Football back at Lamar University

[Cat22]

Lamar University officials announced Thursday the student body has approved a special fee that will assist in funding the return of the Lamar Cardinal football program. Lamar students went to the polls on Jan. 29 and 30 and voted on the fee that will put the university one step closer to realizing the dream of reviving the program that was discontinued in 1989. A majority of 79% for and 21% against was the final tally to approve the fee and overcome the first hurdle in the quest for football. With the affirmation from the students in hand, President Simmons is poised to seek approval from the Texas State University System Board of Regents at a meeting to be held on the Lamar University campus on February 22. Once approval from the Board is obtained, the LU Athletics Department will begin renovation of Cardinal Stadium and begin the search for a coach. Tentative plans have the Cardinals beginning Southland Conference play during the fall 2010 season.

[jason]

cool - i wonder how many students actually voted...

[DU_stud04]

i remember when we got that passed here at uta 2 years ago...... still no football team. everything was good then president stepped in and had the final no.

[Cat22]

1,016 students (79%) voted 'yes' and 278 (21%) voted 'no

[jason]

wow - thats a pretty good turnout....

[Cat22]

Not too bad. Looks like as long as the Texas State University System Board of Regents passes it in February, it's a done deal. I think the University still needs some corporate funds to help, but I don't see that being a problem.

[setxsports]

:clap: :clap: We got it back!!

[runthequarter]

Though Lamar no longer has a football program, the program's signature win came on September 5, 1981, in an 18-17 win over the UPI #20 Ranked Baylor Bears under Head Coach Larry Kennan. This would be the first time that a Division 1-AA team defeated a Division 1-A ranked opponent. The football program was dropped in 1989, largely due to budget overruns and declining attendance. Lamar University still holds the Southland Conference record for the most championships in football. In 2007, the university was considering bringing football back. In 2008, efforts were already underway to reinterate a football team at Lamar by Fall 2008.

[sahen]

Originally posted by runthequarter
Though Lamar no longer has a football program, the program's signature win came on September 5, 1981, in an 18-17 win over the UPI #20 Ranked Baylor Bears under Head Coach Larry Kennan. This would be the first time that a Division 1-AA team defeated a Division 1-A ranked opponent. The football program was dropped in 1989, largely due to budget overruns and declining attendance. Lamar University still holds the Southland Conference record for the most championships in football. In 2007, the university was considering bringing football back. In 2008, efforts were already underway to reinterate a football team at Lamar by Fall 2008.

I am pretty sure that in 1981 there was no D1-AA and D1A...there was just Division 1 i think....

[Buccaneer]

Originally posted by sahen
I am pretty sure that in 1981 there was no D1-AA and D1A...there was just Division 1 i think....

Subdivisions I-A and I-AA were created in 1978.

[Phil C]

:clap: :clap: :clap:

[sahen]

Originally posted by Buccaneer
Subdivisions I-A and I-AA were created in 1978.

oh ok...good to see Lamar getting football back, there have been rumors of it so hopefully it works out for them...

[JasperDog94]

Originally posted by Cat22
1,016 students (79%) voted 'yes' and 278 (21%) voted 'no I'm pretty sure that my brother was in the 21% that voted no.

[boudreaux]

1957 East Texas State, Lamar LSC Champions

[kepdawg]

I know it's way early but who would be some likely candidates for the head coaching position?