re: T-shirt fans

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The largest "non-alumni" fanbases appear to belong to the traditional regional "powers", so to speak, except for Northwestern, which seems extremely out of place in this group

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Northwestern is definitely an interesting name on the list.

There is probably a residual effect from the 1995 Rose Bowl season on a generation of locals, who otherwise stick to pro sports. They also have been a consistent bowl team since then, while embracing and promoting the "Chicago's Big Ten Team" slogan.

In the same timeframe, Illinois has done very little to gain attention from non-alums in their state, hence their inclusion on the flip side of that list.