THE COLLEGE GAME · 2026
FCS Independents · Program & school history
Browse all programsCollege player coverage. Explore dated rosters and player details for 266 FBS and FCS programs. Every saved roster entry has a dated summary. Selected profiles include additional official-source background. Coverage varies by school; coaching backgrounds, program history and FAQs are still being expanded. Please check source dates and confirm changes with the schools. Division II, Division III and NAIA directories are not yet included.
Dated information, not a live feed. Rosters, roles and schedules can change. Please confirm details with the official sources. Name variations or duplicate entries may remain.
History
Chicago State’s College of Education traces the institution to a teacher-training school formed in a railroad boxcar in 1867. Its history identifies the later Cook County Normal School name.
Checked 2026-11-01 · Sources: History | College of Education | Chicago State University
History
The College of Education describes north and south branches of Chicago Teachers College. The north branch became Northeastern Illinois University, while the south branch became Chicago State. This is institutional history, separate from football’s later beginning.
Checked 2026-11-01 · Sources: History | College of Education | Chicago State University
History
Chicago State’s nursing history records leadership appointments in March 1971, program approval in 1972 and the division’s development into a college in 1974. These milestones illustrate the university’s expansion beyond teacher preparation.
Checked 2026-11-01 · Sources: Nursing History | Nursing | Chicago State University
History
Founded in 1990, the Gwendolyn Brooks Center for Black Literature and Creative Writing connects Chicago State to the distinguished poet and former CSU English professor. Its mission promotes the study of Black writers.
Checked 2026-11-01 · Sources: Gwendolyn Brooks Center | Communication, Media Arts and Theatre | Chicago State University
History
A January 26, 2023 athletics FAQ described a committee studying football and other possible sports expansion. Its earliest possible 2025 football target was conditional on recommendations and board approval, rather than an established playing season.
Checked 2026-11-01 · Sources: FAQ For Exploratory Committee - Chicago State University Athletics
History
The NEC welcomed Chicago State on July 1, 2024, following acceptance of its invitation in December 2023. This university-wide conference milestone preceded the launch of Chicago State football.
Checked 2026-11-01 · Sources: A New Chapter: Chicago State & Mercyhurst Officially Join NEC - NEC
History
Chicago State’s December 18, 2025 announcement reported unanimous board approval of football and identified 2026 as its inaugural season. It described an independent first season followed by planned NEC football competition in 2027.
Checked 2026-11-01 · Sources: Chicago State University Ushers in a New Era with Addition of Football, Bringing Chicago Its Only NCAA Division I Program | News Articles | Chicago State University
These sourced summaries are prepared with AI assistance and checked against the linked material. They are not independently audited or presented as human-reviewed. Please verify details with the original sources; checked dates are not promises of live updates.