With but few exceptions, America’s colleges and universities are in the process of deteriorating while on their government subsidized quest for sports related revenue ‘gifts’ —compromising their integrity and warping their academic missions along the way. There are no visible means to reverse what appears to be a downward spiral into a pervasive ‘beer and … Read more
After some 80 years of failed reform, it appears that America’s sports culture has triumphed over the academic mission of its colleges and universities as well undermined the educational mission of our nation’s high schools. As evidenced by the plethora of scholarly articles and books on college sports reform, there can be little doubt as … Read more
There is an apparent triumph of America’s sports culture over the academic mission of its colleges and universities as well as to the undermining of the educational mission of our nation’s high schools, and, that unless and until Congress gets involved, America’s system of higher education will continue to be held hostage to the collegiate … Read more
Sol Gittleman, a former provost at Tufts University, wrote to me with reference to Brad Wolverton’s article, “Rise in Fancy Academic Centers for Athletes Raises Questions of Fairness,” saying: “This would be a joke, if it weren’t for articles that state how public universities are losing out in hiring to the well-heeled privates. So, while … Read more
Corruption is driven by big money and is enabled by cozy relationships that have been cultivated over the years by the NCAA and its member institutions with people and organizations that would normally have been expected to reign in corruption and the out-of-control commercialization of college athletics. The Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics, the print … Read more
Almost all untenured faculty members are too busy working to get tenure and are not in a position to challenge administrative policy on intercollegiate athletics. In either case, faculty members who defend academic integrity can be considered subversive25—inviting intimidation and career-threatening retaliation by school administrations. Also, the fear of being ostracized looms large. »Read the … Read more
Those tied to the financial fortunes of the elite level sport colluded for years in the fiction that super-sized bodies are the natural result of good habits, healthy living, and hard training. Sadly, the same could be said of the NCAA and its member institutions about academic corruption and the likely widespread use of PEDs … Read more
One need only look at big-time (NCAA Div IA) college and university campuses where the building and expansion of football stadiums, basketball arenas, and other athletic facilities reflects the extant values and priorities at these institutions of higher education. This building frenzy is not only symptomatic of the American public’s sports culture, but also of … Read more
The formidable task of getting priorities right at Rutgers, and other schools supporting big-time football and men’s basketball programs, must be taken on by others. Reform-minded faculty members in the Rutgers 1000 will likely feel the really heavy weight of their reform lances — risking burnout when they face the defensive efforts of those opposing … Read more
The House Committee on Ways and Means needs to zero in on intercollegiate athletics. A hearing would expose the NCAA’s secretive ways to the light of day. Furthermore, a hearing would call attention to the need for corrective actions that stress transparency (with related academic disclosure), accountability, and oversight – »Read the full article