A Few Reasons Why Americans Are So Obsessed With College Sports

ByScotty Jenkins

4 min read

A Few Reasons Why Americans Are So Obsessed With College Sports

Of all the interesting traditions Americans have, few are more difficult for a foreign audience to understand than our obsession with college sports.

When comparing the amount of money, time, and resources that go into the funding of amateur sports in America to other nations, few parallels can be found in any foreign area... anywhere... period. In Ireland, for instance, many of that country's most popular events include amateur athletes representing their home counties. And Australia has a long tradition of developing Aussie-Rules Football athletes at secondary schools.

But those events do not even come close to the organization, funding, and revenue that helps make college sports exist. The NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA help thousands of schools and hundreds of thousands of athletes compete at a very high level in dozens of sports. And more than of few of these teams, specifically playing Division I college football has a budget of over $100 million.

If you look at the numbers, it’s easier to understand the bewilderment of someone who grew up in a different sports culture.

So, what is the deal with college sports in America? Why do we revel in the performance of amateur athletes with die-hard commitment?

Keep reading below for a few reasons why Americans love their college sports so much.


College Teams Represent Very Specific Communities

Most administrators of higher education won’t argue with the fact that their athletic programs are the center of their educational community.  With the variety of sporting events offered at major universities, it’s easy to not only get behind your favorite sport, but to also rally behind the other sports that represent your school. For this reason, loyalty is embedded in members of the community and it runs deep.

Players, parents, extended family, and friends are committed to their universities the moment they sign with them.  It’s a commitment that represents their future, both in athletics and academics.  Players wear their team logo like a badge of honor and Universities and coaching staff continue to uphold high standards of their players who represent them as they compete around the country.

Coaching of the sport is oftentimes only a fraction of the development that is taking place in a Universities athletic programs.  These programs aim to create contributing members of society by teaching life values such as leadership, teamwork, sacrifice, and putting others before yourself.  Once players leave the program, those life lessons are not forgotten and further ignite their loyalty to their universities.

The communities that are put in place on university campuses don’t die out after graduation.  They come back to support their favorite athletics teams with their kids, grandkids, and even their great grandchildren.


Each College Team Has Loyalty, Legacy, and Tradition

Probably the most telling sign of community loyalty in college athletics in the United States is the continued support of alumni far after they’ve left their college athletic programs. Alumni become powerful ambassadors for their universities brand and are committed to making sure their alma mater continues to shine.  This is why college sports continue to grow in America as more and more graduates come out of universities.

Penn State University is ranked #1 in Alumni networking in the United States.  They boast 742,662 alumni worldwide.  One of the biggest recruiting points for Penn State athletics is their alumni network.

Loyalty and tradition with alumni support leads to greater opportunities for athletes and academics within the University when they begin their first job search.  When graduates are applying for jobs and their interviewees have attended the same university, it is likely they will go farther in the hiring process simply because they are loyal to their alma mater.

Loyalty and tradition are the backbone of the most successful universities.  Alumni donate large sums of money each year to different athletic programs to support better facilities that will ultimately lead to better recruiting prospects that build better athletic programs.

As time wears on, the alumni networks continue to grow, and ultimately the popularity of college sports continues to grow.  Americans bleed the colors of their alma maters far after they’ve left campus.


College Sports Are The Purest Form Of Entertainment

The main reason college sports are so popular in America is pure entertainment.  The history, the rivalries, the tournaments, the overtimes, sports betting, and the excitement of the game all contribute to America's love of college sports.

There are countless rivalries in college sports across America:  Ohio State vs. Michigan, Army vs. Navy, Oklahoma vs. Texas.  The list goes on and on!  Alumni and current college students live for rivalry games and the hatred runs deep.  It all comes back to the loyalty and history of college athletics in America.  The fans carry these wins and losses with them to the next year when they await their chance of redemption.

The peak of entertainment for college sports in America circles around the chance at greatness, the tournaments.  March madness, the college world series, the national championships are all highlights for each individual college sport.  Fans travel hundreds of miles to attend these sporting events, and millions of Americans tune in from their TV’s at home.  Americans love nothing more than creating their sports brackets and tracking upsets!

One thing foreigners can agree on is that sports provide entertainment to the spectators and nobody capitalizes on this more than America.


Are you an Athlete?

