<p>Wonderfully written article from The New York Times to share regarding how big-time sports affect college life these days:</p>
<p>I also enjoy reading this comment by 'CAM of Ohio' </p>
<p>Quote:</p>
<p>"At Ohio State, for about a decade now, each new class of freshmen is hailed as the "biggest and brightest" in school history. Applications, test scores, and GPAs of applicants were all on the rise. In a decade, OSU has succeeded in making the academic jump from 'just another state school' to a respected academic institution.</p>
<p>This academic surge coincides almost exactly with the Tressel era. It was the best run the football team had had in a while. Along with some Big Ten Championships for diving, synchronized swimming, rowing, and others. I'm not suggesting that the athletic success CAUSED the academic push. But it clearly didn't HURT it.</p>
<p>Sure, college students skip a class to go to a basketball game. Sure, some people disappear for two days to go to a Bowl game. And yes, we skip classes to buy tickets. But people also skip classes to finish work for a different class, or because they slept in. They put off a paper to go to a big concert. They pull an all-nighter to finish work because they were watching a Law and Order marathon with friends. That is college life.</p>
<p>College students will always find something else to focus on other than class. Most anyone will tell you, if it was only classwork 24/7, they would have gone crazy. Aren't they always telling us to 'get involved'? Its not just for resume building. Its for forming connections and identity and community. There is a lot more to college sports than the coaches' salaries and televised games."</p>