When UC Berkeley lends its Department of Intercollegiate Athletics millions of dollars to pay its bills each year – and even forgives that debt at times – it’s helping a top-tier college sports program beloved by thousands of fans. But a growing number of Cal academics are disturbed by the practice, arguing that the prestigious research university should not subsidize elite athletes at a time of soaring college costs, faculty furloughs and reduced course offerings. The faculty, which will debate the issue at next month’s Faculty Senate meeting, is not alone. Now the independent Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics – formed 20 years ago by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to raise academic standards in college sports – is turning its attention to an out-of-control "arms race" among college football programs competing to pay increasingly high coaches’ salaries and other associated costs.

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by Nanette Asimov, The San Francisco Chronicle.

Posted: October 27th, 2009, by: admin. Categories: . Awaiting Comments.