Anonymous wrote:Look, it’s not like you can’t mix big football schools with very good academics. Big football schools tend to be more fun, and college is supposed to be fun.

So good for him.

This. All of our kids looked for and are looking for matches in terms of academics and also social life. Big football and basketball schools tend to have great social outlets and that's a plus. One of our kids refused to even consider some of the Ivies because their football teams are not very good. What can I say? I'm not the one going to school. We support our kids in finding their best fit.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Michigan
Florida
Penn State

Notre Dame
Northwestern

my kid chose ND mainly because of overall school quality, student caring, and program strength.
kid is enjoying the football culutre and school spirit thing.

How about schools like
Texas
Georgia
Clemson
Ohio State

I went to the University of Florida and having D1 football was huge for me (and I'm a woman). Also loved the basketball games and the gymnastics.

My parents didn't have the big college experience, but I wanted it all: sports, sororities, fraternity parties, etc. Fall was a nonstop party from Thursday night to Sunday about noon, when we all returned to studying.

I wasn't worried about the academics: They had a perfect program match for me, and I knew if for some reason I wanted to switch majors, they offered everything under the sun.

The most fun four years of my life.

Plenty of schools across the spectrum with good sports programs. I already know this is a requirement for my freshman son. I know he would be unhappy with some place like W&M, even if it’s a little better than where he ends up. Let it go and focus on the academics. I’m a big believer that you make your own college experience. You can go to a mediocre school, shine, and get maybe more opportunities than being mediocre at an elite school.

Big football program was a carrot. Big sports program, basketball too. We weren't going to encourage a U that wasn't, otherwise, a good fit.

Anonymous wrote:If rooting for his team will bring him life-long joy, I think it is fine.

This is also a great byproduct. You have your team for life - however wonderful or incredibly disappointing that may be come fall!

Colleges know there are a lot of students like this - part of the reason they continue to pour money into these programs. One of the most blatant (to me) examples of this is for-profit Grand Canyon University making it a priority to be a D-1 school. It's the only one in that category I think!

We are a completely unathletic, non-sports fans family, yet both our kids wanted a large, D-1 university. Both got their wish and are not only getting excellent educations, but loving the incredible school spirit, games, etc. It’s been so fun watching them have a blast.

Anonymous wrote:One of our kids could have gone to some of those top SLAC with little to no sports but came to the conclusion, schools with big sports programs have happier students. I completely agree. The other kid went to a smaller SLAC and it was not fun, transferred to a bigger school and is loving t.

some like it some don't but I find the ones that like it don't talk badly about those who go to smaller schools while those who go to smaller schools with virtually no sports or sprit tend to bash those who go to big sports schools.

Exactly this. It’s a very snobby mentality which speaks volumes.

Anonymous wrote:My DD goes to a smaller in state Public school with a small football program. They were one of the teams that the big teams pay to have them come play and ended up beating the big team in a huge upset. So while she didn’t fly to watch them play, it was a lot of fun for her on Saturday.

app state or marshall?

The one I mentioned above was ODU, who I think Tech might stop playing

If rooting for his team will bring him life-long joy, I think it is fine.

My DD goes to a smaller in state Public school with a small football program. They were one of the teams that the big teams pay to have them come play and ended up beating the big team in a huge upset. So while she didn’t fly to watch them play, it was a lot of fun for her on Saturday.

One of our kids could have gone to some of those top SLAC with little to no sports but came to the conclusion, schools with big sports programs have happier students. I completely agree. The other kid went to a smaller SLAC and it was not fun, transferred to a bigger school and is loving t.

some like it some don't but I find the ones that like it don't talk badly about those who go to smaller schools while those who go to smaller schools with virtually no sports or sprit tend to bash those who go to big sports schools.

It’s a shame that only one school on the list we have put together for our daughter has a bigger sports program. Of the 3 schools she has gone through so far, it does seem to be her favorite, though.