Reviewing Athletics

The debate over big time college athletics versus academics has always been an issue. As colleges have grown, and become more accessible to the average student, the necessity to attract students and boost the college's image is an on going concern to the many institutions. One way colleges boost their image is to have winning teams. The winning team, be it football, soccer, basketball or any other sport must then be created. The question arises when colleges create these teams for namesakes only, how far will a college go to attract a star athlete? Athletes at colleges where athletics are a large part of the school's namesake are given unfair advantages, compromising for the purpose of their existence. This behavior is demeaning to the academic institutions where athletics are supposed to be secondary to the educational program.

The first infraction begins with the NCAA. The NCAA allows division one programs to recruit and provide scholarships to high school athletes. These scholarships over look and override the academic abilities of the student. Very often students who do not meet the academic criteria are still allowed and encouraged by the college to accept the scholarships. The school needs these athletes to create their winning teams, however at what price? How much money is the school willing to pay for a player, the player's tutor, and or any monetary gifts? In contrast to the athletic scholarship the academic scholarships, which also give money, and gifts, focuses on scholastic accomplishments furthering the mission of the institution.