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The Independent Gridiron

An academic exploration of NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) independent schools, examining their unique status, historical trajectories, and strategic considerations in collegiate athletics.

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Overview

Defining FCS Independence

NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) independent schools are collegiate institutions in the United States whose football programs operate without formal affiliation to a football conference. This distinct status grants them autonomy in scheduling, as they are not bound by conference mandates to compete against specific opponents. This contrasts sharply with conference-affiliated teams, which adhere to a structured league schedule.

The Current Landscape

As of the 2025 season, the landscape of FCS independents is notably small, comprising two institutions: Merrimack College and Sacred Heart University. Both institutions find themselves in this independent classification because their primary athletic conference, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), does not sponsor football. This necessitates their football programs to forge their own competitive schedules outside of a conference structure.

Dynamic Affiliation

The status of FCS independence is often transient. For instance, Sacred Heart University is slated to transition from independent status following the 2025 season, joining CAA Football. This illustrates the fluid nature of collegiate athletic affiliations, where strategic decisions regarding conference membership are continuously evaluated based on institutional goals, competitive opportunities, and financial considerations.

Current Independents

Institutions in 2025

The following table provides a detailed overview of the institutions currently operating as NCAA Division I FCS independents for the 2025 football season. Note that Sacred Heart University's entry is highlighted due to its announced departure from independent status after the 2025 season.

Institution Location Founded First Season Joined Independent Type Enrollment Endowment Nickname Colors Primary Conference
Merrimack College North Andover, Massachusetts 1947 1996 2024 Private (Augustinian) 5,505 $55,700,000 Warriors MAAC
Sacred Heart University Fairfield, Connecticut 1963 1991 2024 Private (Catholic) 6,524 $246,000,000 Pioneers MAAC

Note: Sacred Heart University is scheduled to join CAA Football after the 2025 season, transitioning from its independent status.

Former Independents

A Historical Perspective

The history of NCAA Division I FCS independence is rich with institutions that have, at various points, operated outside of formal conference structures. This status often served as a transitional phase for programs either ascending from lower divisions, establishing new football programs, or navigating shifts in conference alignments. The table below chronicles these former FCS independents, detailing their periods of independence and subsequent conference affiliations.

The years listed represent football seasons. For fall sports like football, a conference change taking effect in a given calendar year means the final season of independent status or previous conference membership was the calendar year prior. Teams marked in italics are current FBS members, including those in their second transitional year.

