Some have described them as the new religion for middle-aged adults and especially among young people. A sports columnist said that in some areas college athletics have overshadowed academics. Speak to some of the issues which might directly impact a Christian university as you seek to build and maintain an athletic program. About the idea that school sports are much bigger than academics, that's a natural phenomenon. Sports caters to spectators.
People can watch football and basketball.
They can't go to the chemistry department and watch a gifted student research. Professors may feel slighted, but I believe their work is so much more important than whether our teams are winning or losing. Some people may say that sports fans are idolatrous, but I don't think I would say that. Sports are just more fun to watch. God has given us all a gift.