Chicago State University set to play inaugural football game this month

Chicago State University is less than a month away from launching its first football season, with the Cougars set to play the program's inaugural game Aug. 29 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview.

>More than three years in the making, the Far South Side university is on the verge of fielding the city's first Division I college football program. For players from Chicago, the opportunity to represent both their hometown and a new program carries added significance.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch"Every time I put these pads on, I think I'm representing the city," said Kaymen Coleman, a graduate of Von Steuben.

>Arshawn Powell, an Evergreen Park graduate, said the chance to play close to home is meaningful.

>"I get to come out in my hometown and build something new," Powell said.

>The team's enthusiasm was on display during Wednesday's practice, where players stopped mid-practice to huddle around and sing "Happy Birthday" to Chicago State President Z Scott.

>University leaders say the football program is part of a broader transformation at the school under Scott's leadership. According to the university, enrollment increased 12% from 2024 to 2025.

>"If you look at the trajectory of the university over the last eight-plus years under President Scott's leadership, that tells the story of why we're not the same old Chicago State," said Monique Carroll, Chicago State's vice president and director of athletics.

>Carroll said the university was able to launch the program through fundraising and donor support, covering approximately $4 million in startup costs.

>"We wanted to make sure that even in the startup phase, we didn't tax the students with the fee. We didn't lean on the university to develop additional revenue streams. So I think we really did it in a fiscally responsible way," Carroll said.

>Carroll said head coach Bobby Rome II has a full complement of scholarships available for recruiting and that the program believes it can compete immediately.

>"This isn't a boys and girls club. We're going to build a competitive, winning football program here at Chicago State," Rome said.

>Players say the goal extends beyond wins and losses in the program's first season.

>"Lay a foundation, brick by brick for something that's bigger than me," Powell said. "It's not about us. It's bigger than us. It's about the city of Chicago."

>University administrators, coaches and players say they are focused on building a successful program and generating excitement for football at Chicago State.