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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Nov 9, 2006
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I had an interesting discussion with a professor today, and thought that I'd post the jist of it.
I love college sports but look at it from this angle...College athletes are given full rides to universities, reside in only the best facilities, are given a myriad of special privileges on campus etc.; yet they don't have enough common sense or respect for their school to not break the law. Why?
Let's face it, these guys are athletes and not students. They're placed on a pedestal and are treated like idols, which in my opinion is one of the biggest flaws with the NCAA. Frankly they run fast, can throw far, or can hit a ball, which in my opinion is all they do. They're entertainers...PERIOD
They participate in activities that five years enjoy; albeit they are obviously more talented. How much must one mature as a person to be good at a sport? It takes acute depth perception not intellect or logic to shoot a ball into a basket, so why are we suprised when an athlete ruins such a SWEET deal by making such a seemingly easily avoidable mistake?
The argument started after my professor's database, which he uses to do research and teach his students, was terminated because his department didn't have the funding...It costs $3500 a year to subscribe. What ever happened to the billion dollar grant that was given to this school? Anyone else going to see a girl's softball game in the new stadium when its completed? (Probably not) That new outdoor track sure is aiding students at the state of Arkansas' flagship university at learning German and Chemistry. They also built a beautiful second alumni building to honor all of those donors who's future donations will no doubt not go to the academic endeavors of this university. I mean, why should donors put money into the classrooms? Its the last place that you'll find most college athletes.
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Reputation:75
Level:Pro
Since:Dec 14, 2007
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Your professor is largely right about the student atheletes, but I don't think so about the funding. I think if you delve into it alittle more you will find that the athletic departments at most D1 schools, at least the larger ones, are largely self supporting and rely very little if at all on state funding or monies from the universities operating funds. In the SEC for example any funds paid to the School from Bowl games or Atheletic tournament victories, etc, are split evenly amoung the member schools. So, If Florida for instance wins the National Championship in football, then the other 11 schools are going to get an even share of that money. That is one reason why the SEC is in my opinion is the best conference in the NCAA period.
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 16, 2008
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I agree with you. With all the money that is generated by the sports programs why does it cost so much money to attend? Also, why are the Hogs raising the prices for football games next year? Do they not have enough money already? Most of the athletes not there to get an education. They are there to improve their stock when it comes to draft time. I have heard that the Hogs are the best pro team that Arkansas has.
It's a shame when a professor cannot conduct a class or research because the lack of funds.
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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Nov 9, 2006
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The professor and I were not disputing that large division I schools were self-sufficient. Obviously state-funding cannot afford this university or any other SEC school the nationally competative sports facilities that they now enjoy.
The argument was based on a conflict of philosophy. The reality of the SEC is that sports come before academia. Look at the central and most impressive buildings on every SEC campus and it becomes quite clear where the main emphasis is.
You proved my point exactly. The state sets certain goals for the university to accomplish, and gives a meager amount of money to get them started. Categorical type grants are also given to the university which allow them to spend state money however they see fit. You'll find that this money along with more than 60% of the donations to this university go directly into the sports program.
Has anyone seen any new buildings being erected for anything other than sports? Our worst sports team, THE LADYBACK SOFTBALL TEAM, gets a new stadium at the expense of displacing 300 residents in Carleson Terrace; yet have they made plans of building a new dormitory? No. Anyone lived in Yocum or Humphery hall? (I currently do)They are the least attractive and worthless buildings ever erected, and one of them doesn't even have air conditioning. All that I've seen the university do to promote academics is expand the law school, and frankly I wasn't impressed.
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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Nov 9, 2006
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My point is that the university has the opportunity in 'most' cases in dictating how it wishes to spend donation money. What you'll find is that it isn't going towards getting the english department in Kimpel hall out of 1982. Seriously, Rm. 409, where I have Advanced Composition, is lit by candle and has a Commodore 1000 computer, cerca 1985. (joking)
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Reputation:75
Level:Pro
Since:Dec 14, 2007
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I remember on or about the day that Frank Broyles retired, he told a reporter that one of his main responsibilities with his new job was to raise the funds necessary to retire the Athletic department's dept. At that time he said the university's dept was around $30,000,000.00, which he said was well below the average for the rest of the SEC. That is a serious chunk of chage.
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Reputation:75
Level:Pro
Since:Dec 14, 2007
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I know what you're talking about. I am and always will be a Razorback fan, but I graduated from ASU some 20ish years ago. The dorm I stayed in then is still one of the more new ones on campus now. I guess if you want your donations to go toward the "academic area" of college you have to be specific when you give up the cash, and then you will never know for sure.
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Feb 21, 2008
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If you donate to Razorback Athletics through the Razorback Foundation you have an opportunity to make and educational donation as well as the sport of your choice. While in theory you points are valid, it is not the entire reality of the University of Arkansas.
True, there are departments that get cut on an annual basis at colleges and universities throughout the country and many of them do not play sports at D-I or D-2 level. There are many more colleges and universities that have sports programs that are truly run by attendance or tuition. As a college administrator you have to look at what programs are the most productive. Perhaps your chemistry and biological sciences departments are not well attended so you curb back on the expenditures that you make for those departments. However, your math and physics departments are bursting at the seams and you need to divert the money to those departments. Those decisions are made daily by Chancellors and College presidents throughout the country regardless of whether they are a big time sports school or not. That is a reality of the college system and endeavors for each and every school in the country.
Arkansas football raised ticket prices to keep up with or to exceed other college's football program's facilities for stadium upkeep and not limited to just team facilities. We are still ranked in the 50 percentile of the SEC. Many schools have much higher ticket prices than we. For example, I just got my season ticket renewal and tickets for the Arkansas-Texas game are 85.00 each in Austin. Last year at renewal time I bought tickets for the LSU game at 55.00 each and their tickets are going up this year. This is not an Arkansas thing it is a National thing.
And to answer your debate to the athletes getting a free ride just for being athletes...true many do get away with much more than the average student, however, there are many, actually the majority, that know they will never play a down of professional football anywhere. They come for the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than themselves and at the same time get an education they may not otherwise get with their social status.
There are positives and negatives on both sides, but I whole heartedly believe that the good much outweighs the bad. I understand your position, but do understand that the state of Arkansas is within the bottom 10 percentile in the monies that are distributed to educational endeavors in the country. In other words the money just isn't there. Tuition is already high, a good deal of money comes to the school from its athletic departments, but it is still not enough for many people.
I am and always will be a Razorback athletic department supporter and am not ashamed of how we spend our money because I know the millions of dollars that our athletic departments give back to our school.
bdh
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Reputation:75
Level:Pro
Since:Dec 14, 2007
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