The Role of Intercollegiate Athletics in the MIssion of the University

PROFESSOR: What is the role
of intercollegiate athletics

within the mission of
the American university?

If athletic programs
are to be justified,

they must be able to
identify themselves

with the mission
of the university.

To a greater or lesser
extent, D2 universities

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

and public service.

How does your
athletic department

fit within the mission
of your university?

This is a critical question
that needs to be addressed.

After assessing the fit between
the mission of the university

and the Department of
Intercollegiate Athletics,

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

generally accepted quality
fit indices utilized

in the academy, namely
excellence, uniqueness,

and centrality.

There are many justifications
that can be proposed.

However, one of the
strongest arguments

for the continued presence and
expansion of athletic programs

in our D2 universities are
the educational opportunities,

participation offers
for student athletes.

While the lessons
learned in math, science,

and the languages are
important, the teachable moments

and lessons learned
in athletics are

vital to the overall development
of each student athlete.