8th Grader Picks Up Scholarship Offer From IU

[FTHurley]

TD, it's not Sea Fury's fault. He's gamely trying to make the argument that the education provided by Harvard would be so much better if only they didn't bother funding their athletic programs. You have to admire a guy who tilts at windmills long after it's been clearly demonstrated that they are, in fact, windmills.

EDIT: My snark aside, let me say that Sea Fury generally seems like a nice guy. While I disagree vehemently with his view here, I don't want that to come across as me thinking he's not a good guy. I know my tone can sometimes be grating. Peace.

[Truth Detector]

I like Sea Firy too. He has proven he can take a friendly disagreement and not get too worked up about it.

And his dislike of football is well documented.

[Frank Capua]

No Sports at Harvard... That's Linsane!

[FTHurley]

No Sports at Harvard... That's Linsane!

[MoparsRule]

Musical ability tends to translate into proficiency in other areas of academics. Not sure about how the ability to throw a ball through a hoop would make you, say, a better brain surgeon.

Study. Dedication. Teamwork.

[MoparsRule]

I think this varies strongly depending on where you are. I don't know much about IU's athletic dept, so I'll assume it's a net positive in this case.

Now, playing football at Florida ...

At any big time school athletics is a plus. For exposure, fundraising, camarederie, etc...

[Sea Fury]

Study. Dedication. Teamwork.

That's what it takes to act in a play, work on a research project, or play in a band. (A good one, at least.) You don't need to join an expensive sports program to get any of that.

[FTHurley]

That's what it takes to act in a play, work on a research project, or play in a band. (A good one, at least.) You don't need to join an expensive sports program to get any of that.

Theaters are expensive to maintain. Since they are used for outside activities that aren't academic, we shouldn't be spending money on maintaining them.

[MoparsRule]

That's what it takes to act in a play, work on a research project, or play in a band. (A good one, at least.) You don't need to join an expensive sports program to get any of that.

It does, doesn't it? It's also what it takes to be successful in the real world.

Ooops... I think you stumbled into something!

[Sea Fury]

Theaters are expensive to maintain. Since they are used for outside activities that aren't academic, we shouldn't be spending money on maintaining them.

He swings, he misses.

Most schools have theatre and music classes and programs in which you can earn a degree. Others count music and theatre classes towards the humanities credits required for other degree programs. Therefore they are legitimate academic programs. Many business degree candidates also take theatre classes to aid them in developing their public speaking abilities, beyond what normal public speaking classes can give them. (For those whose careers require a command of the english language beyond the words "hike!" and "who dat?")

Does your school offer a Master's degree in basketball?

[FTHurley]

He swings, he misses.

Most schools have theatre and music classes and programs in which you can earn a degree. Others count music and theatre classes towards the humanities credits required for other degree programs. Therefore they are legitimate academic programs. Many business degree candidates also take theatre classes to aid them in developing their public speaking abilities, beyond what normal public speaking classes can give them. (For those whose careers require a command of the english language beyond the words "hike!" and "who dat?")

Does your school offer a Master's degree in basketball?

No, they're communist frippery that we've been forced to acknowledge as legitimate academic pursuits.

I'm kidding. Like I said, you're gamely trying to defend a view of education that an extreme minority would actually support. I'll leave it there, since I doubt very much anything I can say will convince you if the long line of distinguished alumni from top schools who played sports won't convince you.

[Frank Capua]

I played tennis in college but during the off season I took part in numerous school stage productions... anything from set design to just being a stage hand. I feel I got a well rounded education as I attempted to get in as many experiences as possible.

Of course tennis players didn't rate the same ability to get away with skipping classes and still passing as some of the members of the football team did.