Each fall, econ professor and U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati teaches a seminar titled "Sports Economics." As there are few chances to take classes on sports at Columbia, and Gulati's credentials to teach one are rather impressive (and past guests have included NBA commissioner David Stern and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft president Jonathan Kraft), the 15 spots in the class are in high demand. The catch? Ten of the spots are filled by the first people in line at his office at 9 a.m. tomorrow. This means that yes, people camp out to ensure their spots. We'll have regular dispatches from the marathon, already underway.
4:00 p.m.: Only four people waiting at the moment, T-17 hours and counting. Highlights thus far:
- Students in attendance have been watching Jerry Maguire as "pre-seminar field research."
- Someone found a Scrabble board deep in the recesses of the econ department—good chance that comes into use later on.
- Gulati himself made an appearance. He made fun of the kids there already and suggested their priorities on a beautiful Labor Day were out of whack. That sounds rather cruel.
- Gulati did express a wish that he could just sign kids up tonight, but Susan Elmes, the department head, apparently nixed that.
- For those who don't snag spots this way, Gulati will take five others via an interview process.
More to come throughout the day... and evening... and night... and morning (pictures included!) after the jump.
