I’m not going to lie. I really enjoy watching sports a lot more when I have something invested in the game. Obviously, when you’re playing the game, it’s riding on your ultimate investment of blood, sweat, and tears. As a spectator, when your favorite team is on the field (like the Superbowl Champ New York GIANTS!), you have an emotional investment in the game. If you’re a hardcore fan, a playoff loss feels like there’s been a death in your family.

When you’re watching a game that doesn’t involve your favorite team, it’s a different story. If you happen to catch an exciting game, you’ll be entertained, but it still lacks that key element of investment. That’s why a lot of sports fans will put a few bucks on a game every now and then, just to make things interesting.

Being from New York, college football is kind of like the “Boxing Day (In Canada)” holiday on the calendars … I know it exists and understand what it’s all about, but have never been a part of it. Let’s face it – the closest local resemblance of a competitor is Rutgers. Who’s honestly going to be a “Rutgers fan” with the Giants and Jets twenty minutes up the New Jersey Turnpike?

Nevertheless, when Brian Melton suggested a “Bowl Pick ‘Em” contest to raise funds for TU Law’s Sports/Entertainment Law Society, I was immediately onboard. Considering my non-existent knowledge of college football, a logical human being might opt to sit out for this contest. On the other hand, I’m the guy who once bet on the racing hotdogs at a minor league ball game (“Mustard” is a phenomenal runner). So I bought an entry and flipped a coin for each outcome to pick.

Admittedly, it was exciting following the bowl games. We had a solid amount of participants, and those who finished in the top three spots in the contest were awarded non-monetary prizes.

Most importantly, the proceeds of the contest were donated to a cause that I’m sure everyone can support. The Sports/Entertainment Society bought high-quality junior sized footballs and donated them to underprivileged children as Christmas presents. This holiday season, a bunch of us got to have fun, and also make Christmas a little bit better for a few kids. If you ask me, that’s what I call a win-win situation.

If you have questions about the Sports/Entertainment Law Society, or want to become a member, e-mail us at TU.LAW.SPORTS.ENTERTAINMENT@gmail.com. If you have an idea for a contest to raise money for a good cause, feel free to let us know.

- Mike Giaramita, President of the TU Law Sports/Entertainment Law Society