[Goose]

I agree with the water-less sand castle analogy, and since the future is so uncertain it allows boards like this to run rampant with speculation.  But that is what we do!

I have been a fan of Division III sports, in which my daughter was an All American, since they are mostly directed for the benefit of student athletes themselves and have much less to do with fans, television, and the ubiquitous corrupting effects of big money.  I also think they are lower-key and less stressful for the participants and interfere less with their educational experience. 

But realistically would my enthusiasm for attending Stanford sports wane if it became a Div III school, like (for example) the University of Chicago--once a football powerhouse?  Probably it would.  Much of my fascination with Stanford athletics is not just its impressive athletic achievements, but the fact that it has been able to compete successfully with more corrupt programs and programs with lower academic standards.  Sort of like the underdog factor. 

I do hope that Stanford figures out a way to be competitive at the highest level without selling its soul even more than has been required.  But if the Devil does come calling, we should be prepared to turn down his offer.  College sports has been managed badly and may be in the process of destroying itself in any recognizable form, and that is not on Stanford.

+1. I do hope that Div 1 college sports can continue to exist and be somewhat shielded by regulation from the money pressures. However, if that doesn't happen, Stanford needs to do the "right thing", even if that means losing lots of what we hope for about Stanford athletics.

[Goose]

I agree with the water-less sand castle analogy, and since the future is so uncertain it allows boards like this to run rampant with speculation.  But that is what we do!

I have been a fan of Division III sports, in which my daughter was an All American, since they are mostly directed for the benefit of student athletes themselves and have much less to do with fans, television, and the ubiquitous corrupting effects of big money.  I also think they are lower-key and less stressful for the participants and interfere less with their educational experience. 

But realistically would my enthusiasm for attending Stanford sports wane if it became a Div III school, like (for example) the University of Chicago--once a football powerhouse?  Probably it would.  Much of my fascination with Stanford athletics is not just its impressive athletic achievements, but the fact that it has been able to compete successfully with more corrupt programs and programs with lower academic standards.  Sort of like the underdog factor. 

I do hope that Stanford figures out a way to be competitive at the highest level without selling its soul even more than has been required.  But if the Devil does come calling, we should be prepared to turn down his offer.  College sports has been managed badly and may be in the process of destroying itself in any recognizable form, and that is not on Stanford.

+1. I do hope that Div 1 college sports can continue to exist and be somewhat shielded by regulation from the money pressures. However, if that doesn't happen, Stanford needs to do the "right thing", even if that means losing lots of what we hope for about Stanford athletics.