Southeastern University in Lakeland is preparing for the start of its very first football season.
It says the football program is having the desired effect of attracting more students.
The school is putting the final touches on a brand new stadium. The team will travel to Alabama this weekend for a scrimmage against Faulkner University.
The first home game in the new stadium will be Sept. 13 against Warner University.
The university and students said football has added lots of excitement to the campus.
"Life on campus this year, compared to my other three years, is completely different," said senior Tori Hammer.
Sophomore quarterback Jonathan Pearce feels the same way.
"Everybody's excited. Everybody's excited," he said.
Vice President for Enrollment Roy Rowland said the university's number of on-campus full-time students has increased by about 10 percent over last year. He attributed most of that growth to the excitement of football.
"Whether it's cheerleading, dance team or just as a big fan," said Rowland.