Super Bowl Events Revive a Familiar Question: Where’s Football?

Santa Clara University students had the opportunity to participate in a field goal and passing contest on Alameda lawn on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2026, and Friday, Feb. 5, 2026. (Nina Glick/The Santa Clara)

Super Bowl LX took place on Sunday, Feb. 8th at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, where the Seattle Seahawks were crowned champions.

In the days leading up to the big game, Santa Clara University’s Super Bowl Committee organized a series of events to build excitement on campus. The Benson Memorial Center hosted a bake sale featuring football-themed desserts and other treats on Wednesday, Feb. 4.

On Thursday and Friday, the Alameda Lawn transformed into a makeshift football field as students lined up to participate in the field goal-kicking and passing contest.

Students, staff and faculty attempted to kick a 40-yard field goal, entering them into a raffle to win a retro Santa Clara football jersey, and spun a wheel for swag bags, football squishies and other giveaways. 

More than a hundred students also attended bingo and the NFL Honors Watch Party on Thursday night, where prizes included NFL jerseys of star players such as Christian McCaffrey, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Puka Nacua and more.

Yet, a football team is still missing from Santa Clara University’s lineup of Division I athletics. The University discontinued the program in 1993, reallocating more than $3 million to strengthen other areas on campus. 

At Super Bowl Opening Night earlier in the week, Seahawks rookie offensive guard Mehki Butler reacted with surprise when he learned that the University does not have a football team. “How do y’all not have a football team? They need a football team,” he said, effectively petitioning on the University’s behalf. 

So what do Santa Clara University students think about the possibility of adding one?

“I think it would definitely increase school spirit,” said Bennett Angulo ’26. “One of the experiences I missed out on is having a football team, being able to go tailgate with friends, and getting ready for a game all week. It’s just a lot of fun.”

Reflecting on the field goal contest, Angulo said, “I enjoyed watching people attempt their best kick, but I haven’t seen one go through yet. If we do get this football team, we might need to get a kicker next year. Even going to basketball games, I think football is a larger scale than that. It’s even more energy and excitement from the students.”

Former high school football player Ankur Vanteru ’27 shared a similar sentiment. “I was a little bummed out that we didn’t have a football team. Football is a sport that brings a lot of people together. I know our basketball team is kind of like that, women’s soccer, but I feel like football is America’s sport, and it has the most following for a reason. I think it would enhance school spirit.”

However, reviving a football team at the University would require a significant financial commitment. While the University saved only $3 million when the program was discontinued, modern collegiate football budgets far exceed that figure. Many Division I programs operate with budgets in the tens of millions, with powerhouse schools like the University of Alabama spending more than $100 million to support their team each year. 

The city and University are now shifting their focus towards hosting the FIFA World Cup this summer.