Sorry I didn't post this yesterday, but I was reading Monday's Washington Post and came across this column by John Feinstein. He discussed two recent examples illustrating "why college athletics are such a mess."
The less important item to Buzz readers was about the John Calipari-Derrick Rose scandal. But the item he first discusses at length is a response to the Wall Street Journal article about the fall of Ivy sports.
Feinstein criticizes Ivy League administrators for their snobby attitude, such as quotes like "It's another week of being out of class. In our league, that matters" by Columbia's athletic director. (Coincidentally, commentator Ernie also called out Murphy's time away from classes excuse in response to my original post.)
The article gets a little sanctimonious in calling out pretentiousness, and of course the author of The Last Amateurs had to throw in a reference to the Patriot League. But it's still a good read on the League.
As for my opinion, as I think I've said on the blog before, I'm pro-football playoffs, anti-basketball tournament and have mixed feelings about the lack of scholarships. But it definitely can be ridiculous at times how League administrators, especially the Presidents, have a holier than thou approach to sports. On the other hand -- and sorry if you've heard me say this before -- but I strongly believe the Ivy League is the only league in America that doesn't try to maximize profitibility.
Tags: Ivy League
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June 2nd, 2009 at 10:47 am
This should hit home pretty hard should AD Bilsky read this.
Its an indictment of him and his colleagues. They are out to lunch
on most issues, and hide behind a thinly veiled mask of
fundraising efforts and facility building.
The bottom line is this:
Under the current Penn AD, the flagship sports are non-factors
on and off the court. The teams are mediocre. The interest level
is waning. And the fans (student, alums, locals) are staying away.
Its nice that the ladies lax team does so well, but few care about
this outside of their small installed base.
It would be nice if others on campus (Guttman, Franklin Bldg, and
the BOT) take notice of how Penn Athletics is quickly becoming
irrelevant as part of the campus fabric.
All on the watch of Steven J Bilsky.
FOJL
June 2nd, 2009 at 11:03 am
FOJL -
Amen! And per Mr. Klitzman's observation re profitability, such neglect at Penn in this environment is beyond irresponsible!
EN