Penn State, Seriously Options

[thefunkyredcaboose]

#%$#$%$ that place.

[Pokey]

Holy shit NAMBLA is an actual thing??

[dangum]

Here's an idea. Shouldn't college be all about learning? How did sport and business weasel its way into education. I think it's ludicrous that students are given scholarships purely on their ability to play football or basketball. The US education system is flawed beyond belief.

[PurdueSteve]

Here's an idea. Shouldn't college be all about learning? How did sport and business weasel its way into education. I think it's ludicrous that students are given scholarships purely on their ability to play football or basketball. The US education system is flawed beyond belief.

It's not a "US education system". Unlike elementary, middle and high school, college isn't an entitled public school system" it's a series of private institutions wherein the "state" schools receive government subsidizes from the states to lower tuition for in state residents only.

The athletic programs are essentially separate entities. Athletic departments cannot use education funds. Even when a player gets a scholarship, the athletic department has to cut a check to the school for that students tuition. So, it's not like the bonehead with a really good jumpshot is stealing a scholarship from anyone, without the athletic department (that makes money on ticket sales, and concessions) that scholarship otherwise wouldn't exist.

College athletics tend to get branded by the stereotype of the elite player that moves on to the NBA or NFL when in reality the vast majority of college athletes move on to graduate and get jobs. Their time on a team with a rigid schedule, in general, results in them being more disciplined and in general better employees than they'd otherwise be.

College athletics do far more good than harm.