About 30 attendees made Wednesday night’s University Task Force on Athletics open forum seem uninspired as hundreds of seats remained empty in 150 Columbia. And although the forum was organized to help the six panelists obtain statements from the community regarding the national athletics “arms race” and related issues, only six individuals made three-minute statements, four of whom returned to the microphone for a second round.
“It would have been nice to have more people and input,” panelist and English Professor Suzanne Clark said. “It seems feelings about this issue are currently unheated.”
Law Professor Margie Paris opened the hour-long forum with a brief introduction. Clark, the first panelist to speak, then addressed the local influence of collegiate athletics and questioned what athletics offers the community, and vice versa.
English Professor James Earl spoke about the paradoxes that arise between faculty and athletics and defined the role of the Coalition on Intercollegiate Athletics. Law Professor Jim O’Fallon explained the government structure of the NCAA and mentioned factors he thinks strengthen the current arms race.
University alumna and former track athlete Jenny Kenyon gave a short explanation of her perspective on the issue, and she added that many athletes are scholars, as well.
Men’s track head coach Martin Smith voiced his concerns regarding negative stereotypes of college coaches and his personal experience with the athletic program. The floor was then open for attendees to comment.
Art history Professor Richard Sundt proposed reducing the number of mid-week basketball games to encourage academics, adding, “We’re not here to train people for the NBA.”
University student Tim Young pointed out that football head coach Mike Bellotti earns more money than the governor and called it “disturbing.”
Community member George Beres discussed the idea of separating athletics from academics in college funding. Retail consultant Bruce Miller referred to recent newspaper articles in emphasizing the social power of college athletes. Former University athletic director and avid Title IX advocate Becky Sisley proposed bringing back the “reasonableness” of college athletics funding.