Photos: Inside look at Chicago State football ahead of the program’s inaugural season Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky Share on X (Opens in new window) X Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email By Arthur Maiorella | Chicago Tribune PUBLISHED: August 10, 2026 at 9:00 AM CDT Quarterback Tyler Turner (16) runs a play with the Chicago State Cougars, a new Division I football team, on Aug. 5, 2026, at the school. (Arthur Maiorella/Chicago Tribune) Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... It has taken a whole lot of energy — and ambition — for Chicago State to get within striking distance of its season opener against Roosevelt on Aug. 29 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, the beginning of an 11-game slate for the program’s inaugural team. Chicago State builds its inaugural Division I football program behind a whole lot of energy — and ambition Chicago State University president Zaldwaynaka "Z" Scott, left, is greeted by the school's new Division I football team at a practice on Aug. 5, 2026, at CSU. Head coach Bobby Rome II is on right. (Arthur Maiorella/Chicago Tribune) Head coach Bobby Rome II directs scrimmage for Chicago State University’s new Division I football team on Aug. 5, 2026, at the school. (Arthur Maiorella/Chicago Tribune) Members of Chicago State University’s new Division I football team scrimmage on Aug. 5, 2026, at the school. (Arthur Maiorella/Chicago Tribune) Chicago State University’s new Division I football team runs drills on Aug. 5, 2026, at the school. (Arthur Maiorella/Chicago Tribune) Members of Chicago State University’s new Division I football team scrimmage on Aug. 5, 2026, at the school. (Arthur Maiorella/Chicago Tribune) Members of Chicago State University’s new Division I football team practice on Aug. 5, 2026, on the baseball field. (Arthur Maiorella/Chicago Tribune) Richard Embry, running back coach and director of football operations, helps warm up players before practice on Aug. 5, 2026 at Chicago State University. (Arthur Maiorella/Chicago Tribune) Running back Tre' Hartwell speaks to the media after practice for the Chicago State University’s new Division I football team on Aug. 5, 2026, at the school. (Arthur Maiorella/Chicago Tribune) Lineman on Chicago State University’s new Division I football team practice on Aug. 5, 2026, at the school. (Arthur Maiorella/Chicago Tribune) Chicago State University’s strength and conditioning coach, Sylvester Armendariz, warms up the team at a practice on Aug. 5, 2026. (Arthur Maiorella/Chicago Tribune) Quarterbacks and wide receivers go over plays during practice for the new Chicago State University Division I football team on Aug. 5, 2026, at the school. (Arthur Maiorella/Chicago Tribune) Members of Chicago State University’s new Division I football team huddle during practice on Aug. 5, 2026. (Arthur Maiorella/Chicago Tribune) Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky Share on X (Opens in new window) X Print (Opens in new window) Print Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
Curated by Taleb Kabbara · Source: www.chicagotribune.com