Next Generation

[Red Rhino]

I’ve done everything I can to help my children carry on the 75 year history of my family cheering for the Utes, but my children really aren’t interested in college sports.

Most the people I know their age also do not care about college sports. I can’t even get them to sit down and watch a movie with me. They are only interested in YouTube and short videos. I’m amazed how mutch time they spend watching videos of other people playing video games.

I’m wondering about your children. Are they interested in the Utes? I’m also wondering about the future of sports in America. Judging by the apathy I see from Generation Z and Alpha, I’m not sure the current NIL will be sustainable within the next generation’s lifespans.

[RoboUte]

Consider that, very often, other people playing video games is also competition. They may also have the same internal drive to follow or cheer for something competitive you do, but focused on something they better identify with. Maybe they can see themselves competing online before on the football field. Maybe they don’t dig competition at all.

I think booster money will dry up as fewer men opt into college, as has been the case for many years. College is losing its value proposition, its rising costs, the bias of k-12 education, financial assistance, and pedagogy in general to women and girls, and the willingness to jump into careers with less competition and good pay (trades) are all combining to reduce male enrollment. For now there’s no reason to expect the trend to reverse. I know I certainly wouldn’t be a die hard Utah fan if I hadn’t attended the school, and I think the vast majority of NIL donors are men. The coming decades will tell the story of the gravy train withering. That’s not even mentioning the incredible lack of wealth younger generations are enjoying relative to those prior.

[China Rider]

My oldest and daughter in law were big time boosters of the U of Minnesota for a long, long time. The way NIL has become a old west shootout that it is have soured them. The two youngest have no interest in college sports what so ever. None. They just humor me on a good day.

[Utah]

I’ve been thinking about this a lot.

Phones have changed things. I’m not sure for the better.

Phones make doing nothing too easy. Have homework to do? You sit down and open instagram. Have chores to do? It’s too easy to scroll Reddit. And so on.

There is so much value in being bored. Being bored is when you think. Think about your day. What went well. What went wrong. How to get better.

Bored gets you outside shooting hoops. It gets you on a walk. It gets you thinking of how to improve. It gets you planning and dreaming.

Phones prevent all that. It’s just mindless scrolling. Non-thinking, trying to sell you something.

And you know who buys stuff? Unhappy people. So advertising and doom scrolling is all about trying to make you feel bad so you buy stuff.

Anyways. This is my “I’m getting old” rant.

[belli1976]

This topic is kinda ironic.

Since the U was the first P5 university to offer scholarships for E-sports.

UofU ESports

[Charlie]

I grew up listening to sports on the radio because TV games were few, attending a game was a real treat. Today, or better yet before the Big 12, all the games were on TV and access to attending games are way up for kids. Additionally, there are so many more entertainment options. Easy to pass and maybe catch the next game. I spent several years in the Army then out-of-state college that made my heart grow fonder, my kids not so much. Maybe it is taken for granted. I am lucky, kids and grandkids like our Utes.

[AlohaUte]

My kids are Ute fans. But not as deep as me. But I also think Fandom grows as we age.

[Rick Walker]

I’m Gen Z and this is a genuine worry of mine. In elementary school and middle school college football was for me and my dad, but I had nobody else to talk to about sports until late in high school when I had a few friends get more invested in college sports (even if a few were zoob fans🤮)

[HATUman]

My 7-year-old son is a die-hard Utes fan, and it’s awesome to see how much he loves it. He’s always asking when the next game is and will even rewatch recordings on his own. Any time someone tries to take his picture, he flashes the U, and I love it. It’s fun to share that passion with him—right now, he’s all about spending time with me, and I absolutely soak it up.

That said, I’m a little worried about the next year and a half since I’m in grad school, which takes a lot of my time. I really want to keep this tradition going, but between the craziness of college sports (NIL, transfer portal, etc.) and my demanding schedule, I sometimes wonder if my own interest will hold up. Still, I hope to keep the bond strong and make time for it—it means a lot to both of us.

[The Miami Ute]

I’ve taken my daughters to numerous Utah sporting events including the Rose Bowl, PAC 12 CCG, Las Vegas Bowl, etc…however, in a word, they’re not into Utah or any sports in general and are certainly not fans. The only reason they haven’t had any issues going with me to all of these sporting events is the extracurricular activities that came along with those trips.

In that sense, they’re like a lot of other kids their age. And you’re right, these newer generations don’t really have the same deep committed love for sports than, say my generation. There are just so many entertainment options out there now to include, as you say, video games. I’ve read studies about this phenomenon, and it’s worldwide, and it foreshadows some major problems for all sorts of sports down the line. Without fans, the sports might as just well not exist, since then all they really do is become exercise.

[Red Rhino]

Sports is and always has been a great way for me to connect and find common ground with people. I’ve had many times when sports have saved me from times where it otherwise would have been difficult to find something in common with someone. I have had so many great memories talking about great games or incredible sports moments with family members and friends. I guess I’ll need to get to know Mr Beast and Captainsparklez if I want to connect with the next generation.

[COUte]

My boys (7 and 9) love the Utes and Utah football games…. for about a quarter and they are ready to go home. Basketball games…oof… Can’t do it. Can’t even distract them with the concessions because they’re actual garbage.

[OmahaOmaha]

I’m fortunate. My youngest, a boy, is a complete sports nut and a current D1 athlete himself. He didn’t choose Utah because it didn’t check enough boxes and he had a better relationship with other coaches, but he’s a Utah guy through and through and loves going to almost anything Utah related when he’s in town during breaks. My daughters are less involved although one was also a D1 athlete, but again, not at Utah. She did get her graduate degree from Utah though and enjoys some of the sports, namely football, softball and some women’s basketball and soccer. The other girl just isn’t into it. She’s a Utah girl, most would say a girly-girl, but, isn’t a Utah sports nut. Seems to love hockey though.

Growing up, they hardly did anything inside. Almost no inside toys and rarely a video game. We’d kick them out of the house and tell them to go find something outside to do, which they now appreciate. They were all involved in competitive sports starting young — whenever they showed an interest, usually around 7 or 8 years old.

My son will definitely continue the tradition. One daughter will likely continue it especially when she finds a husband to go with. The other daughter — unlikely, unless she finds a husband that finds it really important.

My wife beats us all. She’ll go to everything with or without me.

[Author]

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