RIO GRANDE, OH (WOWK) – After a 75-year hiatus, football is returning to the University of Rio Grand and Rio Grande Community College, and they’re also bringing in a marching band!

Officials from the university announced the return of Rio’s football program.

This venture will be the debut of a RedStorm football team, as Rio’s mascot was still the “Redmen” the last time the school had a team back in 1950. Rio Grande Community College had not yet been founded, and the university was still “Rio Grande College.”

Football is not the only new program coming to Rio. University officials say the school will also be getting a marching band.

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The university is seeking a target date in the fall of 2025. They’ll start playing at Jackson County High School+ until a permanent stadium is built. They also plan to build a new athletic facility in the future.

University president Ryan Smith says an increase in enrollment has led to new investment opportunities. The Red Storm hopes to join the Appalachian Athletic Conference.

The next step in the effort is hiring a head coach. Applications are out and a national search has begun, university officials say.

University officials are excited for a new era of Rio Grande athletics and say the addition of the programs is a “significant milestone” for the university.

While without a football team or marching band, Rio has several other sports programs including men’s and women’s soccer, basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, rugby, indoor and outdoor track and field, volleyball, wrestling, as well as men’s baseball, women’s softball, and co-ed programs of archery, bass fishing, cheerleading, dance and e-sports.

Before Tuesday’s announcement, women’s wrestling was the newest sport added to the school’s athletics line-up, just announced in March 2024.

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