Are you curious about which College Football Teams are the newest additions to the gridiron? This guide provides an in-depth look at the expanding landscape of college football, highlighting new and upcoming programs. CAUHOI2025.UK.COM delivers the latest insights into college football programs, NCAA football, and the impact of varsity sports on universities across the USA.
Here are five primary search intents related to “college football teams”:
- Finding New Programs: Users want to identify recently established college football teams.
- Understanding Expansion Trends: Users seek to learn about the growth and trends in college football program additions.
- Exploring Program Impact: Users are interested in how football programs affect college enrollment and campus life.
- Discovering Varsity Options: Users aim to find information about various varsity football options, including sprint and flag football.
- Staying Updated: Users need the latest news and updates on college football programs.
1. The Growth of College Football Teams
College football is experiencing a surge in popularity, with more institutions recognizing its value in enhancing campus life, boosting enrollment, and strengthening alumni connections. The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) reports that 774 colleges and universities nationwide now offer football programs. This expansion includes NCAA divisions, NAIA, and independent schools, with new programs continually emerging.
1.1 Historical Growth
Since 1978, the number of NCAA football-playing schools has increased significantly. According to the NFF, NCAA football programs grew from 484 to 671 institutions by 2024. When including NAIA and independent schools, the total reaches 774 institutions offering football. This growth demonstrates the enduring appeal of football and its benefits for colleges.
1.2 Recent Expansion (2014-2024)
Over the past decade (2014-2024), 51 football programs have been added by NCAA, NAIA, and independent institutions. This sustained demand highlights football’s role in driving community, boosting enrollment, and strengthening alumni connections. Steve Hatchell, NFF President & CEO, emphasizes that football enhances the vibrancy of college campuses.
2. New College Football Programs Launching in 2024
Several institutions have recently launched or relaunched their football programs, bringing new energy and opportunities to their campuses.
2.1 Anderson University (SC)
Anderson University in South Carolina is among the institutions launching a new football program. This addition aims to engage students and build stronger connections within the university community.
2.2 Calvin University (MI)
Calvin University in Michigan is also introducing a football program. This initiative is expected to enhance student engagement and foster a greater sense of community.
2.3 Centenary College of Louisiana
Centenary College of Louisiana is launching a new football program, aiming to energize its campus and provide students with new opportunities for involvement.
2.4 New England College (NH)
New England College in New Hampshire is joining the ranks of institutions offering football, providing students with additional avenues for engagement and campus connection.
2.5 Simpson University (CA)
Simpson University in California is set to launch a new football program, aiming to boost student life and build stronger community ties.
2.6 William Woods University (MO)
William Woods University in Missouri is relaunching its football program. President Dr. Jeremy L. Moreland emphasizes the positive impact of adding both men’s tackle football and women’s flag football. The university has seen remarkable enrollment growth and views football as crucial for fostering leadership and character among students.
2.7 President Moreland’s Perspective
Dr. Jeremy L. Moreland notes that engaging students on the field and in the stands is vital for campus life. With a resurgence in enrollment, William Woods welcomes its largest incoming class, with football players comprising a significant portion of new students.
3. Upcoming College Football Programs (2025 and Beyond)
Looking ahead, several institutions are preparing to introduce football programs in the coming years.
3.1 Maine Maritime Academy
Maine Maritime Academy is in the process of launching its football team, with plans to take the field soon.
3.2 University of Rio Grande (OH)
The University of Rio Grande in Ohio plans to launch its football program in 2025. President Ryan Smith believes reviving football will enhance campus vibrancy and strengthen community bonds. The university anticipates an enrollment increase of 150-200 students.
3.3 Roanoke College (VA)
Roanoke College in Virginia is also preparing to introduce its football program, further expanding the sport’s reach.
3.4 Schreiner University (TX)
Schreiner University in Texas is in the planning stages of launching a football team, contributing to the growing number of institutions offering the sport.
3.5 University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is working towards introducing a football program, adding to the opportunities for students in the region.
3.6 West Virginia University Institute of Technology
West Virginia University Institute of Technology is also in the process of launching its football team, with plans to take the field in the near future.
