Before the opening credits, Lillian can be seen drinking from a fictitious bottle of "Mary Read's Bourbon" with a ship on the label. Mary Read was a famous female English pirate back in the 18th century.
The dean is called Koontz. Dean Koontz is a famous and highly popular horror story author.
Gordy is played by Judah Friedlander who also played Frank Rossitano in another show written by Tina Fey, 30 Rock.
As an Ivy League school, Columbia would not offer an athletic scholarships in real life which is alluded to by the Dean before being interrupted by the crew coach.