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PROFESSOR: What is the role
of intercollegiate athletics

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within the mission of
the American university?

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If athletic programs
are to be justified,

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they must be able to
identify themselves

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with the mission
of the university.

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To a greater or lesser
extent, D2 universities

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have a three-pronged mission,
namely teaching, research,

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and public service.

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How does your
athletic department

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fit within the mission
of your university?

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This is a critical question
that needs to be addressed.

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After assessing the fit between
the mission of the university

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and the Department of
Intercollegiate Athletics,

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the next step is to evaluate the
department in terms of the three

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generally accepted quality
fit indices utilized

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in the academy, namely
excellence, uniqueness,

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and centrality.

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There are many justifications
that can be proposed.

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However, one of the
strongest arguments

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for the continued presence and
expansion of athletic programs

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in our D2 universities are
the educational opportunities,

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participation offers
for student athletes.

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While the lessons
learned in math, science,

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and the languages are
important, the teachable moments

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and lessons learned
in athletics are

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vital to the overall development
of each student athlete.