Presumably there could be a compensatory and punitive windfall from a lawsuit against the crowbar assailant. So even your somewhat colorful example works against the point you're trying to make.

I guess. As a former college athlete though, I do feel like there's something nice about being able to play soccer or whatever without being surrounded by other people who have a financial incentive to murder me.

What makes you so sure there is no money riding on college sport outcomes?