Having lived for extended periods in both the South and the Northeast, I always marveled at the dichotomous priority each region placed on college football. The game seems an afterthought in the Northeast. Aside from a few loyal Michigan, BC and Penn State alums, Saturday's heroes are persona non grata in New York and deities in the South.

It's hard to believe we're at the beginning of another year. Wow, what a ride! 2011 was quite a year in the world of sports and the sports business. Clearly, our industry impacts the health of our economy and the front pages of our society.