Report: Wichita State considering adding football, joining the FBS
Wichita State is considering adding football to its lineup of sports, according to a report by CBSSports.com.
The school, which already is considered a power player in mid-major basketball, is in the midst of a feasibility study that would examine the cost of bringing back a football program that was dropped in 1986.
The school also is looking at the Mountain West as a possible landing spot as the conference’s 12th football program and 13th basketball school, according to the website. However, Mountain West commissioner Craig Thompson told CBSSports.com that if Wichita State were to consider adding football and moving away from the Missouri Valley Conference that the destination, “ain’t going to be us.”
The Shockers’ biggest draw is its basketball program, which has been to a school-record five consecutive NCAA Tournaments, and went 35-1 during the 2013-14 season, which culminated in a final Four berth.
And while the basketball program might be a lure for conferences such as the Mountain West, Conference USA or even the American Athletic Conference that alone is not enough to make the Shockers attractive. An upstart football program offers little in a college football environment where it’s already nearly impossible for a Group of Five program to reach the College Football Playoff due to the strength of schedule.
According to CBSSports.com, Wichita State would need at least $50 million to start a football program with $20 million going toward renovation for the renovation of Cessna Stadium, the old football facility.
– – – – –
Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday
