any University. It's not something they have to do, and last time I checked, there is no degree for being an offensive lineman. There is no doubt that there of fans of every big time athletic school that takes the athletics part to a different level, and to some, it's like a religion. Out here in flyover, KU basketball is not only a game, a University institution, but it's a social institution that brings like minded people in the community together like nothing else out there. If you get out of the suburbs, and know people in farm/ranch small town America, it's just different. They show up to the bars, town meetings, and even church wearing either KU or K-State gear. Almost all of them have never attended either University, or any University for that matter. It's part of the social fabric. That should not be dismissed, especially with the university academic types. The power schools recruit their players nationally. The top academic schools do the same for their students. Reputation, brand, and ya, regional pride can make all the difference when recruiting students. I know that you dismiss that, but if a talented kid grew up cheering for KU basketball with his family, friends, and community - where do you think he will look first for his secondary education? Those fans that did not attend the school (these are not casual fans), actually make donations to the universities, leave them money in their wills, and are die hard fans that follow these athletic programs their entire lives. No one I have ever heard of leaves money for the KC Chiefs when they pass, so why is it they leave their estates or parts of their estates for purple or red/blue? Athletics, especially in the South and Middle America is much more profound than some will ever give credit too.