Why all the sports in college?

[Anonymous]

I understand the mind-body connection and why being fit and healthy is important but why do American colleges devote so much real estate and everything else to college sports, including academically elite colleges? Aren't these supposed to be academic institutions first and foremost? I understand that they are a source of revenue for colleges and may raise alum spirits but they really don't seem to serve the best interests of current students, including the student athletes who devote endless hours and energy and risk injury for something that is unlikely to give them any financial returns in the real world.

[Anonymous]

It is entirely about the money. The end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I understand the mind-body connection and why being fit and healthy is important but why do American colleges devote so much real estate and everything else to college sports, including academically elite colleges? Aren't these supposed to be academic institutions first and foremost? I understand that they are a source of revenue for colleges and may raise alum spirits but they really don't seem to serve the best interests of current students, including the student athletes who devote endless hours and energy and risk injury for something that is unlikely to give them any financial returns in the real world.

Please. If you think current students, especially undergrads, are at the top of their list of concerns, you are seriously misinformed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is entirely about the money. The end.

This a million times over. Most of these schools wouldn't have the status they have without college football and basketball (and the AA young men that play them).

[Anonymous]

OP, what exactly are you talking about? The emphasis on sports as fitness or the big $$ sports like basketball and football? Most of the other sports are not resource intensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is entirely about the money. The end.

+1.

It's a massive scheme to make money and avoid taxes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, what exactly are you talking about? The emphasis on sports as fitness or the big $$ sports like basketball and football? Most of the other sports are not resource intensive.

I played an olympic sport on a Div I team, and we were definitely not resource intensive. It was the same for all the other "minor" sports as well. Ironically, since our budget was so paltry and team alumni donations were so generous, on balance we were a revenue sport (unlike basketball and football which ran in the red every year).

[Anonymous]

It is part of the history and culture of US colleges and universities. Different countries have different cultures.

In other countries, many students live at home and attend the university in their city. The university is a place to go for academic classes and that is it. Here, the university years are seen as a time for a young person to grow and develop as a person and not only as a time for academics. Many students traditionally live away from home for the first time and the university provides for learning in academics and many other areas also. The university provides opportunities for learning in many areas in addition to academics.

It is a different way of looking at the university years. Not better or worse, US universities just have a different approach and role to their students than universities in other countries. It is probably good for international students to be aware of the differences when they choose a US university and decide whether they prefer the US way or the way in their home country.