Do you think there are any regrets at the U of C for dropping major college sports? (Chicago: university, association)

[ole69]

When I was in grad school at U of C, they let us use UIC's libraries. Does that mean UIC is also part of the Ivy League, since you claim U of C is?

[knitgirl]

U of C would have totally had to change it's character to be competitive in today's Big 10. The Big 10 is a lot more athlete than scholar these days, at least for football players. I graduated in the early 80's and I think most of us were happy not to have that crazy football environment on our campus.

[jwdink]

Originally Posted by ole69

Nothing you're saying has anything to do with whether or not U of C or Stanford are part of the Ivy League.

I don't think the argument was that "U of C is secretely part of the Ivy League." I think the argument was "no one cares, Ole."

[ole69]

Well, thanks for speaking for everyone, and specifically for Manigaullt, whoever you are

[ole69]

And thanks for caring enough to comment yourself

[odannyboi]

"The University of Chicago? You call that a school? They don't even have a football team!" -Hank Hill

[Manigault]

Originally Posted by jwdink

I don't think the argument was that "U of C is secretely part of the Ivy League." I think the argument was "no one cares, Ole."

Some posters here seize on irrelevant side issues. The question is not on what comprises the "Ivy League" but what common characteristics some universities share. Since they have those common traits, they tend to view athletics in the same manner.

[jwdink]

Originally Posted by Manigault

Some posters here seize on irrelevant side issues. The question is not on what comprises the "Ivy League" but what common characteristics some universities share. Since they have those common traits, they tend to view athletics in the same manner.

Definitely agree. (Though compared to the majority of internet discussion boards, this place is usually incredibly civil and on-topic.)

[Chicago76]

U of C does what it does in athletics because it doesn't want to compromise the academic/social integrity of the institution. Culturally, the UAA is a perfect fit. Shameless UAA plug: there is no other sports conference at any division in the country in which the athletes are held to the exact same standard as the general student body.

There was an academic study done a few years back on student-athletes, their choices in majors, their collegiate GPAs, and their HS credentials for admission to school. They looked at the three most academically rigorous athletic conferences in the country: the Ivy League, the UAA (Chicago, WashU, Emory, etc.), and the NESCAC (which contains small northeastern schools like Amherst, Middlebury, Tufts). None offer athletic scholarships.

UAA athletes had similar GPAs, similar choice of majors, and similar admission credentials to those of the general student body. If you put the stats of 50 random athletes on a spreadsheet, and 50 random students on another spreadsheet (excluding the art program), you wouldn't be able to tell the athlete from the non-athlete group for the UAA. You would be able to tell a subtle difference for the Ivy League and NESCAC. For major D1 conferences, a 6 year old would be able to tell the difference.

That kind of explains the experience U of C wants to provide and lets you know what they expect from their athletes.

[ole69]

Originally Posted by Manigault

Some posters here seize on irrelevant side issues. The question is not on what comprises the "Ivy League" but what common characteristics some universities share. Since they have those common traits, they tend to view athletics in the same manner.

Feel free to address me directly and actively.