This is a list of schools in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) that play football in the United States as a varsity sport and are members of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), known as Division I-AA from 1978 through 2005. There are 128 FCS programs in the 2021 season. Conference affiliations are current for the 2021 season. The teams in this subdivision compete in a 24-team playoff for the NCAA Division I Football Championship. All leagues allow scholarships with the exception of the Ivy League and Pioneer Football League.
FCS programs
Team | Nickname | School | City | State | Program established | Conference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Abilene Christian | Wildcats | Abilene Christian University | Abilene | Texas | 1919 | Southland[a] |
Alabama A&M | Bulldogs | Alabama A&M University | Normal | Alabama | 1912 | SWAC |
Alabama State | Hornets | Alabama State University | Montgomery | Alabama | 1901 | SWAC |
Albany | Great Danes | University at Albany, SUNY | Albany | New York | 1973 | CAA |
Alcorn State | Braves | Alcorn State University | Lorman | Mississippi | 1921 | SWAC |
Arkansas-Pine Bluff | Golden Lions | University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | Pine Bluff | Arkansas | 1916 | SWAC |
Austin Peay | Governors | Austin Peay State University | Clarksville | Tennessee | 1930 | Ohio Valley |
Bethune-Cookman | Wildcats | Bethune–Cookman University | Daytona Beach | Florida | 1925 | MEAC[b] |
Brown | Bears | Brown University | Providence | Rhode Island | 1878 | Ivy |
Bryant | Bulldogs | Bryant University | Smithfield | Rhode Island | 1999 | Northeast |
Bucknell | Bison | Bucknell University | Lewisburg | Pennsylvania | 1883 | Patriot |
Butler | Bulldogs | Butler University | Indianapolis | Indiana | 1887 | Pioneer |
Cal Poly | Mustangs | California Polytechnic State University | San Luis Obispo | California | 1915 | Big Sky |
Campbell | Fighting Camels | Campbell University | Buies Creek | North Carolina | 1925 2008 | Big South |
Central Arkansas | Bears | University of Central Arkansas | Conway | Arkansas | 1908 | Southland[c] |
Central Connecticut | Blue Devils | Central Connecticut State University | New Britain | Connecticut | 1935 | Northeast |
Charleston Southern | Buccaneers | Charleston Southern University | North Charleston | South Carolina | 1985 | Big South |
Chattanooga | Mocs | University of Tennessee at Chattanooga | Chattanooga | Tennessee | 1899 | Southern |
The Citadel | Bulldogs | The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina | Charleston | South Carolina | 1905 | Southern |
Colgate | Raiders | Colgate University | Hamilton | New York | 1890 | Patriot |
Columbia | Lions | Columbia University | New York | New York | 1870 | Ivy |
Cornell | Big Red | Cornell University | Ithaca | New York | 1887 | Ivy |
Dartmouth | Big Green | Dartmouth College | Hanover | New Hampshire | 1881 | Ivy |
Davidson | Wildcats | Davidson College | Davidson | North Carolina | 1896 | Pioneer |
Dayton | Flyers | University of Dayton | Dayton | Ohio | 1903 | Pioneer |
Delaware | Fightin' Blue Hens | University of Delaware | Newark | Delaware | 1888 | CAA |
Delaware State | Hornets | Delaware State University | Dover | Delaware | 1924 | MEAC |
Drake | Bulldogs | Drake University | Des Moines | Iowa | 1893 | Pioneer |
Duquesne | Dukes | Duquesne University | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | 1891 | Northeast |
East Tennessee State | Buccaneers | East Tennessee State University | Johnson City | Tennessee | 1920 2015 | Southern |
Eastern Illinois | Panthers | Eastern Illinois University | Charleston | Illinois | 1899 | Ohio Valley |
Eastern Kentucky | Colonels | Eastern Kentucky University | Richmond | Kentucky | 1906 | Ohio Valley[c] |