Create a free profile to access the largest network specifically designed to connect athletes to opportunities. Get started.

RELATED ARTICLES
USA Cycling: The Search for Speed Starts Here

USA Cycling: The Search for Speed Starts Here

Do you have a need for speed? If so, you should check out USA Cycling’s new talent identification...

ByTiffany Allen | Wed Jan 24 2024
From Challengers to Champions: USA Boxing Launches New Athlete Identification Program

From Challengers to Champions: USA Boxing Launches New Athlete Identification Program

USA Boxing, the National Governing Body for Boxing in the U.S., has launched a brand new Talent...

ByTiffany Allen | Wed Jan 17 2024
USA Football Dominates 2023: Unprecedented Growth and Digital Combine Triumphs

USA Football Dominates 2023: Unprecedented Growth and Digital Combine Triumphs

2023 has proved to be a year of acceleration for the sport of flag football. From a pivotal Olympic...

ByTiffany Allen | Mon Dec 18 2023
USA Triathlon Celebrates New Heights in November

USA Triathlon Celebrates New Heights in November

In a dynamic collaboration aimed at boosting collegiate triathlon, USA Triathlon joined forces with...

ByTiffany Allen | Wed Dec 13 2023
Rise to the Challenge: Join the USA Triathlon Virtual Combine this November

Rise to the Challenge: Join the USA Triathlon Virtual Combine this November

Are you ready to put your skills to the test, go beyond your limits, and claim your spot amongst...

ByTiffany Allen | Wed Oct 18 2023
USA Football and GMTM Announce 2023 Digital Combine

USA Football and GMTM Announce 2023 Digital Combine

USA Football and GMTM will hold the second U.S. National Team Digital Combine with GMTM to identify...

BySamuel Teets | Thu Aug 10 2023
USA Bobsled & Skeleton Launches Registration for August In-Person Combine

USA Bobsled & Skeleton Launches Registration for August In-Person Combine

USA Bobsled & Skeleton has launched registration for their next in-person combine open to the...

ByTiffany Allen | Tue Aug 01 2023
How To Participate in the 2023 Virtual World Flip League

How To Participate in the 2023 Virtual World Flip League

U.S. Ski & Snowboard has just launched the first Virtual World Flip League. The Virtual World Flip...

ByTiffany Allen | Wed Jul 05 2023
USA Bobsled & Skeleton Hosts In-Person Combine Open to the Public

USA Bobsled & Skeleton Hosts In-Person Combine Open to the Public

USA Bobsled & Skeleton has been working to provide unique opportunities for aspiring athletes to...

ByTiffany Allen | Fri Jun 16 2023
Trending Stories from Volleyball Canada: March/April

Trending Stories from Volleyball Canada: March/April

A new season means new events and opportunities for volleyball athletes across Canada. As the...

ByJoey Grant | Thu Apr 20 2023
USA Team Handball: Three Handball events you should pay attention to this month

USA Team Handball: Three Handball events you should pay attention to this month

It may seem like a sleepy time for Olympic sports, halfway through a year with no Olympic games....

ByTiffany Allen | Wed Apr 12 2023
Meet The Top Finishers At The 2023 USA Bobsled & Skeleton National Championships

Meet The Top Finishers At The 2023 USA Bobsled & Skeleton National Championships

LAKE PLACID, NY - The 2023 Skeleton Selection Races and the USABS National Championships for both...

ByAbby Slenker | Thu Mar 30 2023
USA Football announces final rosters for 2023 Men’s and Women’s Flag National Teams

USA Football announces final rosters for 2023 Men’s and Women’s Flag National Teams

INDIANAPOLIS – USA Football, a member of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and the sport's...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu Mar 23 2023
4 GMTM Athletes Attend USA Football's National Team Trials

4 GMTM Athletes Attend USA Football's National Team Trials

March 10, 2023 - It’s a gray, rainy Friday morning in Charlotte, NC. We’re inside the Belk...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu Mar 16 2023
College Basketball: Four Coaches Who Could Switch Jobs After March Madness

College Basketball: Four Coaches Who Could Switch Jobs After March Madness

While the games from November through February certainly count in the standings, the tilts that...

ByAndrew Pistone | Wed Mar 15 2023
Name, Image, & Likeness: March Madness Offers Rare NIL Opportunities

Name, Image, & Likeness: March Madness Offers Rare NIL Opportunities

For college basketball fans around the country, it truly is the most wonderful time of the year....

