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stadiums? Ask around. Sure, there have been unruly, vulgar fans in college foot- ball stadiums for years, but it seems to be getting worse each autumn. Just look at what is happening now. Penn State fans might think it's just good old friendly taunting when they boo the opposing team as it runs onto the field before kickoff. But, nowadays, that isn't good enough. They feel com- pelled to boo the other school's band, too, and those kids don't get those hefty scholarships, free food and other bene- fits that turn too many college football players into spoiled brats. Do you notice all the trash talking on the field nowadays, just like in the pros? What's next, the refusal of the co-cap- tains to shake hands before the coin toss at midfield? Oh, we saw that last season, didn't we? From those Maryland players who also started a fight with Penn State players before the game. The Big Ten fined Maryland $10,000 and reprimanded its head coach for failing to control his team prior to the game. One of three players who didn't shake hands was suspended one game for touching an official during the fight, but no action was taken against him and the other two players for re- fusing to shake hands. The Big Ten meekly said that the handshake inci- dent was "exceptionally regrettable." What happens the next time, spitting in the face? And it's not just what's happening on the field and in the grandstands that is changing college football. Coaches' salaries are climbing into the rock star range, and even assistants are becoming millionaires. More money and perks are going to be given to the players in order to keep them from unionizing. More and more players and teams are being caught in violation of major rules, with money given under the table to parents of prospects and widespread academic cheating not only in football but in bas- ketball, too. Yes, I'm aware of all the worthy argu- ments for many of the new financial benefits. Yes, maybe the players should share in some way for all the work they do to help those coaches and adminis- trators climb into higher tax brackets. Yes, maybe they should get a slice of the pie when their uniform numbers become profit centers for their college and self- serving entrepreneurs. But what about the average fans, not the heavy donors, who are continually facing higher and higher ticket and re- served parking prices that spark uncere- monious seating and parking realign- ments that make past loyalty passe? Look what happened with Penn State's STEP program and the banishment of most ADA season-ticket holders to the Outer Mongolia of Beaver Stadium park- ing at Innovation Park. The NCAA – which is now so corrupt it can't even follow its own rules – was created in the early 1900s partly because college athletics, particularly football, were becoming too professional in many ways, including a casual disregard for academics. In some respects, things haven't changed – except for the money. Coaches' salaries and players complain- ing about not getting a piece of the ac- tion for all their hard work were not an issue until recent years. And don't tell me it's not about the money. It's ALWAYS about the money when there is so much of it being tossed around, especially nowadays by televi- sion, which appears to be the real power and influence in college football. Just look at the millions ESPN/ABC is paying for the rights to all those games that monopolize TV screens and the subse- quent profits they are raking in. In mid-December, Jon Solomon, who tracks college football attendance for CBSSports.com, reported that home at- tendance in 2014 was the lowest in 14 years, although not at most of the top 25 attendance leaders, including Penn State, which boasted an increase of more than 5,000 fans per game. Of course, those figures don't count all the empty seats or no-shows that the colleges never report. Don't be surprised if that trend continues in the future. There are probably a lot of reasons for the lower attendance figures, but I sure as hell have my theory. ■ The Remarkable Journey of the 2012 Nittany Lions A diary by Lou Prato, author of the Penn State Football Encyclopedia and four other Nittany Lion books Personalized autographed copy available through Lou Prato and Associates Call 814-692-7577 or email louprato@comcast.net Price: $19.95 plus tax and shipping

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