Eastern Washington | Eagles | Eastern Washington University | Cheney | Washington | 1901 | Big Sky |
Elon | Phoenix | Elon University | Elon | North Carolina | 1909 | CAA |
Florida A&M | Rattlers | Florida A&M University | Tallahassee | Florida | 1907 | MEAC[b] |
Fordham | Rams | Fordham University | New York | New York | 1881 | Patriot |
Furman | Paladins | Furman University | Greenville | South Carolina | 1889 | Southern |
Gardner-Webb | Runnin' Bulldogs | Gardner–Webb University | Boiling Springs | North Carolina | 1946 | Big South |
Georgetown | Hoyas | Georgetown University | Washington | D.C. | 1881 | Patriot |
Grambling State | Tigers | Grambling State University | Grambling | Louisiana | 1927 | SWAC |
Hampton | Pirates | Hampton University | Hampton | Virginia | 1902 | Big South |
Harvard | Crimson | Harvard University | Cambridge[d] | Massachusetts | 1873 | Ivy |
Holy Cross | Crusaders | College of the Holy Cross | Worcester | Massachusetts | 1891 | Patriot |
Houston Baptist | Huskies | Houston Baptist University | Houston | Texas | 2013 | Southland |
Howard | Bison | Howard University | Washington | D.C. | 1882 | MEAC |
Idaho | Vandals | University of Idaho | Moscow | Idaho | 1893 | Big Sky[e] |
Idaho State | Bengals | Idaho State University | Pocatello | Idaho | 1902 | Big Sky |
Illinois State | Redbirds | Illinois State University | Normal | Illinois | 1887 | Missouri Valley |
Incarnate Word | Cardinals | University of the Incarnate Word | San Antonio | Texas | 2009 | Southland |
Indiana State | Sycamores | Indiana State University | Terre Haute | Indiana | 1895 | Missouri Valley |
Jackson State | Tigers | Jackson State University | Jackson | Mississippi | 1911 | SWAC |
Jacksonville State | Gamecocks | Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville | Alabama | 1904 | Ohio Valley[c] |
James Madison | Dukes | James Madison University | Harrisonburg | Virginia | 1972 | CAA |
Kennesaw State | Owls | Kennesaw State University | Kennesaw | Georgia | 2015 | Big South[f] |
Lafayette | Leopards | Lafayette College | Easton | Pennsylvania | 1882 | Patriot |
Lamar | Cardinals | Lamar University | Beaumont | Texas | 1923 2009 | Southland[a] |
Lehigh | Mountain Hawks | Lehigh University | Bethlehem | Pennsylvania | 1884 | Patriot |
LIU[g] | Sharks | Long Island University | Brookville | New York | 1957[h] | Northeast |
Maine | Black Bears | University of Maine | Orono | Maine | 1892 | CAA |
Marist | Red Foxes | Marist College | Poughkeepsie | New York | 1965 | Pioneer |
McNeese State | Cowboys | McNeese State University | Lake Charles | Louisiana | 1950 | Southland |
Mercer | Bears | Mercer University | Macon | Georgia | 1891 2013 | Southern |
Mississippi Valley State | Delta Devils | Mississippi Valley State University | Itta Bena | Mississippi | 1953 | SWAC |
Missouri State | Bears | Missouri State University | Springfield | Missouri | 1909 | Missouri Valley |
Monmouth | Hawks | Monmouth University | West Long Branch | New Jersey | 1993 | Big South |
Montana | Grizzlies | University of Montana | Missoula | Montana | 1897 | Big Sky |
Montana State | Bobcats | Montana State University | Bozeman | Montana | 1897 | Big Sky |
Morehead State | Eagles | Morehead State University | Morehead | Kentucky | 1924 | Pioneer |
Morgan State | Bears | Morgan State University | Baltimore | Maryland | 1897 | MEAC |
Murray State | Racers | Murray State University | Murray | Kentucky | 1924 | Ohio Valley |
New Hampshire | Wildcats | University of New Hampshire | Durham | New Hampshire | 1893 | CAA |
Nicholls | Colonels | Nicholls State University | Thibodaux | Louisiana | 1972 | Southland |
Norfolk State | Spartans | Norfolk State University | Norfolk | Virginia | 1938 | MEAC |
North Carolina A&T | Aggies | North Carolina A&T State University | Greensboro | North Carolina | 1901 | MEAC[i] |
