CHICAGO (April 8, 2025) – Chicago State College (CSU), an establishment with a proud legacy of serving underrepresented communities, has named HBCU veteran Bobby Rome II as the college’s first-ever head soccer coach. The announcement was made earlier immediately throughout a press convention introducing Rome, who brings a wealth of expertise from Traditionally Black Faculties and Universities (HBCUs) as he takes on the duty of constructing CSU’s Division I FCS soccer program from the bottom up.
Rome’s teaching journey has been deeply rooted within the HBCU custom. Most just lately, he served as head coach at Florida Memorial College (FMU), an HBCU in South Florida, the place he reworked this system from winless in convention play to creating back-to-back Solar Convention Championship sport appearances in 2023 and 2024. His earlier teaching tenure consists of main Virginia College of Lynchburg—one other HBCU—the place he was named the 2018 Small Faculty Sports activities Report Nationwide Coach of the 12 months in addition to a quick tenure at Central State College, one other HBCU.
“The College is wanting ahead to watching Coach Rome step into the function and construct a program that makes Chicago State, the South Facet and all of Chicago proud,” mentioned Zaldwaynaka Scott, president of Chicago State College. “This rent is a testomony to the expansion and transformation of Chicago State and to our recognition of the highly effective impression of HBCU management and tradition.”
Coach Rome, who performed collegiately on the College of North Carolina, was chosen from a aggressive pool of over 230 candidates that included former NFL gamers and coaches at each stage. However what set him aside was his confirmed capacity to construct and elevate applications at HBCUs, alongside along with his dedication to mentorship and neighborhood engagement.
“Being chosen to construct Chicago State’s soccer program is an honor, and I’m grateful for the belief that President Scott, Dr. Carroll and your complete college have positioned in me,” mentioned Rome. “Our visions are aligned. We’re not simply constructing a soccer staff—we’re constructing one thing that displays the satisfaction of the South Facet and attracts from the legacy of HBCU excellence.”
CSU Athletic Director Dr. Monique Carroll echoed the thrill. “After we started this journey, we had been dedicated to discovering a pacesetter who understands not solely soccer, however the cultural and neighborhood significance of what we’re doing,” she mentioned. “Coach Rome’s HBCU background and success made him the perfect match for this function. Right this moment is a historic day for CSU and for Chicago.”
As a part of CSU’s imaginative and prescient to convey soccer to the South Facet, an exploratory committee that includes neighborhood leaders, former Chicago Bears, highschool coaches, and enterprise leaders helped form the path of the brand new program. That spirit of inclusion will proceed as Rome begins laying the inspiration for the staff.
“The long run begins now,” mentioned Coach Rome. “Chicago is getting a Division I soccer staff, and will probably be rooted within the spirit, tradition, and satisfaction that HBCUs have championed for generations. We’re able to get going.”
