TROY, Alabama (Ticker) -- The Troy State football program has been granted Division I-A status, effective September 1, the NCAA management council announced Thursday.

The decision caps a five-year development plan by the university, which announced in December 1996 its intention to move up to Division I-A. Since then, the program has fulfilled NCAA attendance and scheduling requirements to finalize the transition.

During the past three seasons, the Trojans have averaged 17,000 fans per home game and have scheduled at least seven Division I-A opponents over the next four years.

This season, they will play eight Division I-A foes -- Nebraska, UAB, Iowa State, Missouri, Mississippi State, Marshall, Arkansas and Utah State.

The school's other 15 sports have competed on the Division I level since 1993, when the Trojans moved up from Division II.

"This is one of the biggest days in the history of athletics at our university," Troy State athletic director Johnny Williams said. "So much work has been put in by so many people to make this a reality."

Troy State completed its 2001 "transition" season with a 7-4 record, including a 3-4 mark against Division I-A opposition. It opens the 2002 campaign on August 31 at Nebraska.