North Carolina Central | Eagles | North Carolina Central University | Durham | North Carolina | 1921 | MEAC |
North Dakota | Fighting Hawks | University of North Dakota | Grand Forks | North Dakota | 1894 | Missouri Valley |
North Dakota State | Bison | North Dakota State University | Fargo | North Dakota | 1894 | Missouri Valley |
Northern Arizona | Lumberjacks | Northern Arizona University | Flagstaff | Arizona | 1915 | Big Sky |
Northern Colorado | Bears | University of Northern Colorado | Greeley | Colorado | 1892 | Big Sky |
Northern Iowa | Panthers | University of Northern Iowa | Cedar Falls | Iowa | 1895 | Missouri Valley |
Northwestern State | Demons | Northwestern State University | Natchitoches | Louisiana | 1907 | Southland |
Penn | Quakers | University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | 1876 | Ivy |
Portland State | Vikings | Portland State University | Portland[j] | Oregon | 1947 | Big Sky |
Prairie View A&M | Panthers | Prairie View A&M University | Prairie View | Texas | 1906 | SWAC |
Presbyterian | Blue Hose | Presbyterian College | Clinton | South Carolina | 1913 | Independent[k] |
Princeton | Tigers | Princeton University | Princeton | New Jersey | 1869 | Ivy |
Rhode Island | Rams | University of Rhode Island | Kingston | Rhode Island | 1895 | CAA |
Richmond | Spiders | University of Richmond | Richmond | Virginia | 1881 | CAA |
Robert Morris | Colonials | Robert Morris University | Moon Township | Pennsylvania | 1994 | Big South[l] |
Sacramento State | Hornets | California State University, Sacramento | Sacramento | California | 1954 | Big Sky |
Sacred Heart | Pioneers | Sacred Heart University | Fairfield | Connecticut | 1991 | Northeast |
Saint Francis | Red Flash | Saint Francis University | Loretto | Pennsylvania | 1909 | Northeast |
Sam Houston | Bearkats | Sam Houston State University | Huntsville | Texas | 1912 | Southland[a] |
Samford | Bulldogs | Samford University | Birmingham | Alabama | 1902 | Southern |
San Diego | Toreros | University of San Diego | San Diego | California | 1956 | Pioneer |
South Carolina State | Bulldogs | South Carolina State University | Orangeburg | South Carolina | 1906 | MEAC |
South Dakota | Coyotes | University of South Dakota | Vermillion | South Dakota | 1889 | Missouri Valley |
South Dakota State | Jackrabbits | South Dakota State University | Brookings | South Dakota | 1889 | Missouri Valley |
Southeast Missouri State | Redhawks | Southeast Missouri State University | Cape Girardeau | Missouri | 1902 | Ohio Valley |
Southeastern Louisiana | Lions | Southeastern Louisiana University | Hammond | Louisiana | 1930 | Southland |
Southern | Jaguars | Southern University | Baton Rouge | Louisiana | 1915 | SWAC |
Southern Illinois | Salukis | Southern Illinois University Carbondale | Carbondale | Illinois | 1904 | Missouri Valley |
Southern Utah | Thunderbirds | Southern Utah University | Cedar City | Utah | 1929 | Big Sky[m] |
Stephen F. Austin | Lumberjacks | Stephen F. Austin State University | Nacogdoches | Texas | 1923 | Southland[a] |
Stetson | Hatters | Stetson University | DeLand | Florida | 1901 | Pioneer |
Stony Brook | Seawolves | Stony Brook University | Stony Brook | New York | 1969 | CAA |
Tennessee State | Tigers | Tennessee State University | Nashville | Tennessee | 1916 | Ohio Valley |
Tennessee Tech | Golden Eagles | Tennessee Technological University | Cookeville | Tennessee | 1917 | Ohio Valley |
Texas Southern | Tigers | Texas Southern University | Houston | Texas | 1947 | SWAC |
Towson | Tigers | Towson University | Towson | Maryland | 1968 | CAA |
UC Davis | Aggies | University of California, Davis | Davis | California | 1915 | Big Sky |
UT Martin | Skyhawks | University of Tennessee at Martin | Martin | Tennessee | 1953 | Ohio Valley |
Valparaiso | New name TBC | Valparaiso University | Valparaiso | Indiana | 1906 | Pioneer |
