UMES Takes A Pass On Hawks Football Team - WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's Choice

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - Don't expect to see any high flying passes and hard hitting tackles from the Hawks next season.

University Of Maryland Eastern Shore's intercollegiate football team is out of play, at least for another three to five years.

"It's very expensive to maintain and operate an existing program, and starting one is even more expensive, so really it is an economic issue primarily," UMES Director of Public Relations, Bill Robinson.

Last year, a task force was appointed to measure the feasibility, and decided to pass on its reinstatement. For 32 long years, the stadium stood empty after the loss of its Division I sport, but this past Fall it was revived again once, the club football team took over the field.

"There's nothing like coming to an outside home game, and all the fans and everybody is here cheering," said UMES senior, Jamaal Peterman.

While the club games are entertaining, it probably won't get its star athletes to the NFL. Bryant Mitchell, Head Coach and former Hawks player says he just wants the school to keep this goal in mind and get the ball rolling.

"Essentially we're not disappointed what we've been asking the university all these years is to support a fundraising effort Officials say it could cost a couple million dollars to bring back the team.

There is a fund set up on the school's website called Hawks For Football. Just go to www.umes.edu/football/ to make a donation.