Some universities with low male populations have recently added football teams to their athletic rosters in hopes of increasing male enrollment, according to The New York Times, but it's doubtful that something similar will happen at AU, which hasn't had a football team in 35 years.
According to the AU Admissions Office, men make up only 33 percent of AU's student population, but Assistant Athletic Director for Communications Anthony Wilson said a football team would be impossible at this time and is fiscally unrealistic for AU. Furthermore, he said he does not see a real need for the team on campus.
"I think we have a strong department with our 16 teams," Wilson said. "You can always do better, but we have a strong base."
Some universities, such as Shenandoah University and Utica University, both with low male populations, have recently begun instituting football teams, according to The Times.
AU had a football team until World War II began in 1941, Wilson said. In 1959, a football team was proposed again but deemed too expensive for the university at that time, he said.
In 1970, Mrs. John Reeves donated $250,000 for the construction of Reeves Field as well as money to institute a club football team for three years, Wilson said. Since then, a football team has not been addressed.
Kate Innelli, a freshman in the School of International Service, said she felt a football team at AU would create bonds between students. Innelli said that football creates camaraderie on and off the field.
"I come from a high school where football is life, and I've grown up going to high school games on Fridays and pro games on Sunday," said Innelli, a Pennsylvania native.
Brandon Szabo, a sophomore in the School of International Service, said a football team for AU is unrealistic.
"I love football teams and to watch the game, but I wouldn't play for American," he said. "There is no way we could have a team - there would be like 30 guys. We would have to shift the student body to get support for a football team."
Szabo, a member of Sigma Chi, plays for the intramural flag football team. The flag football teams are made up largely of fraternities, each having two teams. One team is for upperclassmen while the other "B" team is for younger players and freshmen who are interested in playing and "getting to know the frat," Szabo said. Each team gets to play once a week.
"[Flag football] gives you a chance to get out there and play; it's a nice way to mix it up with your brothers," Szabo said.
According to The Times, schools that have instituted football teams have seen increased male enrollment.
Shenandoah University had a male population of 35 percent that rose to 41 percent after starting a team, The Times reported. At the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, there was an increase of 148 percent in male applicants after implementing a football team, according The Times.