Years Team Previous Conference Conference Joined Current Conference
2013 Abilene Christian Lone Star (Div. II) Southland (2014–2020) UAC (2023–present)
1987–1991 Arkansas State Southland Division I-A Independent (1992) Sun Belt (2001–present)
1997–2000 Austin Peay Ohio Valley Pioneer Football League (2001–2005) UAC (2023–present)
2006 Austin Peay Pioneer Football League Ohio Valley (2007–2021) UAC (2023–present)
1978–1985 Bucknell Division II Independent Patriot League (1986–present)
1993–1998 Buffalo Division III Independent Mid-American Conference (1999–present)
1996–2003 Cal Poly American West Great West (2004–2011) Big Sky (2012–present)
2001 Cal State Northridge Big Sky Dropped football
2006 Central Arkansas Gulf South (Div. II) Southland (2007–2020) UAC (2023–present)
1993–1995 Central Connecticut Division II Independent Northeast (1996–present)
1993–2001 Charleston Southern No football program Big South (2002–2022) OVC–Big South (2023–present)
2013–2014 Charlotte No football program CUSA (2015–2022) American (2023–present)
2016 Coastal Carolina Big South Sun Belt (2017–present)
1982–1985 Colgate Division I-A Independent Patriot League (1986–present)
1989 Davidson Colonial League Division III Independent (1990–1992)
1993–2000 Davidson Division III Independent Pioneer Football League (2001–present)
1980–1985 Delaware Division II Independent Yankee Conference (1986–1996) Conference USA (2025–present)
1993 Duquesne Division III Independent MAAC (1994–2007) Northeast (2008–present)
2015 East Tennessee State No football program Southern (2016–present)
1984–1986 Eastern Washington Division II Independent Big Sky (1987–present)
1998–2001 Elon Division II Independent Big South (2002) CAA Football (2014–present)
1984–1987 Florida A&M MEAC MEAC (1988–2003, 2005–2020) SWAC (2021–present)
2004 Florida A&M MEAC MEAC (2005–2020) SWAC (2021–present)
2002–2004 FIU No football program Sun Belt (2005–2012) CUSA (2013–present)
2001–2004 Florida Atlantic No football program Sun Belt (2005–2012) The American (2023–present)
1989 Fordham Liberty Football Conference Patriot League (1990–present)
2000 Georgetown MAAC Patriot League (2001–present)
1984–1991 Georgia Southern Club football Southern (1992–2013) Sun Belt (2014–present)
2010–2011 Georgia State No football program CAA Football (2012) Sun Belt (2013–present)
2018 Hampton MEAC Big South (2019–2021) CAA Football (2022–present)
1991–2000 Hofstra Division III Independent Atlantic 10 (2001–2006) Dropped football
1982–1985 Holy Cross Division I-A Independent Patriot League (1986–present)
2013 Houston Christian No football program Southland (2014–present)
2008 Iona MAAC (1993–2007) Dropped football
2013 Incarnate Word Lone Star (Div. II) Southland (2014–present)
1982–1985 Indiana State Division I-A Independent MVFC (1997–present)
1998–2000 Jacksonville No football program Pioneer Football League (2001–2019) Dropped football
1980–1992 James Madison Division III Independent Yankee Conference (1993–1996) Sun Belt (2022–present)
2023 Kennesaw State ASUN CUSA (2024–present)
1978–1985 Lafayette Division II Independent Patriot League (1986–present)
1987–1989 Lamar Southland Dropped program (1989–2009)
2010 Lamar No football program Southland (2011–2020) Southland (2022–present)
1997–1998 La Salle No football program (1942–1996) MAAC (1999–2007) Dropped football
1978–1985 Lehigh Division II Independent Patriot League (1986–present)
1988–2001 Liberty Division II Independent Big South (2002–2017) CUSA (2023–present)
1987–1988 Louisiana Tech Southland Division I-A Independent (1989–1992) CUSA (2013–present)
1993 Marist Liberty Football Conference MAAC (1994–2007)
2008 Marist MAAC Pioneer Football League (2009–present)
