UNCC Chancellor Phil Dubois argues in this Charlotte Observer piece that it would be a good long-term move for the school to begin a football program.
He says that at other major NC schools, sports have strengthened their academic reputations. I think you only strengthen you academic reputation by doing academic things.
He also says that football would “enliven school spirit” (very nice, but not worth spending millions to get) and would help with student retention. The problem with that argument is that it’s hard to believe that if a student were thinking of dropping out (which isn’t always a bad move — a college degree isn’t necessarily a good investment), the presence of a football team would make the difference in deciding to stay.
