Covering the business of education and training

I am not suprised by this information, but I am very disappointed that people consider sports teams more important than academia. If the money for this coach was going towards the personal fitness of numerous individuals I wouldn't be as disappointed, because physical health is extremely important, but as it goes towards one individual specifically with the intent of entertaining I am dissapointed. Also, as numerous institutions are public I feel that this kind of spending is a waste of tax dollars that should be spent on research and ensuring that those who have put effort in education and research are valued.

I play at a division 1 lacrosse program and still consider academics the number one priority. However, Football is a sellout sport-meaning that it is
1) Attractive- Attracts mainstream students to apply, let alone attend
2) Paying to give athletes through school for free- many who merely show up to class, and, somehow, pull off a 3.0. Please.