Villanova | Wildcats | Villanova University | Villanova | Pennsylvania | 1894 | CAA |
VMI | Keydets | Virginia Military Institute | Lexington | Virginia | 1873 | Southern |
Wagner | Seahawks | Wagner College | New York | New York | 1927 | Northeast |
Weber State | Wildcats | Weber State University | Ogden | Utah | 1962 | Big Sky |
Western Carolina | Catamounts | Western Carolina University | Cullowhee | North Carolina | 1931 | Southern |
Western Illinois | Leathernecks | Western Illinois University | Macomb | Illinois | 1903 | Missouri Valley |
William & Mary | Tribe | College of William & Mary | Williamsburg | Virginia | 1893 | CAA |
Wofford | Terriers | Wofford College | Spartanburg | South Carolina | 1889 | Southern |
Yale | Bulldogs | Yale University | New Haven | Connecticut | 1872 | Ivy |
Youngstown State | Penguins | Youngstown State University | Youngstown | Ohio | 1938 | Missouri Valley |
- ^ a b c d The Western Athletic Conference will reinstate football in the fall 2021 season with nine members—full conference members Abilene Christian, Dixie State, Lamar, Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austin, and Tarleton, plus single-sport members Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, and Jacksonville State.
- ^ a b Bethune–Cookman and Florida A&M will move to the Southwestern Athletic Conference in 2021.
- ^ a b c Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, and Jacksonville State will become football-only members of the Western Athletic Conference for the fall 2021 season, coinciding with their entry into the non-football ASUN Conference. The ASUN plans to launch a football league in 2022, at which time these schools will add football to their ASUN membership.
- ^ Although the academic core of the Harvard campus, including the university administration, is located in Cambridge, the school's athletic complex, including the football stadium, is within the city limits of Boston.
- ^ This is Idaho's second stint in the grouping now known as FCS; it had been a member of what was then known as Division I-AA from the group's creation in 1978 through 1995, after which it moved to the league then known as the Pacific Coast Athletic Association (now the Big West Conference). At that time, the PCAA sponsored FBS (then Division I-A) football.
- ^ Kennesaw State will move football to its full-time home of the ASUN Conference once that conference starts its football league in 2022.
- ^ Effective in 2019–20, Long Island University merged its two athletic programs—the Division I non-football LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds and Division II football-sponsoring LIU Post Pioneers—into a single D-I athletic program under the Sharks name. The LIU Post football team became the new LIU football team, playing at its current home on the Post campus and joining the Northeast Conference. LIU was immediately eligible for the playoffs, as it was treated as a new football program of an existing D-I institution, but lost all its Division I games in the 2019 season and failed to qualify.
- ^ First season of the LIU Post program that became the LIU program in 2019. The Brooklyn campus first played football in 1928, but dropped the sport in 1940, before the Post campus existed; LIU traces the history of its current football program through Post.
- ^ North Carolina A&T will move to the Big South Conference in 2021.
- ^ Portland State's campus is in the city of Portland, but it plays its home football games in the suburb of Hillsboro.
- ^ Presbyterian began a transition to non-scholarship football in 2017. It left Big South Conference football after the 2019 season (though it remains a member in other sports), played as an FCS independent in a scheduling agreement with the Pioneer Football League in 2020–21, and fully joins the PFL in July 2021.
