I agree, JucoDad, but we don't have to like it!
Agree with RJM too.
Grad students can be much cheaper than undergrads; schools have certificate programs that cost a fraction of undergrad tuition. So putting a bunch of 5th years on scholarship can give you a lot of bang for the buck.
Of course, that means that the athletes have to have earned their undergrad degrees, and with all the transfers that might be less likely.