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$10 Million Can Buy Boosters All-Access Pass To Kindergarten-Inspired Arizona State Football Practice

#Arizona State Sun Devils
by Last Updated

iStockphoto / USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Arizona State football played nursery rhymes during practice.


The Arizona State football team practiced while nursery rhymes blared from the loudspeakers on Monday morning. Head coach Kenny Dillingham used the kindergarten tunes to make his players uncomfortable.

For the low, low price of $10 million, you, too, can gain field access for one of these unique sessions of Sun Devils practice!

One of the program’s top supporters was recently on hand to watch the program prepare for the 2026 college football season. He earned that right through massive financial support.

Brian Switte donated $10 million in the offseason for football success. That gift will be used to fund the following aspects of the program:

  • Recruitment and retention of the best and brightest student-athletes to ASU
  • Recruitment and retention of best-in-class coaches and staff
  • Retention and compensation of Sun Devil Football student-athletes as allowed by the NCAA
  • New technologies to enhance athletes’ physical and mental development

Switte answered Dillingham’s call for NIL support. He was rewarded in the form of access most college football fans will never experience.

Kenny Dillingham has been begging for NIL donations.

He’s done so since taking over in Tempe. Some have answered the bell. Dillingham believes there’s still a long way to go.

The Sun Devils have experienced incredible success under the head coach’s leadership. Arizona State bounced back from a 3-win season in 2023 to make the College Football Playoff a year later.

Despite the success, the program saw a number of players leave via the transfer portal.

Dillingham said NIL was to blame. “It’s unfortunate that those kids that want to be Sun Devils, some of them are going to have to face questions of, ‘Do I want to be a Sun Devil more than I want another $300,000?’” he said during a CFP presser.

He was still recruiting his roster while preparing for a national title run.

Dillingham has left no leaf unturned in his efforts to gain financial support. That ’24 roster was projected to 4.5 games. They surpassed that total by Game 6 in route to a Big 12 championship. By Game 7, he was asking sports bettors who’d cashed the over to chip in.

The head coach has fully embraced the NIL era, though there are difficulties that come along with it. Arizona State is not a blue blood. It is not able to recruit on brand alone. The Sun Devils must identify and develop talent, then retain top performers when richer schools come calling.

It’s a challenge that many programs around the county face. Dillingham has a positive outlook, even if his team is sometimes the eight-ball.

It’s paid dividends of late. In 2023, he credited a donor with saving the program by giving $1 million.

“We wouldn’t have a football team without [that gift].”

Fast forward to 2026, and the generosity continues. Brian Switte’s $10 million donation is the largest endowed leadership position in Sun Devil Athletics.

Switte is a 1976 graduate. He insists that football success enhances the college experience.

“Success in sports is important for the university. It enhances the college experience. It brings a sense of community and pride. It enriches our brand. It engages alumni and builds support for the university.”

-Brian Switte

His gift has resulted in access that most college fans can only dream of.

Switte was on hand for a practice session over the weekend. He got the chance to mingle with Dillingham and former ASU QB Brock Osweiler on the field. The coaching staff rolled out the red carpet. He certainly deserves it.

With that said, Switte appeared to take in a tamer version of Arizona State football practice. It was physical according to Dillingham, but it was more typical in a sense.

On Monday, the environment changed. Music choice was top of mind. The head coach wanted to make his team uncomfortable. He explained his decision after the fact.

Arizona State plays nursery rhymes at football practice.

I’m not sure if Switte was on the field Monday. If not, he missed an opportunity to experience something truly bizarre.

Ariona State played nursery rhymes on a loop throughout its practice. There was a method to the madness.

“The environment shouldn’t set the temperature,” Dillingham said. “We should be the team that turns the thermostat whichever way we want.”

The thinking? Music shouldn’t dictate excitement. The attitude should be the same no matter the time, place, or atmosphere.

The Sun Devils will play six games away from home, including trips to Texas A&M, Texas Tech, BYU, and Arizona. While nursery rhymes aren’t expected to be on the setlist, those environments will differ greatly from that of a home game. Dillingham wants his team prepared no matter the location or surroundings. Motivation comes from within, not from outside sources.

It’s something he’s done in the past. Last year, he strategically played songs like “All I Do is Win” and “We Are the Champions,” not to celebrate a Big 12 championship from the season prior, but to send a message.

“We’re trying to make last year irrelevant cause nobody cares anymore. We’re going to handle success fine. How are we gonna handle this year when we get punched in the face?”

He also attempted to emulate the annoying ringing of cowbells before a game vs. Mississippi State. That ultimately failed as the Sun Devils lost in Starkville. Still, the decision was intentional.

Kenny Dillingham sent another message on Monday. He made his team uncomfortable in preparation for the upcoming season. For the low, low price of $10 million, he can make you uncomfortable, too!