TO THE EDITOR:
The DTH editorial, “More support is critical,” characterizes the fundamental conflict of interest between Big Time sports and university education. The educational mission of the university collides with the mission of the ACC, ESPN and the many other institutions that promote and profit from entertainment that relies on unpaid athletes.
The appropriate strategy is to provide opportunities that do not require 600 mile bus trips, late night, last minute television broadcasts and course offerings dictated by practice and game schedules, that serve the interests of Big Time sports, but not students.
The challenges of competition and even the tribal loyalties of rooting for one’s school are easily accomplished by putting student educational goals at the center and not the periphery of intercollegiate sports.
Lewis Margolis
Professor
School of Public Health
