University professors debate role of sports

0 Comments | Register-Guard (Eugene, OR), January, 2004

Byline: Greg Bolt The Register-Guard

Professors worried about the spiraling "arms race" in athletics spending soon may see the same thing happening a lot closer to home, a University of Oregon economics professor warned Wednesday.

Speaking during a panel discussion on intercollegiate athletics and higher education at the University of Oregon, professor Larry Singell noted that universities already are competing for the best students and their tuition dollars, much as athletic departments are competing for the best athletes. He said commercialization, which has helped generate millions of dollars for athletics, could one day be used to do something similar for other departments.

"I think what you see happening in athletics is a preview of what...