In the NCAA, you would have a hard time finding any college or university that does not receive public funding of one kind or another.

State universities probably received a large land grant from the government a long time ago to get started, but also receive state subsidies today. Many colleges and universities receive federal funding in the form of grants or loans. See The Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002 et seq.).

SFC does not question whether institutions of higher education deserve such funding or provide valuable public service as educational and research institutions. But SFC does believe that sports programs play a big part in helping to finance higher education and that it’s the fans who keep those programs flourishing. Put it all together, and the fans should have some say in how collegiate sports are organized and governed.

Just like professional sports, though, as described above, ticket prices are too expensive for a lot of fans. If public resources are being used to help sustain higher education, as are sports programs, then the sports fans who help to keep that system humming ought to at least have affordable seating, not just in the nosebleed sections but really good seats, at the games.

And what happens when college sports fans call for a real college football playoff instead of a contrived bowl game system like the BCS? Nothing.

Final score: collegiate sports win, sports fans lose.

SFC supports the efforts of a new organization, PlayoffPAC, to put pressure on Congress to do something about the BCS situation. We encourage you to check out PlayoffPAC and support their effort, along with the efforts of the League of Fans. Also, some Members of the House of Representatives are trying to do something about it and introduced H.R. 599, which would prohibit any federal funds from going to a college or university that doesn’t participate in a championship. SFC adds its voice to these efforts.