BSC Football: Undefeated No More

Birmingham, Alabama: Brand new Russell Athletic uniforms.  Brand new helmets, donning a clean logo.  The sounds of cranes, bulldozers, and jackhammers, constructing a multi-million dollar stadium, not to mention excitement surrounding the whole campus.   

I'm not talking about a DI mid-major who is upgrading, trying to play with the big boys of the BCS conferences; I'm talking about DIII newcomer, Birmingham-Southern College (BSC). 

The former DI program recently dropped all the way down to DIII.  BSC was in the Big South Conference, probably best known for members such as Coastal Carolina, Winthrop, and Virginia Military Institute.  

Now, they are in a transitional period to move into the SCAC, which includes schools such as Trinity, Millsaps, Rhodes, and Sewanee (The University of the South).

BSC played its first collegiate varsity football game since 1939 on Saturday.  They lost on a last minute field goal to Rhodes, 10-7. 

I guess Birmingham-Southern students can't wear their "Undefeated Since 1939" T-shirts any longer.   

BSC had no football team while at the DI ranks, but decided to build one from scratch when the ruling moving them to DIII was announced.

I like the idea in light of the fact that Birmingham is located in the heart of football country.  The state of Alabama is obsessed with Alabama and Auburn football, not to mention High School Football. 

MTV aired two seasons of Alabama's most notorious high school football program, Hoover High, in their show Two-a-Days.  Look elsewhere in the state and you'll find several other high schools garnering national attention (see Prattville). 

A big bulk of the state's high school talent comes from the greater Birmingham area, where Hoover is located.  If BSC can focus on building a program off of the youngsters who can't make it into DI (be it for a lack of size, speed, or exposure),  a successfull run in DIII is certainly not out of the question. 

 Take a look at DII power, North Alabama (currently ranked 3rd).  Located in Florence, Alabama, they started out using a similar recruting philosophy.

They now have a stellar reputation in the DII ranks. Players come from as far away as Iowa, Utah, New Mexico, and even Japan to play for the Lions.

It's simple-for some student-athletes; the chance to win a National Championship outweighs the chance to say you played DI ball.  Not to mention the fact that it is vastly easier to see the field at DII and DIII schools. 

BSC has done everything right to date. 

In addition to the stadium plans, which should be completed in February, they've hired an experienced and classy coaching staff, including Head Coach Joey Jones (pictured above).  Jones played for Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant at Alabama, and doesn't have long to go to become BSC's all-time winningest coach - just 51 wins (he's currently at zero). 

My only worry: that BSC will follow in the footsteps of UAB, also located in Birmingham.  UAB started a football program in 1991 as a DIII.  In, 1993 they moved to DI-AA, and in 1996 they moved again to DI-A.  Ever since, they have struggled with facility and stadium problems. In addition, competing with Alabama and Auburn in recruiting wars has been an uphill battle .  As of 2007, UAB continues to have less than average football facilities and still uses the deteriorating Legion Field (off campus) as their home stadium. 

Be patient BSC, be patient.  Keep quoting Field of Dreams to yourselves, "If you build it, they will come".  You're currently building it, now just let them come. 

One day the program could come full circle, and you, the BSC Panthers, could become the Appalachian State of the football world.  Heck, you could even beat UAB, who knows?

The Panthers will look for their first varsity victory since 1939 against #15 Trinity (TX) on Saturday, September 29 in San Antonio, Texas.

(Coach Jones photo: bscsports.net)