4. Impact of College Football Programs on Enrollment and Campus Life
Football programs have a significant impact on student life, enrollment, and community engagement. Small colleges often use football as a tool to increase enrollment and address gender imbalances. Larger universities emphasize its role in raising the institution’s profile, attracting research grants, and creating a vibrant campus atmosphere.
4.1 Boosting Enrollment
Football programs can significantly increase enrollment. The University of Rio Grande anticipates an enrollment increase of 150-200 students with the launch of its football program and marching band.
4.2 Enhancing Campus Life
Football fosters community and creates a vibrant campus atmosphere. It provides students with opportunities for engagement, builds stronger connections with alumni, and enhances the overall reputation of the institution.
4.3 Strengthening Alumni Relations
Football programs serve as a powerful tool for alumni relations, driving engagement and donations. They help enhance the overall reputation of the institution and foster a sense of community among alumni.
5. Varsity Sports: Sprint and Flag Football
In addition to traditional college football, there are growing opportunities in sprint and flag football.
5.1 Sprint Football
Sprint football is a full-contact sport for players weighing 178 pounds or less. It follows the same rules as regular college football. The Collegiate Sprint Football League (CSFL), established in 1934, has added Molloy University (NY) as its ninth member. The Midwest Sprint Football League (MSFL), launched in 2022, boasts seven teams, expanding the sport to the middle of the country.
5.2 Women’s Flag Football
The NAIA women’s flag football league, in partnership with NFL FLAG, continues to grow impressively. In 2022, 12 NAIA schools had teams, and by the 2023-24 season, the number nearly doubled to 22 teams. The Atlanta Falcons hosted the NAIA Women’s Flag Football Finals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the fourth consecutive year.
The Atlantic East Conference, in partnership with the NFL and RCX Sports, became the first NCAA Conference to offer varsity female flag football. Eight schools are scheduled to participate in the inaugural season in Spring 2025: Cabrini University (PA), Centenary University (NJ), Eastern University (PA), Holy Family University (PA), Immaculata University (PA), Marymount University (VA), Neumann University (PA), and Siena Heights University (PA).
5.3 Olympic Inclusion
Flag football received a major boost when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced its inclusion in the LA28 Olympic sports program. This inclusion, driven by the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) and supported by the NFL, provides a new pathway for global participation. Flag football is played by an estimated 20 million people in over 100 countries and is considered the most inclusive and accessible format of football.
6. List of College Football Teams Launched by Year
Here’s a comprehensive list of college football teams launched in recent years, showcasing the sport’s continuous expansion:
6.1 Four Programs Launched in 2023
- Appalachian Bible College (Mount Hope, West Virginia): Association of Christian College Athletics
- Bushnell University (Eugene, Oregon): NAIA, Cascade Collegiate Conference
- Fisher College (Boston, Massachusetts): Independent
- Thomas University (Thomasville, Georgia): NAIA, Sun Conference
6.2 One Program Launched in 2022
- Hilbert College (Hamburg, New York): NCAA Division III, Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference
6.3 Seven Programs Launched in 2021
- Bluefield State College (Bluefield, West Virginia): NCAA Division II, Independent
- Judson University (Elgin, Illinois): NAIA, Mid-States Football Association
- Keystone College (La Plume, Pennsylvania): NCAA Division III, Eastern Collegiate Football Conference
- Lincoln University (Oakland, California): Independent
- Mount Marty University (Yankton, South Dakota): NAIA, Great Plains Athletic Conference
- Post University (Waterbury, Connecticut): NCAA Division II, Independent
- University of Fort Lauderdale (Lauderhill, Florida): National Christian College Athletic Association
6.4 Five Programs Launched in 2020
- Barton College (Wilson, North Carolina): NCAA Division II, South Atlantic Conference
- Erskine College (Due West, South Carolina): NCAA Division II, South Atlantic Conference
- Florida Memorial University (Miami Gardens, Florida): NAIA, Sun Conference
- Madonna University (Livonia, Michigan): NAIA, Mid-States Football Association
- Roosevelt University (Chicago, Illinois): NAIA, Mid-States Football Association
6.5 Four Programs Launched in 2019
- Clarke University (Dubuque, Iowa): NAIA, Heart of America Athletic Conference
