ODU is bringing back football . . .

http://www.roanoke.com/sports/college/wb/67599

Football coming back to ODU

NORFOLK -- Old Dominion is resurrecting its football program after nearly 70 years with contributions of nearly $6 million from alumni, students and community leaders.

"Old Dominion University football will be returning to Foreman Field in 2009," Board of Visitors Rector James Hixon said.

The Monarchs will compete in Division I-AA as a member of the Colonial Athletic Association. The school said it also will add three women's sports -- crew, softball and volleyball -- to meet Title IX requirements.

One year ago, the university's board unanimously approved an enhanced athletic program that includes football, provided $8 million could be raised in a year. School officials said the drive brought in between $5 million and $6 million, and indicated the remaining money would come from alumni donations. The school also plans to increase student fees.

ODU's last football season was 1940.

-- Staff, wire reports

A 13 team league.That seems to account for some movement of other schools out in the future????

Looks like the Yankee Conference might be reborn.

That certainly a possibility amongst others.Like the Colonial going 1A,Villanova joining the BE for football?????

If ODU went I-A, they could return to the Sun Belt, although the neighboorhood's changed a little since they were last in it.

There maybe no 1AA just 1A.

Old Dominion is a I-A school waiting to happen. Good School. Sole owners of a good market (#42) with no NFL Team. Hopefully they handle this right. They might get into the Big East at some point down the road.

ODU is investing fairly significantly in athletic upgrades, but the Big East would be a long way off.

ODU is due to start football in 2009.

Another CAA school is leaping into football as well - Georgia State (in Atlanta).

Presumably they will play CAA football. The CAA FB league currently consists of 6 CAA member schools and 6 guests from other conferences. It will be interesting to see if the prospects of 13 and 14 prove to be too many....