College Football: 6 defunct programs we'd like to see reborn

College Football: 6 defunct programs we’d like to see reborn

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 17: Head coach Bill Clark of the UAB Blazers reacts to pass interference called on his defense against the Texas A&M Aggies in the second quarter at Kyle Field on November 17, 2018 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

5. Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers

Year started: 1899

Last active season: 1974

Why doesn’t the city of Milwaukee have a football team of its own?

A state that has a population of nearly six million people with only one current Division I program. A city without its own football team to call home, where the NFL’s Green Bay Packers are 117 miles away (yeah, I was surprised by that amount of distance, too). A university with a thriving club football program as of 2003. A school with a student body of 26,000. What could go wrong?

A resurgent Panthers football program could compete in the MAC by replacing an already existing member or coming in as an extra, competing with nearby Northern Illinois and the directional Michigan schools. If you want to shoot for the stars, maybe even get invited as an 11th or 12th member of the ten-team Big 12.

UWM has proven that it can commit resources to excellent athletic programs; the school has won the Horizon League all-sports honor six times since 2000. Adding a competitive D-I football team is an enticing challenge to undertake.

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