Northeastern University to eliminate football

[DanMcQ]

www.bostonherald.com/sports/college/football/view/20091122nu_eliminating_football/

After 74 seasons, Northeastern is axing its football program.

NU athletic director Peter Roby informed parents of the school’s decision last night via an email, which was obtained by the Herald. Roby simultaneously met with the team on campus at 7:30 to break the news.

“The decision was a difficult one, made all the more difficult because of the respect and admiration I have for our coaches and players,” Roby said in the email. “Despite my personal feelings toward them I am convinced that this decision is in the best interest of the university. The past several years have been disappointing for our football program despite the best efforts of our staff and players.”

www.boston.com/sports/colleges/football/articles/2009/11/23/northeastern_calls_an_end_to_football/

www.boston.com/sports/colleges/football/articles/2009/11/23/few_cheers_upon_the_demise_of_northeastern_football/

[theexorcist]

Northeastern's never been very good, especially not recently, and the CAA is a brutal league. Boston U. dropped football a decade ago - New England in general has a limited football talent pool.

[DanMcQ]

Moved:

Nov 23, 2009 7:12:43 GMT -5 @98hoya said:

Here's a link: www.boston.com/sports/colleges/football/articles/2009/11/23/northeastern_calls_an_end_to_football/

This was surprising to me. Northeastern never had good fan support, but they put out some half-decent teams over the years and also played some good non-league opponents (e.g. Boston College 2 years ago).

[Lurking Dog]

Does this open the door wide for a Fordham move to the CAA?

[theexorcist]

Nov 23, 2009 10:59:08 GMT -5 Lurking Dog said:

Does this open the door wide for a Fordham move to the CAA?

I'd doubt it. The CAA is comprised of twelve schools in other sports, which makes things nice and round for scheduling. It's also scheduled to be thirteen members strong once Georgia State and Old Dominion join, even with Northeastern dropping football. Adding one more school makes things even more unwieldy.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonial_Athletic_Association#Football

[CTHoya08]

Georgia State is north and Delaware and Villanova are South?

[TigerHoya]

Nov 23, 2009 13:34:13 GMT -5 CTHoya08 said:

Georgia State is north and Delaware and Villanova are South?

Indy is still in NFC South and Atlanta was NFC and NL West in MLB/NFL for years until things got fixed later.