COLUMBIA, Ky. -- In the fall of 2010, a new era in Lindsey Wilson athletics will kick-off -- literally.

During the spring, the Lindsey Wilson College Board of Trustees unanimously approved the mass grading of a 21-acre piece of property on the Louie B. Nunn Parkway, which will pave the way for the addition of a marching band program and resumption of the football program -- which was discontinued after the 1935 season -- in fall 2010. The first home football game at Lindsey Wilson is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 4, 2010 -- almost 75 years after the college's last home football game.

"The addition of football and marching band will enhance our campus life and give an additional 250 students a chance to live the Lindsey Wilson College mission," Lindsey Wilson athletics director Willis Pooler said. "I'm excited about what these programs will bring to our school. I truly believe that these additions will compliment everything we already do for our students and their experiences while here at Lindsey Wilson."

The addition of football will increase the Lindsey Wilson athletic department to 14 sports and 31 varsity, junior varsity and club teams. The Blue Raiders will compete in the Mid-South Conference, becoming the 13th team in the largest conference in the NAIA.

"Adding football brings us in line with the institutions we compete with in every other sport," Pooler said. "We are the last full-time member of the Mid-South Conference to begin football and this gives us another opportunity to compete with those schools."

Starting football from scratch is a massive undertaking for Pooler and the entire administration.

"We understand there will be a learning curve involved with beginning football," Pooler said. "But that's part of the excitement. I intend to treat football like the rest of our sports. We will strive to field a competitive program while nurturing our student-athletes and providing them the best possible opportunity to succeed on and off the field."

The process of working towards kick-off in 2010 begins almost immediately. Lindsey Wilson will begin a national search this fall for the program's first head coach since 1935.

"Hiring the coach 18 months ahead of time and coordinators a year in advance shows the commitment from the administration to the process," Pooler said. "It is a gigantic understatement to say we are excited and eager to bring football back to Lindsey Wilson College."