(01-23-2018 08:28 PM)_C2_ Wrote:  Also, back to the other post, is a swimming pool necessary for a city? Is a library necessary? Is it (not all cities have one)? Is a biking trail necessary or a convention center needed? Why not just hold events at the high school gym, auditorium or just a big vacant building?

There's plenty of fluff we pay that are convenient and pleasureable but not necessary to operate. I agree the spirit of it gets lost in the mix but we pay for plenty that downright isn't needed.

Thats why I maintain athletics, as the most visible part of the school, is effectively the primary marketing department for the modern university. Most every product or service you buy has some sort of marketing, advertising, or cost involved in simply allowing the customer to access the good or service. Typically, this is not itemized on your bill or invoice, but these costs are most certainly included in the final price tag.

At 130 universities---FBS football serves as both a major student activity/amenity and as a primary marketing/outreach program for the school. As I said before, where this amenity and marketing department differs from every other business---is alumni and fans who are not the primary buyers of the schools services (education) actually voluntarily subsidize the cost of this dual function department (amenity/marketing). Its a pretty unigue model and its worked quite well for the 130 FBS schools who have chosen to utilize it.