SHANE WILSON
Where’s the love for Division II?
It’s pretty easy to find information on virtually every NCAA Division I team in the country. The Entertainment Sports Programming Network (ESPN) has a bevy of information, stats and otherwise, readily available for anybody who wishes to view it. In-depth analysis, previews, reviews and even live coverage are at the fingertips of every sports lover who has a television or the internet.
Why is that sort of information harder to access for Division II?
There’s really only one answer I could think of – money.
Division I schools are typically the more high profile institutions with high enrollment numbers and big time sports programs. These colleges bring in big bucks when it comes to sports revenue – ticket sales are just a portion of the thousands of dollars these schools bring in. With a larger alumni pool, there’s more of an opportunity for donors contributing to a program’s facilities, scholarships, etc.
It’s simple when you first think about it. Larger schools who are members of bigger conferences like the ACC, SEC, Pac 10 or the Big XII bring in the big bucks.
Does that mean these schools hold more entertainment value?
I think not.
The obvious differences in competition aside, Division II sports provide an excellent opportunity for athletes and fans alike to participate in the art of sport. Athletes who did not have the opportunity to participate in the upper echelon of their respective sports have the chance to be a part of something bigger than themselves, albeit on a smaller stage.
Sports enthusiasts who enjoy a more “pure” form of the game can marvel at the sights and sounds of Division II sports. Athletes who engage in this competition are less likely to be centrally motivated by money or fame.
It’s really too bad that ESPN, the self proclaimed “Worldwide Leader in Sports,” doesn’t have a good pulse on Division II. There are rankings and the occasional story or two on the Web site, but it just isn’t good enough.
The argument is similar, in part, to the market debate in professional sports. Take a large market team like the Philadelphia Eagles, who have seen their ups and downs over the past few decades, and compare them to a small market team like the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Eagles play in a larger market than most, allowing them more consistent coverage and exposure. The Chiefs, on the other hand, play in a small market, hampering their ability to consistently bring in big name free agents and gain a steady dose of national exposure.
Philadelphia represents Division I. Big money markets, big money schools – same difference. The small-market Chiefs are similar to Division II. Less exposure and revenue usually equals less highly-touted recruits.
The assumption is a smaller school can’t produce entertaining, highly competitive sporting events.
I’d like to hear someone who has watched an MIAA basketball game say that.
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