Appalachian St. may jump to FBS

BOONE, N.C. — A committee at Appalachian State says the Mountaineers’ football program should jump to the Bowl Subdivision.

The school’s athletics feasibility committee voted Monday to recommend to Chancellor Kenneth Peacock that it seek membership in an FBS conference.

The 11-member committee recently completed a seven-month feasibility study. Committee co-chairman G.A. Sywassink said a move to the FBS “is not imminent” but the school needs to make its intentions known before “what appears to be another seismic shift” in conference affiliations.

The Mountaineers won three consecutive Championship Subdivision titles from 2005-07. They have captured the last six Southern Conference titles and have led the FCS in regular-season home attendance four consecutive years.

The next step is for Peacock to make his recommendation. The school’s board of trustees must approve any changes.