1993–1995 Monmouth No football program Northeast (1996–2012) CAA Football (2022–present)
2013 Monmouth Northeast Big South (2014–2021) CAA Football (2022–present)
1996–2000 Morehead State Ohio Valley Pioneer Football League (2001–present)
2001–2002 Morris Brown SIAC (Div. II) Dropped football
1978 Nevada Division II Independent Big Sky (1979–1991) Mountain West (2012–present)
1980–1983 Nicholls Division II Independent Gulf Star (1984–1986) Southland (1992–present)
1987–1990 Nicholls Gulf Star Southland (1991–present)
2018 North Alabama Gulf South (Div. II) Big South (2019–2021) UAC (2023–present)
2018–2019 North Dakota Big Sky MVFC (2020–present)
1978–1992 Northeastern Division II Independent Yankee (1993–1996) Dropped football (2010)
2003 Northern Colorado North Central Great West (2004–2005) Big Sky (2006–present)
1978–1983 Northwestern State Division I Independent Gulf Star (1984–1986) Southland (1987–present)
2009–2010 Old Dominion No football program CAA Football (2011–2012)
2013 Old Dominion CAA Football CUSA (2014–2021) Sun Belt (2022–present)
1978–1980 Portland State Division II Independent Division II Independent (1981) Big Sky (1996–present)
2020 Presbyterian Big South Conference Pioneer Football League (2021–present)
1982–1985 Richmond Division I-A Independent Yankee Conference (1986–1996) CAA Football (2007–present)
1994–1995 Robert Morris No football program Northeast (1996–2019) Northeast (2024–future)
1993–1995 Saint Francis (PA) Division III Independent Northeast (1996–present)
1989–2002 Samford Division III Independent Ohio Valley (2003–2007) Southern (2008–present)
2002–2009 Savannah State Division II Independent MEAC (2010–2018) SIAC (Div. II; 2019–present)
2011 South Alabama Unclassified (exhibition only) Sun Belt (2012–present)
1997–2000 South Florida No football program Division I-A Independent (2001–2002) American (2013–present)
1980–1983 Southeastern Louisiana Division II Independent Gulf Star (1984–1985) Southland (2005–present)
2003–2004 Southeastern Louisiana No football program Southland (2005–present)
1996–2003 Southern Utah American West Great West (2004–2011) UAC (2023–present)
1998–1999 St. John's MAAC Northeast (2000–2002) Dropped football (2003)
1993–2003 Saint Mary's Division II Independent Dropped football (2004)
2007 Stony Brook Northeast Big South (2008–2012) CAA Football (2013–present)
2020 Tarleton Lone Star (Division II) WAC (2021–2022) UAC (2023–present)
1981–1987 Tennessee State Division I-A Independent Ohio Valley (1988–2022) OVC–Big South (2023–present)
1987–1996 Towson Division II Independent Patriot League (1997–2003) CAA Football (2007–present)
1993–1995 Troy Division II Independent Southland (1996–2000)
2001 Troy Southland Division I-A Independent (2002–2003) Sun Belt (2004–present)
1993–1995 UAB Division III Independent Division I-A Independent (1996–1998) American (2023–present)
1990–1995 UCF Division II Independent Division I-A Independent (1996–2001) Big 12 (2023–present)
2020 Utah Tech RMAC (Division II) WAC (2021–2022) UAC (2023–present)
2011 UTSA No football program WAC (2012) American (2023–present)
1987 Villanova No football program Yankee Conference (1988–1996) CAA Football (2007–present)
1993–1995 Wagner Liberty Football Conference Northeast (1996–present)
1982–1998 Western Kentucky Ohio Valley Ohio Valley (1999–2000)
2007–2008 Western Kentucky Gateway Football Conference Sun Belt (2009–2013) CUSA (2014–present)
1982–1992 William & Mary Division I-A Independent Yankee Conference (1993–1996) CAA Football (2007–present)
1995–1996 Wofford Division II Independent Southern (1997–present)
2006 Winston–Salem State CIAA (Div. II) MEAC (2007–2009) CIAA (Div. II) (2010–present)
1988–1996 Youngstown State Ohio Valley MVFC (1997–present)

