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Date Posted: 22:24:37 02/24/05 Thu
Fordham football tradition must be kept alive
By Dan McCloskey
The disbandment of athletics programs is not new to universities. The University of Chicago dropped their football program from 1939-1969, as the president of the university favored academics over athletics, and more recently, Fairfield canned their program in 2003…. Here at Fordham University, however, I believe it would be harmful for this school to disband the football program, as this program benefits the entire Fordham community.
Football is something that is very popular on campus, demonstrated by the attendance of spectators. The average attendance, roughly, of each home game of the 2004 season was a shade over 4,000 people….
Currently, renovations are being done to the football field, an implication that football is still a top priority to the administration…. Fordham may not be a football powerhouse, like Oklahoma or Southern California, but it still puts out the best team it can possibly field, and it is always a perennial favorite in the preseason. The team even won a championship in 2002; it is unfair to say they have not tasted success in their history.
Regarding history, football is a big reason Fordham has such a favorable reputation amongst the public. This school is the former stomping grounds of legendary coach Vince Lombardi. As a player, he was a famed member of the “Seven Blocks of Granite,” a feared group of defensive linemen that struck terror in the hearts of opposing offenses everywhere. Though not essential to the notoriety of Fordham, football played a huge part in putting it on the map. I can’t see this school being as well known without Lombardi, or more specifically, football.
In terms of profit, football is number one in total revenue for sports at Fordham. According to the U.S. Department of Education Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act report, the Rams made $173,667 in revenue from football in 2003…. Men’s basketball also brings in a steady profit to Fordham, but that number is almost $95,000 less than football. Football is clearly the optimal source of revenue….
College sports in general must be a main part of institutional life. I cannot think of a better place that unites faculty, students, alumni and community members. In a place like a football stadium or a basketball arena, people of all walks of life can come together and support a common cause. It seems that I am putting sports on too high a platform, but it really can be the ultimate way to unite people together….
Football is a necessary and valuable entity to have on campus. It brings people together and showcases the amount of talent we have at this school. And that is the greatest prize – even better than a championship.
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