“Undefeated since 1952” has been the punchline to many jokes about football at Union University over the years, but freshman sport management major Harrison Barron and cell and molecular biology major Benton Hurt are trying their best to change that.
Barron and Hurt started the recently famous UU Football Twitter account after wondering why Union does not have a football team after having had a team in the 1950s.
The Twitter account picked up steam quickly and now has 548 followers, reaching 125 followers on the first night, and the Facebook page has reached the 1,000-“Like” milestone as well.
This explosion of interest from current students, alumni and Jackson natives has led to meetings with Athletic Director Tommy Sadler and Senior Vice President for University Relations Jerry Tidwell.
There is no doubt that the UU Football movement is picking up some momentum, but will that momentum result in a new football team?
“Decisions of that magnitude are made by the president and Board of Trustees,” Sadler said. “They would have to deem that there is enough support financially to begin the program and sustain the program without taking away from the programs we have now.”
Sadler also said cost is an issue.
“Cost is the largest thing; with new dorms, a field, practice field, a coaching staff, trainers, and equipment; the startup cost is enormous,” he said.
Barron and Hurt said they already have spoken with several alumni who would be supportive, but Sadler said this about the idea: “That’s where the rubber meets the road – having people who are more than fans but are willing to put their money where their mouth is and do whatever they can to see the program succeed.”
Barron and Hurt said they think that having a football team would lead to greater alumni participation.
“One thing that sets us apart from the schools that have a high contribution rate is the fact that we don’t have a football team,” Hurt said.
Then there is the issue of attendance.
“Normally with sports teams at Union, people don’t usually like to go to the games if the team isn’t good. But football is a game that people will want to watch even if the team is losing,” Hurt said.
Some also worried that starting a football program will lead to the negative culture often associated with football players, but Sadler disagrees.
“Football athletes can be a negative culture at some schools but not at every school,” Sadler said.
