The University of West Georgia, an in-state rival to Valdosta State, has hired an exploratory committee to study a possible move to Division I athletics.
A current member of the Division II and the Gulf South Conference, West Georgia has hired Collegaite Consulting to analyze the move to the FCS level. The move to Division I would require all 12 varsity sports to move up a level.
The study will include a look at the school's finances and facilities.
For a school to move to Division I, it requires a $1 million application fee. West Georgia is reportedly in debt on its football stadium, which opened in 2009.
VSU and UWG will meet in football on Oct. 6 in Carrollton.
