Just an observation and venting disappointment. EKU is often referred to as the first 1AA/FCS Dynasty. To say we have fallen on hard times is an understatement. Football history has numerous conference championships (more than anyone else in our old conference, and in no one else even close). Second (22 appearances, behind Montana with 27) for trips to the playoffs. Too many other achievements to list here. Most of our peers at the time we were winning 2 National Championships (4 straight trips to the National Championship game), have moved up. Not to labor old news, we had a president at the time that was stuck in neutral. Was said at the time that we would pay for his lack of vision 25+ years down the road, and so here we are!
EKU is now the third largest university in Kentucky (behind UK and Louisville). Richmond is one of the fastest growing cities in Kentucky. A new School of Osteopathic Medicine had been approved and is on its way to opening soon. Yet, here we are marking time in athletics. It is no secret we need and must have a major overhaul to Kidd Stadium, even better a new one. (Well, the campus does look good)
I don't know where we are headed, hopefully in a better direction than I have seen in the last 30+ years.
This rant is no reflection of other UAC U's. It is only an old, die hard EKU fan that wants to see better than what we have been given lately! This past athletic season in all three men's major sports was a huge disappointment.

All of us diehards feel the same, whether we were considered part of any dynasty or not. All of look back to days where we were part of a larger conversation in one sport or another. ACU was never a large school numerically. We are in state where there are a sea of schools competing at a high level. Currently, the Cats are in a position once again where we are at least part of the national conversation in football. No national title yet. At the time we had our last national titles, sports conferences looked, and operated, a lot different. I think it's harder to maintain sustained success in today's world. These are just different times. While we have been doing better in football, many of our other sports have fallen behind. The thing about being a diehard is that we always fight on and push for the best for our schools. My hope is that the UAC itself becomes a dynasty to be reckoned with and remembered.

I am sure everyone feels the same regarding success of our University. The comment regarding "first FCS dynasty" is often used (I did not make that up). The following is from an internet search. For those of us around during those years, what's going on is a tough pill to swallow.

Eastern Kentucky University is widely recognized as the first official dynasty in FCS (historically Division I-AA)
football. Under legendary head coach Roy Kidd, the Colonels advanced to the national championship game in four consecutive seasons from 1979 to 1982.

During this four-year span (1979-1982),
Eastern Kentucky compiled a staggering 46-7 record, captured back-to-back national titles in 1979 and
1982, and finished as the national runner-up in 1980 and 1981.

(07-04-2026 06:11 PM)LexColonel Wrote:  I am sure everyone feels the same regarding success of our University. The comment regarding "first FCS dynasty" is often used (I did not make that up). The following is from an internet search. For those of us around during those years, what's going on is a tough pill to swallow.

Eastern Kentucky University is widely recognized as the first official dynasty in FCS (historically Division I-AA)
football. Under legendary head coach Roy Kidd, the Colonels advanced to the national championship game in four consecutive seasons from 1979 to 1982.

During this four-year span (1979-1982),
Eastern Kentucky compiled a staggering 46-7 record, captured back-to-back national titles in 1979 and
1982, and finished as the national runner-up in 1980 and 1981.

1979-1982, huh? If/when EKU ever makes it to CUSA, you and the NMSU fans are gonna get along splendidly.

(07-04-2026 08:45 PM)Itinerant Texan Wrote:  

(07-04-2026 06:11 PM)LexColonel Wrote:  I am sure everyone feels the same regarding success of our University. The comment regarding "first FCS dynasty" is often used (I did not make that up). The following is from an internet search. For those of us around during those years, what's going on is a tough pill to swallow.

Eastern Kentucky University is widely recognized as the first official dynasty in FCS (historically Division I-AA)
football. Under legendary head coach Roy Kidd, the Colonels advanced to the national championship game in four consecutive seasons from 1979 to 1982.

During this four-year span (1979-1982),
Eastern Kentucky compiled a staggering 46-7 record, captured back-to-back national titles in 1979 and
1982, and finished as the national runner-up in 1980 and 1981.

1979-1982, huh? If/when EKU ever makes it to CUSA, you and the NMSU fans are gonna get along splendidly.

Can you read for context (understanding)?! My original post explains how disappointed I am with how things are going NOW. But to address your sarcasm ..we have TWO National championships in football, more than many can claim. So happy I got to experience them, along with many other noteworthy achievements! BTW, I have no clue what you mean by the NMSU comment, however I can read between the lines. Once again, you might read these posts for context before you make snide innuendos.

Yes, i remember some EKU /MTSU football games that where well coached teams with EKU Kidd & MTSU Boots Donnelly .
EKU really missed it chance not going to FBS when WKU & MTSU did. would have been nice to have rivals WKU/EKU & MTSU/EKU

(07-05-2026 11:16 AM)kentucky james Wrote:  Yes, i remember some EKU /MTSU football games that where well coached teams with EKU Kidd & MTSU Boots Donnelly .
EKU really missed it chance not going to FBS when WKU & MTSU did. would have been nice to have rivals WKU/EKU & MTSU/EKU

Thanks for the reply. We made many trips to Murfreesboro back in the day, and always a great trip.Had a friend who played football at MTSU, great guy, and he often made trips to Richmond for EKU-MTSU games.

