In The Bleachers Podcast: Steven Salzberg of "Get Football Out Of Our Universities" Fame Joins Us
On today's podcast we've got Steven Salzberg a professor of Computer Science and Genetics at the University of Maryland on the podcast.
Why you ask?
Well because Professor Salzberg penned an article entitled "Get Football Out Of Our Universities" for Forbes Magazine last weekand needless to say the piece touched off some strong sentiments in our community. Inspired by some statements regarding science fairs and the Super Bowl, Salzberg took the opportunity to explain why he'd like to see the university communities in America jettison the game we all love into an independent or "loosely affiliated" sport within the grand scheme of things. Salzberg and I hit on several major points from his article as well as taking this opportunity to expound on the ideas he touched on in Forbes.
The reason behind his article is clear and while we're on two separate sides of the issue we do see eye to eye on several things including education of players for later in life and the idea that university presidents, chancellors and the like shouldn't be anywhere near the football program.
Other interesting portions of the conversation are the discussion of donations and why he targeted football specifically. Would donations continue to pour in should football programs be removed from the actual universities themselves? He thinks so, I'm not so certain.
On the football specific argument it is interesting that Salzberg notes all student athletes are in not in an ideal scenario to maximize their education opportunity but uses football because of the sports massive sphere of influence and the dollars associated with the game.
All in all it is a great discussion and no matter what side you fall on the idea is one that should be kicked around. Personally, as I state during the show, I feel that football and the student athlete community as a whole are part of the diversity and wealth of experiences that truly enrich the college experience for the participants and non-athlete students alike.
And yes folks that is Morning, Mr. Magpie from the new Radiohead album "The King of Limbs" be sure to download it. Great stuff.
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