Michigan-Ohio State. Duke-UNC. Oklahoma-Texas. These sports rivalries are some of the biggest in college athletics, with many Americans anticipating these games all year. Even among less popular rivalries, college sports are a cornerstone of the university experience and a way to build a strong and a prideful community.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), is the non-profit organization that manages intercollegiate athletics. According to ESPN Front Row, in the 2022-2023 season alone, the NCAA aired 27,600 college sports events across ESPN platforms, which is, on average, 89 events per day. ESPN’s most viewed college sports for the 2022-2023 season included football, gymnastics, basketball and many more. Downloading the NCAA app is a great way to keep up with scores.
While it might not be the most economically-conscious choice, the best way to watch college sports is attending live games at the university. Fans can feel the energy of the crowd, participate in traditions and immerse themselves in the experience. Throughout the college sports seasons, the University of Maryland hosts many sporting events that attract local fans, including CESJDS students.
For fans who are not able to attend the games in-person, a great alternative is to watch the many college sports games that are broadcasted on major networks like ESPN, CBS Sports and Fox Sports, accompanied by commentary on the game from sports analysts. Platforms like ESPN+, Hulu Live and YouTube TV offer live streaming on smartphones, tablets and televisions, making it easy to watch games online. Junior Matty Stillman is an avid sports fan, and watches many games online.
“Watching [college sports] on TV, you can see the spirit of the schools, all the fans going crazy,” Stillman said.
One of the most popular college sporting events across the United States—and within the JDS high school—is March Madness, a single elimination contest for college basketball teams. According to the NCAA, the 2024 Division I Women’s Basketball Championship averaged 18.7 million viewers on ESPN and ABC and peaked at 24 million viewers, making it the most-watched women’s basketball game ever. The 2024 Division I Men’s Basketball Championship averaged 14.82 million viewers, slightly more viewers than in 2023.
Following March Madness with JDS is a perfect way to keep up with the scores, as JDS takes March Madness very seriously. The Sports Analysis Club spearheads brackets throughout the middle and high school and brings excitement around the tournament. It is recommended to lean into the programming that the school offers, as it brings a sense of community around sports at JDS in addition to the community of college sports fans.
“College sports are really important because it’s a middle ground between high school and becoming a professional player, a step in the next direction,” Stillman said. “It’s special to see [the players’] journeys, and their experiences adjusting to college.”
Although the ranking of each team changes season to season, there are some consistently high ranked schools. Many of those colleges pride themselves on their sports teams, building communities upon sports traditions, fandom and school spirit. These schools are incredibly exciting to follow, and a must-watch for the big games. With the strong sense of university pride coupled with high level athletics, the games have a professional-level feel while still playing into the university rivalries.
As JDS students transition into college, it is important to emphasize the value of attending and supporting university teams. High school math teacher and Jewish life chair Robbie Shorr followed his college’s sports, and even though his college was Division III, he found a relatability factor in the athletes he was watching, as they had the same academic experience as Shorr.
Even among schools without intense athletic programs, college sports serve a greater purpose than they let on. They foster community not only among the players but among fans as well, creating a sense of community within schools. As a result, knowing how to follow college sports is a vital first step to joining the vibrant community of college sports fans.
“[The athletes’] emotion is so much more than the pros, because for many of them, especially the seniors, it’s their last [season],” Shorr said. “They’re not going to the next level, ninety percent of those people, So, the highs and lows, emotionally, are really intense. And I think that makes a really good fan experience.”