A recent piece on Forbes.com written by rising high school senior. I know what we all think of this already but thought I would share:
When Colleges Recruit Athletes, Everyone Loses
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The reason that they don't allow you to be president until you're 35, is that you haven't screwed up enough yet to understand where the pitfalls in your ideology are, and then how to handle the recovery from your mistakes.
The article is incredibly immature and myopic in its scope and I'm surprised Forbes would lend it credibility. Academics think academics should rule the world, accountants think numbers should dictate policies, etc. What they all fail to realize, is two things, balance and brawn.
America was built with brains and brawn. Athletes bring things to the table that academics can't fathom, because they have no depth or experience with them. Things like, working your body to the point of failure, shared triumph and loss, how to combine mind, body, will and spirit to achieve accomplishment, self sacrifice, self control in the face of devastating adversity.
Without athletes, those that achieved admission supposedly above their heads into places of higher learning, can you imagine the lack of perspective that would exist? The same is true of minorities. There would be no balance, it would be a world of commonalities where all education could occur in front of a monitor screen. The nations and worlds problems are not solved by thinkers, they are solved by doers. The thinkers work for the doers, not the other way around, which is what this young man fails to realize.
Hopefully someday this young man will grow up and understand the stupidity of his comments instead of his current ivory tower mentality.
The article is incredibly immature and myopic in its scope and I'm surprised Forbes would lend it credibility. Academics think academics should rule the world, accountants think numbers should dictate policies, etc. What they all fail to realize, is two things, balance and brawn.
America was built with brains and brawn. Athletes bring things to the table that academics can't fathom, because they have no depth or experience with them. Things like, working your body to the point of failure, shared triumph and loss, how to combine mind, body, will and spirit to achieve accomplishment, self sacrifice, self control in the face of devastating adversity.
Without athletes, those that achieved admission supposedly above their heads into places of higher learning, can you imagine the lack of perspective that would exist? The same is true of minorities. There would be no balance, it would be a world of commonalities where all education could occur in front of a monitor screen. The nations and worlds problems are not solved by thinkers, they are solved by doers. The thinkers work for the doers, not the other way around, which is what this young man fails to realize.
Hopefully someday this young man will grow up and understand the stupidity of his comments instead of his current ivory tower mentality.
I wonder what the athletes at Stanford think of this? Yes, lets field teams with the smartest people and the athletes can hone their skills between shifts at McDonalds.
More importantly, I wonder what Princeton admissions thinks of the article?
Ahhhh, the Nerds vs the Jocks revisited.
If this kid wants to raise hackles he should be complaining about universities recruiting foreign students in order to meet some diversity goal.
Not only do these students fill the seats otherwise filled US citizens, they take their learning back to their home country.
Princeton doesn't offer athletic scholarships so he picked the wrong school as an example.
If this kid wants to raise hackles he should be complaining about universities recruiting foreign students in order to meet some diversity goal.
Not only do these students fill the seats otherwise filled US citizens, they take their learning back to their home country.
Princeton doesn't offer athletic scholarships so he picked the wrong school as an example.
quote:Originally posted by Quincy:
Princeton doesn't offer athletic scholarships so he picked the wrong school as an example.
I believe his point was more directed at having multiple admissions standards rather than aid. What he fails to realize is that there are very, very few occupations in the world that award anything based solely on academics.
It is his way of pointing to students as victims and crying for relief.
His assumptions are flawed and he lacks the experience to understand that not all colleges and universities are the same. Each college has it own place in the market, as well as unique admissions policies and practices. Possibly he will learn that when he actually starts researching and applying to schools this year. I think I'd cross Princeton off the list.
On the flip side, he does show signs as a future writer. I may disagree with his thoughts but he put them together well. There are far greater issues in higher education than the small number of recruited or non-recruited student athletes. I'd try to tackle one of those issues, but probably not as my Common App essay (if you want to be accepted). Just a thought.
