Is RIO getting a football team?

[KC Java]

I hear something may be in the works!

[Rebels on 3]

im with u on this one rio would have a pretty good football program

[seofan_via_dublin]

Why is it that this time every year, we get a "Is Rio Starting a football team" question.

That school is darn near bankrupt, and is in dire need of different leadership and better economic circumstances.
The last thing that should be on their mind is Football.

[boy of summer]

Ohio Dominican added football and it has greatly added to their school. Football and Rio Grande would be a good fit. It would ultimately increase enrollment and those students who stay on campus. With that being said, the current economy does not bode well for it.

[OZZIEOHIO]

Add shawnee State to the poll. With no college football in the Southern Ohio Area they would do well IMO.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

i agree , shawnee should be where it is added, and play in portsmouth's new digs.

[datchillicav]

IMO Shawnee would do better. I know quite a few people who have gone to RIO and NONE of them stayed. Too boring I guess. Football players get restless in the offseason and like to be able to do stuff other than walk in the woods or drive to Gallipolis to eat taco bell. JMHO.

[LICKING COUNTY FAN]

As long as they add Pikeville College to the schedule I am all for it.

I think both schools go have nice programs in time if they were to start them.

[BBallin fool]

Know way for RIO!!!

[Howard Cosell]

Why not start out as a club sport and work up from there?

[farmer]

There has been two teams that are dropping football this year. With Hofstra had been playing football over 80 years.
Why should a school spend money it doesn't have on non acedemic area's.

[theassassin]

been hearing this for 30 yrs... dont see it happening

[RioProf]

Yes Rio is starting a football team. It will be a club initially and then we hope to move it to a varsity sport. This is a good thing for the university as enrollment and revenue will increase. An extensive business plan was put together to determine feasibility and support. We are in the process of raising funds from Alumni at this time. We hope to be playing in the fall of 2010 but for sure in 2011. For more information please go to www.redstormfootball.info. If you want to give even a little please submit your checks to:

University of Rio Grande
Alumni Relations
Attn: Club Football
P.O. Box 500
Rio Grande, OH 45674

[Ironman92]

Kinda of a WOW!

Wish they would've had golf from 1993-1996!!!

[Bleeding Red]

Why does this thread get started every year about this time?

Rio is a baseball, basketball and soccer school. Thats it. They dont want football, they are not going to get football.

I played there back in the day......there is a lack of interest, not funding, that is keeping football out of the university. You can supplement a lack of funding, not a lack of interest!

[91blue14]

football would be interesting. it would cost alot to field a team. i would go watch atleast once lol

[MTSWNGRVSG]

Have been told by a former assistant at a small college football program the key is to get about 100 additional students that will be paying tuition that normally would not be to make it cost effective to field a football team. It would be hard to be competitive with just bringing in local talent.

[Can See All]

RioProf, while you may be starting a club program I think you are being too optimistic about it turning into a varsity sport. As many people have said it is too costly to start one. Now if you did start one you would have to consider how much money they have for scholarships, as that's a BIG issue when recruiting. As other people have said, there are other, academic related, problems that they can be spending their money on, and not worrying about a football team.

[hbk2016]

Aren't the athletes the only people left living on campus. Rio is about as exciting as watching paint dry.

[sprinter14]

being from Chillicothe, I would support a team from Rio or a team from Shawnee. If Shawnee could do it, I would rather see them use Spartan Stadium. I know the new stadium is nicer, but I love tradition!

Now, where will the Rio club team play?? And IF.....IF it ever does become a varsity sport, where would they play?? Building a stadium is expensive. Would Gallipolis be a possibility??