America's higher education system had a lot going on in 2013, from heavy debate over tuition and financial aid to some of the most memorable moments on the gridiron.
In the first of a two-part series, campus issues ranged from an unforgettable college football game to one of the sports most polarizing figures. Also in the headlines repeatedly is a court case that could forever alter the amateur status of student-athletes.
Without further ado, here are the top ten stories from the campuses of U.S. colleges and universities in 2013, from numbers six through ten.
10. The Iron Bowl
This year's Iron Bowl, the matchup between Auburn and Alabama, had BCS implications and losing eventually proved to be Alabama's undoing in their contention for the National Championship.
Auburn, on the other hand, coupled this thrilling win with an SEC Championship victory to vault into the title game against Florida State a season after finishing last in the conference.
Chris Davis' 109-yard touchdown return off a missed field goal will surely go down in college football history.
9. Andrea Rebello, junior at Hofstra University, accidentally shot and killed by police
Dalton Smith was holding Rebello at gunpoint, the New York Daily News reported, and threatened to kill the young woman. A police officer fired eight rounds of ammunition, seven struck Smith and one hit Rebello in the head, killing her.
Rebello and three others were victims of a home invasion and were all being held hostage when police arrived at the scene. The police say Smith pointed the gun at the officer because he was startled, which caused the officer to open fire on Smith and Rebello.
8. Ed O'Bannon vs. the NCAA
Ed O'Bannon, former UCLA basketball star said he was at home with family and friends when he saw himself in a video game made by EA. Only thing was, he never consented nor did he receive any compensation.
O'Bannon sued and EA, as well as Collegiate Licensing Company, have settled out of the suit, leaving the NCAA to fight on their own. The case may have huge implications on the amateur status of student-athletes, pending the outcome.
The lawsuit was originally filed in 2009, but has picked up serious steam in 2013 and does not appear to be close to being resolved.
7. University of Alabama's racially segregated sorority
Alabama's student newspaper, the Crimson White, was the first to report students who said they were denied the chance to enter a sorority based on the color of their skin. What followed was massive national attention that forced the school's president to mandate the sororities to include students of all nationalities.
6. Johnny-Manziel-mania
Before the college football season started, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner was implicated in an NCAA investigation into whether or not he accepted cash for his autographs. They were able to prove he signed thousands of memorabilia pieces, but could not definitively say he accepted cash. The result was hardly a suspension, as Manziel had to sit for the fist half of the Aggies season opener, a game they won handily once he checked in.
After that, it was business as usual for the game's most exciting player. A year after winning the Heisman, he put up even better season numbers and improved on his perceived lack of pocket passing skills. He nearly beat the infallible Alabama defense for a second straight year, accumulating more than 500 total yards in a 49-42 loss.
Now, we will turn our attention to see if Johnny Football gives us one more year in college or heads to the NFL Draft.
CLICK HERE to see the top five college news stories of 2013.