- Franklin Pierce University (Rindge, New Hampshire): NCAA Division II, Northeast-10 Conference
- St. Thomas University (Miami Gardens, Florida): NAIA, Sun Conference
- Wheeling University (Wheeling, West Virginia): NCAA Division II, Mountain East Conference
6.6 Seven Programs Launched in 2018
- Allen University (Columbia, South Carolina): NCAA Division II, Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
- Alvernia University (Reading, Pennsylvania): NCAA Division III, Middle Atlantic Conference
- Indiana Wesleyan University (Marion, Indiana): NAIA, Mid-States Football Association
- Keiser University (West Palm Beach, Florida): NAIA, Sun Conference
- Lawrence Technological University (Southfield, Michigan): NAIA, Mid-States Football Association
- Ottawa University-Arizona (Surprise, Arizona): NAIA, Sooner Athletic Conference
- University of New England (Biddeford, Maine): NCAA Division III, Commonwealth Coast Football
6.7 Four Programs Launched in 2017
- Dean College (Franklin, Massachusetts): NCAA Division III, Eastern Collegiate Football Conference
- St. Andrews University (Laurinburg, North Carolina): NAIA, Mid-South Conference
- Texas Wesleyan University (Fort Worth, Texas): NAIA, Sooner Athletic Conference
- University of Alabama at Birmingham (Birmingham, Alabama): NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, American Athletic Conference
6.8 Three Programs Launched in 2016
- Davenport University (Grand Rapids, Michigan): NCAA Division II, Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
- University of Texas Permian Basin (Odessa, Texas): NCAA Division II, Lone Star Conference
- University of West Florida (Pensacola, Florida): NCAA Division II, Gulf South Conference
6.9 Four Programs Launched in 2015
- East Tennessee State University (Johnson City, Tennessee): NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision, Southern Conference
- Finlandia University (Hancock, Michigan): NCAA Division III, Upper Midwest Athletic Conference. (Note: Entire School Subsequently Closed in May of 2023.)
- Kennesaw State University (Kennesaw, Georgia): NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision, ASUN Conference (Note: Joining the NCAA Division I Bowl Championship Subdivision, Conference USA, in 2024.)
- Lyon College (Batesville, Arkansas): NAIA, Sooner Athletic Conference
6.10 Six Programs Launched in 2014
- Arizona Christian University (Glendale, Arizona): NAIA, Sooner Athletic Conference
- College of Idaho (Caldwell, Idaho): NAIA, Frontier Conference
- George Fox University (Newberg, Oregon): NCAA Division III, Northwest Conference
- Limestone University (Gaffney, South Carolina): NCAA Division II, South Atlantic Conference
- Missouri Baptist University (St. Louis, Missouri): NAIA, Mid-States Football Association
- Southeastern University (Lakeland, Florida): NAIA, Sun Conference
6.11 Eleven Programs Launched in 2013
- Alderson Broaddus University (Philippi, West Virginia): NCAA Division II, Mountain East Conference (Note: Entire School Subsequently Closed in 2022.)
- Berry College (Mount Berry, Georgia): NCAA Division III, Southern Athletic Association
- Hendrix College (Conway, Arkansas): NCAA Division III, Southern Athletic Association
- Houston Christian University (Houston, Texas): NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision, Southland Conference
- Mercer University (Macon, Georgia): NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision, Southern Conference
- Oklahoma Baptist University (Shawnee, Oklahoma): NCAA Division II, Great American Conference
- Reinhardt University (Waleska, Georgia): NAIA, Mid-South Conference
- Southwestern University (Georgetown, Texas): NCAA Division III, American Southwest Conference
- Stetson University (DeLand, Florida): NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision, Pioneer Football League
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte (Charlotte, North Carolina): NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, American Athletic Conference
- Warner University (Lake Wales, Florida): NAIA, Sun Conference
6.12 Four Programs Launched in 2012
- Bluefield College (Bluefield, Virginia): NAIA, Mid-South Conference
- Misericordia University (Dallas, Pennsylvania): NCAA Division III, Middle Atlantic Conference
- Point University (West Point, Georgia): NAIA, Mid-South Conference
- Wayland Baptist University (Plainview, Texas): NAIA, Sooner Athletic Conference
6.13 Seven Programs Launched in 2011
- Ave Maria University (Ave Maria, Florida): NAIA, Sun Conference
- Concordia University Ann Arbor (Ann Arbor, Michigan): NAIA, Mid-States Football Association
- Presentation College (Aberdeen, South Dakota): NAIA, North Star Athletic Association (Note: Entire School Subsequently Closed in 2022.)
