Thursday, November 25, 2010

{Collegiate sport is undervalued by academia}

Myles Brand
From reading Myles Brand’s article, “The Role and Value of Intercollegiate Athletics in Universities,” I believe that while collegiate sport does have its shortcomings, it should not be discredited as not contributing anything to the academics of a University.  Why is ballet considered an art form and valued by people in the academic world, when the skills used in basketball or football are not given nearly as much academic credit? I think the academic society has put a negative connotation on collegiate sports and has therefore, failed to realize that student-athletes in a collegiate athletic program are no different than students in any performing arts program, in terms that they are all performing an art.  Athletes should receive academic credit for their practice in their sport, just like any other student at a university who receives credit for learning to master a skill. The traditional views of what should be considered “academic” and what should not need to be re-examined, because athletes, as well as other students in universities are not receiving the academic credit they deserve.

The sports industry is providing so many jobs for Americans and should not be discredited by those who think it is less "academic." Taking away sports in the college setting would not only hurt the athletes at schools, but would also harm the economy of the college city and even the state. Sports in college do much more good than bad, and should be respected by academia. 

No comments:

Post a Comment