South Alabama Football Student Petition Hits Goal

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SGA: Football petition hit goal

http://www.al.com/press-register/stories/i....xml&coll=3

Thursday, November 01, 2007

By GEORGE R. ALTMAN

Staff Reporter

Student leaders at the University of South Alabama said they have collected the required signatures on a petition in support of a new football program, but the university's president said Wednesday that he will gauge alumni and community support before making a recommendation to trustees.

"It's going to take a strong show of support from all of our constituents to make that happen," said USA President Gordon Moulton, who said he was encouraged by the number of petition signatures.

"That will be one -- and I do emphasize one -- of the strong indicators," said Moulton, whose plan would use student fee money to cover much of the program's cost.

USA officials required 2,000 signatures on petitions expressing support for football and willingness to pay an additional $100 to $150 each semester in activity fees. Student Government Association President Jennifer Edwards said Wednesday that goal has been met.

"It's been going really well," Edwards said. "I think a lot of people are really excited about it."

Though 2,000 signatures does not represent a majority of USA's 14,000 students, Edwards and Moulton said they are confident that most students want an intercollegiate football program and are willing to pay for it.

Edwards said the signatures are a good measure of student support, as most student elections don't get 2,000 voters.

Edwards said students plan to present the signatures to Moulton during the home opener for the men's basketball team on Nov. 10 at the USA Mitchell Center. She said strong attendance at that game would show that students not only want football but also are willing to support other USA sports.

"It's really going to be a historical day for University of South Alabama athletics," Edwards said.

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