The academics-athletics trade-off: Universities and intercollegiate athletics

Abstract

Since beginning in 1852, few issues in higher education have captivated Americans as much as intercollegiate athletics. Intercollegiate athletics is almost uniquely American. Each year, millions of fans attend games and matches between student-athletes who provide fans with entertainment while helping bind together communities. Proponents of college athletics point to other benefits such as enhancing a school's visibility on a national level and providing opportunities for athletes to develop leadership, teamwork, and other traits that add to human capital upon graduation. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.