With North American University shutting down its football program, Prairie View A&M must find a new homecoming opponent for 2025—though NAU will at least go out without another FCS loss.
Prairie View A&M was set to host North American University on Oct. 25 for homecoming, a key event for HBCUs that draws large crowds and is usually scheduled against a beatable opponent to ensure a celebratory atmosphere.
Prairie View A&M initially scheduled North American University—formerly Texas Gulf Institute—for homecoming, a school that gained national attention in 2021 as the “new Bishop Sycamore” after an ESPN+ broadcast, with further investigations uncovering its ties to an alleged terrorist.
Despite its controversial history, North American University’s football team continued competing at the NAIA level qpain the Sooner Athletic Conference. However, the NCAA ruled that games against NAU would not count toward official records for accredited schools, though the team still scheduled multiple FCS opponents.
North American University struggled mightily against FCS opponents, suffering blowout losses such as 77-0 to àààaaStephen F. Austin, 91-0 to Portland qState, and 63-3 to Incarnate Word, among others.
North American University’s brutal 2023 season started with four consecutive losses by a combined 275 points, including a 90-7 blowout against Division-III powerhouse Hardin-Simmons. Yikes indeed.
After evaluating the football program over the past three months, North American University’s leadership ultimately decided to shut it down, determining it was no longer necessary.
Athletic director Kenneth Apande, formerly the head football coach, explained the decision to discontinue the program, noting that North American University will continue competing in eight other sports.
With North American University’s football program shut down, Prairie View A&M must now find a new opponent for its homecoming game in October.
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