Yes, FCS schools are indeed Division 1. The Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) is one of two football subdivisions within the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) premier Division I.
Understanding NCAA Division I Football
NCAA Division I is the highest level of intercollegiate athletics, primarily comprising the largest and most prominent athletic programs in the United States. Within Division I, college football is organized into two distinct subdivisions:
- Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS): This is the top tier of college football, characterized by larger stadiums, higher scholarship limits, and generally higher revenues. FBS teams conclude their seasons with bowl games.
- Football Championship Subdivision (FCS): While also Division I, FCS operates with slightly different scholarship limits and features a dedicated playoff system to crown a national champion.
The distinction between FBS and FCS primarily applies to football. For all other sports, schools competing in either the FBS or FCS are simply referred to as "Division I" institutions.
History and Current Landscape of FCS
The FCS was formerly known as Division I-AA from 1978 through 2005. This name change was implemented to better distinguish it from the top-tier Division I-A (now FBS) while still emphasizing its status as a Division I league.
As of the 2024 season, there are approximately 129 FCS football programs across the United States. These schools offer competitive football and often provide a pathway for student-athletes to pursue both academic and athletic excellence at the highest collegiate level.
Key Characteristics of FCS Football
FCS programs share many characteristics with their FBS counterparts, but also have unique aspects:
- Scholarship Limits: While both offer scholarships, FCS programs operate with a slightly lower maximum number of full scholarship equivalents for football compared to FBS.
- Playoff System: Unlike FBS, which traditionally relies on a bowl system and now the College Football Playoff, FCS concludes its season with a robust 24-team single-elimination playoff bracket to determine a national champion.
- Conference Alignment: FCS teams are organized into various conferences, many of which are well-known and historic, such as the Big Sky Conference, Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), Missouri Valley Football Conference, and the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).
- Rivalries and Tradition: FCS programs boast rich histories, passionate fan bases, and intense rivalries, contributing significantly to the landscape of college football.
NCAA Division Structure for Football
To further clarify, here's a general overview of the NCAA's primary football divisions:
| NCAA Division | Football Subdivision | General Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Division I | Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) | Highest level, large budgets, bowl games, no playoff |
| Division I | Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) | Division I, but with lower scholarship limits, 24-team playoff |
| Division II | (No specific subdivision) | Intermediate level, regional focus, athletic scholarships |
| Division III | (No specific subdivision) | No athletic scholarships, focus on academics and participation |
In conclusion, when discussing collegiate athletics, it's important to remember that FCS football is a distinct and integral part of NCAA Division I, offering a competitive and celebrated level of play.
