Wow. Quite an indepth article. I'm not sure where to begin.
Quote:
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"They learned that we weren't a bunch of radical, inflexible faculty addicted to yelling about athletics," he said.
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This is a telling quote. Unfortunately, I don't believe Robert Eno when he says this. In fact, I don't believe much of what academics have to say. While I don't want to get into a political discussion here, most of my opinions on subjects like this come from my political leanings, which stand opposed to most academics. I find many academics live in a "theoretical" world, bordering on fanciful, that doesn't exist outside the boundaries of their respective campuses. They are removed and secluded from reality in what many like to call their "Ivory Towers", speaking down to the masses as if they somehow can cure all of societies' ills if only we were "smart" enough to follow them.
I have no problem, however, with discussions about change in major college athletics. I am willing to ask myself questions about the direction college athletics is heading. I am willing to listen to ideas from faculty. I am not, however, confident that what an english literature professor, for example, has to say about athletics, will in any way be constructive or helpful. I am predisposed to believe his motives are not all together above board. I am predisposed to believe
he would like to be the one running into Ohio Stadium with 100,000 fans cheering
him before he gives today's lesson. I am predisposed to believe much of his motivation comes from jealousy and a feeling of being disrespected because his chosen profession is so much more important than any silly little game. I am not confident he can understand the importance that athletics plays in people's lives, especially the athlete's lives (I am eluding to things beyond monetary importance here). I don't believe he can possibly understand the importance of competition (yes, I mean having winners and losers). I don't believe many, if not most, faculty members have anything but contempt for athletics and the whole notion of competing to see who's "the best". Generally, this is in complete conflict with their ideas and understanding of the way life "should be".
Now, I may have read way too much into this article. I am not blind to the fact that there could be many positive changes in big time college athletics. This is, however, my intitial take on this article. Agree or not, I should have at least created some decent points of discussion. And if I've offended any one, feel free to set me sraight. I am always willing to learn.