Upon my arrival in Madison about a month ago from the United Kingdom, my eagerness to immerse myself in American college sports culture was no secret.
Choosing the University of Wisconsin-Madison was driven, in large part, by the presence of an impressive 80,000-capacity stadium on campus. To put this in perspective, the current Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup winners, Manchester City, play in a stadium with just over 50,000 seats. In England, only two stadiums, one of them being Wembley Arena, can accommodate over 80,000 spectators. It’s a fact that still boggles my mind.
American college
Contrasting this with the U.K., where university sports culture is nearly nonexistent, even for top teams, which attract only a handful of spectators. This stark difference prompts the question: Why?
Sport is undeniably ingrained in British culture, with a profound love for sports like football and cricket. So, why does the university athletic system in the U.K. pale in comparison to the vibrant American athletics scene?
The fervor and investment in America’s sports culture have steadily grown over decades. Advances in sports broadcasting from the 1960s to the 2000s transformed how Americans perceive sports. For example, the introduction of NFL films in 1962 turned sports into not just a game but an all-American spectacle. This shift in perspective drew in people who might not have considered attending a sports game before.
Stadiums were no longer filled solely by young men, and sports franchises recognized this shift. They committed to delivering pure entertainment, complete with cheerleaders and mascots. This spectacle extended beyond America’s main sports leagues, finding its place on college campuses across the country.
Attending my first Badgers football game against Buffalo, I experienced this spectacle firsthand — from tailgates to cheerleaders and the marching band, it was a day wrapped up in the famous American school spirit. As we left Camp Randall after a three-hour game under the hot sun — the hottest Badgers game on record — I couldn’t help but wonder why the U.K. lacks anything comparable to this game day experience.
The major differences stem from varied financial approaches toward college sports. In the U.K., most up-and-coming athletes are more likely to be seen in separate sports academies than attending university. On the contrary, in the U.S., being a “college athlete” is synonymous with improved chances of going professional.
In 2012, the Premier League implemented the “Elite Player Performance Plan,” prioritizing the academy system to increase homegrown players. Attending university in the U.K. is not seen as the path to professional success for aspiring football players.
In the U.S., college-to-professional pipelines like the NFL draft closely tie the aim of becoming professional to the college system. This is a stark contrast to the U.K., where academics and the university athletic system remain entirely separate.
Although the significance of the NFL draft is evident to American readers, it’s a unique aspect within the world of athletic recruitment from an outside perspective. College attendance becomes a major part of the identity and success of athletes like Joe Burrow or Patrick Mahomes.
I appreciate the American college approach to college sports, from state-of-the-art facilities to unwavering support from Badgers fans of different generations. The energy permeating every section of Camp Randall was a joy to experience, and traditions like the “Jump Around” before every fourth quarter added to the game day charm.
Unfortunately, I doubt the U.K. will ever reach American college level of school spirit. Perhaps this is rooted in broader cultural differences between the U.K. and the U.S. Despite attempts by Premier League football teams to incorporate elements of the American experience, only Crystal Palace Football Club has cheerleaders, met with confusion and skepticism from spectators.
Quietly, I admit to feeling disappointed that there’s nothing quite like the wild world of American college sports back home. It’s an experience everyone should encounter at least once.
-
-
-
-
