When some students go searching for a college to best fit their academic and extracurricular needs, they might look at a particular college because they grew up rooting for their football team. For example, some residents of Nebraska will choose to attend the University of Nebraska just because the Huskers have a great football team. Does a good football team mean it is a good college? Some may say yes because of several factors, but others say no. We will talk about what a good football team can bring to a college so you can decide if a college is the right one for you.
Positive Aspects of a College with a Good Football Team
Looking for a college football team with several championships, bowl games and a record winning streak with their football team? Then you’re probably thinking about attending a large university. While this is the type of atmosphere some students prefer, it is certainly not for everyone. However, even if this type of college is not right for every student, there are positive aspects to having a good football team at a college.
College football is one of the most watched collegiate sports. Both today and in the past, it has been widely televised and celebrated with much enthusiasm among friends. Part of what makes having a good football team positive for a college is that it helps bring in thousands and even millions of dollars every year, which is invested into school academics and the athletic department.
In recent years, the Alabama Crimson Tide football team boasted a revenue of $77 million in one year. Their athletic department made $6.5 million in contributions to academic programs. Some states put so much emphasis on a college football team that it draws in thousands of fans to attend the school. It is wonderful during football season to see all the students revved up for the game on the weekend. Since a portion of the football team’s revenue is put back into academic programs, that school is likely to have state-of-the-art technology and academic facilities to help their students.
Negative Aspects of a College with a Good Football Team
Some students may find it to be a detriment to have a good football team on their college campus. One reason is that it brings so many people into the area on weekends when there is a home game. This makes it difficult to find parking or to drive around town and also decreases the security of the campus somewhat.
In addition to those inconveniences, as we mentioned before, the schools that generally have good football teams are the state colleges that have a large student population and a large campus. While school spirit is high, some students might find it harder to learn in large classes that are often found in large universities like these. With such a large student population, it may be harder to get to know professors, students and other faculty members. If you are a football fanatic, you may also have trouble focusing on your studies if football is too much of a distraction for you.
Should I Pick a College Based on Their Football Team?
In a short answer to that question, no. Do not choose a college solely based on the performance of their football team. It is wise to base your decisions off what your final career goals are and not the fact that it would be fun to go to a good football game. Smaller colleges have a lot to offer as well, so be sure you investigate both large state universities and private colleges as well.
