Death puts focus on college athletics
Re: Bob Susnjara's Nov. 6, front-page story “ND president on Declan Sullivan: ‘We failed to keep him safe',” it is troubling to think that this tragic incident could very well be still another manifestation of the athletics-over-academics culture and win-at-any-cost mentality that prevails at colleges and universities supporting big-time football and men's basketball programs. Poor judgments can be made as administrators and coaches strive to improve their team's competitive edge, especially when their team is not living up to the winning expectations of rabid fans, wherever they may be.
The pressure to win at Notre Dame is almost beyond belief. Coach Brian Kelly certainly does not want to be the next Tyrone Willingham terminated by a small group of trustees and university officials, prompting then President Fr. Edward Malloy to say he was “embarrassed to be president of Notre Dame.” This action allowed the university to quiet rabid fans and alums that were threatening to withhold contributions as well as hire a new pro-level coach. The expectation? An accelerated return of Notre Dame's football program to national prominence and really big money.
Troubling as well was the selection of Dr. Peter Likins, former president of the University of Arizona, to provide an external review of Notre Dame's internal inquiry to ensure that it has been thorough, unbiased and accurate. Dr. Likins brings numerous credentials to his assignment, but unbiased? Likins was the ‘go-to' person for the former NCAA president (the late Myles Brand) serving as an ardent apologist for the NCAA cartel's money-making businesses in the commercialized and professionalized sports entertainment industry.
Frank G. Splitt
Mt. Prospect