Florida Memorial University revives football
Florida Memorial University will bring back football, the school announced this week. The program will re-launch in 2020.
The push to revive the sport on campus was led by athletics director Ernest T. Jones, who previously served as the head coach at Alcorn State, ASA College and Morgan State.
“I would like to thank the Board of Trustees, President Jaffus Hardrick, and the city of Miami Gardens Community for the help and support,” said Jones. “It’s a new day, and Florida Memorial University will become the global university academically and athletically that others will want to mirror.”
Florida Memorial is a HBCU located in Miami Gardens. Founded by the Florida Baptist Institute in 1879, the school offers 27 undergraduate degrees and enrolls roughly 1,800 undergrads.
“Football is more than just a game, it brings immeasurable value in uniting people and having a social and cultural impact on the community and quality of life of our Residents,” said City of Miami Gardens Mayor Oliver G. Gilbert III. “This partnership between Miami Gardens, Florida’s largest predominantly Black City and FMU, South Florida’s only HBCU, underscores our commitment to bring first-rate programs to the community.”
FMU played football from 1927 through 1958, when it was known as Florida Normal and Industrial Institute. Its sports teams compete in the Sun Conference of NAIA, and it's believed the Lions' program will compete at that level as well.
Further information will be provided at a press conference on campus on Tuesday.
