Athletics can be very important to colleges and universities (especially NCAA division 1 athletic programs). Intercollegiate athletic programs can be tools for recruiting students, or for marketing a college or university, and in some instances, athletics can create quite a bit of revenue at an institution of higher education. Regional accreditors and the sanctioning bodies of the various athletic associations (NCAA, NAIA, NCCAA, etc) share the responsibility of policing intercollegiate athletics on campus. For example, one regional accreditor, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), requires that schools seeking accreditation meet the following standard: “The institution’s chief executive officer has ultimate responsibility for, and exercises appropriate administrative and fiscal control over, the institution’s intercollegiate athletics program.” This is the only standard in which the regional accreditor mentions athletic programs.

What are some of the problems colleges and universities can face as a result of athletic programs? Is there enough control from athletic associations and regional accreditors over athletic programs on college campuses? Who should ultimately be responsible for dealing with any problems stemming from athletic programs? Should there be more strict control over intercollegiate athletics? Should there be less control?