History

Evolution of Independence

The concept of NCAA Division I-AA (now FCS) independent schools emerged with the formation of Division I-AA in 1978. Initially, a number of institutions opted for or found themselves in an independent status, often as they transitioned between divisions or established new football programs. This period allowed for greater flexibility in scheduling and program development, albeit without the guaranteed competitive structure and revenue sharing often associated with conference membership.

Pathways to Affiliation

Over the decades, many former FCS independents have successfully transitioned into established conferences, both within the FCS and, for some, even into the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). This trajectory often involves a period of independence to build a competitive program and demonstrate viability before securing a conference invitation. The dynamic nature of collegiate athletics means that independence can be a strategic stepping stone rather than a permanent state.

Notes

Clarifications and Context

The following notes provide essential context and clarifications regarding the historical affiliations and transitions of various institutions mentioned in the former independents list:

  1. Arkansas State has been a full Sun Belt member since 1991, but the conference did not sponsor football until 2001.
  2. Austin Peay only departed OVC football; it remained a full but non-football member before returning to OVC football in 2007.
  3. The conference now known as the Patriot League began in 1986 as the football-only Colonial League. It adopted its current name in 1990, when it became an all-sports conference.
  4. Buffalo became a full member of the MAC in 1998, but was not a football member until 1999.
  5. The Great West Conference began in 2004 as the Great West Football Conference. It became an all-sports conference in 2008.
  6. Coastal Carolina joined the Sun Belt Conference as a full but non-football member in 2016, and joined Sun Belt football in 2017.
  7. Delaware had been a full member of the Coastal Athletic Association from 2001 to 2024 (when that conference was known as the Colonial Athletic Association). However, the CAA did not sponsor football until 2007, when it effectively took over the football league previously sponsored by the Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10), establishing the separate entity of CAA Football to govern that sport.
  8. CAA Football is the direct successor of both the Yankee Conference and A-10 football conference. The football-only Yankee Conference was absorbed by the A-10 after the 1996 season. After the 2006 season, the A-10 dropped football after all of its football members joined the newly formed CAA Football. The Yankee Conference's automatic bid to the I-AA/FCS playoffs passed in succession to the A-10 and CAA Football.
  9. Delaware began its transition to FBS in 2024 and joined Conference USA in 2025.
  10. ETSU resurrected its football program, dormant since the end of the 2003 season, in 2015, playing that season as an independent before joining Southern Conference football in 2016.
  11. ETSU, which had previously been a Southern Conference member from 1978 to 2005, rejoined the SoCon in 2014, initially as a non-football member.
  12. Florida A&M was a member of the MEAC in 1986 & 1987, but games played did not count as conference games.
  13. Florida A&M was a member of the MEAC in 2004, but games played did not count as conference games.
  14. Known before 2022 as Houston Baptist.
  15. The MVFC did not adopt its current name until 2008. Before then, it was known as the Gateway Collegiate Athletic Conference (1982–1993) and Gateway Football Conference (1993–2008).
  16. Liberty became a full member of the Big South in 1991, remaining a member until joining the non-football ASUN Conference in 2018, but the Big South did not sponsor football until 2002.
  17. Liberty began a transition to FBS in the 2017 season, and became a full FBS member in 2019.
  18. South Alabama has been a Sun Belt member from the conference's creation in 1976. However, the Sun Belt did not sponsor football until 2001. South Alabama did not start a football program until 2009, and did not play Sun Belt football until 2012.
  19. The original Big East Conference split into the football-sponsoring American Athletic Conference and a new non-football Big East Conference in 2013. South Florida remained with the FBS schools in The American.
  20. Southeastern Louisiana dropped football after the 1985 season.
  21. Towson was a CAA member at the conference's formation in 1979, but left in 1981; after having been a member of four other conferences, it rejoined the CAA in 2001. However, the CAA did not sponsor football until 2007, when it effectively took over the football league previously sponsored by the Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10), establishing the separate entity of CAA Football to govern that sport.
  22. Troy joined the Sun Belt for football in 2004, and became an all-sports member in 2005.
  23. Known before 2022 as Dixie State.
  24. William & Mary has been a CAA member since the conference's establishment in 1979. However, the CAA did not sponsor football until 2007, when it effectively took over the football league previously sponsored by the Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10), establishing the separate entity of CAA Football for that sport.

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References

References

  1.  Arkansas State has been a full Sun Belt member since 1991, but the conference did not sponsor football until 2001.
  2.  Austin Peay only departed OVC football; it remained a full but non-football member before returning to OVC football in 2007.
  3.  The conference now known as the Patriot League began in 1986 as the football-only Colonial League. It adopted its current name in 1990, when it became an all-sports conference.
  4.  The Great West Conference began in 2004 as the Great West Football Conference. It became an all-sports conference in 2008.
  5.  Coastal Carolina joined the Sun Belt Conference as a full but non-football member in 2016, and joined Sun Belt football in 2017.
  6.  Delaware begun its transition to FBS in 2024 and joined Conference USA in 2025.
  7.  ETSU resurrected its football program, dormant since the end of the 2003 season, in 2015, playing that season as an independent before joining Southern Conference football in 2016.
  8.  ETSU, which had previously been a Southern Conference member from 1978 to 2005, rejoined the SoCon in 2014, initially as a non-football member.
  9.  Florida A&M was a member of the MEAC in 1986 & 1987, but games played did not count as conference games.
  10.  South Alabama has been a Sun Belt member from the conference's creation in 1976. However, the Sun Belt did not sponsor football until 2001. South Alabama did not start a football program until 2009, and did not play Sun Belt football until 2012.
A full list of references for this article are available at the NCAA Division I FCS independent schools Wikipedia page

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