ByAndrew Pistone | Tue Mar 07 2023
When Values Clash: Tackling the Alignment Problem for Sports Organizations and Athletes

When Values Clash: Tackling the Alignment Problem for Sports Organizations and Athletes

More than a century ago, Teddy Roosevelt Jr's injury during an amateur football game resulted in...

ByJoey Grant | Thu Mar 02 2023
How Many Scholarships Does Each Collegiate Sport Offer?

How Many Scholarships Does Each Collegiate Sport Offer?

It's time to start applying for schools and begin your recruiting process. You have been working...

ByJohnathan Wright | Tue Feb 21 2023
Five Reasons Why College Basketball Coaches Rescind Scholarship Offers

Five Reasons Why College Basketball Coaches Rescind Scholarship Offers

It’s what you have dreamed of, worked for, and waited on your whole life - a coveted college...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Feb 13 2023
Sports Injuries and Insurance: Four Facts Parents & Recruits Should Know

Sports Injuries and Insurance: Four Facts Parents & Recruits Should Know

Injuries are a major part of athletics, and a high percentage of student-athletes competing in NCAA...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Feb 07 2023
New XFL Draft Picks use GMTM to be seen by coaches and fans

New XFL Draft Picks use GMTM to be seen by coaches and fans

In just under a month, the XFL will be taking yet another crack at creating a competing...

ByScotty Jenkins | Fri Jan 20 2023
Unlocking Billions: How World-Class Sports Organizations Manage Talent for Success

Unlocking Billions: How World-Class Sports Organizations Manage Talent for Success

What is the thing that has driven the $90 billion Sports industry? Talent Without talent, Sports...

ByJoey Grant | Thu Jan 19 2023
How Ohio State Handball Is Becoming A Talent Pipeline For European Clubs

How Ohio State Handball Is Becoming A Talent Pipeline For European Clubs

J.D. Orr isn’t the most recognized coach at Ohio State. At a state school where the athletic...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Dec 12 2022
Why The Transfer Portal Is So Important For College Basketball Coaches

Why The Transfer Portal Is So Important For College Basketball Coaches

2019 was a transformative year in NCAA athletics. The NCAA Transfer Portal, a database which allows...

ByKeiwaine Hicks | Sun Dec 11 2022
How similar is the NCAA Transfer Portal to free agency in professional sports?

How similar is the NCAA Transfer Portal to free agency in professional sports?

The NCAA Transfer Portal is a great platform that is beneficial to student-athletes. It allows...

ByScotty Jenkins | Fri Dec 02 2022
College Soccer: What is the difference between NCAA Division-I & NAIA?

College Soccer: What is the difference between NCAA Division-I & NAIA?

Many soccer athletes across the United States aspire to play their sport at the college level, and...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sat Nov 26 2022
Which College Sports Mascots Are The Most Polarizing?

Which College Sports Mascots Are The Most Polarizing?

They’re one of the most crucial aspects to a college sports viewing experience. The players?...

ByAndrew Pistone | Mon Nov 21 2022
Which High Schools In America Produce The Most Female College Athletes?

Which High Schools In America Produce The Most Female College Athletes?

It may come as no surprise to hear parents want what is best for their children. If parents have...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Nov 15 2022
Is playing Division-II college sports worth it?

Is playing Division-II college sports worth it?

Being a Division II collegiate athlete was one of the best experiences of my entire life. Having...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Nov 08 2022
Bucket List: Five More College Football Traditions You Need To See

Bucket List: Five More College Football Traditions You Need To See

Part two of some of the best division 1 college football game day traditions throughout the United...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sat Nov 05 2022
Bucket List: Five College Football Traditions You Need To See

Bucket List: Five College Football Traditions You Need To See

One of the best parts about college football are the traditions that have been around for decades....

ByScotty Jenkins | Sat Nov 05 2022
What are College Football’s New Overtime Rules?

What are College Football’s New Overtime Rules?

In the 21st century, major sports have had to walk an interesting tightrope. They’ve had to balance...

ByAndrew Pistone | Mon Oct 24 2022
Transfer Portal: Does Every Athlete Who Transfers Find A New College To Play For?