- ^ After leaving the football-sponsoring Northeast Conference for the non-football Horizon League in July 2020, Robert Morris had planned to play the 2020–21 season as an FCS independent before joining Big South Conference football in July 2021. With three of the Big South's eight planned football members not playing in the rescheduled spring 2021 conference season, the conference brought RMU into its football league earlier than planned.
- ^ Southern Utah will join the WAC and its revived football league in 2022.
Transitioning from Division II
The following programs are transitioning from NCAA Division II to FCS. Under current NCAA rules, they must have an invitation from a Division I conference to begin the transition. During the four-year transition period, they are ineligible for the FCS playoffs.
Team | School | City | State | Founded | First played | Conference | Full membership |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dixie State Trailblazers | Dixie State University | St. George | Utah | 1911 | 2006 | Independent | 2024[a] |
Merrimack Warriors | Merrimack College | North Andover | Massachusetts | 1947 | 1985 | Northeast | 2023[b] |
North Alabama Lions | University of North Alabama | Florence | Alabama | 1830 | 1912 | Big South | 2022[c] |
Tarleton Texans | Tarleton State University | Stephenville | Texas | 1899 | 1961 | Independent | 2024[a] |
- ^ a b Dixie State and Tarleton began transitions from Division II to Division I in July 2020, with both joining the non-football Western Athletic Conference. Because of their ongoing transitions, they will not be full football members when the WAC football league is reinstated in 2021, though they are included in WAC football scheduling. At least for the fall 2021 season, games against these schools will not count in conference standings.
- ^ Merrimack began a transition from Division II to Division I in 2019, joining the Northeast Conference as a full member, including football.
- ^ North Alabama began a transition from Division II to Division I in 2018, joining the non-football ASUN Conference. The Lions joined Big South football under the terms of an agreement between the ASUN and Big South that guarantees a home in Big South football to any school in either conference that awards football scholarships. This agreement will end after the 2021 fall season, as the ASUN plans to establish its own football league in 2022, with North Alabama as a member.
Transitioning from Division III
Normally, under current NCAA rules, teams are not allowed to reclassify directly from NCAA Division III to Division I. However, after St. Thomas was involuntarily removed from the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, they and their future primary conference home, the Summit League, worked with the NCAA to move directly to Division I. On July 15, 2020, it was announced that the NCAA had approved this transition, and St. Thomas will play in Division I starting with the 2021 season.[1]
Team | School | City | State | Founded | First played | Conference | Full membership |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St. Thomas Tommies | University of St. Thomas | Saint Paul | Minnesota | 1885 | 1904 | Pioneer Football League | 2026 |
Programs moving to FCS
Team | School | City | State | Current conference | Future conference | First played | Full membership |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UTRGV Vaqueros | University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | Edinburg[a] | Texas | No football program | Western Athletic Conference[b] | 2024[c] | 2024 |
- ^ UTRGV has six campuses within its service area, but its athletic program is based at the Edinburg campus, which it inherited from one of its predecessor institutions, the University of Texas–Pan American. The UTPA athletic program was transferred intact to UTRGV.
- ^ While UTRGV has not officially announced its future football affiliation, it is already a full WAC member, making it all but certain to join WAC football.
- ^ The former UTPA played football while it was a junior college, but never had a football program as a four-year institution.
Map
Notes
- ^ "St. Thomas gets approval from NCAA to go Division I". Star Tribune. July 16, 2020. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
See also
- List of NCAA Division I FCS football stadiums
- List of NCAA Division I non-football programs
- List of NCAA Division I institutions
- List of NCAA Division II institutions
- List of NCAA Division III institutions
- List of NCAA Division I FBS football programs
- List of NCAA Division II football programs
- List of NCAA Division III football programs
- List of NAIA football programs
- List of community college football programs
- List of colleges and universities with club football teams
- List of NCAA Division I schools that have never sponsored football
- List of defunct college football teams
References
External links
- NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Sponsorship