On the flip side, he does show signs as a future writer. I may disagree with his thoughts but he put them together well. There are far greater issues in higher education than the small number of recruited or non-recruited student athletes. I'd try to tackle one of those issues, but probably not as my Common App essay (if you want to be accepted). Just a thought.
hmmm... this is like nerd bullying.
He'll grow up banning 32 oz soft drinks, I bet.
He'll grow up banning 32 oz soft drinks, I bet.
I find it odd that a magazine such as Forbes, which prides itself on being the leader in providing information on such diverse topics as finance, investments, marketing and education. The motto of the magazine, as per their website, is "The Capitalist Tool" would allow such a short sighted opinion be publicized under their corporate umbrella. Part of educational quality is diversity (once again, as per their own words), and athletics solicits exactly that.
quote:Originally posted by J H:
I find it odd that a magazine such as Forbes, which prides itself on being the leader in providing information on such diverse topics as finance, investments, marketing and education. The motto of the magazine, as per their website, is "The Capitalist Tool" would allow such a short sighted opinion be publicized under their corporate umbrella. Part of educational quality is diversity (once again, as per their own words), and athletics solicits exactly that.
To take that one step further, it was headlined under the Leadership Editors column...the absurdity grows.
General of the Army George C. Marshall Chief of Staff during World War II said, "I want an officer for a secret and dangerous mission. I want a West Point football player." Notice he didn't ask for the smartest guy in the room...
quote:Originally posted by fenwaysouth:
On the flip side, he does show signs as a future writer. I may disagree with his thoughts but he put them together well.
Having been a writer, field editor (glorified writer), and publisher, the quality of my writing at times, had as much to with the finished product as a head coach does with winning a national championship...the coach is only as good as his players and the writer is only as good as his editor. I've turned in some stories that became unrecognizable as my work by the time they got to print, but they had my name in the byline.
I'd like to go up against this kid in a job interview any day of the week.
I think I will right an article about how people with 180 and up IQ's are mad because Princeton lets in low level 120- 150 IQ people just because they volunteer at school doing stupid things like being on the student paper, SG and other charities just to get into Princeton. 
Interesting thoughts from Mr. JT. Agree with Fenway that he may have a future in writing.
I feel that this article was published with the recent release of the list of Top 100 Colleges by Forbes.
Guess who is #1?
Forbes Top 100 Colleges for 2012
I feel that this article was published with the recent release of the list of Top 100 Colleges by Forbes.
Guess who is #1?
Forbes Top 100 Colleges for 2012
RR23- Boy, that list really hits home hard when looking at the tuition figures. 
Why is it academia always has to elevate themselves above all others. Can't they accept the equality of everyone's gifts?
Funny how they never seem to complain that the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines don't recruit them all that much. I guess they don't believe in being equally blown to bits either.
Funny how they never seem to complain that the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines don't recruit them all that much. I guess they don't believe in being equally blown to bits either.
I know JH! And the tuition would only continue to rise unfortunately. It takes a lot of hardwork from the student athlete to position himself for admission, a lot of planning from the parents to help with the uncovered cost as well, more hardwork and luck to play and be succesful in college and beyond.
Good Luck this season my friend! We are 11 days from son's big move to the Midwest!
Good Luck this season my friend! We are 11 days from son's big move to the Midwest!
My problem is giving full scholarships to athletes who can barely read and write.
There is suppose to be minimum admission standards.
There is suppose to be minimum admission standards.
quote:Originally posted by bostonbulldogbaseball:
My problem is giving full scholarships to athletes who can barely read and write.
There is suppose to be minimum admission standards.
There are supposed to be minimum admission standards...
RR23- I know, its a very tough time financially for many college students as a whole, not just athletes. Hopefully it'll all work out in the end. Good luck with the move, keep me (and everyone else here) updated!
Think of the SAT scores if a kid spent an extra 2 hrs every day prepping for it instead of sports.
quote:Originally posted by LAball:
Think of the SAT scores if a kid spent an extra 2 hrs every day prepping for it instead of sports.
Better yet, think of the person that would fail to develop from those rigors.
