College Football Questions

The Buffalo News had its big college football preview today. (Sunday August 28 2106)

Nothing of any importance to me or others concerned about higher education  was discussed.

I want to know:

How much are the coaches being paid? Versus professors (all types), and the administration? 

They play 12 games. Divide their salary by twelve & that's way too much for a part time position.

They should be making less than $15,000 a year. Let;s face the facts – football is a one semester sport. It starts in August and ends in January. Done. If they want to make more, they should teach as well.

How much do the stadiums or football fields cost? And why do we have how many? Does this money come out of ticket sales or is student tuition paying for it? Perhaps the college is lucky and there is some corporate sponsorship.

Doubt it. Nobody locally is that good. Or ever will be.

And UB's stadium was built for the Empire State Games back in the 1990's and has it been used for them ever again? So our taxes paid for an ugly underused eyesore.

How many football players complete a degree? And do they graduate on time? How many drop out and never see higher education again? How many of they receive loans from the state or federal government? How many default on those loans? Or received scholarships and dropped out?

How many of the courses that the colleges offer are taught by adjunct professors that might be back the next year? Might not.

How many departments and programs have been cut over the years while sports budgets have increased?

How many of these colleges have libraries that are available and open when the students need them? And staffed with full time librarians at that? Add to that have the appropriate professional journals and up to date books available?

I can go on and I'm sure you could add to this list.

The fact of the matter is that colleges are wasting precious and precarious resources on entertainment.

Is that what they are there for?

So, should their motto be: Keep the students happy, entertained,  and stupid?

And broke.