This type of crap makes me so, so mad. I don't have specific examples right now, but I find it increasingly common to be asked for personal information from the most obscure sources. Ordinarily, I can choose to either not sign up or choose a different option. But with something like the only sports league in town, what's a parents supposed to do? So frustrating.
Love the comment from throwawaygulf to submit fake data. Brilliant!
Did you talk to your classmates and organize your classmates to take this to the Dean?
Even just 5 people getting up in the middle of the class, heading straight to the dean's office and demanding to know why we are being forced to give our information to Microsoft needlessly would have likely remedied your situation that same day.
If there is serious discontent in the class, forcing the dean to meet with you/your classmates immediately is a solid power move that worked for myself and my friends that went to other institutions. Show them how their professors fucked up and demand they fix it, its not the student's fault that they are teaching a crummy curriculum.
Additionally, post-graduation when they sell your contact information ensure you document who contacted you using the information they sold, and escalate it with the Faculty. Framing it as data theft from the institution is a solid way to escalate to the president of your university, then you can harangue them about their terrible business practices.
I was asked for my email while paying at a sports store. I declined. The sales person was confused as to what to do next since "the system" wanted an email address. I asked her if she wants to sell me those products or not? Turns out the system works without an email address too. Who would have though?
Love the comment from throwawaygulf to submit fake data. Brilliant!