[Goose]

How many of these schools have drs and rec under their domain.

BobK, I think this is a good point. If an athletic department is willing to cut sports that have been at Stanford virtually forever because they are not likely to win NCAA championships, how do they feel about club sports or intramural sports? At one time the difference between football and rugby at Stanford wasn't all that large. Many guys played both. That is long in the past. It made sense to have one department back then, but it probably doesn't now. NCAA revenue sports are a whole different ballgame. As you point out, most universities have recognized that and split the functions.
At Stanford, I can tell you the intramural budget isn't near what the football budget is. I also am pretty sure lots of the fixed costs are spread around in ways that don't reflect the marginal benefits to the intramural and PE programs. These functions should be divided to ensure that doesn't happen. The situation as it is is ripe for abuse. It also means that some part of the department is "important" politically and the other parts aren't.

[Goose]

How many of these schools have drs and rec under their domain.

BobK, I think this is a good point. If an athletic department is willing to cut sports that have been at Stanford virtually forever because they are not likely to win NCAA championships, how do they feel about club sports or intramural sports? At one time the difference between football and rugby at Stanford wasn't all that large. Many guys played both. That is long in the past. It made sense to have one department back then, but it probably doesn't now. NCAA revenue sports are a whole different ballgame. As you point out, most universities have recognized that and split the functions.
At Stanford, I can tell you the intramural budget isn't near what the football budget is. I also am pretty sure lots of the fixed costs are spread around in ways that don't reflect the marginal benefits to the intramural and PE programs. These functions should be divided to ensure that doesn't happen. The situation as it is is ripe for abuse. It also means that some part of the department is "important" politically and the other parts aren't.