated to expand athletic and recreational opportunities for our students," Flynn said.

According to Flynn, Alvernia is ideally positioned academically to accommodate enrollment growth forecasted to accompany the addition of a football program. National data shows that the top programs currently studied by student-athletes playing football include athletic training, business, criminal justice and sport management — all areas in which Alvernia has well-established academic programs.

Alvernia student-athletes perform more community service, maintain higher grade point averages, and graduate at higher rates than non-athletes. And many are also part of a special leadership program.

The decision to launch a football program followed a comprehensive study that engaged members of the entire Alvernia community and included rigorous assessment by both campus and trustee task forces. The study also incorporated research with a number of similar sized colleges that recently introduced football.

Alvernia simultaneously announced a national search for its first head football coach. "It's a rare opportunity for a football coach to build a top NCAA program from the ground up," said Athletic Director William Stiles. "Alvernia has an extraordinary athletic culture and we fully expect our football program will continue to enhance that tradition."

In preparation for a fall 2018 kick-off, the university plans significant renovations to Alvernia Stadium and the school's Physical Education Center not only to prepare for football but also to enhance support for other sports that will share the venues. Included are significant upgrades to locker rooms and stadium seating along with a press box and hospitality suite.

SOURCE Alvernia University

Related Links

http://www.alvernia.edu