Blog 3: Chapter 3: The NCAA, The Tube, and The Fans

This chapter discusses the impact that the growth and power of the NCAA had during the 1970’s and 1980’s. Basically, what was happening was rules were developed and they were geared towards forcing schools into enlarging their college sports programs and facilities. It did not make a difference if the colleges did not have the funding to do so. “On the local level, athletic directors and coaches benefited most from the NCAA’s expansion mandates-more teams and bigger facilities enhanced their own job and their mini-empires” (Sperber 34). During this time, the NCAA required several Division I-A football schools to increase the size of their stadiums if they wanted to remain in the division. Some schools were unable to do so and the NCAA threatened to exclude them from Division I-A football. So what happened? Colleges had to “find the money” for these expansions. Coaches and athletic directors pressured and continued to pressure presidents and college administrators to stay in the division and to “pay the piper.” The NCAA encouraged particular athletic departments to look for corporate sponsorships.
Sperber also discusses March Madness and the influences it has on the colleges and players. During this time the NCAA developed a close working relationship with ESPN as ESPN would broadcast an enormous amount of college basketball games. This brought in a good fan base and the NCAA struck gold with March Madness. During the 1980’s many students categorized under the “collegiate subculture” viewed their college’s weight and value according to the success of their football or basketball teams.