<p>A question was raised in my class, would people favor getting rid of intercollegiate athletics here, so it will free up funds for the university to avoid cutting sections, reducing enrollment, or raising tuition. Overwhelmingly, my classmates were in favor of getting rid of athletics here.</p>
<p>I’m wondering, what do CCers think about this issue? Does intercollegiate athletics have a place in higher education?</p>
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<p>Does having student organizations have a place in higher education? Does having bands have a place in higher education? Does having a theatre department have a place in higher education?</p>
<p>You answer those questions and I’ll answer yours…</p>
<p>your class did not think through the issue very well…</p>
<p>This criticism is wrong, actually (and even if it were, it would be mistaken for the reasons hops_scout gave). A big reason why some schools put large emphasis on academics is because it brings in a lot of important benefits–money (tickets to games, donations), name recognition, and of course, entertainment.</p>
<p>Schools like Ohio State wouldn’t be much without football.</p>
<p>Simply, athletics generate huge amounts of money. Most of those money gets placed in educational aspects of the university. So it’s obviously a win-win situation.</p>
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<p>You would be surprised…</p>
<p>augustuscaesar- Wouldn’t the money generated from sporting events be more likely to cover the athletic departments?</p>
<p>I think student organizations have a place in college because it offers something the university doesn’t. Many if not all of student organizations are student initiated and governed. Some of these organizations give back to the community through volunteer service or offer services to the student body.</p>
<p>Does having a theater department or any other department have a place in higher education? Sure if it is educating the students. I don’t think there is any problem with that.</p>
<p>On the other hand, what does college athletics offer to the university? Surely it provides money, donations, name recognition, and entertainment. But many athletic departments spend more money than it generates by building new athletic complexes and upgrading football stadiums and such to try to entice and recruit budding high school stars. The donations that it generates are likely for the athletic department. The name recognition it builds is for the athletic department and not for the university.</p>
<p>At some departments, the money generated from sporting events are likely to cover the entire athletic department. However, many athletic departments are constantly upgrading their facilities that they end up spending more than they make. Also, very few sports are revenue making sports and it is mainly football and men’s/women’s basketball that generates a revenue. So at universities that do not have big time football or basketball programs, the athletic department likely doesn’t generate revenues!</p>
<p>You obviously don’t realize the extent at which NCAA athletics is an educational pursuit. I’m a varsity athlete, and there’s much more than just us working out. Being a varsity athlete is such a life-building experience through the team-building that is involved, the rigor at which you must work at day in and day out, the commitment required for such a time and energy-consuming activity, all while teaching you how to balance it with tough academic schedules. There’s so many life-lessons to be learned from being a collegiate varsity athlete.</p>
<p>There’s more to it than just generating money (which DII sports do not, the level at which I compete) and building recognition for the school. For the general student population is provides school spirit and fosters a greater sense of community that other organizations simply can’t facilitate.</p>
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<p>Athletics offer students a way to pursue their sport, be it swimming, tennis, baseball, football or any number of other sports, while also getting a college degree. If there weren’t athletics, you would lose student organizations like marching bands, cheerleading teams, some dance teams, student managers. </p>
<p>Also, athletes end up working very hard between training, practice, games and school. The vast majority of athletes will not compete after college, but the discipline and other skills learned through athletics will make them better people.</p>
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<p>Any admissions officer will tell you that if your school does well athletically applications will go up. Good athletics makes good publicity for the entire university. Yes, most sports do not make money, however schools with big time football do. At USC football supports the entire athletic department. </p>
<p>While many donations are earmarked to athletics, at many schools it just goes into the general pot. Also, a school with a successful athletics program will enhance their students’ college experience through school spirit. Happy graduates lead to more donations to all departments.</p>
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<p>There are very few schools that actually break-even or make money. </p>
<p>On the other hand, how many of those theatre departments or music departments make money? Or are they just money-spending pits like athletics? ;)</p>
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<p>Back in the day, those teams were started by students, and now, captains are often involved in the governing of the team. At Brown at least, all student athletes visit a local elementary school and hang out with kids on a regular basis, and the service we offer to the student body is entertainment and a source of school spirit.</p>