Kennesaw State University Athletics

1999: President Betty Siegel convenes a committee to study the addition of football. The committee concludes that football in Division II is not viable. It further states that, if football is to be initiated, KSU should be in Division I of the NCAA and have a firm business plan along with sustainable revenue streams.

2002: President Siegel creates a committee to review options for football at Kennesaw State – Chaired by Dr. Stan Dysart.

2003; May: Dr. Siegel creates a Task Force to review overall direction for Kennesaw State Athletics related to NCAA Dll membership vs. elevating the program to NCAA Dl level – Chaired by Spec Landrum – the University’s first Athletic Director.

2003: November: Feasibility Task Force recommends to President Siegel, Kennesaw State Department of Athletics and cabinet to move to NCAA Dl in two phases:

• Women’s soccer and Men’s Golf move to Dl under the two year, fast track program
• Remaining sports move to Dl under normal four-year transition
• Kennesaw State will add sports to meet minimum requirements by 2005-06
• Kennesaw State should continue to investigate the addition of football

2005: January: Kennesaw State joins the Atlantic Sun Conference for participation in Fall semester 2005.

2006: April: Athletic Department initiates a feasibility study conducted by Turner & Associates to determine if Kennesaw State Athletics could execute a successful capital campaign to raise funds to further expand the program and improve and/or build needed facilities to start football.

2006: September: Turner & Associates provides a detailed report to Kennesaw State Athletics supporting a plan to run a capital campaign to raise funds related to identifying needs of the programs and to expand the program.

2009: December: President Papp announces that Coach Vince Dooley would head a thirty-three member Exploratory Committee to determine if Kennesaw State is ready to add football related to financial requirements, academic support and Title IX impact of football to the existing programs.

2010: May 2: Ribbon cutting for Fifth Third Bank Stadium.

2010: May 9: First event in Fifth Third Bank Stadium history is staged as the Atlanta Beat hosts Sky Blue FC.

2010: August 14: First Kennesaw State athletics event is held at Fifth Third Bank Stadium as the women’s soccer team hosts Jacksonville State in an exhibition match.

2010: September 15: Coach Dooley’s Feasibility Task Force recommends that Kennesaw State move forward to form and start a Football Committee.

2010: November 16: Kennesaw State University students approve a $100 per semester fee increase to support the funding of football.

2011: April: Vaughn Williams is announced as the new Director of Athletics for Kennesaw State University bringing extensive experiences at DI institutions that have mid-major to BCS level programs.

2012: October 10: Kennesaw State University Student Fee Committee votes in favor of an increase in student fees to support football and additional women’s sports related to Title IX requirements. The fee will be implemented in the fall of 2013.

2013: January 4: Kennesaw State University’s request to begin playing football in 2015 and adding a $100 per-semester student fee is placed on the University System of Georgia Board of Regents agenda.

2013: January 8: Kennesaw State University’s request to begin playing football in 2015 and adding a $100 per-semester student fee is deferred by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents.

2013: February 9: Kennesaw State University’s request to begin playing football in 2015 and adding a $100 per-semester student fee is placed on the University System of Georgia Board of Regents agenda.

2013: February 13: Kennesaw State University’s request to begin playing football in 2015 and adding a $100 per-semester student fee is approved by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents.

2013: February 14: Kennesaw State announces that it will add football and play at the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) level beginning in 2015. The University also announces a multi-year, multi-million dollar sponsorship arrangement with Fifth Third Bank. Included in the sponsorship deal is the renaming of KSU Stadium to Fifth Third Bank Stadium.

2013: February: Planning for renovations to Fifth Third Bank Stadium begins.
2013: March: Renovations of space for football program offices begins.
2013: March: KSU Football Briefings are scheduled to begin for the public to learn more about the process from Department of Athletics representatives.
2013: March 24: Brian Bohannon named Kennesaw State's first head football coach
2013: March 26: Brian Bohannon introduced as Kennesaw State's first head football coach
2013: April 1: Football Ticket Letter of Intent Program begins
2013: April 16: Grant Chesnut named offensive coordinator/offensive line coach
2013: April 17: Liam Klein named assistant coach
2013: April 18: Shane Bowen named assistant coach
2013: May 1: Head coach Brian Bohannon moves into temporary office on second floor of Fifth Third Bank
2013: May 13: Jay Bailey named director of football operations
2013: May 20: Tim Glanton named A-backs/slot coach
2013: May 28: Brett Gilliland named quarterbacks/B-backs coach
2013: June 17: Brian Newberry named defensive coordinator
2013: August 5: Renovations begin on coaches offices
2013: August 12: Kennesaw State surpasses 1,000 football season ticket deposits
2013: September 4: KSU accepts invitation to join Big South Conference as associate member for football
2013: September 13: Kennesaw State unveils official gold helmet at women's soccer game
2013: October 16: Kennesaw State football coaches move into new office facility
2013: November 14: Kennesaw State announces home-and-home series with East Tennessee State that will begin with its first-ever game on Thursday, September 3, 2015 in Johnson City, Tenn. The two teams will meet again on Saturday, September 3, 2016 at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.
2013: December 12: Kennesaw State surpasses 2,000 season ticket deposits
2014: January 7: Big South announces 2015 conference schedule
2014: February 5: Kennesaw State signs 29 student-athletes as part of inaugural recruiting class
2014: February 6: Head Coach Brian Bohannon completes coaching staff with the hiring of Chris Bland (Cornerbacks), Stewart Cook (Tight Ends & Tackles), Mike Daniels (Wide Receivers), Kevin Downing (Defensive Ends), Cody Worley (Quarterbacks).
2014: February 6: Kennesaw State announces completion of 2015 home schedule
2014: February 19: Kennesaw State surpasses 2,500 season ticket deposits
2014: March 22: Open tryout held for enrolled Kennesaw State students
2014: April 3: Jim Kiritsy named director of strength and conditioning for football
2014: April 9: Kennesaw State finalizes 2015 schedule with addition of road game at Cumberland
2014: May 1: Daniel Glynn named equipment manager
2014: May 1: Philip Young named assistant director of sports medicine/Head football athletic trainer
2014: June 9: Keith Smith named football video coordinator
2014: June 10: Kennesaw surpasses 3,000 season ticket deposits
2014: August 15: First Kennesaw State recruiting class reports to campus
2014: August 19: Kennesaw State football holds first workout
2014: August 20: Kennesaw State announces it will open 2018 season Georgia State
2015: January 19: Kennesaw State announces that Brian Giffin, Tutan Reyes and Art Eckman will form broadcasting team
2015: February 4: Kennesaw State signs second recruiting class
2015: March 28: Gold team wins first Black and Gold Game, 21-0

UPCOMING MILESTONES for KENNESAW STATE FOOTBALL
2015: August 1: Kennesaw State opens fall practice.
2015: September 3: Inaugural Kennesaw State football game at East Tennessee State
2015: September 12: Inaugural Kennesaw State home football game versus Edward Waters