The kid who wrote this article is probably very bright. He's also very inexperienced and immature. He'll probably grow up to be an academic elitist liberal professor at a university.
I recently read an article on why people in the academic world don't like capitalism. They believe the brightest people should be the highest paid. They don't respect the possibility creativity and hard work may counter balance brilliance.
I have a cousin like this. He went to an Ivy for a BA/MA in intellectual history. He got his six year degree in four years graduating PBK. He wrote his master's thesis on the writings of Kahlil Gibran. How's that for preparing for the world? He then attended on of the top law schools in the country graduating third in his class. He looks down his nose at my MBA from UCLA. I've been very straight forward my combined undergrad/grad gpa was about 3.5 (only in his mind at a state university).
It drives my cousin nuts I'm more successful than he. I told him I was the one with the balls to start a company rather than maintain the safety and prestige of a name company (not that there's anything wrong with that). Then I added I also know how to start a grill (he couldn't) and know not to try to mow a lawn with a weed wacker (he did).
I recently read an article on why people in the academic world don't like capitalism. They believe the brightest people should be the highest paid. They don't respect the possibility creativity and hard work may counter balance brilliance.
I have a cousin like this. He went to an Ivy for a BA/MA in intellectual history. He got his six year degree in four years graduating PBK. He wrote his master's thesis on the writings of Kahlil Gibran. How's that for preparing for the world? He then attended on of the top law schools in the country graduating third in his class. He looks down his nose at my MBA from UCLA. I've been very straight forward my combined undergrad/grad gpa was about 3.5 (only in his mind at a state university).
It drives my cousin nuts I'm more successful than he. I told him I was the one with the balls to start a company rather than maintain the safety and prestige of a name company (not that there's anything wrong with that). Then I added I also know how to start a grill (he couldn't) and know not to try to mow a lawn with a weed wacker (he did).
Not all students/families spend time and money on athletics with an eye towards college. In fact, I would argue that for the majority, college perks are just that - perks. If there are baseball players and parents that are thinking of college schlarships or admissions assistance when the 10 year old will not come in out of the rain because his swing just does not feel right - I have never met them. (I have heard parents of embarassingly young athletes talk about their child being a professional athlete - but not about the child's college prospects.)
IF children do not hae a true passion for the game it is difficult to excell at the college level or beyond.
My children - one a college athlete - one a non-athlete at college - played many sports growing up. We told them and others that the primary reason to spend time on the team sports experience was to develop them as people of character.
The list of lessons learned could fill a book.
I read an article some years ago that concluded, after researching the educational backgrounds of many uber successful people, that much of the world is run by "C" students. That is because it takes much more than grades to be a successful individual in this world. Now there are some that have the grades and have learned other lessons as well - I do not mean to imply that good students cannot be well rounded.
I would suggest that when colleges begin to admit students based only upon standardized test scores (grades are - after all - too subjective)- Everyone loses.
IF children do not hae a true passion for the game it is difficult to excell at the college level or beyond.
My children - one a college athlete - one a non-athlete at college - played many sports growing up. We told them and others that the primary reason to spend time on the team sports experience was to develop them as people of character.
- If you learn how to be a leader on the baseball field - how to encourage a teammate that had a bad day - how to motivate players of all levels that you play with - you are head and shoulders ahead of people that do not learn those lessons until they enter the world of work (if at all).
- If my sons learned that you win as a team and you lose as a team and as such there is nothing to be gained by demeaning the worst player or being overly solicitous of the best player - they are learning valuable lessons that do not translate the same way from a book.
- If my sons learn that the coach (boss) may not be their favorite person or the smartest person on the field but they can still figure out a way to show appropriate respect for him, work with him and be successful - that too is a lesson that many will never learn.
The list of lessons learned could fill a book.
I read an article some years ago that concluded, after researching the educational backgrounds of many uber successful people, that much of the world is run by "C" students. That is because it takes much more than grades to be a successful individual in this world. Now there are some that have the grades and have learned other lessons as well - I do not mean to imply that good students cannot be well rounded.
