Coming in 2013, you might be seeing something that hasn’t been seen since the 1940s: an old-fashioned grudge match between Catholic and American on the gridiron.

If Catholic University archbishop Donald Wuerl and American University president Cornelius M. Kerwin have their way, the Eagles and Cardinal will be fielding football teams in the Patriot League in four years. In a joint statement yesterday both university presidents proclaimed their intentions to do what few thought was possible: bring not one, but two, Division I programs to the district in the next four years.

...

“The District needs more Division I football,” Kerwin said. “We feel that with our efforts, along with (fellow Patriot League member) Georgetown, we can create real excitement.”

It will also help with male enrollment at both schools, he added. Currently American’s undergraduate population is 63% female, and Catholic’s is 54%.

Catholic, who plays in the Division III Old Dominion Athletic conference, immediately stated their intention to start the transition process to becoming a Division I institution as soon as the moratorium is lifted against a university transitioning to Division I status.

Kerwin and archbishop Wuerl freely discussed the challenges of starting up football from scratch, especially in such a challenging economic environment.

“Football is essentially an investment in the future,” Wuerl said. “While it will take several years to lay the groundwork, we think as a part of the Patriot League we can thrive as a Division I institution. What the Patriot League gives us - academically as much as athletically - is something that is well worth the investment.”

In a statement, the executive director of the Patriot League, Carolyn Schlie Femovich, praised American’s bold move. “We welcome American’s plan to start football,” she said. “This is especially timely as the League approaches its 20th anniversary as an all-sport conference in 2010-11 and is designed to enhance the brand of the League as an all-sports conference around the scholar-athlete model, both on a regional and national scene.”

Among the challenges for both Catholic and American is: where will they play? Catholic has a 3,500 seat stadium available, which will certainly be adequate. “We may need to expand the stadium,” archbishop Wuerl conceded.

As for American, while RFK stadium is available, rental costs for the 56,000 seat stadium remain daunting - and it’s likely a scheduling arrangement might need to be struck with their current tenants, DC United.

“These details will need to be worked out while we work on our plan for a stadium,” Kerwin said. “Building an on-campus field is not feasible, but we’re negotiating with RFK, Howard, and Johns Hopkins for possible venues for home games,” he said.

“We’d be fools not to consider RFK,” Kerwin added.

Football In DC: American, Catholic To Restore Rivalry In Division I
By April Sessions, The Washington Post-Times
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/apr/01/house-outlines-moderate-emissions-plan/