Letter to the Editor: Monstrous
BY Robert E. Arnold, Tulsa
Monday, August 06, 2012
8/06/12 at 2:57 AM
College football and basketball programs have become monstrous. The highest paid public employees, in many states, are football and basketball coaches. The frequent excuse for allowing the problem to persist is economics, money generated by the programs.
I read an article in U.S. News and World Report and a book authored by a Michigan University professor regarding the economics of college athletics; both claimed alleged profits from the programs were a result of creative bookkeeping. The true reason the problem is allowed to continue is not economic but the apathy of the public resulting from the vicarious pleasure of the fans.
Baseball has no similar problem in college because of the vast minor league system supported by the major leagues. If a high school baseball player's ambition is a professional career a choice other than college is available. Contrarily, if a high school football or basketball player desires to become a professional his only avenue is college. If only the NFL and NBA had a vast minor league system the current intense auction for high school athletes would expire.
The function of universities is to educate, not train athletes for the NFL and NBA.
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