Walking out of the Union last Friday, I heard rallying cheers on the Main Quad. I assumed it was another evangelist causing a ruckus until I took a closer look.

It happened to be the Rally Against Rape Culture, which gathered an impressive crowd to demonstrate students’ feelings toward the University’s sexual assault problem. Given the three reported sexual assaults on campus within the first week of school, the rally was justified and definitely needed.

One particular speaker at the rally was concerned about the inequality between certain programs at the University. The football and basketball teams get so much support and attention from students and administration, while programs like Rape, Advocacy, Counseling and Education Services (R.A.C.E.S) are just scraping by to keep their doors open to survivors of sexual assault.

It’s definitely unfair that our most helpful and valuable rape advocacy and counseling program has been understaffed and has faced harsh budget cuts while the football program considers renovations to the stadium. Though it’s easy to blame the University, students must check the facts before pointing fingers.

The truth is, the NCAA generates tons of money for the University. If the football program is earning millions of dollars from fans and contributors, that money can’t be allocated toward other University programs.

In 2015, the University’s NCAA teams brought in $85,998,659. Only $649,328 came from University funding, while $14,191,778 came from ticket sales.

Speakers at the rally seemed upset that head football coach Lovie Smith receives a salary of $3.5 million a year while sexual assault advocacy programs contemplate shutting their doors. But Smith’s salary only makes sense given how much money the program generates.

These circumstances are unfortunate, but the University is definitely not to blame. As long as students attend games and buy merchandise, and fans at home tune in to watch the games, that won’t change.

The real problem lies in state budget cuts. R.A.C.E.S was one of many victims of these cuts, which forced them to reduce services and rely mainly on volunteers to keep up and running. The Counseling Center also decreased its long-term services for students.

The sports teams certainly aren’t to blame for this inequality, but that doesn’t mean they’re void of responsibility. At a Big Ten university, our sports programs have a wide viewership platform, and they should use that platform for the greater good.

The football team took part in the “It’s On Us” campaign last year by playing promotions during the games. They and other teams could continue this dedication by holding fundraisers where portions of ticket sale profits are donated to underfunded programs like R.A.C.E.S.

It makes sense for students to be upset by these circumstances, but channeling that frustration toward the right people is important in ensuring our voices be heard.

If we’re going to be mad, be mad at our legislators, not Lovie Smith. Be mad at Bruce Rauner, who turns a blind eye to beneficial programs like R.A.C.E.S to further his political agenda — not the football team.

It’s easy to blame the University for situations we deem unfair or unjust, but we must look at the underlying facts before pointing fingers, especially in front of hundreds of people on the quad.

[email protected]