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PROFESSOR: What is the role[br]of intercollegiate athletics

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within the mission of[br]the American university?

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If athletic programs[br]are to be justified,

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they must be able to[br]identify themselves

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with the mission[br]of the university.

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To a greater or lesser[br]extent, D2 universities

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have a three-pronged mission,[br]namely teaching, research,

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and public service.

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How does your[br]athletic department

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fit within the mission[br]of your university?

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This is a critical question[br]that needs to be addressed.

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After assessing the fit between[br]the mission of the university

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and the Department of[br]Intercollegiate Athletics,

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the next step is to evaluate the[br]department in terms of the three

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generally accepted quality[br]fit indices utilized

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in the academy, namely[br]excellence, uniqueness,

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and centrality.

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There are many justifications[br]that can be proposed.

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However, one of the[br]strongest arguments

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for the continued presence and[br]expansion of athletic programs

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in our D2 universities are[br]the educational opportunities,

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participation offers[br]for student athletes.

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While the lessons[br]learned in math, science,

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and the languages are[br]important, the teachable moments

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and lessons learned[br]in athletics are

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vital to the overall development[br]of each student athlete.