I would suggest that when colleges begin to admit students based only upon standardized test scores (grades are - after all - too subjective)- Everyone loses.
quote:Originally posted by J H:quote:Originally posted by bostonbulldogbaseball:
My problem is giving full scholarships to athletes who can barely read and write.
There is suppose to be minimum admission standards.
There are supposed to be minimum admission standards...
RR23- I know, its a very tough time financially for many college students as a whole, not just athletes. Hopefully it'll all work out in the end. Good luck with the move, keep me (and everyone else here) updated!
Thanks for the grammatical corrections Professor.
I'll be sure to proofread your postings from now on.
If I were a gambling man I would venture to say that baseball, unlike football and basketball, attracts smarter kids.
quote:Originally posted by Doughnutman:
I think I willrightwrite an article about how people with 180 and up IQ's are mad because Princeton lets in low level 120- 150 IQ people just because they volunteer at school doing stupid things like being on the student paper, SG and other charities just to get into Princeton.
Ironic
All of these corrections are intimidating....
I have a friend,who is undoubtedly one of the most successful in his field, he and his brother were a $700 loan away from bankruptcy at one point, and wound up selling their company several years ago for 25 million.
He works in media and especially TV and hails from Chicago. His grammar is so unbelievably poor, and he's been making these mistakes for so long, that it takes at least 3 mistakes in a take until the cameraman and producer stop rolling tape.
I have heard his producer stop the take and ask him, "Al, could you please do the next take in English, this is an American audience. Using words that actually appear in a dictionary would be a good start". Yet at events in his field, he is the headline speaker and people come out in droves to hear him...regardless of the language barrier
He works in media and especially TV and hails from Chicago. His grammar is so unbelievably poor, and he's been making these mistakes for so long, that it takes at least 3 mistakes in a take until the cameraman and producer stop rolling tape.
I have heard his producer stop the take and ask him, "Al, could you please do the next take in English, this is an American audience. Using words that actually appear in a dictionary would be a good start". Yet at events in his field, he is the headline speaker and people come out in droves to hear him...regardless of the language barrier
I love what you wrote below . . .my son loves, loves baseball, but we always knew he wouldn't get a scholarship, and that in all likelihood high school baseball might be as far as he could go . . .but there are so many wonderful benefits from athletics -- from health benefits (both mental and physical) to social benefits. Not everyone has the talent/physical gifts to play college athletics and not everyone has the intellectual gifts to get into Princeton. So long as you take what you've got and make the most of it, I applaud you - - but there's not much point in whining that some kids have it ALL and they work hard. They are the future leaders . . .I don't think the Ivies are letting in many students that can't handle the academic work.
quote:Originally posted by YesReally:
Not all students/families spend time and money on athletics with an eye towards college. In fact, I would argue that for the majority, college perks are just that - perks. If there are baseball players and parents that are thinking of college schlarships or admissions assistance when the 10 year old will not come in out of the rain because his swing just does not feel right - I have never met them. (I have heard parents of embarassingly young athletes talk about their child being a professional athlete - but not about the child's college prospects.)
IF children do not hae a true passion for the game it is difficult to excell at the college level or beyond.
My children - one a college athlete - one a non-athlete at college - played many sports growing up. We told them and others that the primary reason to spend time on the team sports experience was to develop them as people of character.
- If you learn how to be a leader on the baseball field - how to encourage a teammate that had a bad day - how to motivate players of all levels that you play with - you are head and shoulders ahead of people that do not learn those lessons until they enter the world of work (if at all).
- If my sons learned that you win as a team and you lose as a team and as such there is nothing to be gained by demeaning the worst player or being overly solicitous of the best player - they are learning valuable lessons that do not translate the same way from a book.
- If my sons learn that the coach (boss) may not be their favorite person or the smartest person on the field but they can still figure out a way to show appropriate respect for him, work with him and be successful - that too is a lesson that many will never learn.
