academic studies found at a university? NO CARES ABOUT SPORTS! it's a fun thing to watch and jab others about. But the ability to get your paper reviewed, your research presented, your PhD funding to be secured is whole irrelevant to how a school's sports team did that year.
When was the last time you had the professors go on strike because a school's football program got cut or taken down a level? NEVER. However if you had your way, the English Department would be cut and every professor would walk out immediately.
IT'S A SCHOOL WITH A SPORTING PROGRAM! NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND!