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UAB Football: Wrong Decision for the Wrong Reasons

UAB President Ray Watts has announced that the institution is “taking steps” to reinstate the football program just six months after eliminating it. I wrote at the time that the move was the right decision for the wrong reasons. Although members of the UAB community are understandably thrilled with the reversal, I’m not. In fact, I believe the announcement was the wrong decision for the wrong reasons.

President Watts, Chancellor Robert Witt, and the University of Alabama trustees grossly misrepresented the original decision to cut football. They also dramatically underestimated the backlash that would result.

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Higher education, science, and research

The deployment of nuclear weapons near the conclusion of World War II was not the first time technology influenced events on the world’s battlefield. Indeed, technological innovation has proved a constant ingredient in battle throughout the course of human history. However, the scientific success of the nuclear scientists working underneath the University of Chicago’s football stadium in 1942 ushered in an era of increased U.S. reliance on science and technology in the pursuit of national security. In today’s post, I will discuss the history of higher education in the post-World War II period related to national security, science, and research. In many ways, I believe this period set the foundation for how we have subsequently viewed higher education’s role.

Nuclear researchers under University of Chicago football stadium Photo credit: University of Chicago

The new reliance was based in part on the success of the partnership between higher education and the government during World War II. Many believed that public higher education could play an important role in the transition to peacetime and an economy without the benefit of massive wartime production.

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Do college athletic departments make a profit?

In recent years, debate has surrounded college athletic departments. Legal challenges have questioned why students aren’t getting more financial reward and a share of the revenues. Faculty and staff question the value and amount of money spent in support of athletics in an environment of scarce resources. Astronomical coaches salaries, massive facilities, and the churn of conference realignment make even the biggest fan question the future of intercollegiate athletics. In spite of the media exposure and interest, I am consistently surprised at how little we know about basic questions related to athletics.  In today’s post, I want to address one of the most basic and misunderstood questions:  Do college athletic departments make a profit?

Photo credit: Matthew Henry Hall www.matthewhenryhall.com
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Intellect for national service: Higher education and the military

Today, we celebrate Memorial Day, an opportunity to acknowledge and honor those who have given their lives for their country.  Higher education and the military have always had a long, complex, and interesting history. In honor of our fallen heroes, today’s post shares what I believe is one of the more interesting periods of cooperation between the armed forces, the federal government, and higher education.

Photo credit: SMU

World War I plunged higher education into serious crisis. As the nation economically ramped up for the war effort, resources available to public colleges and universities institutions became increasingly limited.  However, The challenge went far beyond finances as decreasing enrollment threatened the very survival of many institutions.  

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How David Letterman inspired my teaching philosophy

David Letterman is a comic genius.  The ability to both innovate and survive for over thirty years is a testament to his ability.  I am too young to remember much from Dave’s time at NBC but watching him in the 90’s was a thing of beauty.  His nearly singular ability to be smart and stupid at the same time has always struck me.  I would say that we share the same sense of humor, but the reality is that Letterman shaped my sense of humor.  In recent years, I haven’t watched the Late Show as much as I did back in the day (thanks to the kids I can’t stay up that late).  With all of the celebration of Letterman in recent weeks, I’ve been reminded how much I loved watching him.  At the same time and with the benefit of hindsight, I now realize how David Letterman inspired my teaching philosophy.

Photo credit: CBS