At the risk of not being politically correct and possibly offending pc people ... The dropout rate at Ivies for certain minorities is quite high compared to the rest of the student population. We talk about not placing kids in baseball situations they can't handle. But colleges place students in situations they can't handle in the quest for diversity. To avoid argument this does not mean people from these ethnic groups can't handle the load. It means the are letting in many who can't to fulfill quotas in the name of diversity.quote:I don't think the Ivies are letting in many students that can't handle the academic work.
quote:Originally posted by RJM:At the risk of not being politically correct and possibly offending pc people ... The dropout rate at Ivies for certain minorities is quite high compared to the rest of the student population. We talk about not placing kids in baseball situations they can't handle. But colleges place students in situations they can't handle in the quest for diversity. To avoid argument this does not mean people from these ethnic groups can't handle the load. It means the are letting in many who can't to fulfill quotas in the name of diversity.quote:I don't think the Ivies are letting in many students that can't handle the academic work.
It's actually a racist policy to choose someone based on skin color. I'm surprised that any university is getting away with such a racist admission policy.
Sometimes these things are easy to talk about when they don't affect us directly. I don't agree with this young man's point of view, but I'll relate a personal true story.
When my son was recruited by Stanford, he certainly had very good grades and test scores. But one of my good friends, a Stanford alum, a HUGE fan of Stanford sports, a baseball season ticket holder, whose son attended the same HS and was the same grade as my son...and had a little bit higher grades and test scores...was, let me say, 'sad/dismayed' when my son was admitted to Stanford because he thought his own son would likely not be admitted.
He suddenly questioned if this was the 'right thing' or not?
I appreciate that we have such a good friendship that he could talk to me about it. I had great empathy for what he was feeling. It was suddenly 'personal' to him and he saw things just a little differently than before.
It all worked out...his son was admitted too! (Although in the normal Spring time frame, thus about 6 months later).
But that experience opened the curtain a little for him and for me to see the other side of the conversation. I'm glad it had a 'good' ending...both boys remained friends, attended Stanford and graduated. We all remain good friends. We would have anyways, but it sure helps sometimes to 'have the experience' before we cast stones.
I hope this young man gets the other side of the 'experience' that he currently lacks...just as my good friend and I did.
When my son was recruited by Stanford, he certainly had very good grades and test scores. But one of my good friends, a Stanford alum, a HUGE fan of Stanford sports, a baseball season ticket holder, whose son attended the same HS and was the same grade as my son...and had a little bit higher grades and test scores...was, let me say, 'sad/dismayed' when my son was admitted to Stanford because he thought his own son would likely not be admitted.
He suddenly questioned if this was the 'right thing' or not?
I appreciate that we have such a good friendship that he could talk to me about it. I had great empathy for what he was feeling. It was suddenly 'personal' to him and he saw things just a little differently than before.
It all worked out...his son was admitted too! (Although in the normal Spring time frame, thus about 6 months later).
But that experience opened the curtain a little for him and for me to see the other side of the conversation. I'm glad it had a 'good' ending...both boys remained friends, attended Stanford and graduated. We all remain good friends. We would have anyways, but it sure helps sometimes to 'have the experience' before we cast stones.
I hope this young man gets the other side of the 'experience' that he currently lacks...just as my good friend and I did.
The beginning of the end was when guys from Princeton and guys from Rutgers got in an argument over who's tougher. It's been all downhill ever since. Despite our kids being athletes, the concept of college sports is really out of whack with the real purpose of college. But it's not going to change. So find the benefit in the way things are.
quote:Think of the SAT scores if a kid spent an extra 2 hrs every day prepping for it instead of sports.
Not necessarily. There have been numerous studies done that show an individual who gets regular exercise or participates in some sort of musical activity tends to do better in academics than those who strictly do academics.
And I honestly believe that there is too much stock put into standardized testing (SAT, ACT, GRE, etc). Some people are just not very good test takers.
Just like anything else, without balance, you will get burnt out. There's no way I could spend 2 hours a day studying for a test like the SAT. I actually took the GRE without studying for it at all... And I took my national certification exam with very little formal studying. People just learn differently..
