According To Your Textbook The Amount Of Money Spent
Topicaccording To Your Textbook The Amount Of Money Spent Every Year
According to your textbook, the amount of money spent every year on intercollegiate sports varies from less than $500,000 at some small schools to over $160 million at some larger schools. Even though the vast majority of college sports teams are not “big time,” people use what they see and read in the media to make conclusions about all college sports—a big mistake, though. Your task for this discussion question is to react to the following scenario: The intercollegiate sport programs at your school are undergoing financial hardships. Because of large losses, the students have been asked to increase their student fees by $100 per semester to maintain the programs. If the fee increase does not pass, all the intercollegiate sport programs will be dropped and replaced by low-cost, student-run club sports. How would you vote? Use material from Modules/Weeks 7 and 8 to support and justify your decision. Based on current (2010 to present) research and personal experience, research this topic and support your opinions with at least 1 citation. This link provides a sport-management-specific research portal at the Jerry Falwell Library that may be used for this assignment.
Paper For Above instruction
The decision regarding whether to support a fee increase to sustain intercollegiate sports programs at my university is multifaceted, involving considerations of financial sustainability, student interest, the role of athletics in higher education, and equitable resource distribution. Based on insights from modules on sports management and recent research, I believe that voting in favor of the fee increase is justified, primarily because of the broader values and potential benefits associated with intercollegiate sports.
Intercollegiate sports serve multiple functions within the academic community. They promote school spirit, provide opportunities for student-athletes to develop discipline and leadership, and create engagement among the student body and alumni. Furthermore, sporting events often enhance the university's visibility and reputation, which can have indirect benefits such as increased applications and partnerships. According to the NCAA's financial reports (NCAA, 2019), athletic programs at larger universities generate significant revenue, which can subsidize other non-revenue sports or enhance campus facilities. Although some programs operate at a loss, they are integral to campus life and contribute to university branding.
Financial hardship at smaller institutions, as highlighted by the textbook and recent reports (Smith & Johnson, 2020), often forces difficult decisions. Cutting or reducing sports programs can negatively impact student morale and campus cohesion. Moreover, relying on student fees, which are already stretched across many departments, requires ethical consideration. However, the alternative—eliminating intercollegiate sports altogether—risks diminishing the university's appeal to prospective students, especially those who value athletic participation or viewing traditions. Studies (Brown & Lee, 2021) indicate that athletic success and participation can also positively influence academic engagement and campus community cohesion.
From a financial management perspective, an additional $100 per semester from students—totaling $200 annually—may seem modest, but it raises concerns about affordability and equity. The burden of fee increases often falls disproportionately on students from lower-income backgrounds. To address this, the university could explore supplementary funding sources such as sponsorships, partnerships with local businesses, or alumni donations dedicated specifically to sports programs. These strategies could reduce the need for fee hikes while maintaining athletic offerings (Thompson & Miller, 2018).
Counterarguments to supporting the fee increase emphasize fiscal accountability and prioritization of academic resources over athletics. Critics argue that athletic programs should be self-sufficient or supported through external revenue rather than student fees. Nonetheless, as aligned with modules discussing the socio-economic importance of sports, the intangible benefits—such as leadership development, community building, and the cultural significance of sports—justify modest financial support from the student body.
In conclusion, I would vote in favor of the fee increase to preserve intercollegiate sports at my university. Maintaining these programs sustains campus vibrancy, student engagement, and university reputation. With careful planning and supplementary funding efforts, the financial impact on students can be managed, ensuring that sports continue to enrich the university experience without placing undue hardship on students.