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re: Does football really belong in college athletics?
Posted on 11/15/19 at 7:07 pm to TxTiger82
Posted on 11/15/19 at 7:07 pm to TxTiger82
quote:
The starting point should be a simple question: What is the purpose of collegiate athletics? When football first developed in elite east coast colleges in the late 1800s, that answer was simple and obvious -- athletics and physical fitness were considered essential components of cultivating the "complete man." Math, science, literature, philosophy, history, and athletics. All of these things were connected in 19th century thinking. Now? Clearly this is not the case. The student--athlete model is a facade for what is really a corporatized farm league populated by athletes who (for the most part) have no true interest in higher education at all. On top of that, the sport does more to harm the brain than it does to cultivate intelligence. We are approaching the breaking point, to be honest. It is difficult to see from the vantage point of an SEC fan -- obviously the SEC will be the last to give it up.
I understand all that, but the sport is only popular because of its amateur quality. Take that away and no one will watch i.e. there’s no money in it.
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Posted on 11/15/19 at 7:35 pm to Cold Drink
If we're to be honest the current professionalized version of some collegiate sports should be eliminated completely.
They really do nothing for too many of the central athletes that a minor league system couldn't, and they undermine the stated purpose of those institutions. A better model would be true minor league teams affiliated with those institutions with classes chosen and mandated by the teams and geared towards furthering athletes towards their chosen professions.
The facade of amateurism necessitates dishonesty and enables exploitation. We can create an open and honest system that still allows us to cheer our favorite teams.
They really do nothing for too many of the central athletes that a minor league system couldn't, and they undermine the stated purpose of those institutions. A better model would be true minor league teams affiliated with those institutions with classes chosen and mandated by the teams and geared towards furthering athletes towards their chosen professions.
The facade of amateurism necessitates dishonesty and enables exploitation. We can create an open and honest system that still allows us to cheer our favorite teams.
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