Quote Originally Posted by rogermortimer View Post
While this Penn State scandal is the worst in my lifetime (although some may argue the Dave Bliss incident at Baylor), the worm turned long ago. Division 1 football (in particular) and Division 1 basketball really are not compatible with the mission of most any educational institution. Football really corrupts, even at schools (like Duke) which follow the rules. It costs a fortune, requires the lowering of academic standards not just for a handful of athletes but for tens of them, and disorders the academic priorities of the school. Think Florida State would have a Family Life or Recreation major without football? Likely not.

Football at a place like Penn State is entertainment for the masses. And it permits alums and followers to relive their youth vicariously - the reason why it attracts so much money. But University of Chicago had it right in the 40's when they gave up big time sports.

Accordingly, as disturbing as the event at PSU is, I long ago gave up any illusions over NCAA revenue sports. The notion that the programs exist for young people is hogwash (although it comes closer at Duke and other places with high grad rates) and even more absurd is that they exist for the development of young people. They are businesses on campus, and their interests often prevail over virtually anything else.
As a physical activity, sports serve to connect the ivory towers to the outside world. Especially when they are worthy of spectators. The life of the mind is insular. Ahh, 1905.