Abstract
While the Twentieth Century history of inter collegiate athletics has been marked by four periods of ex ternal scrutiny, the present scene is dominated by develop ments relating to the conduct of revenue producing sports, the equalization of athletic opportunities for women, the re cruiting and subsidizing of athletes, and the financing of collegiate sports. Overemphasis on big-time football and basketball persists in clouding the relationship of sports to education. Ethical misconduct in the attraction and main tenance of big-time athletes continues to plague the college sports scene. The tightening financial squeeze on higher education, by keeping pressure on revenue producing sports, continues to nurture an unhealthy win-at-any-cost philos ophy. And the movement to provide women with equal athletic opportunity as required by Title IX of the Higher Education Act of 1972 is adding to the problems of dollars and ethics—problems that will be solved only when the relationship of intercollegiate sports to the educational process is publicly examined, professionally clarified, and understandably declared.
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