An understatement... We certainly missed the boat by not moving when both you and WKU moved. It's an old and ugly story what happened with the then Prez of EKU.

Coach Kidd and Boots were not only adversaries, but great friends. Boots spoke at Coach Kidd's retirement, he was hilarious.

Hind site is 20/20, but we would not be in this funk had our "leaders" been visionaries. Unfortunately for us, we are paying for it now!
Would love to make another trip to MTSU, but only if we are competitive.

Saw a post on the CUSA MB about a new football stadium for EKU.

Anything to this story or is it just speculation?

(07-07-2026 07:40 PM)TexanFan Wrote:  Saw a post on the CUSA MB about a new football stadium for EKU.

Anything to this story or is it just speculation?

Yes. It is no secret something must be done due to the deteriorating concrete on home side (built in 1969). What and when seems to be a secret. Just no one seems to know exact details.

EKU had been on a 15+ year building and expansion spree. Including dorms, academic buildings and a 30+ million remodel of Alumni Coliseum. The new school of Osteopathic Medicine gets a facility along with a couple of other academic buildings. I assume RK Stadium is next. Considering the need, it is probably in the next 3-5 year plan.

(07-05-2026 11:50 AM)LexColonel Wrote:  

(07-05-2026 11:16 AM)kentucky james Wrote:  Yes, i remember some EKU /MTSU football games that where well coached teams with EKU Kidd & MTSU Boots Donnelly .
EKU really missed it chance not going to FBS when WKU & MTSU did. would have been nice to have rivals WKU/EKU & MTSU/EKU

Thanks for the reply. We made many trips to Murfreesboro back in the day, and always a great trip.Had a friend who played football at MTSU, great guy, and he often made trips to Richmond for EKU-MTSU games.

An understatement... We certainly missed the boat by not moving when both you and WKU moved. It's an old and ugly story what happened with the then Prez of EKU.

Coach Kidd and Boots were not only adversaries, but great friends. Boots spoke at Coach Kidd's retirement, he was hilarious.

Hind site is 20/20, but we would not be in this funk had our "leaders" been visionaries. Unfortunately for us, we are paying for it now!
Would love to make another trip to MTSU, but only if we are competitive.

This, to me, sounds like a very similar story to what happened to UNA. We watched Jacksonville State and Troy move up in the 90s, while our leadership apparently decided it was better to be a big fish in a small pond. And to be honest, it worked for a long time. We won three straight D2 titles in the 90s and made several deep playoff runs in the 2000s. But we've watched our two biggest rivals now jump to FBS with (probably) little hope of doing that ourselves any time soon. Meanwhile our time in FCS has mostly been a disaster.

Here's hoping the UAC is a fresh start for all of us. I completely understand you EKU folks wanting to move up, but I do enjoy playing you guys.

(07-08-2026 11:33 AM)UNAfied Wrote:  

(07-05-2026 11:50 AM)LexColonel Wrote:  

(07-05-2026 11:16 AM)kentucky james Wrote:  Yes, i remember some EKU /MTSU football games that where well coached teams with EKU Kidd & MTSU Boots Donnelly .
EKU really missed it chance not going to FBS when WKU & MTSU did. would have been nice to have rivals WKU/EKU & MTSU/EKU

Thanks for the reply. We made many trips to Murfreesboro back in the day, and always a great trip.Had a friend who played football at MTSU, great guy, and he often made trips to Richmond for EKU-MTSU games.

An understatement... We certainly missed the boat by not moving when both you and WKU moved. It's an old and ugly story what happened with the then Prez of EKU.

Coach Kidd and Boots were not only adversaries, but great friends. Boots spoke at Coach Kidd's retirement, he was hilarious.

Hind site is 20/20, but we would not be in this funk had our "leaders" been visionaries. Unfortunately for us, we are paying for it now!
Would love to make another trip to MTSU, but only if we are competitive.

This, to me, sounds like a very similar story to what happened to UNA. We watched Jacksonville State and Troy move up in the 90s, while our leadership apparently decided it was better to be a big fish in a small pond. And to be honest, it worked for a long time. We won three straight D2 titles in the 90s and made several deep playoff runs in the 2000s. But we've watched our two biggest rivals now jump to FBS with (probably) little hope of doing that ourselves any time soon. Meanwhile our time in FCS has mostly been a disaster.

Here's hoping the UAC is a fresh start for all of us. I completely understand you EKU folks wanting to move up, but I do enjoy playing you guys.

I don't think we're going anywhere.

Tarleton is likely out the door soon, but everyone else can give themselves a good boost by forming a really solid conference.