SAT scores and success in life ????
In the particular case that he mentions (Ivy League) there is a purpose for allowing athletes to be lower on the spectrum of measurable academic success. This purpose extends to other institutions as well. First of all, we all know that the athletics may have a negative impact on the measurable academics (grades). An equally "smart" athlete may score lower due to missed class, less time to study, or perhaps things like the physical stress of athletic competition. Why accept this as okay? Competitive athletes bring something unique to the culture of the school both in their social participation (the way they look at the world is certainly affected in some way by their years being an athlete) and in what they do for the student body -- give something for everyone to rally around, the sports teams. While many schools encourage school pride just via the academic experience, a new level of enthusiasm can be achieved via athletic competition.
Not only this, but the potential harm to the "measurable" academic success does not necessarily indicate that these students gain less from their academic experience. There is a reason that many employers are attracted to former athletes...they are used to balancing different trains of thought, facing adversity, and countless other things that we know from our own/our children's experience in athletics. I think your grades and scores matter a great deal but you have to factor in the entire picture. There are things other than athletics to consider, but athletics is certainly an important one.
The author, as many of us with our particular narrow focuses might do in different fields, is not aware or fails to acknowledge this purpose of allowing athletes into the school despite athletes oftentimes being slightly non-representative of the student body as a whole. I would contest that many student groups are not representative in some way, including groups that have sway with admissions. Regardless, the unique contributions from these young men and women render the point moot...it just doesn't matter if there are comparable student groups.
Not only this, but the potential harm to the "measurable" academic success does not necessarily indicate that these students gain less from their academic experience. There is a reason that many employers are attracted to former athletes...they are used to balancing different trains of thought, facing adversity, and countless other things that we know from our own/our children's experience in athletics. I think your grades and scores matter a great deal but you have to factor in the entire picture. There are things other than athletics to consider, but athletics is certainly an important one.
The author, as many of us with our particular narrow focuses might do in different fields, is not aware or fails to acknowledge this purpose of allowing athletes into the school despite athletes oftentimes being slightly non-representative of the student body as a whole. I would contest that many student groups are not representative in some way, including groups that have sway with admissions. Regardless, the unique contributions from these young men and women render the point moot...it just doesn't matter if there are comparable student groups.
Interesting perspective from a high school junior.
I find this quote interesting: 'Most of us are taught that we need only perform well academically to get into college'. Who taught him this?
So his bubble has been popped. Things other than academics play a part in admissions. Welcome to the real world. Get used to it. 'Other things' are always going to be in play for the rest of your life.
I also find it interesting that he assumes that athletes 'were probably given preferential access' and that this 'bodes ill...for our nation's future'. He doesn't actually have any facts. He just assumes athletes must be 'dumb jocks'.
And this is all at the expense of 'gifted students'. Really?
Full disclosure...I got a full ride to Berkeley based on being a National Merit Scholar. Vince Ferragamo was in my Biology class. He was not a National Merit Scholar but he could throw a football further than I could. We got the same grade....
I find this quote interesting: 'Most of us are taught that we need only perform well academically to get into college'. Who taught him this?
So his bubble has been popped. Things other than academics play a part in admissions. Welcome to the real world. Get used to it. 'Other things' are always going to be in play for the rest of your life.
I also find it interesting that he assumes that athletes 'were probably given preferential access' and that this 'bodes ill...for our nation's future'. He doesn't actually have any facts. He just assumes athletes must be 'dumb jocks'.
And this is all at the expense of 'gifted students'. Really?
