… under-attended loser football team at the mediocre American university. Sure, it’s an empty expensive nothingness — but what other game is there in town? Isn’t it cruel of people to suggest that funds should go elsewhere?

But sometimes you have to put aside emotion and ask the sorts of questions Joyce here’s asking in the Springfield News-Leader:

… According to official reports submitted by MSU, its total athletic spending was $13.9 million in 2007-08. The actual total is somewhat greater, but certain outlays are not covered by NCAA and federal reporting rules.

Slightly more than 45 percent of the total was financed by ticket sales, advertising, NCAA Conference distributions and other “student-athlete” generated funds. Only 17.5 percent of athletic spending was covered by private contributions and endowment and investment income.

The remaining 37 percent of athletics spending — $5.2 million — was the program’s deficit. This is the subsidy provided by students and taxpayers. During these times of financial stringency, it becomes increasingly critical for the university to reduce this subsidy and shift limited resources to academic needs.

It was for this reason that [coach] Bill Rowe spoke of the need for his replacement to excel in “fundraising” — i.e., increasing private contributions above 17.5 percent of program costs.

He particularly highlighted the incoming AD’s need to increase “support for the football program.” Reported costs of the football team were $2.4 million in 2007-08, while private donations were $90,510 – only 3.8 percent of total spending. Meanwhile, ticket sales covered only 7.1 percent of football expenses.

Analyzed as a business, well, let’s not go there. The annual football deficit is $1.3 million.

Analyzed as a sport, the team has produced a win/loss record of 50 percent or higher only four times in the past 15 seasons, and once in the current high-profile coach’s three seasons. (His cumulative record is 12-21.)

Analyzed as entertainment, attendance at home games averaged only 8,958 during the 2008 season, despite the fact that students receive free admission. Even so, nearly half of the stadium’s 16,600 seats sat empty. The situation would undoubtedly have been worse if MSU did not suspend its usual rule against alcohol on campus to permit tailgate parties before each game.

Analyzed from a fairness perspective, 56 percent of all MSU students are females, but they are forced to subsidize –through their tuition — this all-male sport. Also, MSU has ongoing problems achieving compliance with the Federal Title IX rules against discrimination in its athletic program. An appreciation for the spirit of Title IX would go a long way in revitalizing the women’s program.

Analyzed from an academic perspective, only a minority of MSU’s football players typically earn college degrees, and the graduation rate is among the lowest of all athletes on campus. Moreover, the program’s $1.3 million annual deficit dissipates scarce resources that could otherwise be available to bolster the university’s academic programs…

Blah blah blah. You’ve heard it all before on this blog. Team eats shit, mainly drunk students at the games, almost no one on the team graduates, program’s bleeding money, what the hell’s going on year after year…

But you know and I know that a boy and his delusions aren’t easily separated. MSU will stay in the game.