SFGIANT already covered this to some degree, but Ivies certainly have track teams. The only top-ranked school I’ve heard of that doesn’t is Northwestern. My experience is that a lot of track athletes also tend to be very smart (although this may be my own bias).<br>
Aside from the sports that bring in revenue to large schools, a lot of schools may limit recruitment for sports like track due to Title IX and the fact that they recruit so much for football and there’s no equivalent female sport. This does not effect the Ivies, though, as they don’t give athletic scholarships.</p>
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I don’t think that most people who participate in collegiate athletics intend to play professionally. For most people, it’s something they enjoy and like to do. If they were not as successful academically in high school, it may enable them to get into a “better” school and thus get a “better” (entirely subjective education), allowing them to (possibly) get a better job/make more money later on. Also, for those who can not afford to go to college without a scholarship, it can be very helpful.
I agree completely. I think athletes (or others with similar talents) may be deserving of the “slack” they receive for academics in admissions because it’s not that they’re goofing off in school, but are instead putting their time and energy into other pursuits.</p>