Good Question: What's The Benefit Of Playing Bowl Games?
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- This year marks the first time in 53 years that the University of Minnesota has played in a New Year's Day bowl game.
Despite the Gophers' loss to the University of Missouri at the Citrus Bowl Thursday, WCCO wondered what benefit Minnesota gets for being in a big-time bowl game.
Dave Mona was a long time Gopher football broadcaster and, as a consultant to the U, helped hire coach Jerry Kill. He said there are many ways playing in a bowl game can be a big boost for colleges.
"First, there is the money. This bowl pays $4,250,000, of which the university gets about $2 million," Mona said. "The Big Ten is somewhat unique. The Big Ten pools all of its bowl money. There is about $78 million of money that will be pooled. The university will get about $6.5 million from the cumulative bowls. Even if they were not in a bowl game, they would get $6.5 million."
Right now the U is trying to raise $190 million for new athletic and training facilities. Mona said an appearance in a big bowl game leads to increased donations.
"Giving goes up. Wisconsin did a survey after appearances in the Rose Bowl and there was a dramatic spike in giving. And, secondly, recruiting probably goes up," Mona said.
WCCO's Esme Murphy asked fans watching Thursday's game if the players get anything for being in the Citrus Bowl. Some fans thought they did and others said they didn't. In fact, the players do get a swag bag and a ring.
"Even if you lose, you get a ring," Mona said.
If you are wondering about how NCAA rules affect that swag bag, the NCAA allows bowls to spend $550 per players. Both Minnesota and Missouri players each got a $447 Best Buy card, a watch and an athletic shirt.
As for fans, having their team in a New Year's bowl game means the Gopher program has arrived.
"I used to get made fun of for being a Gopher fan," one viewer said. "Our team is playing on New Year's. You're watching my team now. So it's great."