"We're able to create a more fan-friendly environment at our games," Carlson says . "Without advertising, it would be a kind of bland, morbid setting. It would be just a sport being played for the athletes rather than for the fans as well."

But Harvard officials flat-out reject the idea that corporate promotions can add to fan enjoyment.

"Does it really make it more exciting to sit in a bowl game and have to hear every fifteen minutes that Frank's restaurant is waiting for you outside of the game?" Reardon says.

Staples says that Harvard's policy is actually the most effective in attracting spectators to school sporting events.

"I think our policy helps us attract people," he says. "People get tired of going to Celtics games and being inundated by P.A announcements and corporate logos. They think it's too much."

"We've heard people say they like to come to our events," he added. "It's so pure, it's the way sports ought to be."

Staples says other schools might try to use corporate advertising to increase attendance--but only if they have weak athletic programs.

"I think there is this goal if you don't have a strong product," he says. "Businesses usually rely on other promotions if their product is not strong enough to attract people on its own."