Budget Woes Force Colleges to Cut Sports

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Lou DiPietro of NY 2:55PM November 10, 2009

How does this effect those that want to coach someday? Would it not be better that they have actual experience at playing the sport? Do not judge all athletes by a few. There are those that are actually paying to play at some schools (DIII) where there are no tuition-based scholarships.

Jannetta of PA 12:55PM April 08, 2009

getting the kind of treatment some of our losing teams get.
Special trainers, all kinds of publicity, travel all over the place for special events.
We have had team members who are great kids - and who are rapist bums. Nothing special about them.

Floyd 52 of MN 2:33PM March 20, 2009

Bill of NY.
Despite your son not receiving an athletic scholarship, he is still being subsidized by the tuition of others. Costs for coaches, facilities, travel, towels, etc.do not have off-setting revenues.

Larry of NV 2:00PM March 20, 2009

Guess it depends on whose son/daughter is benefiting from the tuition of other students, doesn't it? Naturally those who swim, run, jump, and do all sorts of useless activities feel upset when others have the temerity to question the God of Sport! By the way, where is that old, dead Greek who opined that"a sound mind and body"...yada, yada, yada. The real issue here is NOT bonding, but tuition dollars that benefit only a fraction of the student body. Wake up, we're in a serious recession, and cannot afford this naive, suburban 1950's 'playing field of life' philosophy anymore. Want to swim, go to the municipal pool, want to run, find a local park, etc. You don't need to spend thousands of other's money!

ChristmasTree of NY 10:41AM March 20, 2009

My son will be swimming at a D2 school next year, and likely will be one of the teams best swimmers, yet he will not getting a nickel of aid for his swimming abilities...he simply loves to swim competitively! In fact, ALL D3 athletes, and most D2 athletes get NO athletic aid....(with the exception of the "big" revenue sports). These kids compete because they enjoy it! And has been pointed out by others here, there are lots of correlates between athletic success and in involvement and academic success (My son is also an honors student academically) So lets not paint such a broad negative picture of college athletics!

Bill of NY 9:29AM March 20, 2009

You have certainly put yourself on the sports map, Quinnipiac. Cheerleading is now your varsity sport!? Since when does a peripheral sport support program replace the sport, itself? What's your next move - spectator pugilism? Now there are some real numbers. That's all you're really after, right? C'mon. This is as phony as the old athletic department trick of creating women's rowing teams in order to balance out men's football and basketball to comply with Title IX. Ridiculous.

davidk of CO 6:24PM March 19, 2009

As a D1 student-athlete, I have witnessed the negative effects of budget cuts in both the academic, athletic, and residental sectors. We have lost faculty, staff, coaches, and even students as they face financial constraints. My univeristy cut two althetic teams, hoping to "cut their losses" with only one substantial change, rather than deminishing the quality all the programs.
Those student-athletes whose teams were cut are now faced with numerous challeneges. Many chose this university based on the strength of the program and the support given to athletes. Now they are forced to re-evaluate how they fit into this university.
Athletics should not be dismissed as "useless" or "egocentric." Studies show athletic success fosters academic success, and vice versa. Moreover, continuous interaction with uppercalssmen gives first-year students the opportunity to adjust and adapt more quickly to the demands of college life, thus helping initiate and maintain a higher level of academic achievement.

D1 student-athlete of VT 5:33PM March 19, 2009

Hold on here - many of these posts are regarding younger atheltes - the article is about COLLEGE level sports. A team member of a college team that is not on the field is NOT sitting on the side eating popcorn or texting! They are involved, engaged, and ready to be put in if needed. These athletes are putting in all of the same time for practice, weight lifting, team meetings, etc. They may not get time on the field freshman year, but they will get in as they age, mature and grow if they put effort into it. Being a member of a team makes a student feel connected - especially in a large setting, this is vital. A connected student is less likely to develop depression, contemplate suicide, etc. Hey - time at practise or a game (for the athlete) is less time standing around a keg of beer. College sports are very worthwhile to the student and the university campus life in general.

Athletic Supporter of NY 3:15PM March 19, 2009

You're entitled to your opinion of course, but please, stop with the old "life lessons learned" mantra from the 1950's! Life is NOT a football field, we are NOT team players. Physical education, including informal sports is fine. What myself and the other posters are objecting to is the waste of money on a few superstars at the expense (literally) of thousands of other students. Their tuition in part is calculated based on the cost of paying these physical education coaches, they don't work for free! You're the one with the broadbrush here, not us.

ChristmasTree of NY 2:57PM March 19, 2009