Spring Break
Bleachers vs. Desks
Ashley Slocki
Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: Forum
This is a column I have been wanting to write for quite sometime now, but know - just from the conversations I have with friends - that it is a subject matter that gets some people riled up.
So, I will preface this column by saying my intent is not to rile people up. This is something I simply want to write about - give my option about what I have noticed not only at OSU, but nationwide - sports and universities.
I applaud the OSU alumni who donate money to the university. That OSU prepared them for success in life, allowing them to donate money is amazing - this really shows what a great job OSU does with education.
However, I must say it bothers me when more often than not you hear about the money going to the athletics department.
Please don't get me wrong. I have nothing against sports. My favorite is baseball - I started with T-ball, then went up to play softball, my team actually won first in district.
I did competitive cheerleading for many years - starting in the third grade - and yes, cheerleading is a sport.
I played tennis in high school, but had to quit after an ankle injury I got from playing volleyball.
I do enjoy football, but mostly for the atmosphere - I will admit I don't really understand the game.
I remember once asking my dad once how I was supposed to understand what was going on if I couldn't see the ball, and he responded with, "that is the point!"
My older brother played football throughout high school and it was always fun being in the crowd cheering on the team and trying to understand what was going on.
You might assume a cheerleader would understand the game, but I primarily focused on competitive cheering.
Anyway, I digress. When I came to OSU I realized there was a tremendous difference between the treatment of athletes in high school and athletes in college.
Let me remind you - once again - I am from Texas, and in Texas football is the end all be all of sports. The town would shut down on game night.
So, I will preface this column by saying my intent is not to rile people up. This is something I simply want to write about - give my option about what I have noticed not only at OSU, but nationwide - sports and universities.
I applaud the OSU alumni who donate money to the university. That OSU prepared them for success in life, allowing them to donate money is amazing - this really shows what a great job OSU does with education.
However, I must say it bothers me when more often than not you hear about the money going to the athletics department.
Please don't get me wrong. I have nothing against sports. My favorite is baseball - I started with T-ball, then went up to play softball, my team actually won first in district.
I did competitive cheerleading for many years - starting in the third grade - and yes, cheerleading is a sport.
I played tennis in high school, but had to quit after an ankle injury I got from playing volleyball.
I do enjoy football, but mostly for the atmosphere - I will admit I don't really understand the game.
I remember once asking my dad once how I was supposed to understand what was going on if I couldn't see the ball, and he responded with, "that is the point!"
My older brother played football throughout high school and it was always fun being in the crowd cheering on the team and trying to understand what was going on.
You might assume a cheerleader would understand the game, but I primarily focused on competitive cheering.
Anyway, I digress. When I came to OSU I realized there was a tremendous difference between the treatment of athletes in high school and athletes in college.
Let me remind you - once again - I am from Texas, and in Texas football is the end all be all of sports. The town would shut down on game night.
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