- Siena Heights University (Adrian, Michigan): NAIA, Mid-States Football Association
- Stevenson University (Owings Mills, Maryland): NCAA Division III, Middle Atlantic Conference
- University of Texas at San Antonio (San Antonio, Texas): NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, American Athletic Conference
- Virginia University of Lynchburg (Lynchburg, Virginia): National Christian College Athletic Association
6.14 Six Programs Launched in 2010
- Georgia State University (Atlanta, Georgia): NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, Sun Belt Conference
- Lamar University (Beaumont, Texas): NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision, Southland Conference
- Lindsey Wilson College (Columbia, Kentucky): NAIA, Mid-South Conference
- Notre Dame College (South Euclid, Ohio): NCAA Division II, Mountain East Conference
- Pacific University (Forest Grove, Oregon): NCAA Division III, Northwest Conference
- University of South Alabama (Mobile, Alabama): NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, Sun Belt Conference
6.15 Five Programs Launched in 2009
- Anna Maria College (Paxton, Massachusetts): NCAA Division III, Eastern Collegiate Football Conference
- Castleton University (Castleton, Vermont): NCAA Division III, Eastern Collegiate Football Conference
- Old Dominion University (Norfolk, Virginia): NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, Sun Belt Conference
- University of New Haven (West Haven, Connecticut): NCAA Division II, Northeast-10 Conference
- University of the Incarnate Word (San Antonio, Texas): NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision, Southland Conference
6.16 Eight Programs Launched in 2008
- Campbell University (Buies Creek, North Carolina): NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision, Big South Conference
- College of St. Scholastica (Duluth, Minnesota): NCAA Division III, Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
- Colorado State University-Pueblo (Pueblo, Colorado): NCAA Division II, Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
- Dordt University (Sioux Center, Iowa): NAIA, Great Plains Athletic Conference
- Grand View University (Des Moines, Iowa): NAIA, Heart of America Athletic Conference
- Kentucky Christian University (Grayson, Kentucky): NAIA, Mid-South Conference
- Lake Erie College (Painesville, Ohio): NCAA Division II, Great Midwest Athletic Conference
- Lincoln University (Lincoln University, Pennsylvania): NCAA Division II, Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
7. FAQ: College Football Teams
Here are some frequently asked questions about college football teams:
Q1: How many colleges offer football programs in the USA?
A1: As of 2024, approximately 774 colleges and universities in the USA offer football programs.
Q2: Which NCAA division has the most football teams?
A2: NCAA Division III typically has the highest number of participating football teams.
Q3: What are the benefits of adding a college football program?
A3: Benefits include increased student engagement, higher enrollment rates, stronger alumni relations, and enhanced campus vibrancy.
Q4: What is sprint football?
A4: Sprint football is a full-contact sport with the same rules as regular college football, but players must weigh 178 pounds or less.
Q5: What is women’s flag football?
A5: Women’s flag football is a non-contact version of football gaining popularity, now included in the LA28 Olympics.
Q6: Which schools are launching new football programs in 2024?
A6: Schools launching new football programs in 2024 include Anderson University (SC), Calvin University (MI), Centenary College of Louisiana, New England College (NH), Simpson University (CA), and William Woods University (MO).
Q7: How does football impact college enrollment?
A7: Football programs can attract more students, address gender imbalances, and increase overall enrollment.
Q8: What role do football programs play in alumni relations?
A8: Football programs foster community among alumni, driving engagement, donations, and enhancing the institution’s reputation.
Q9: What is the Collegiate Sprint Football League (CSFL)?
A9: The CSFL is a league established in 1934 that provides opportunities for student-athletes to play sprint football, with Molloy University (NY) being its newest member.
Q10: Why is flag football growing in popularity?
A10: Flag football is inclusive, accessible, and played globally by people of all ages and genders, making it a fast-growing sport.
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