GameDay Eyes Division II Campus Visit

Hoover, Alabama – July 21, 2023 – ESPN’s iconic “College GameDay” pre-game show is reportedly giving serious consideration to a groundbreaking move: bringing its popular Saturday morning broadcast to a Division II college football campus. The revelation, made by host Rece Davis during SEC Media Days, signals a potential and unprecedented expansion of the show’s reach, aimed at spotlighting a level of collegiate athletics often out of the national glare.

Davis, speaking from the annual media event held July 17-20 in Hoover, Alabama, confirmed that internal discussions among the “GameDay” crew, including prominent personalities such as Kirk Herbstreit, Pat McAfee, and Desmond Howard, have been ongoing for the past few years. The driving force behind the idea, according to Davis, is to provide a national platform for Division II football, showcasing its unique atmosphere, dedicated student-athletes, and passionate fan bases.

While “College GameDay” has certainly ventured beyond the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in the past – making memorable visits to Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) powerhouses like North Dakota State and capturing the intense rivalry between Montana and Montana State – a trip to a Division II school would mark an entirely new frontier for the program. It represents a deeper dive into the collegiate athletic landscape than ever before.

For Davis, the concept carries a significant personal connection. His father coached at the Division II level, and his brother also played DII football, lending a genuine enthusiasm to his advocacy for the idea. Davis believes such a broadcast would be “truly engaging and memorable” for viewers, offering a fresh perspective on college football.

A “College GameDay” presence on a DII campus would provide an unparalleled boost for the host institution and the entire division. The national exposure could significantly impact recruiting efforts, bring invaluable media attention to programs that typically operate under the radar, and offer a substantial financial benefit to the host community through increased tourism and local spending. For student-athletes and coaches at the DII level, it would serve as a profound validation of their hard work, dedication, and the passionate pursuit of excellence that defines their sport.

While no specific schools have been mentioned as potential targets, any DII campus hosting “GameDay” would likely be chosen for its strong football tradition, vibrant fan support, and the logistical capacity to accommodate a production of the show’s scale. Managing the considerable broadcast setup and crowd control on a smaller campus would undoubtedly present unique challenges, but also a tremendous opportunity.

The ongoing internal discussions suggest that while a Division II “GameDay” isn’t an immediate certainty, it remains a serious and actively considered proposition. Should ESPN greenlight the initiative, it would be met with widespread enthusiasm across the Division II football community, finally granting a long-awaited moment in the national spotlight to a deserving segment of college sports. The prospect of “GameDay” signs waving against the backdrop of a smaller, yet equally spirited, college town now appears a tangible possibility.