Biggest money maker of the year: Football Season

Most schools support their athletic programs by the success of the football program.  For many colleges and universities across the nation, the revenue generated during football season will make or break their program.  Most schools do not make a lot of money year round and will often implement a football program.  The potential alone makes the endeavor worth taking.

According to the USA Today, Florida generated almost 21 million dollars in ticket sales alone for the 2008-09 season.  Each school in the NCAA receives an allotment based upon post-season appearances by the school in all sports and by any schools of the same conference.  Florida is a school in the Southeastern Conference.  As a member school, they received 15 million dollars from post-season tournament appearances and NCAA conference distributions.  Their largest revenue produced is contributions, which totaled almost 41 million dollars.  All together these sources brought in 79.9 percent of the money Florida's athletic programs earned in 2008-09.

The projected ticket sales for football leading up to the 2008-09 season were over 17 million dollars.  This means that football tickets alone account for 18 percent of the revenue generated, and possibly more.  Florida won the Bowl Championship Series trophy that season, which means as the season progressed, they possibly surpassed their prediction in sales.  Regardless of this, seven home games were projected to bring in 2.5 million dollars in tickets alone.

This is the story many athletic departments want to tell.  The sad truth is that unless they are selling tickets in the same manner as a school like Florida, the money is coming from other sources like student fees and institutional support.  This does not make nearly as much money for the season as schools like Florida may make by halftime of the season opener.  If you love the school you cheer for, be sure to buy some tickets for the gridiron this season.

The privilege of being a student-athlete

Kirk Cousins was very instrumental in leading the Michigan State Spartans to one of their most successful seasons in years.  According to College Football Data Warehouse, MSU enjoyed an 11-2 record as co-champions of the Big Ten for 2010, their first conference championship since 1990.  With all of the changes taking place in the college football landscape including conference realignments and NCAA violations, the Big Ten conference chose an outstanding young man to speak on behalf of the student athletes at the Big Ten Media Day.

Cousins begins the speech by reflecting his own dreams and ambitions growing up outside of Chicago.  He comments on the opportunities to attend Northwestern games, Purdue football camps and being recruited by Michigan State.  His speech focused on the privilege of being a student athlete.

Being a student athlete brings lots of attention, regardless of the sport played.  Media, alumni, fans, students and the general population will always know what you are doing, especially in the instant information era of today.  He notes the privilege the Big Ten provides him with community service opportunities as well as playing at historic sites.  He humbly accepts the privilege of playing in front of fans who spend “hard-earned money” to watch him play. 

He also cautions that privilege does not lead to entitlement, but to greater responsibility.  He charges players to uphold the standards and namesake of their school, community, and their families as well.  He suggests the players discipline themselves, especially in current times, so that everyone who follows them “have good reason to say he’s one of ours.” This is interesting considering a member of the Big Ten is facing some of the harshest allegations of rules violations.  It is good to know there are student athletes who abide by the rules and are not ashamed to hold their fellow teammates and peers to the same task.  The words in this speech should be on the forefront of all student-athletes as they compete and represent their schools.