NCAA President Mark Emmert said the NCAA has to resist the impulse to act hastily. “You’re dealing with young people’s careers and education. You’re dealing with institutional reputations. You’re dealing with a process that is, by its very nature, complicated, we have to get it right.” »Read more
Since deadly football violence triggered President Theodore Roosevelt’s intervention back in 1905, it seems that the immediate and long-term collateral damage related to the nether world of the athletics entertainment businesses at America’s colleges and universities has never exceeded the acceptance threshold of the general public or government officials. »Read more
It’s really all about making big money in the near term—money for the promoters, schools, conferences, and everyone involved.6 There are, however, notable exceptions—exploited counterfeit-amateur athletes.7 Many of these athlete-entertainers, so-called ‘student-athletes,’ do not have learning outcomes commensurate with a bona fide college education and have only a very remote chance of making it to … Read more
America has the most to lose as it confronts new global realities with its institutional priority of athletics over academics—all the while handicapped by the public’s continued obsession with sports entertainment. America’s present-day position does not present a pretty picture. What to do? »Read more
The latter question is likely on the minds of the Drakes as well as other reform-minded organizations and individuals. Will Secretary Duncan provide the leadership to change America’s dysfunctional system of higher education the mission of which has been hijacked by the sports entertainment industry, or, will he continue to flag problems but only provide … Read more
Since it is in the financial interest of conference commissioners, the NCAA and its member schools—presidents, trustees, ADs, coaches, and boosters—to portray athletes as legitimate, degree-seeking students, they are likely be quite forceful in the use of their influence and powers of intimidation to getwhat they want. What they want is the very best athletes—no … Read more
Standing in sharp contrast to the public’s reaction to the financial meltdown, oil drilling accidents and the like, the lack of public reaction to the reported cheating and academic corruption scandals at schools supporting big-time football and men’s basketball programs is stunning. The academic mission at many schools has been hijacked by the professional college … Read more
By all accounts, Emmert is a pragmatist who is unquestionably capable of making his predecessor, the late Myles Brand, and the NCAA’s school-president apologists appear as comparative lightweights. »Read more
The University of Washington chief executive, a lifelong academic, vowed to “continue the traditions of academic accountability that we’ve launched” under Brand, “keeping our eye on that ball.”1 So what can the new NCAA president really do beyond “keeping our eye on that ball?’ As his predecessor Myles Brand’s tenure indicates, not much beyond superficial tactics that … Read more
President DeFleur could very well serve as the poster person for presidents beleaguered with problems and issues surrounding their professional sports entertainment businesses. The Binghamton scandal shows what can happen if someone blows the whistle on cover-up behavior by their institution—misleading, lying, and withholding facts to not only protect its NCAA franchised businesses, but protect related jobs … Read more