Full disclosure...I got a full ride to Berkeley based on being a National Merit Scholar. Vince Ferragamo was in my Biology class. He was not a National Merit Scholar but he could throw a football further than I could. We got the same grade....
justbaseball,
Great story & point.
jpontiac
To add to your point.....The OPs assumptions about athletics and academic performance at the Ivy League is incorrect. The Ivy League is the most diverse intercollegiate conference in the country with over 8,000 athletes competing each year. the Ivy League averages more than 35 Varsity teams at each school. Participation in intercollegiate sports is the highest per school than any other conference in the country and is part of their charter. Ivy League student-athletes annually compile the country’s best records in the NCAA Academic Performance Ratings under the Ivy League model of athletics as a key part of the student's regular undergraduate experience. http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/history/overview
Great story & point.
jpontiac
To add to your point.....The OPs assumptions about athletics and academic performance at the Ivy League is incorrect. The Ivy League is the most diverse intercollegiate conference in the country with over 8,000 athletes competing each year. the Ivy League averages more than 35 Varsity teams at each school. Participation in intercollegiate sports is the highest per school than any other conference in the country and is part of their charter. Ivy League student-athletes annually compile the country’s best records in the NCAA Academic Performance Ratings under the Ivy League model of athletics as a key part of the student's regular undergraduate experience. http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/history/overview
The "shocking lack of diversity" is in our own presidential elections. The Ivy League schools have dominated. In fact, it has been 28 years since we had a president that wasn't a Harvard or Yale graduate and we will add four more years in the fall. Given the state of the union..........we should probably have a consent decree stating that no one from the Ivy Leagues be elected for at least one hundred years for the sake of our country and "diversity."
Oh yeah....and there hasn't been one presidential vagina either.
Oh yeah....and there hasn't been one presidential vagina either.
Needless to say most here will strongly disagree with his view.
Somebody mentioned balance earlier. That is what it all comes down to.
I think the article was well written, and could lead to some interesting discussions. Where I do think it could get out of balance is the large DI football and basketball "factories", when the revenue they generate is extremely important to the school, whether in terms of providing funds for operations, new buildings, or simply prestige, enabling brand extension and recognition.
I truly believe that athletics (and physical education in general) are important as not everyone grew up milking cows as I did. I was never a great athlete, but some of the most fun I had was playing intramurals at college. I was also active in the marching and basketball bands, and participated in clubs and societies relating to my field of study. To me, that is balance. I believe there are many schools which are out of balance, in many respects, however, when athletics are driving the bus at a school, only bad things can happen in the long term.
For the major revenue sports, I happen to think they should be run as a business, and taxed like one. I really don't believe major college football and basketball (and maybe SEC baseball
) are thinking about the mission of the university. Funds generated from the programs should be allowed to contribute a percentage to other non revenue sports, the university's capital plan, and to general educational support. All monies retained by the programs get taxed, they have to operate within the constraints of any money making machine, including making the IRS happy.
This is drastic, I realize, but it does come back to balance. I don't begrudge the Ivies their athletics, because I think they come closest to my idealized version of what the collegiate athletic experience should be about. Along with DIII guys busting their butts for the sports they love, because there is no athletic money there either.
(exit soapbox )
I think the article was well written, and could lead to some interesting discussions. Where I do think it could get out of balance is the large DI football and basketball "factories", when the revenue they generate is extremely important to the school, whether in terms of providing funds for operations, new buildings, or simply prestige, enabling brand extension and recognition.
I truly believe that athletics (and physical education in general) are important as not everyone grew up milking cows as I did. I was never a great athlete, but some of the most fun I had was playing intramurals at college. I was also active in the marching and basketball bands, and participated in clubs and societies relating to my field of study. To me, that is balance. I believe there are many schools which are out of balance, in many respects, however, when athletics are driving the bus at a school, only bad things can happen in the long term.
For the major revenue sports, I happen to think they should be run as a business, and taxed like one. I really don't believe major college football and basketball (and maybe SEC baseball
) are thinking about the mission of the university. Funds generated from the programs should be allowed to contribute a percentage to other non revenue sports, the university's capital plan, and to general educational support. All monies retained by the programs get taxed, they have to operate within the constraints of any money making machine, including making the IRS happy.This is drastic, I realize, but it does come back to balance. I don't begrudge the Ivies their athletics, because I think they come closest to my idealized version of what the collegiate athletic experience should be about. Along with DIII guys busting their butts for the sports they love, because there is no athletic money there either.
(exit soapbox
)