<ol>
<li><p>Dartmouth College.</p></li>
<li><p>Attend. Not too big on the football games, but support for the sports program as a whole is pretty big. More importantly though, 75% of the student body is in varsity, club, or intramural sports. Plus, the Dartmouth Outing Club is really big on campus. Most of the people I know are athletic and into sports in general/the outdoors.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>1) UT-Austin. The highest-paid football coach in the NCAA (and most fans don’t bat an eye) and playing next week for tne national championship in football. Basketball team ranked no. 2 in the nation. Baseball team finished second last year in the CWS, and the women’s volleyball team just lost the natl championship this month to the three-peat champ. That’s the success I can think of off the top of my head. UT is the undisputed leader in generating revenue, almost $20 million ahead of the no. 2 school.</p>
<p>2) Local resident and lifelong fan.</p>
<p>1) University of Michigan</p>
<p>2) Two words: Big House: At U-M, everyone is very supportive of most sports games and tournaments that go on. Football and Basketball are very popular sports at Michigan, however, we excel in other sports like swimming, gymnastics and volleyball. There are many IM sports that people can join such as flag football. I know many of my friends that are doing IM. Nothing beats Michigan football Saturdays. Over 250 games where attendance has surpassed 100,000 says a lot. Sports is big at Michigan! GO BLUE!</p>
<p>A distinction probably needs to be made between universities that are big into certain sports (e.g. football, basketball) and others that are big into many sports. Sure, Texas or Florida may be big football schools, but their big sports can overshadow the less common sports such as Judo or archery. I think that certain schools such as Stanford have a reputation for having a wide variety of sports at the competitive level.</p>
<p>1) The whole SEC when talking of football (can’t speak for Vandy though)
2) student at Alabama, many friends at LSU, Ole Miss, Miss State, Tennessee, Georgia</p>
<ol>
<li>Colby College</li>
<li>I graduated with the class of 2009</li>
</ol>
<p>“2) Two words: Big House: At U-M, everyone is very supportive of most sports games and tournaments that go on. Football and Basketball are very popular sports at Michigan, however, we excel in other sports like swimming, gymnastics and volleyball. There are many IM sports that people can join such as flag football. I know many of my friends that are doing IM. Nothing beats Michigan football Saturdays. Over 250 games where attendance has surpassed 100,000 says a lot. Sports is big at Michigan! GO BLUE!”</p>
<p>You forgot to mention ice hockey!</p>
<p>I want to add a caveat to modestmelody’s post. Wes does have a lot of people participating in sports (esp. when one counts inter-murals like ultimate frisbee), as do a lot of LACs, actually. But it is not a big sports school by any means – while it is a nice place if you want to play for fun, it does not have a lot of school spirit around sports/games, so if that is what you’re looking for (as a spectator or varsity athlete), it might not be the best choice.</p>
<p>haha… totally forgot about hockey.</p>
<p>UNC (10 char)</p>
<p>1 Villanova (at least for basketball)
2 I went there for a year. That school goes CRAZY for its basketball. Jay Wright is a god on campus, Final Four last year, top 10 this year, need I say more?</p>
<p>Wisconsin which easily exceeds Michigan and any other school in three income (football, basketball, ice hockey) sport fan support and success. Also fan passion is higher. The Big House is often the quietest 100,000 people ever assembled in one place.</p>
<p>Agree about TX A&M (post #14). Fans who DON’T stand during the game are called 2 percenters ;)</p>
<p>“Wisconsin which easily exceeds Michigan and any other school in three income (football, basketball, ice hockey) sport fan support and success. Also fan passion is higher. The Big House is often the quietest 100,000 people ever assembled in one place”</p>
<p>I think it’s in the “beer”…burp.</p>
<p>Nope–the QUALITY. While UM is losing to bottom feeder IU in basketball:</p>
<p>[Courierpostonline</a> - No. 23 Wisconsin beats No. 15 Ohio State 65-43](<a href=“USA TODAY - Breaking News and Latest News Today”>USA TODAY - Breaking News and Latest News Today)</p>
<p>Basically UM’s major sports are a shambles right now.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Williams
It’s evident by their awards history that Williams takes its varsity sports very seriously. In addition there are club sports and plenty of casually assembled activities. In general, Williams kids are physically active. Not all are involved in organized sports but most participate in some kind of activity, either with a group like broomball, outing club excursions, tobagganing or individual like fitness, jogging, winter sports.</p></li>
<li><p>My son graduated in 07. He was not a team athlete but was involved in several sports/outdoorsy activities. As an Eagle Scout his interest in backpacking and camping predated Williams, but while there he acquired skills in squash, snowboarding and diving. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>In my opinion the emphasis on staying healthy through physical activity is an excellent antidote to the academic pressure and an important lifestyle habit.</p>
<p>“Basically UM’s major sports are a shambles right now.”</p>
<p>I agree. It’s depressing. We used to be rated up there with the best in the nation and now we’re even below Wisconsin. :-(</p>
<p>I want to second Youdon’tsay:</p>
<ol>
<li>UT Austin: huge football school, but other sports are very very successful and are ardently followed as well. </li>
</ol>
<p>Basically, everone bleeds burnt orange.</p>
<ol>
<li>I’ve lived in Austin since I was four-and-a-half years old. (Also, my mom went there and my dad has taught occasional courses there.)</li>
</ol>
<p>Go Longhorns!!!</p>
<p>Michigan State!!! (I am a current student)
We have perhaps one of the most recognizable sports mascots in college history - Sparty! We made the 2009 championship game for basketball - Tom Izzo and the Izzone are constantly in the top lists for great sports coaches and dedicated fans respectively. Also, although our varsity football program isn’t as renowned as basketball, it has made bowl games 3 years in a row. Spartan hockey is also pretty popular. As far as the popularity of playing sports, as a whole MSU’s campus is fairly athletic. IM sports are very popular and we have excellent, extensive sports facilities. Athletics overall are a huge part of campus life here at MSU</p>
<p>Wake. I just graduated and played a club sport and intramurals. Both physical fitness and cheering on the varsity teams are pretty important to the majority of the student body; the gym is always busy and many participate in intramurals. As previously mentioned, Screamin’ Demons is the club for football and basketball games.</p>