Home of Bisons Football Updated February 14, 2007			QUESTIONS AND         ANSWERS
Q1.  Has the Lipscomb U. Administration approved the start of a football program?		A1.  The official answer is no.  However, a committee was formed and a study was completed with very favorable results.  More recently, the school outsourced a feasibility study and are awaiting the final report.  Sometime during 2001 the subject was broached to the School's Board but no action was taken at that time.
Q2.  When will the football program be announced?		A2.  Its hard to say.  The school has a number of issues to address before NCAA football is added.  There are other priorities ahead of football such the opening of the Pharmacy school.
Q3.  What are the benefits of adding a football team?		A3.  1.  Bringing in more students, 2. Bringing in more male students, 3.  In the South, football is king and would become Lipscomb's only revenue generating sport.  4.  It would bring the Alumni back on campus more often.  5.  It would encourage more alumni giving at a younger age.  6.  It would give students an additional campus activity especially on the weekends.  6.  It has the potential of giving LU more regional and national exposure.--Just a few of the benefits
Q4.  Would football adversely affect other varsity sports financially?		A4.  Lipscomb would choose to play on the level that would not offer athletic scholarships.  With nearly 130 + new students paying tuition, the additional revenue streams of ticket sales, corporate support, advertising, merchandise sales, and private gifts would keep the program from sifting funds from the existing athletic department's budget.
Q5.  Who would they play?		A5.  Lipscomb would play on the Division I-AA Non-Scholarship level.  Such Division I-AA teams would include:   Morehead State University, University of Dayton, Drake, Butler, Valpo, and Davidson are just to name a few.  Other similar schools would be ones found in the Patriot Conference such as Lehigh, Lafayette, and Fordham.  In the early years, Lipscomb might schedule some area schools are Lambuth, Cumberland from the NAIA or Division III schools such as University of the South, Maryville College, and Emory and Henry.
Q6.  Is there a place on campus to play?		A6.  Good question.  Yes and no.  It depends.  Due to the sensitivity of this question, we will  address it at a later date.  But the general answer is that they will play  somewhere in the Lipscomb Complex. More recent conversations has Lipscomb installing "Field Turf" on the Soccer Field and building a stadium with a field house adjoining. (at the intersection of Belmont and Shackleford)
Q7.  How much will it cost to start the program?		A7.  There is a magic number.  There are a number of related items to also consider, such as construction of a stadium, practice facilities, a field house and etc...  That official dollar figure will be made public before the public announcement of the program.   The "Tennessean" reported from Lipscomb AD, Steve Potts that somewhere between $3.5 and $5 million dollars would be needed.  The Operating costs on an annual basis would be somewhere between $350-$700,000.
Q8.  Who will coach the team?		A 8.  There will be coaches coming out of the woodwork once the official word hits the street.  There has already been interest shown by a few.  Check the link For Potential Coaching Candidates.  Its growing on a weekly basis.  There will be some close ties to some big names in the profession that will eventually surface.  The Head Coach will have to be a member of the Church of Christ.
Q9.  If Football is such a great sport for a school, why has school such as East Tennessee State dropped the sport?		A9.  It comes down to dollars.  ETSU was playing on the Division IAA level and was offering full scholarships and having to travel , and caught in the State of Tennessee Budget shortfall.  Austin Peay and Morehead has seen their programs re-emerge in the non-scholarship area.  Division III football is flourishing, with teams having anywhere between 100-200 players on their roster and drawing good crowds to their games.  (Go and check out the Ohio Athletic Conference on the Internet) More recently, ETSU is working again to resurrect their team.  Jacksonville and Campbell have recently added a team.  Faulkner University will be starting their team in the ranks of the NAIA.  Birmingham Southern is also reviving their team for Division III play after laying dormant since the 1930's.
Q10.  What is the negative impact on the school?		A10.  1.  It will cause an additional housing crunch on campus.  2. Where will the tailgaters go and park  3.  What will the Bison Club do with its extra money from new members?
More to be added as they come in.