if anyone thinks that's not true, then research what's taking place with cal's football/athletic performance buildout and oklahoma. ou's president stated in july that his institution has a billion in debt that he can't pay, primarily because all those new building that were created mainly under the boren regime cannot pay for themselves. that's with an athletic department that makes enough money it kicks back millions to the academic side.
cal is a total fiasco. they decided that they would use financing for their athletic facilities that would take nearly a century to pay off. the football team doesn't sell well enough to get asses in seats, and the academic side is being used to make up the financial shortfall.
in both cases, the notion that a high profile football team was more important than maintaining the academic efficacy of the university. i hope that isn't going to happen with nd, but the crossroads had no academic purpose, and was done to enhance the marketing of the nd football. if attendance trends continue, even with the occasional concert/hockey game, then it will be a really bad deciscion. hope not, but no of us should be optimistic....