With the recent news of cutting certain athletic teams, the debate between what should and what shouldn't go is much too narrow of a question. Instead, the question should be about whether athletics are necessary. In my opinion, the more sports the better.
Sports are like arts. Do we really need them to survive? No, we don't. But do we need them to be civil? Do we need them for entertainment? Do we need them to allow individuals to express themselves? The answer to all of those questions is yes.
The university can easily afford not to have these athletic teams, or could they? Without sports, some universities are not even on the map on a national level.
If Ball State lost its gymnastics program, think about all the potential students who will be forced to leave Indiana because they have no where to compete within the state.
And our volleyball teams are some of the biggest success stories we have within the athletic department. Do I need to count how many times they have been nationally ranked?
The other factor I think about is the issue of true athletics and sportsmanship. All the sports proposed to be cut are Olympic events. These games were designed to promote peace and goodwill toward mankind.
So is the athletic department now trying to say that we are going to lose that same goodwill?
Like the newest NCAA commercials says, "Every time a student athlete gets on the court they are learning about life, not just their sport." Once again, is the athletic department staff trying to say that they doesn't want to see their students grow?
I'm sure the committee in charge of making those recommendations is looking at this issue from an economical perspective. And they have every right to make sure they are looking after Ball State's assets and making sure that this does not come down on me, the everyday, tuition-paying student. But the matter has already affected the campus.
Our former Student Government Association president once gave a speech in a class I had with her. She said that Ball State's students are apathetic, and that students can complain better than they react.
But student athletes have already taken the charge of forming petitions and voicing their concerns at meetings. These students are leaders and make this university unique just because they are here.
I will be saddened if I hear that the proposed cuts went through because these athletes (along with all the others) are here because they want to be. And, they love their respected sports and university enough to risk their bodies to be themselves.
It is time we show respect to these people by keeping them here. And students, I urge you to join them in their support to keep these athletic programs and all the other athletes we have here on campus. Go, Fight, Cardinals.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
