Running Head: Athletics vs.

Academics

Athletics Vs. Academics in Higher Education: A Review of the Literature Tim Steffler University of Texas at El Paso

Academic vs. Athletics Abstract The purpose of this literature review is to show you both sides of the argument of athletics vs. academics in higher education. This paper discusses how this situation came about and how America has made it part of the culture. Whether or not it is actually a problem or a over exaggerated rumor is gone over. Along with where does the money go towards at a college level, how the student-athletes are affected by this situation, and how the non-athlete is affected also?

Academic vs. Athletics Athletics vs. Academics in Higher Education: A Review of the Literature In the United States athletics has become a major part of culture and is valued above all else, this has caused allot of people to believe that athletics receives way more support than it should, even over things that should be more important; such as education. That brings us to the topic of this literature review; Academics vs. Athletics in Higher Education. The biggest debate today is whether or not athletes and athletics are favored in the collegiate system and should this be allowed if it is occurring. What is to be discussed and reviewed here today is whether or not athletics is actually favored in higher education and if there is actually in repercussions or lack of opportunities being caused by this so called favoritism towards athletes. The questions that will be answered in this paper will be: 1) What proof is there that athletics has become more important than academics in higher education? 2) How is the revenue that comes into universities or colleges actually divided back into the system? 3) Is their more emphasis on athletics over academic achievement and how does that affect the student-athletes? 4) Are non-athlete students affected by the situation of athletics over academics and how does it affect them? Positive or Negative? The purpose of this review is to find out if athletics is held over academics in higher education and show the reader the truth of the situation, so they are properly informed and able to form their own educated opinion on the matter.

Academic vs. Athletics What proof is there that athletics has become more important than academics in higher education? In the United States, athletic accomplishment is often glorified way more than academic successes. Because athletics is held on such a high pedestal, some believe that the purpose of higher education to provide an equal education to all and put wellprepared people back into the system has failed to do so. So much money is poured into intercollegiate athletics that regular students do not get the same treatment and often may suffer because so much emphasis is put on these elite few.

Right now the relationship between athletics and education in the university system is so tense, the conflict negatively impacts higher educations ability to serve the public. The whole point of higher education is to help students learn and athletics interferes with this on so many levels; financially, attention taken away from other students and even just the money put into education fund is severely lacking compared to the money put into athletics. The Knight Commission, an elite group of businessman, professors, and ex athletes, have stated that, Athletics have no place in our educational

Academic vs. Athletics institutions if it cannot be structures and conducted in away that complements the broader purpose of higher education. (Gerly) How is the revenue that comes into universities or colleges actually divided back into the system? Financial inequality is growing in United States higher education. There is a constantly growing inequality between universities and colleges, coaches and teachers, and faculty workers and their presidents. For example the University of Alabama hired Nick Saban for an eight-year contract at 32 million plus dollars. This is four million dollars, when they have a budget of 3.35 million to pay for the educational needs for the year. It has not been proven that athletics give back more than they take. 60 percent of universities ran deficits of 4.4 million dollars and no more than 11 percent of colleges and universities report a profit from athletic programs. (Thorton)

Coaches are often 9.4 times more valuable than there full time professor colleagues on their pay scales. According to the Knights Commission, athletics spending between 2005 and 2008 at a rate thats an average of four to eleven times greater than spending on academics. (Carey) The negative impact of this is most universities dont

Academic vs. Athletics have the funds to cover these expenditures for athletics, so they end up taking from the education budgets and by doing so lowering their educational standards to keep athletics alive. Is their more emphasis on athletics over academic achievement and how does that affect the student-athletes? In 2003, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has been showing more interest in improving retention and graduation rates of Division One athletes. NCAA President Mark Emmert says, Academic reform is working. Students are better prepared when they enter college, and they are staying on track to earn their degrees. (Graham 1) 82 percent of Division One athletes graduated, setting a new high for these student-athletes. Student-athletes are being admitted to Universities and colleges on a regular basis with academics significantly lower than regular students. This causes student-athletes to receive more attention and more college resources used to make them ready for college level work. Is this actually hurting them placing them in schooling they are obviously not prepared for just to have successful sports? Yes they are able to succeed more but at what cost? Are non-athlete students affected by the situation of athletics over academics and how does it affect them? Positive or Negative? Division One Universities are required by the NCAA to provide whatever assistance these student-athletes to become successful, creating a space for conflict and non athlete students to be overshadowed by the more important student athlete. There is an obvious tension between athletic and academic goals and universities are trying to balance these NCAA requirements and promote an equal educational system for all

Academic vs. Athletics students. Because of the lower requirements for athletes to get into college more money is being into helping these student-athletes succeed in the classroom, this effort is working and raising their success rate, at the same time though it is may be taking from the level of education the non-athlete student is receiving.

Athletes do play a huge part in the financing of the college, what the Knight Commission wants and many other organizations is that this money be more equally divided back into the system. The Knight Commission also says athletics is needed but without the professors and faculty being involved and knowing how the athletics works, the schools will ultimately fail and athletes will not be educated properly and thrown favors and coddled through their college years. Education existed for two hundred plus years without athletics and society needs to understand that their needs to be a balance and colleges will not disappear if athletics loses some of its massive support. Conclusion The major debate running today is whether or not athletics is favored over academics at the higher education level. Through discussing the proof of whether or not athletics is favored, where the financial support goes, how it affects the student-athlete, and how it affects the non-athlete. The evidence tends to lean more towards the fact that

Academic vs. Athletics higher education is suffering because of the importance placed on athletics. But there is also a heavy case that athletics is a primary funder of colleges and they should receive the more support. Should athletics be held over academics or is this destroying Americas future education system at the expense of entertaining the masses. Only you can form your own opinions from the information provided and make an educated decision.

Academic vs. Athletics References Gerdy, J.R. (2002). Athletic Victories Educational Defeats. Academe, 88 (1), 32. Graham, D.L. (2012). Academic and Athletic: The Necessary Tension in Higher Education. Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, 29(8), 30. Jack, C. (n.d.) Knight Commission: Athletic vs. academic spending too unbalanced. USA Today. Petchesky, B. (2013). Academic and Athletic Spending by Division. [table]. Retrieved from www.deadspine.com. Port, R. (2014). NDSU Athletic vs. Academic Spending. [bar graph]. Retrieved from www.sayanythingblog.com. Thornton, S. (2007). Financial Equality in Higher Education. (Cover Story). Academe 93, no. 2: 21-34. Academic.