A resolution signed by Gov. Kay Ivey in February has opened the conversation about junior college football returning to Alabama for the first time in more than three decades — and it could eventually create an opportunity along the Gulf Coast.

House Joint Resolution 17 establishes the Alabama Community College Football Study Commission, a group tasked with examining the likelihood of reviving football programs within the state’s two-year college system. The commission is required to submit its findings by Nov. 1.

Alabama once sponsored junior college football through the late 1980s and early 1990s before programs were discontinued because of financial challenges. Since then, the state has remained without in-state JUCO football, forcing many players seeking that route to attend programs in neighboring states such as Mississippi and Florida.

In Baldwin County, there are two colleges with existing athletic departments — Coastal Alabama Community College (South campus) and United States Sports University (a comprehensive university) — have never fielded football programs. Coastal Alabama South currently sponsors several intercollegiate sports but does not offer football at any of its campuses. United States Sports University, based in Daphne, competes in multiple NAIA and JUCO sports but has also never sponsored football.

The study commission’s report this fall will determine whether Alabama takes the next step toward bringing junior college football back — and whether programs on the Gulf Coast could eventually be part of that revival. The resolution does not automatically reinstate football but opens the door for the Alabama Community College System to consider adding the sport depending on the commission’s findings.

For now though, the only two colleges in Baldwin County are setting their sights on bringing in a different sport.

When reaching out to these athletic departments and cities for feedback on the signed resolution, USSU athletic director Shealynn Miller stated that the Eagles are looking to add a girls flag football program.

Flag football is currently a “booming” sport around the globe, not just in Alabama, with intentions of debuting in the 2026 Summer Olympics. And just in Baldwin County alone, the talent is endless. Both St. Michael Catholic and Spanish Fort High’s flag football programs will be sending players to the collegiate level this coming fall, while the Toros and Daphne High both made deep playoff runs in the 5-7A state brackets this past season.

Similar to the Southeastern Conference with hockey recently, Division I programs have even begun to pick up the sport. Alabama State was the first D-I school to elevate the program from being a club team, and now more than 40 NCAA schools have programs, with 60 expected by spring. In April, the inaugural Fiesta Bowl Flag Football Classic will feature eight Division I teams.

With that being said, there are currently no intentions to field junior college football programs in Baldwin County. However, with the addition of flag football expected to come to both county schools, the next addition cannot be too far off. If a full revival of junior college football in Alabama falls into place, there will be demand for football at local schools from citizens.