<p>mam1959, if you want to understand the true nature of the corrupting influenct intercollegiate athletics have on college mission, read “The Game of Life: College Sports and Educational Values” The President Emeritus of Northwestern University had this to say about the book. </p>
<p>“This path-breaking study of intercollegiate athletics is rich in detail, long on perspective and enlightening in insights and conclusions. Shulman and Bowen have tested-and refuted-many of the popular assumptions concerning intercollegiate athletics with a pervasive body of empirical data spanning over twenty years. They document the increasing tensions, if not conflict, between athletics and the academic mission of institutions of higher education. Moreover, the study reveals that many of the same issues that bedeviled ‘big time’ intercollegiate athletics are now manifested in women’s athletics and the programs of Ivy League and smaller, liberal arts institutions. No starry-eyed idealists, the authors recognize the complexity and sensitivity of the issues involved but offer a set of propositions to begin the task of restoring balance between academic values and the appetites of intercollegiate athletics. This book should command the attention of university presidents and trustees and all those fans and alumni who hope to cheer their teams to victory.”</p>
<p>Look at the lacrosse scandal at Duke a few years ago. Lost in the criminal conduct of the local DA, was the fact that the Duke lacrosse team did have a history of bad behavior in which many team members lived together in off campus housing and did invite strippers to a party on that fateful evening. No illegal activity but hardly consistant with the campus culture which Duke administrators fostered. And yes the same charges could be leveled at many Greek societies but that is another discussion.</p>