Running head: MONEY OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL 1

The Money of College Football: The USA Kind Not the Rest of the World Kind

Amy Bielicki

Western Illinois University

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The Money of College Football: The USA Kind Not the Rest of the World Kind

Overview

Billion-Dollar Ball: A Journey Through the Big Money Culture of College Football by

Gilbert M. Gaul explores the piling monetary revenue, and consequently debt, acquired by

collegiate football in the United States. Further, the book explores the cultural impact that

football plays in a collegiate environment, especially at football-prominent institutions. Gaul

explores the different ideas and functions of athletic departments and how the funding secured

through athletics has become independent and self-sufficient from the universities with which

they are affiliated. Billion-Dollar Ball delves into the lavish spending that schools invest in

football and student athletes while questioning how this system can remain self-sufficient.

Disproportionate funding leaves those schools who have incredible football records out of the

big-name games, for this industry seems to accept the best, only the best, and nothing that does

resemble a catchphrase as iconic as, “Roll Tide!”

How This Informs My Student Affairs Practice

I believe it is important to remember that students are in college for a reason and that

reason varies between each student one encounters. Towards the end of my college career, the

quote-unquote reason I was in college was to earn a degree, though the place my heart truly lied

was in my job as a Resident Assistant. I am not completely convinced that this is the case within

the football culture at prominent institutions, though I have an equally tough time believing that

there is absolutely no one who plays for the love of the game and everyone is in the industry and

collegiate programs for the money. Many Division I athletes outside of football compete for the

love of their respective sport, whether it be swimming, basketball, soccer, rugby, etc. Many

these athletes receive minimal financial commitments to compete in these sports for their
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universities, yet high revenue sports like basketball and football expect, if not demand,

preferential treatment – though to me it appears this expectation has been set by those who are or

were in positions of authority and instead impressed their beliefs onto younger generations. For

example, Phil Knight sponsoring centers at the University of Oregon to promote Nike as well as

invest in his alma mater (Gaul, 2015, p. 227).

What distresses me the most about reading Billion-Dollar Ball is the preferential and

elitist treatment that athletes seem to be receiving at numerous institutions. Students, at the end

of the day, are students. College football only exists if college exists, and college only exists if

students enroll in colleges. This faux-NFL environment has, in my opinion, perpetuated

unrealistic expectations and further celebrated an athletics-first environment. Though I enjoy

spectating and participating in sports and sporting events, I disagree with this idea: “Football is

necessary; without football, it doesn’t feel like a real school” (Gaul, 2015, p. 212). Forgotten

Division I football school presidents, ones not included in the SEC, Big 10, PAC-12, etc., echoed

this sentiment in response to Gaul asking what drives football to continue.

If schools rely solely on football to bolster their name, brand, and place in the world, I

believe they are doing a poor job of branding, firstly, though these institutions also are not

encouraging their students to think critically and integrate into a wholesome and holistic society.

Tutoring programs, then, could encompass all students, with those who participate in varsity

athletics and those who do not receiving the same services. Further, current and upcoming

students are not as committed to live sports as previous generations were (Gaul, 2015, p. 234).

Students may attend for a few plays and some photo opportunities, then leave in search of better

ways to occupy their time than standing in the cold, and already partying when their phones alert

them of their team’s win, or equally as alcohol worthy, their team’s loss.
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On the other hand, I also critique my critical mindset of college athletics. Having a BS in

Business, I understand that departments saw a large money opportunity and cashed in big. The

danger in this occurs when individuals believe their industry is too large to fail – look at the 2008

Recession and the housing bubble as proof (Gaul, 2015, p. 233). The students participating in

the athletic departments have access to educations that they otherwise may not be able to afford

or even complete. Extra tutoring and meeting student needs, going above and beyond to help

students succeed are all things touted in student affairs as good. Except, apparently, when only a

small portion of students receives aid and not the whole. Perhaps all it will take is one person

who is not afraid pf being unpopular or losing their job to reform how athletics is informs the

larger university presence. Particularly, if a head coach works with provost, or if the athletic

director directly promotes academics and the importance of understanding that academics exist

with or without football.

Conclusion

As with most issues in the world, I hope to approach college athletes with compassion

and understanding. College athletics is a harshly demanding and competitive world, not a place

for the faint of heart. Criticism is so easy to come by; actual change is so much harder. Where

possible I will aim to build bridges between all walks of university life, hoping one day that

mutually we all may work together to build the best experiences possible for students and

ourselves.
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Reference

Gaul, G. M. (2015). Billion-dollar ball: A journey through the big-money culture of college

football. NY, NY: Viking.