Transfer Portal: Does Every Athlete Who Transfers Find A New College To Play For?

On the 15th of October, 2018 the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) introduced a...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Oct 19 2022
Will Universities And Gambling Platforms Ever Join Forces?

Will Universities And Gambling Platforms Ever Join Forces?

There’s an interesting dichotomy between sports and gambling. They’re natural partners, and...

ByAndrew Pistone | Tue Oct 18 2022
Three Tell-Tale Signs You Are Ready For College Sports

Three Tell-Tale Signs You Are Ready For College Sports

Plenty of high school athletes think they have what it takes to play sports in college. However,...

ByBryan Armetta | Thu Oct 13 2022
How Athletic Scholarships Work: A Quick Guide To Paying For College

How Athletic Scholarships Work: A Quick Guide To Paying For College

It is no secret that college is expensive, and as time goes on, the price continues to increase....

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Oct 11 2022
Why Is Boise State’s Football Field Blue?

Why Is Boise State’s Football Field Blue?

Some of college football’s most daunting homefield advantages come to mind pretty quickly. The Big...

ByAndrew Pistone | Tue Oct 11 2022
Johnson V NCAA: The Next Case That Can ReShape the future of the NCAA

Johnson V NCAA: The Next Case That Can ReShape the future of the NCAA

By now we are all familiar with the Alston case that shifted the dynamics of college sports, as...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Oct 06 2022
Think you can play college football? Here’s what to expect in the recruiting process

Think you can play college football? Here’s what to expect in the recruiting process

Playing college football is a dream for many high schoolers but the recruiting process can be...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Oct 06 2022
How To Run Faster: Five Best Strength Training Workouts For Track Athletes

How To Run Faster: Five Best Strength Training Workouts For Track Athletes

In order to be successful in track, athletes should devote a considerable amount of time to lifting...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Oct 05 2022
College Basketball: Midnight Madness and the start of the CBB schedule

College Basketball: Midnight Madness and the start of the CBB schedule

Many college basketball fans think that the season gets underway in earnest around Thanksgiving,...

ByAndrew Pistone | Fri Sep 30 2022
College Football's "Dead Money": Why Fired Coaches Keep Getting Paid

College Football's "Dead Money": Why Fired Coaches Keep Getting Paid

We’re at the point in the college football calendar where teams are assessing whether they’d like...

ByAndrew Pistone | Wed Sep 28 2022
College Football: Five Stars Who Could Have Benefitted Most from NIL Ruling

College Football: Five Stars Who Could Have Benefitted Most from NIL Ruling

The NCAA's Division I Board of Directors announced a new...

ByBryan Armetta | Sat Sep 24 2022
College Sports: How To Pick The Right School To Attend

College Sports: How To Pick The Right School To Attend

Picking the right college can be a tough task for any high school senior, but it can be a unique...

ByAlexis Peltzer-Harding | Fri Sep 23 2022
How Recruits Can Ask A School For More Athletic Scholarship Money

How Recruits Can Ask A School For More Athletic Scholarship Money

Athletes and parents often ask for college scholarship money during the athletic recruiting...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Sep 21 2022
What Does Redshirt Mean? And The Reasons Why Players Do It?

What Does Redshirt Mean? And The Reasons Why Players Do It?

Any athlete with a love for competition hates sitting on the sideline, but once he or she gets to...

ByCorey Roepken | Mon Sep 19 2022
What Every College Athlete Should Know Before Freshman Year Starts

What Every College Athlete Should Know Before Freshman Year Starts

The shift from high school to college is a big one. Throw playing a collegiate sport in and it can...

ByLily Ford | Sun Sep 18 2022
How Continued Legalization of Sports Betting Affects College Sports

How Continued Legalization of Sports Betting Affects College Sports

In recent years the taboo of sports betting has started to come down and gambling on your favorite...

ByJamison White | Sun Sep 18 2022
Is playing College Soccer the best route to making the MLS?

Is playing College Soccer the best route to making the MLS?

Earlier this month, we witnessed the 2021 Major League...

ByJohnathan Wright | Sat Sep 17 2022
College Basketball: What Is The NCAA Transfer Portal And How Does It Work

College Basketball: What Is The NCAA Transfer Portal And How Does It Work

With the ever-changing NCAA and college athletics scene, transfer athletes have become more and...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Sep 15 2022