Chicago just landed a new player in the big-time college football game: Chicago State University is officially launching its first NCAA Division I football team after the university's Board of Trustees voted unanimously to add the sport. The Cougars are slated for an inaugural game on August 29, 2026, and university officials say the team will compete as an independent that first year before joining the Northeast Conference in 2027. The move makes Chicago State the only Division I football program based in the city.
The Board's decision and rollout plan were detailed in the university's announcement, which notes that spring practice will precede the debut and that the athletic department has already begun addressing facilities, staffing, and recruiting. The release presents the move as the result of more than three years of planning and part of a broader effort to expand CSU athletics on the South Side. The full statement is available in a press release via Chicago State University.
"The launch of football at Chicago State ushers in a new era not only for our university, but for the entire city of Chicago," President Zaldwaynaka "Z" Scott said in the announcement. Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Monique Carroll called the new program "the start of a bold tradition". They emphasized its expected ripple effects on students and neighborhood businesses. Those remarks are part of the university release via Chicago State University.
Chicago State named Bobby Rome II as its first head football coach in April, handing him the task of recruiting, fundraising, and building a staff to get a team on the field. Rome, who most recently coached at Florida Memorial University, was hired after a national search and is expected to jump quickly into campus outreach and local high school recruiting. The hire and Rome's introductory comments are on the athletics site via Chicago State Athletics.
Regional outlets moved fast on the story. CBS News Chicago aired a segment noting that the Cougars will be the city's only NCAA Division I football program and spotlighting the broader implications for Chicago sports. The report highlighted the university's timeline and reaction from community leaders to the Board's vote. As reported by CBS News Chicago, the rollout is being framed as a historic first for the city.
Public media coverage has zeroed in on what the program might mean for enrollment and the surrounding neighborhoods, particularly on the South Side. WTTW reported that President Scott and athletic officials see football as a way to attract more men to campus and that the university plans to emphasize community partnerships and targeted fundraising. The report places the football launch inside a broader enrollment and economic development strategy, as reported by WTTW.
Where They Might Play And The Timeline
Chicago State says it has started work on facilities but has not yet locked in a home venue for the 2026 season, leaving short-term options open as the program ramps up, according to FBSchedules. The site notes that the Cougars will compete as an independent in 2026 before entering NEC play in 2027. One likely candidate is Gately Stadium in Pullman, an 8,000-seat CPS-linked field, which is listed on the Chicago Park District site; see Chicago Park District for details.
Big names in local sports have already weighed in. Kevin Warren, president and CEO of the Chicago Bears, called the addition "a tremendous step forward for the university and for the city of Chicago," according to the athletics announcement. Chicago State leaders say the new program is intended to "unite communities, inspire young people, and create lasting traditions" as schedules and fundraising plans take shape. Those remarks are published on the school's athletics site via Chicago State Athletics.
Next up: more hiring, an aggressive recruiting push and, eventually, schedule and ticket details. With spring practice on the horizon, the university is asking for patience while it sorts out facilities and fundraising, and athletic officials say they will release opponent and home-site information once agreements are finalized. For a scheduling overview and a roundup of the launch, see FBSchedules.
