It recognizes some of the general problems with "bit-time" football, some Colorado-specific problems, but doesn't really offer a solution.

The solution in my opinion is to go mid-major and limit your liability. BG being a member of the MAC is an expensive proposition but certainly puts our university in a better position with potential students. The debate I obviously see you bringing forward is "should we be spending as much money as we currently spend on athletics?" I think high school kids are attracted to universities with DI athletics, recreation centers, student unions and nice dorms. These extras have become necessities but there are certainly limits.

I would suggest BG has a problem with the community, faculty and all the employees getting behind the university culture. Attendence at athletic events, art gallery openings, plays, concerts and open cultural and academic events should be encouraged to open the eyes of the whole university community to which they belong. I think the encourage of a large percentage of the students to read a common book is a wonderful idea and I think some more community building would be beneficial to the university community.

Athletics is just another avenue to bring alums, students, faculty and the community together. Unfortunately I see more divisions than common bonds. I think the benefits of well-attended events on campus would help the image, finances and alumni involvement with the university. If athleitics were removed from campus it would further limit those connections between the university and the outside world. Ultimatley the mission of a university is to educate but at the same time it should reach out in a variety of ways to the community. I don't think BG does that very well because we have this constant struggle within the university rather than a sense of cooperation and motivation to be more to the community and region.

BGSU needs athletics for a chance to promote. Years ago the education department put a reading clinic RV/bus out at football games to reach out to the community but I have noticed nothing similar from any of the other departments since.

Why Professor Jackson does the academic side of campus fail to utilize this obvious connection to community and alums?

"Why Professor Jackson does the academic side of campus fail to utilize this obvious connection to community and alums?"

I know that the various colleges, schools and departments have in the past purchased and staffed hospitality tents at football games, but that costs real money and I'm not sure how much of an effect it has. I've been asked to attend a football game with prominent alumni from the college of arts and sciences and did so gladly. A couple of us from POLS used to informally reach out to folks in the falcon club tent and had some nice conversations.

It seems to me that a small kiosk from various prominent university programs when you have crowds of 2,000 - 20,000 at basketball, hockey and football games would be a great way to reach out to the community. I think the cost should be minimal to set up a table at hockey and basketball games. I really believe that athletics bring people to campus and a great education will keep them on campus. Kids that attend games are curious about the university but really struggle to see beyond the games.

The author makes several faulty assumptions:

1) They had a bad AD and a couple bad coaches so, ipso facto, expecting winning football at Colorado is hopeless.

They could try to hire better people.

2) Cutting corners is a prerequisite for success.

They needn't look further than their own conference for an example to prove that one wrong. Stanford struggled in football for years before they finally found the right head coach to bring them success.

Like it or not "big-time" football isn't going anywhere anytime soon. The more likely outcome for those frustrated by the reality is what this beleaguered administrator did: get the heck out.

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story ... chancellor