We would do the same thing
Growing up as huge sports fan , Boxing /MLB fan at 5 - in 1940’s.
College football at 7 about 1950
UConn Basketball at 11 in 53-54
To be honest
I never heard of Helms until the Boneyard . I now know it was a foundation formed by LA bakery that awarded individuals / schools trophy’s for achievement local and nationally in sports sometimes retroactively as the foundation only started in 1932. but never claimed its selection was a true NC .
in my memory :?
Football had the coaches and various writers poll with a mythical champ frequently different teams . Multiple All American teams .
none a true NC.
Basketball had the NCAA and NIT well established in my memory .
Truly the only way you can really claim a Championship
However the prime movers of a true National Championship were two Kansas Guys
Adolph Rupp and Phog Allen both
understood you could only claim a championship by beating everyone in a tournament . So any one claiming a National title before then is disingenuous.