Why College Football Should Be Banned Analysis

The primary focus of higher education is academics, or at least it used to be. In the article Why College Football Should Be Banned written by Buzz Bissinger, Bissinger claims that universities today focus more on “the social well-being of students as opposed to the obsession that they are there for the vital and single purpose of learning as much as they can to compete.” (Bissinger 4). I agree that this may be the case, considering college athletic programs have grown exceedingly in the United States over the past few years, causing tuition to increase and making it harder for students to pursue an education.
A college or university’s main priorities should be to keep tuition at a more reasonable amount, so that they can give more students the chance to pursue a higher education, and to focus on academics so that students can be prepared for our competitive economy and the real world.
However, I don’t believe that academics are the only factor that contributes to preparing a student for the real world. Extracurricular activities such as sports, also contribute in preparing students to thrive in the real world. College sports can teach students significant life skills such as how to deal
with failure, teamwork, leadership, and even time management. Involvement in athletics also makes it easier for students to meet new people, network, and create valuable relationships. They also give students the opportunity to attend college on a scholarship, students who may not have been able to attend otherwise. College athletics do have their perks. Unfortunately, universities have started to prioritize athletics over academics.
Athletic programs at most colleges and universities are financed by student fees and institutional funds that could instead, be used to support academic programs.
Not only are they spending more money on college sports rather than educational purposes, they’re also increasing student tuitions in order to pay for the expenses of athletics, making it almost unattainable for students with financial difficulties to pursue higher education. American colleges and universities don’t seem to have their priorities straight, focusing and spending way too much money on athletics rather than education, and trying to make college more attainable for students who are struggling financially. Educating students and preparing them is their core mission, which is where their priorities should
lie.
Ultimately, a student’s education is the most crucial part of their college experience. Athletics are also, to a certain extent, an important part of college life as well. They help keep students well rounded, and they offer opportunities to get more involved and meet new people. However, the academic component is absolutely vital. The main purpose of higher education is to encourage critical thinking, and help students develop occupational skills. So, instead of spending so much money on athletics, colleges and universities should focus on decreasing tuition and improving academic programs. They must prioritize academics over anything else, it is what will prepare and provide students with the skills needed to prosper in our competitive economy.