My understanding is that participating in a range of athletics programs is required to be a member of an organization like the National Collegiate Athletic Asso

My understanding is that participating in a range of athletics programs is required to be a member of an organization like the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), which is required to participate in the most profitable sports (primarily football). Therefore the fact that individual sports and athletes do not make money doesn't mean that money isn't a reason for student athletic programs.