No they aren't playing at the public's behest . Over 90 percent of our states population doesn't care in the least about the sports programs at the U of A and feels the state shouldn't spend another dime on sports.  The schools are short on money and the easiest cut is the sports programs where over 80 percent of the schools own students don't support the teams.   Most of those pushing the sports programs are those getting a free or reduced cost education to play and those getting paid to administer and coach the teams .  Blowing over 10 million a year on sports while raising everyone's tuition to help pay for sports is wrong.