Upcoming Event: Football at Florida on September 5, 2026 at 7:45 p.m.
7:45 p.m.
Football
at Florida
Florida Atlantic University Athletics
History
1/8/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
September 30, 2000
Boca Raton News
It finally came to pass. Strongly anticipated and anxiously awaited, the first performance of FAU's football team is recorded in the annals of university football history.
Bleachers were rented from Hialiah. Others were borrowed from Coach Cooney's beautiful new back-up baseball field. Others were commandeered from Coach Coz' soccer fields. All were put to use to construct FAU's first football stadium.
Upwards of 4,000 awestruck fans filled the stands and spilled over to circle the playing field as many as eight deep. President Tony and First Lady Sara Catanese were joined in the makeshift stands by Beverlee and our flock of offspring, and other dignitaries.
Alumni tents, concession trailers, and the mobile Owl apparel bazaar found space on the adjacent field. The towering scissor lift gave cameramen a vantage point.
150 players and coaches crowded into the coaches/players box on the 50-yard line. We were flanked by FAU's dance team and cheerleaders who energized the crowd. Director George Sparks and the pep band filled the airwaves and introduced the Owl Fight Song.
The stage was set for the first FAU kick-off in history. Correction- the first snap. But not before the national anthem was sung a cappella to the delight of fans by women's soccer star Lindsey Novitske.
And so it began with hand-off to Colin James who sliced off tackle for a gain of eight. 132 plays later and with two hours lapsed, the offensive team defeated the defense by a score of 43 to 31.
A unique halftime performance was staged by more than 2,000 Owl Fund boosters. They assembled on the 50-yard line under the imposing cherry picker for the cameraman. All smiled proudly, as they should. This is their team.
The long shadows of the early autumn day stretched into giants to pave the way for happy spectators to make their way from the Tom Oxley Training Field. Heading home or to the gymnasium for the FestivOwl Barbeque, fans shared the pride and joy that comes from participating in an historic event.
The attraction of this compelling day drew 11 celebrity would-be roasters of Florida Atlantic University's first football coach. Shula, Kelly, Kosar, Morrall, Gabriel, Warfield, Kiick, Fernandez, Stephenson, Hendricks, and Brown shared their fame with all of us. Each was ably introduced by Jimmy Ceffalo.
As if it didn't want to end, the celebration continued at Gatsby's. We sank into easy chairs, enjoyed dessert, and finally let go of the day.
This day now stands as the beginning of all the great things that lie ahead.
Inside the Owls Burrow 2025-26 Spring Show #10
Tuesday, May 12
Kyle Boylston Two-Sport Athlete 2026
Sunday, May 10
Inside the Owls Burrow 2025-26 Spring Show #9
Tuesday, May 05
Ladies Night 2026
Friday, May 01